Thus, we might expect that Black gay men have somewhat different words for describing behaviors targeted by “safer sex” interventions. To the extent that such language differences exist, the impact of public health messages may be impaired. For African-American men, this would be particularly unfortunate given their disproportionate risk for HIV infection ( Cochran & Mays, 1988). Insofar as language is public while sexual behavior and feelings are often private, a schema for translating the private into the public in a safe manner is an important issue in an oppressed population ( Andrews & Owens, 1973). This allows for communication in public without fear of reprisal.