How To Identify Men “On The Down Low”

October 18th, 2010 - By Anthony Jerrod

According to recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), ‘More than 3 million women are, or have been wives or girlfriends of men who secretly have sex with other men.”  The Family Pride Coalition has recently estimated through their studies that at least 20 percent of all gay men in America are in heterosexual marriages.  These are pretty alarming statistics and are indicative of the many hypotheses that have been formulated on men “on the down low.”  That is, men that engage in same-sex infidelity, while being in a heterosexual relationship- whether it’s marriage or courtship.

As reported in these research studies, many women who are in relationships with these “down-low” men typically are unaware that their partner is engaging in “brokeback” activity.  And, sometimes, these respective women are the last to know and are harsh on themselves for not seeing the warning signs.  In fairness, I think that it can be somewhat difficult to pick up on these signs, especially when you love and trust these men.

Although there are myriad studies on “down-low” behavior, most case analyses do not place emphasis on the warning indications.  Thus, I think that it would prove beneficial and value-adding to discuss at least five ways you may be able to tell if your man could be possibly engaging in “brokeback activity,” without being intrusive.  As a caveat, no human is perfect, so the presence of one of the following signs does not necessarily indicate that your man is engaging in this type of clandestine behavior.  However, the more indications of these anomalies that you observe, it is very likely that you may be married to or courting a “down-low” man:

More from StyleBlazer
More from MommyNoire

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

  • Pingback: A CHEATING HUSBAND… | Rainbow Di

  • the1upay4

    Evelyn Lozada said she eats azz on an interiview

  • Pingback: [kinsey] Being On The “Down Low”: What Does It Mean? « eGrollman

  • i wish i would’ve known

    Theo Gradford

  • Pingback: Links to Articles on MEN LEADING DOUBLE LIVES | trent27nyc.com

  • anonomus

    I hav recently found out that my husband is gay. After marrying him. I hav never been so crushed in my life. He’s never yet admitted it to me. But the signs r ALL. But a prophet came straight out n made me aware of it. I’ve only been married for 3 n a half months and it was a nightmare. I hav taken al the blame for the divorce as I hav not exposed him to friends n family. He can’t care less abt how I feel.or about me in general. I dnt know why sumone wud go to that extrem of marrying u. Sufferin in silence is a terrible thing

  • http://profiles.google.com/webstar9 Mike S.

    other men luvs da blak banana.

  • Denymstarrz

    So true I understood everything but how do I make him prove his manhood?

  • Pingback: Women Pick Up Dress | How Do I Pick Up Girls

  • Pingback: Downlow articles | Letsbuildafutu

  • Pingback: Black dl | Yourcomfortcaf

  • MIDNIGHTKISS

    This article is informative. I was married for over 15 years before I found out. At the time i was angry and hurt but after thinking things over I realized that I saw the signs early on. What tips this article do not give is this. If your man does not introduce you to people he hangs out without or if he’s extremely homophobic then that’s a sign. Today Im friendly with my ex and he schools me on who is down low. LADIES DON’T BE FOOLED!  THERE ARE MORE DL BROTHERS OUT THERE THAN YOU EXPECT….PROTECT YOURSELF…ASK QUESTIONS AND LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE 

  • Cchigbu23

    It’s not all about AIDS- this is a lie that these men feel comfortable telling to women that they say they “love.” I don’t want to commit my life to someone else’s lie- AIDS or no AIDS

  • Cchigbu23

    Please! I really need help! I think the guy that I am dating is on the DL. Today was the first time I have heard this term. I have some history with this- my first boyfriend (white) whom I met at Church turned out to be flaming gay. We dated for three years and I am still not completely over the betrayal. BUT, at least he came out. (We never had sex because I believed we were both waiting together) / Now, I think I have a brother on my hands whom I suspect to be on the DL – military family, from virginia, went to an all male university, very concerned with appearances – seems like he is trying to be very masculine but it feels like an act. He calls me all the time, visits me- but does not seem to be interested in me sexually. (He has told me more stories about him telling girls “no” when as he says, “she was just getting to freaky for me,” then he has about sexual encounters. I don’t know, I’m wondering if I have a true blue southern gentleman on my hands or a DL guy who is trying to use me to cover up his lies. I’m super freaked out- I really don’t want to be used by another man that can’t figure out his sexuality!

    • Www Happilydivorced

      Dear CCHIGBU23… It sounds to me that your beau is definitely suspect… The charteristics of this man sounds identical to my ex-husband.  I am recently divorced after 16 yers of marriage and two children later when learned that I was married to a DL Brother.  A word of warning to you…, a relationship and/or  marriage based upon this type of deception and fraud can have very devasting effects in and upon your life… Please trust your intincts and not his very ” it makes sense” explanations because in the end you will regret that you trusted what he said  more than what your inner voice is speaking to you… pay very close attention to EVERYTHING and take NOTHING for granted!!

  • Lon

    i have no respect for black men on the "down low" they disgust me

    • tmw

      I have no respect for anyone on the downlow it’s disgusting and deceitful. just sick!

  • jerry

    love how all the photos of 2 men include a white guy.. after all, that gay stufff came from them right

    • Cchigbu23

      you’re an idiot and probably DL yourself

  • KISSING UP

    There’s a host of social pressures for Black gay men to marry and stay mostly closeted. Their career, belonging to church or a conservative family.

    But what’s surprising is that not all wives/ girlfriends/ babymothers choose to leave their gay or bi- partner’s side.

    Everyone should be who they are without secrets, without lies.

    For truth and consequences, check out: http://kissingup.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/im-actu

  • sctranny843

    From my experiences I find that most black men play around with other men and trannies on the DL. But they prefer a more manlier or more masculine partner for their DL activities. If your man overly laughs at everything your gay or bisexual male friend or family member says then he could be suspect. Also sisters, check the friends list of these men on the social network sites. U may find gay dudes and trannies on his friends list. RED FLAG