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This descriptive paper characterizes the sexual behaviors of a diverse sample (N = 311) of gay, bisexual, and other nonidentified men who have sex with men (MSM) who regularly attended gyms in New York City. Approximately 50% of the sample indicated sex with primary male partners, while 88% of the men had sexual relations with male casual partners in the 6 months prior to assessment. The participants met their casual partners in a variety of different venues, including the Internet. Differences were noted along key demographic factors with regard to the contexts in which men met their partners. The data indicate that the men use serosorting, strategic positioning, and contexts in which they meet other men, to influence choices concerning sexual partners and practices as a form of health protection. It is proposed that these patterns of sexual behavior are representative of the totality of the lives of gay, bisexual, and other MSM, because despite engaging in gym behaviors, which might be considered health promoting, these men are simultaneously taking risks. Such findings point to varying motivations as to why gay, bisexual, and other MSM actually attend the gym. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a speech by Hans Lehfeldt, a member of Society for the Scientific Study of Sex Inc., delivered at the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Society in New York City on November 6, 1972. He discusses the performance of therapeutic abortions at Mount Sinai Hospital, the liberalization of abortion, the modification of the suction method, the termination of pregnancy through aspiration of amniotic fluid and the safety of early abortion based on reports published in Yugoslavia and New York City.

Sexual risk taking for HW infection was measured for 487 gay men in Buffalo, New York. High levels of sexual risk taking, including unprotected anal and vaginal sex, were reported in comparison to other homosexual populations. Sexual risk takers were found to be more sexually opportunistic, less able to use social skills to reduce their risk of AIDS, and more likely to frequent gay bars than those who were less risky in their sexual behaviors. Respondents were found to be ambivalent in their feelings about condom use and inconsistent in their behavior. We conclude by suggesting that community environment may be a critical factor affecting AIDS-related behaviors and that findings from studies of gay men in the original AIDS epicenters cannot be generalized to all gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifetime sexual behaviors were examined among 206 male and female runaway adolescents aged 11-18 in New York City who were predominantly Black or Hispanic. Most youths experienced oral, anal or vaginal sex with opposite-sex partners (84%), began to engage in these heterosexual activities at a relatively young age (M = 12.9 years), and used condoms inconsistently or not at all (56%). Among sexually active youths, males initiated heterosexual activity at a significantly earlier age than females, reported more opposite-sex partners, and had a higher prevalence rate of trading sex for money or drugs. These findings indicate specific areas for targeting AIDS prevention programs for runaway youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the sexual risk behavior, sexual functioning, and HIV-disease progression in gay men in New York City. The spreading AIDS epidemic has led to major efforts at clarifying the mode of transmission of the presumed viral agent (HIV-1) of the disease. Exchange of body fluids, especially blood and semen, has been recognized as the major route of transmission. In the U.S. the most detailed studies on sexual risk practices have been conducted on samples of homosexual men, and it is in this population that frequent receptive anal intercourse with male partners has emerged as the key sexual practice associated with positive HIV status. Almost all AIDS-related studies on sexual behavior focus on its role in HIV-transmission. If one is interested in the overall effects of HIV disease, however, another aspect of sexuality comes into view, namely sexual functioning.

To provide comprehensive family planning services to adolescents requires going beyond the provision of birth control methods. To determine other needs, all women 18 years old and under attending Planned Parenthood of New York City clinics for the first time during a six week sample period were interviewed. Data were collected from 476 adolescents. Results indicated that: (a) there were no significant differences between the needs of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds for contraceptive, pregnancy detection and abortion services; (b) there was a direct relationship with age and ability to turn to others for social support, with almost one-third of the 15-year-olds telling no-one about their receipt of family planning services; (c) there were relationships between "crisis" orientation of service and age and the nature of the persons whom the teenager had or could talk to regarding her service; (d) less than one-third of the parents were aware of their children's needs for services, with lack of involvement not related to general family relationships but to the adolescents' expectations of parents' specific reactions. The results are discussed in terms of expanding services to reach younger adolescents and the need for developing social support systems for the teenager. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study which examines the differences between homosexual respondents obtained from non-institutional and non-clinical sources, homophile mail organizations, social clubs for homosexuals, and bars that cater to homosexuals. The study found similar differences in New York and San Francisco, California between respondents obtained from different sample sources, while the scales psychological adjustment showed no significant differences between the respondents obtained from different sample sources.