Health Information for Gay Men on the Internet

Summary

The groundbreaking publication in April 2001 of the Healthy People 2010 Companion Document for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health supplement to the nation's Healthy People 2010 prevention agenda marked a crucial milestone for gay men, as well as other sexual minorities in the United States. Based on work done by the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association and scholars at Columbia University, this policy document outlined the most pressing health concerns for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. This article identifies those health concerns specific to gay men, and provides a review of highly select Web resources targeting this population.     

Child Abuse as a Predictor of Gendered Sexual Orientation Disparities in Body Mass Index Trajectories Among U.S. Youth From the Growing Up Today Study

PurposeThis research aimed to explain sexual orientation disparities in body mass index (BMI) by examining child abuse history, weight-related behaviors, and sociodemographics.MethodsWe used data from 7,960 females and 5,992 males from the prospective Growing Up Today Study over nine waves between 1996 (ages 12–14 years) and 2007 (ages 20–25 years). Using repeated measures of BMI (kg/m²) as a continuous outcome, gender-stratified latent quadratic growth models adjusted for child abuse history, weight-related behaviors, and sociodemographics. BMI at age 17 years (intercept) and 1-year change in BMI (slope) are reported.ResultsBisexual females had higher BMI at age 17 years (β = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.00–2.18) and displayed greater one-year increases in BMI (β = .09, 95% CI = .03–.14), compared with completely heterosexual females. Gay males displayed smaller 1-year increases in BMI (β = −.19, 95% CI = −.25 to −.12), compared with completely heterosexual males. No sexual orientation differences in BMI at age 17 years were observed for males, but gay males' BMI at age 25 was less than completely heterosexual males' BMI by 2 units. Among females, sexual orientation differences remained but were slightly attenuated after controlling for child abuse history, weight-related behaviors, and sociodemographics. Among males, the addition of child abuse and weight-related behaviors did not change the estimated difference in 1-year BMI increases.ConclusionsSexual orientation differences in BMI were partly explained by child abuse and weight-related behaviors in females. More research is needed to explore additional drivers of these disparities among both females and males.     

Sexting Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results From a National Survey

PurposeWe know little about the prevalence of sexting behavior among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) or its association with their sexual behaviors.MethodsTo address these gaps, we used data from an online study examining the partner-seeking behaviors of single YMSM (N = 1,502; ages 18–24 years) in the United States. Most participants (87.5%) reported sexting, with 75.7% of the sample reporting having sent and received a sext.ResultsSexting was more frequent among sexually active YMSM, with YMSM who had sent and received a sext being more likely to report insertive anal intercourse, with and without condoms, than those who had not sexted. We found no association between sexting and receptive anal intercourse.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sexting may vary by YMSM's sexual roles. We discuss our findings with attention to their implications for sexual health promotion.     

The role of disclosure & perceptions about providers in health discussions among gay and bisexual young men

ObjectivesGay and bisexual men may feel discomfort discussing sensitive topics such as sexual behaviors and substance use with their health providers, which may prevent them from receiving important health information. This study investigates whether patients’ perceptions of their provider’s sexual orientation predicts patient-provider discussions of sexual and general health topics, and whether this relationship is moderated by patients’ disclosure of sexual orientation to providers.MethodsData were collected online from a sample of 576 gay and bisexual men living in the USA, aged 18–26. Adjusted risk ratios were estimated by using modified Poisson regression with robust error variance.ResultsParticipants who believed their providers were gay or bisexual were more likely to have discussed sexual health topics, but not general health topics; simple slopes analyses revealed that this effect was stronger among those who had not disclosed to their providers. Disclosure was also consistently associated with increased likelihood of discussing almost all topics.ConclusionsFindings highlight differences in communication based on disclosure and perceived sexual orientation of provider, suggesting the need to further explore how these differences influence young gay and bisexual men’s health.Practice implicationsDyads may be more likely to discuss sexual health topics when patients believe their providers are sexual minorities themselves. In addition, patient-provider dyads may be likelier to discuss various health topics when providers are aware of patients’ sexual minority statuses.     

Development of an evidence-based,gay-specific cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for methamphetamine-abusing gay and bisexual men

This study compared outcomes in methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors from a modified gay-specific, cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) combined with a low-cost contingency management (CM; [GCBT + CM]) intervention to prior findings from clinical trials of the original GCBT. Effect sizes for primary outcomes were compared using meta analysis. Comparisons of effect sizes at end of treatment showed the modified GCBT + CM produced significantly fewer consecutive weeks of methamphetamine abstinence (− 0.44, CI: − 0.79, − 0.09) and fewer male sexual partners (− 0.36, CI: − 0.71, − 0.02) than the first trial of GCBT, and more days of methamphetamine use (0.35, CI: 0.02, 0.68) than the second trial of GCBT. At 26-week follow-up, the modified GCBT + CM produced greater effects in reducing the number of male sexual partners (− 0.54, CI: − 0.89, − 0.19; − 0.51, CI: − 0.84, − 0.18). The original GCBT produced more and mostly short-term beneficial drug use outcomes, though sexual behavior changes consistently favored the modified GCBT + CM. On balance, most benefits are retained with the modified GCBT + CM intervention.     

另类欲望的隐秘表达——男同性恋网络聊天室的性邀约话语

为了规避主流社会的注意与网络治理,同性恋社群发展出多样的替代性表达方式。本文聚焦北京某男同性恋网络聊天室,结合丰富语料,探析性邀约话语的语言特征,涉及语篇结构、言语模式、词汇与语法特征,总结出词汇替代的八种方式。这种另类的言语表达既可以降低风险,实现交际目的,也成为身份认同、身份建构的话语资源,为同性恋社群所共享。对同性恋话语的研究有助于提升性少数群体的社会可见度,展现边缘群体的生命经验与生存策略,反思性别文化与性别结构。     

男男性接触者中异性爱者与素质性同性爱者艾滋病高危性行为比较

目的探讨中国男男性接触者（MSM）中异性爱者与素质性同性爱者（gay）艾滋病高危性行为状况。方法采用定向抽样方法，对9城市2250例MSM进行匿名问卷调查，比较其中异性爱组与gay组的高危性行为。结果异性爱组累计同性性伴数（平均13．8个）、近6个月同性性伴数（平均3．8个）、累计同性口交性伴数（平均10．5个）和同性肛交性伴数（平均12．4个），均低于gay组；在婚异性爱组累计女性性伴数（平均4．9个）、近6个月女性性伴数（平均1．7个），均高于在婚gay组。异性爱组同性性交安全套使用率（68．8％）低于gay组；但最近1次同性肛交安全套使用率（91．3％）、与女性性交安全套使用率（63．7％）均高于gay组；两组最近1次同性肛交安全套使用率（分别为91．3％、71．0％）均高于最近1次同性口交安全套使用率。异性爱组最近1年曾参加群交百分率（9．9％）、性交时自己或对方出血过百分率（16．7％）、到外地并与当地男性性交百分率（11．4％），曾向同性买性百分率（4．6％）、16岁前遭遇过成年男性实施的强迫性交百分率（4．2％），均低于gay组。结论MSM中异性爱者与gay的高危性行为存在诸多差异，为有效阻断HIV传播，干预工作应选择重点亚人群进行。