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Prostate cancer treatments disrupt receptive anal intercourse (RAI) for gay and bisexual men (GBM). Sexual dysfunction following prostate cancer treatment may include severe pain in the anorectum during RAI (i.e., anodyspareunia). The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of prostate cancer and its treatments on RAI among GBM. Data were from a cross-sectional online survey of 100 GBM prostate cancer survivors who reported pleasurable RAI prior to treatment. Approximately 47% of the sample reported recent RAI, which was more common among GBM in long-term relationships. RAI was also associated with engagement in other sexual behaviors (e.g., oral and insertive anal sex). Anodyspareunia was reported by 23% of the men who had attempted recent RAI. Anodyspareunia was negatively associated with mental health, performing oral sex on a partner, and bowel function. The overwhelming majority received no information from their healthcare providers about loss of RAI function prior to prostate cancer treatment. Culturally responsive cancer survivorship care may need to address the loss of RAI function for GBM prostate cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male androphilia (i.e., male sexual attraction to adult males) is considered an evolutionary paradox because it is partially influenced by genes and associated with decreased reproduction. Traits associated with attachment to genetic relatives (i.e., kin) could prompt increased kin-directed altruism, thereby offsetting decreased reproduction by helping kin reproduce. These traits include childhood separation anxiety and adulthood neuroticism, which have been associated with feminine gender expression. In prior research, gay men with a receptive (Bottom or Versatile) anal sex role (ASR) reported greater childhood gender nonconformity (GNC) than those with an insertive (Top) ASR. We examined whether ASR groups also differed on recalled childhood separation anxiety and adulthood neuroticism. The Separation Anxiety Scale-Revised and Big-Five Personality Inventory - short form were completed by 350 gay and 146 heterosexual men. For neuroticism, ASR preference groups differed from heterosexual men but not from one another. Gay men who preferred a Bottom or Versatile ASR reported higher recalled childhood separation anxiety than Tops and heterosexual men. Recalled childhood GNC mediated ASR group differences with heterosexual men on childhood separation anxiety. These results indicate that subgroups of gay men delineated by ASR differ on an evolutionarily relevant developmental trait, childhood separation anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attraction preferences of men who have sex with men (MSM) are largely unknown. While previous research has examined certain aspects tied to masculinity and race, no comprehensive study has been conducted. The current research addressed this gap by conducting two comprehensive surveys of the attraction preferences for MSM participants. The two surveys had participants identify key elements about themselves and then identify the attraction of these same elements in others. The results showed there were no universal ideal preferences for MSMs. That said, we found trends suggesting different body typed individuals have strong preferences for other body types. We discuss the practical implications of these findings, including the potential to predict attraction among the MSM population. This research supports the belief that MSMs have strong preferences for potential sexual partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on two favourite characters from British reality television show, Love Island 2018: Jack Fincham, a former stationery sales manager, and Alex George, an Accident & Emergency [A&E] doctor, to explore how heterosexual norms are constructed and challenged. We study the romantic on-screen relationships these characters have with the female contestants, and between the two male characters themselves through the notion of 'bromance'. Through a textual analysis of the spoken words and physical interactions between characters in episodes forming the fourth series of Love Island and analysis of social media posts and articles in popular press outlets, we use the notion of gender performativity to explore how these characters perform both hegemonic and, what we argue is, 'threatened' masculinity. We use the 'Male Gaze' to methodologically lens the performances by characters and their romantic interactions on the television show. In particular, we focus on Jack and Alex's budding relationship and the condemning of this relationship by the public amid Alex's termination of his romantic relationship. The decision by Alex to end this relationship led to many viewers questioning his sexuality, with specific reference to his adoration for Jack. Whilst broadly, this paper contributes to debates on the sociological potential of reality television shows, such as Love Island, its specific contribution is to a small, but growing body of international scholarship on homosocial relationships and male love stories in television and film. With this paper, we also contribute towards redressing the marginalization of women within the study of bromance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined relationships among sexual victimization, gender roles, and sexual assertiveness in an LGBTQ sample. Recruited via Mechanical Turk, 455 LGBTQ adults completed measures of sexual assertiveness, gender roles, and sexual assault victimization and perpetration. Some form of sexual victimization in the past year was reported by 31% of participants, and 66% reported some type of sexual victimization since the age of 14. Perpetration of sexual violence in the past year was reported by 17% of the sample, and 27% reported sexual violence perpetration since the age of 14. Logistic regressions revealed that gender roles predicted sexual victimization and sexual perpetration status. Additionally, sexual assertiveness was negatively correlated with both sexual victimization and perpetration status. Contrary to expectations, the interaction between gender roles and sexual assertiveness was not predictive of sexual victimization or perpetration. The implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Index of Erectile Functioning (IIEF) has been widely used to measure gay men's erectile functioning. However, the IIEF was initially developed using a sample of men whose sexual orientation was unspecified. Using scales not validated for specific populations can result in inaccurate assessments. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of the IIEF with a large sample of gay men. One thousand and eighteen men self-identifying as "exclusively gay" completed an online survey consisting of demographics, the IIEF, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS4), and the Gay Male Sexual Difficulties (GMSD) erectile difficulties sub-scale. The replicability of the IIEF factor structure with a gay male sample was determined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Additionally, the HADS, PSS4, and GMSD were used to determine the validity of the IIEF. The current study was unable to replicate the IIEF factor structure. Four items required deletion and the factor solution differed from the original. Thus, reinterpretation of the latent variables was deemed necessary. Although the resultant 12-item IIEF evidenced model fit, validity, and reliability, it is not recommended for use with gay men. The revised IIEF is unable to accurately measure gay men's erectile functioning as the content of the items fail to capture their sexual behaviors (i.e., insertive and receptive anal sex). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay men are underrepresented in research on sexual satisfaction. We examined sexual satisfaction and over 50 sexual practices in an online U.S. national survey of men in relationships. Coarsened exact matching created comparable samples of heterosexual (n = 3527) and gay (n = 452) men on six demographic factors, including relationship length. Results identified many similarities between the groups, including sexual frequency, orgasm frequency, duration of sex, and sexual satisfaction. The majority of heterosexual and gay men expressed physical or emotional affection during their last sexual encounter, reporting that they or their partner said "I love you" (66%; 57%) and engaged in deep kissing (69%; 75%) or gentle kissing (82%; 72%). Heterosexual men were less likely than gay men to usually-always receive (27%; 61%) or give (37%; 68%) oral sex when intimate in the past month; were less likely to view pornography with their partner (35%; 61%); but were more likely to give their partner massages in the past year to improve their sex lives (71%; 58%). Number of sexual communication behaviors was a strong predictor of sexual satisfaction, particularly for gay men (β =.36). These findings enhance our understanding of heterosexual and gay men's sexual lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age of sexual debut is a critical health indicator for young sexual minority men (YSMM), associated with an increased likelihood of HIV acquisition, use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, and psychological distress. This study examined the age of same-sex sexual debut for five sexual behaviors in a sample of racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse gay-identified YSMM in New York City. The mean age of sexual debut of any behavior was 14.5 years old and 19% of the sample reported sexual debut prior to age 13. Overall, mutual masturbation occurred at the youngest mean age, followed by performed oral, received oral, receptive anal, and insertive anal intercourse. There were significant differences by race/ethnicity and perceived familial socioeconomic status (SES), such that Black and Hispanic/Latino men had earlier ages of debut for performed oral and receptive and insertive anal sex, while upper SES men had later ages of debut for receptive and insertive anal intercourse. These findings are relevant to trends in HIV incidence in the U.S., which are highest among Black and Hispanic/Latino YSMM and may be associated with earlier age of sexual debut. These findings also underscore a need for comprehensive and inclusive sex education at younger ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving Truvada taking daily in combination with safer sex practices for preventing HIV infection. Topics include troubling by the growing reactionary rhetoric about gay men's sexuality and health; and Black feminist scholars arguing for the necessity of intersectionality in understanding and dismantling systems of oppression.

Consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationship rules, the boundaries and understandings partners have about acceptable behaviors related to their CNM relationship, are associated with relationship functioning and sexual health risk among gay and bisexual men. Partnered young gay and bisexual men (YGBM) experience unique relational challenges and sexual health disparities. Thus, understanding the nuances of relationship rules among YGBM in CNM relationships is of particular importance. However, few studies have examined relationship rules specifically among YGBM. The current study sought to explore relationship rules among YGBM in CNM relationships, including both those explicitly discussed and those implicitly assumed. We also assessed concordance and discrepancies in partners' reports of their relationship rules, as well as rule violations. Partners from 10 CNM couples (n = 20; Mage = 25.3) completed separate semi-structured interviews that included questions about their relationship rules. Individual- and dyad-level analyses were conducted using a modified version of the consensual qualitative research method. Three main themes of relationship rules emerged from the data: extradyadic partner criteria, conditions regarding extradyadic sex, and conditions regarding maintenance of the primary relationship. While 39% of participants reported rules that were not endorsed by their partner, few clearly contradictory discrepancies in partners' reports were observed. Nine participants reported having at least one implicit rule and 70% of participants (from 8 of 10 couples) reported that they and/or their partner violated at least one rule. Explicit rules and rule concordance may be associated with improved relationship functioning. Common violations of sexual risk reduction rules may contribute to YGBM's increased HIV/STI risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PrEP is an effective daily prevention medicine used to reduce risks of HIV infections. Previous research has pointed out the intention-behavior gap on PrEP uptake among gay men. The current study built on research examining how the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) factors influences PrEP uptake among gay men to explore how actual control variables, namely skills and environmental constraints, moderated the intention-behavior relationship. We used results from formative interviews to construct a survey and collected data from 420 gay men. Results showed several factors that were associated with PrEP uptake among gay men. Specifically, the lack of access to an LGBTQ-friendly healthcare provider(s) and lack of English fluency had significant main effects on PrEP uptake behavior, while lack of access to a healthcare provider and lack of healthcare system knowledge were significant moderators of the intention-behavior relationship. This study advances our understanding of the IMBP and offers practical implications for PrEP promotion. Limitations and suggestions for future studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being grouped together in epidemiological risk categories, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are not a homogenous group. In addition to traditional segmentation along race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, many GBM also identify with sexual subcultural communities. Previous research has shown differences across a variety of health outcomes between these sexual subcultural communities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HIV prevention practices among GBM differed according to sexual subcultural community. The study was conducted in collaboration with a popular social and sexual networking smartphone application company. A total of 23,577 GBM responded to the survey. A latent class analysis identified 6 distinct classes related to sexual subcultural community identification. We found significant differences across sociodemographic characteristics, HIV prevention practices, and condomless anal sex in the past 6 months related to sexual subculture identification. Findings suggest that sexual subcultural identity is related to decision-making around HIV prevention among GBM. Differences in HIV prevention strategies are likely a function of group norms, unique shared experiences among GBM identifying with a particular sexual subculture community, and sociodemographic characteristics associated with these groups. As such, sexual subculture identity should be considered in developing interventions and social marketing campaigns to increase uptake of biomedical HIV prevention tools among GBM. Identifying group norms and shared experiences related to HIV prevention practices among sexual subcultures is necessary to understand the role these identities play in lives of GBM, especially as it relates to their sexual health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disclosure of same-sex sexual practices by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) may facilitate appropriate healthcare engagement, including risk assessment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and negotiation of condom use with partners. However, disclosure may also generate stigma. In these cross-sectional analyses, MSM and TGW were categorized based on self-report of disclosure to family members and healthcare providers (HCP) at enrollment into the TRUST/RV368 study of comprehensive HIV and STI care programs in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to estimate relative risk of disclosure with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare condom use and stigma indicators by disclosure status. Of 2557 participants who answered baseline questions about disclosure, 384 (15.0%) had ever disclosed to a family member and 733 (28.7%) to HCP, including 192 (7.5%) who disclosed to both. Higher education, prevalent HIV infections, and residence in Lagos were each associated with increased likelihood of disclosure to family and HCP. Older participants were more likely to disclose to HCP but not family. Participants who made a disclosure to family or HCP were more likely to report condom use during anal sex as well as perceived and experienced stigma that included healthcare avoidance, blackmail, assault, and sexual violence as compared to participants who had not disclosed. Improved disclosure practices within safe spaces may enhance engagement of MSM and TGW in healthcare and HIV prevention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androphilia refers to sexual attraction toward adult males. Androphilic males' female genetic relatives might offset the fitness cost of androphilia by having elevated numbers of offspring. Increased attractiveness relative to other women may enable these females to marry up the social hierarchy, providing greater access to resources to support more offspring. In Thailand, there is a marked status hierarchy and male androphiles are highly visible – identifying as gay men or as a third gender known as sao praphet song. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in which 208 heterosexual men rated the facial attractiveness of 25 sisters of Thai gay men or sao praphet song and 25 comparison women with no known same-sex attracted relatives. Contrary to the prediction, the comparison group was rated as more attractive than the sisters, casting doubt on hypotheses that posit greater attractiveness of female relatives of male androphiles as a proximate mechanism facilitating the evolutionary maintenance of genes influencing male androphilia. Also, men from rural areas rated the women, regardless of group, as more attractive than men from urban areas, consistent with some prior studies showing rural-urban differences in perceptions of attractiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OurStats (https://www.cbrc.net/ourstats) is a data visualization dashboard developed by the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) to increase access to data from the Sex Now surveys—Canada's largest community-based surveillance study of gay and bisexual men. An evaluation of the OurStats dashboard was conducted using an online survey distributed through the CBRC and Advance Alliance—an alliance of Canada's leading HIV and queer men's health organizations. Since being launched in November 2019 (through December 2019), 350 unique visitors used the OurStats Dashboard (5.8 per day). Based on responses from 10 community partners, all respondents said they would probably/definitely use OurStats again and would probably/definitely recommend it to colleagues; nine felt it was much/somewhat better than traditional academic outputs (e.g., poster presentations, journal articles); and seven felt it was much/somewhat better than traditional knowledge translation outputs (e.g., fliers, posters, and social media posts). Respondents said they would use OurStats to identify needs of gay and bisexual men (n = 9), prepare grant/funding applications (n = 9), prepare presentations about Sex Now data (n = 7), and evaluate the impact of local programs (n = 4). Overall, half felt that OurStats was somewhat/extremely easy to use and half felt that it was somewhat difficult to use. The most commonly identified requested improvement was to provide help documentation that explained how each of the display settings changed the visualizations. From these findings, we conclude that dynamic visualizations for community-based survey data are highly feasible and acceptable, provided appropriate support is available to help community partners use these tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court recognized same-sex sexual harassment as a cognizable claim of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At the time, many scholars found this recognition to be significant and important, but some also argued that the Court provided an incomplete analysis regarding the meaning of discrimination "because of sex." Specifically, some scholars argue that the Court's opinion reinforces the sexual desire paradigm in the analysis of sexual harassment cases. Building upon this critique, this Article focuses specifically on the harassment of men who generally are perceived as gender-conforming. In doing so, it uses masculinities theorization to argue that some workplace harassment against these men, which courts have been inclined to treat as mere "horseplay," is actually discrimination based on sex. Examining same-sex harassment cases through this masculinitiesmodified lens, this Article concludes that this broader understanding of sexual harassment is important because men who are perceived as gender-conforming are entitled to more legal protection than they are currently experiencing. Furthermore, it raises the question of whether the masculinity competition that leads to harassment among genderconforming men is actually the epicenter of all sexual harassment. If this is the case, it seems that an important step toward stopping the harassment of women (and men who are perceived as gender-nonconforming) is to stop gender-conforming men from harassing gender-conforming men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual minority men (SMM)—and young SMM in particular—are disproportionately affected by HIV. Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits—wherein patients deliver kits to partners—is a novel strategy to increase HIV testing access. Using quantitative data, we assessed willingness to distribute HIVST kits to recent sex partners among a U.S. national sample of HIV-negative SMM (n = 786). A thematic analysis was then conducted to identify barriers and facilitators of kit distribution to partners among young SMM (M age = 25.75 years; range: 20–29; n = 165). Overall, 93.5% of SMM (and 97.0% of young SMM) were willing to deliver HIVST kits to recent sex partners. Among young SMM, main barriers and facilitators included concerns about their partners' reaction, availability and cost, protection beliefs for others, HIV stigma and perceived infidelity, packaging and support, communication skill needs, inability to contact partners, requests for anonymity, and dyadic self-testing with their partners. The findings highlight the need for supportive intervention strategies such as informational content for HIVST, using motivational interviewing when providing the testing kits to index clients and providing skills-based training through role-playing exercises. Secondary distribution of HIVST kits through index patients is a potentially acceptable approach that could be used to expand access to HIV testing and aid in efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay and bisexual men engage in a variety of sexual partnerships, but the most common distinction made in HIV research and behavioral surveillance is a binary between "regular" and "casual" partners. The "regular partner" category is often perceived as pertaining to ongoing coupled "boyfriend" relationships, with the literature to date rarely troubling what actually constitutes a "regular partner." Some emerging literature has identified "fuckbuddy" partnerships as a type of regular partnership requiring attention, but it is relatively new and not well understood. Currently, assumptions of the regular partner category do not capture how men perceive and conduct commitment in different sexual partnerships that could also be considered "regular," and the implications this has for HIV prevention. Drawing on in-depth interviews with a sample of 61 Australian gay-identified men, we explore a diversity of partnership types that represent unique ways of enacting commitment. We identify three sexual partnerships: "fuckbuddies," dating, and serial monogamy, each with specific issues for HIV risk and prevention. These partnerships suggest important differences in the way men conceive of and practice intimacy and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In China, addressing disparities in the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) requires targeted efforts to increase their engagement and retention in prevention. In an effort to advance MSM-friendly HIV services within China, and informed by community-based partnerships, we tested whether MSM who have ever versus never disclosed their same-sex behavior to healthcare providers (HCP) differ in sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics as well as the qualities of sexual health services each group would prefer to access.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among HIV-negative MSM who went to MSM-focused voluntary counseling and testing clinics in four cities in China. The survey was anonymous and collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, testing behaviors, sexual-health related behavior, and sexual health service model preferences.Results: Of 357 respondents, 68.1% participants had ever disclosed same-sex behavior to HCPs when seeking advice for sexual health. Younger age (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), and worry of HIV acquisition (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.05-1.84) were associated with higher odds of past disclosure. The availability of comprehensive sexual health services was one of the most valued characteristics of the ideal sexual health clinic. Those who ever disclosed and never disclosed differed significantly in their ranking of the importance of three out of ten dimensions: sexual health counseling services available (M = 3.99 vs. M = 3.65, p = .002), gay identity support available (M = 3.91 vs. M = 3.62, p = .016) and clinic collaborates with a gay CBO (M = 3.81 vs. M = 3.56, p = .036).Conclusions: Our hypothesis that MSM who had disclosed versus never disclosed same-sex behavior would differ in the value they placed on different dimensions of sexual health service was partially borne out. As health authorities in China decide on implementation models for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery and specifically within which institutions to integrate PrEP services, the preferences of target populations should be considered to develop comprehensive, patient-centric and LGBT-friendly services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes interview data and a communication accommodation framework to explore how early midlife gay men negotiate HIV infection risk vis-à-vis a younger gay male sexual culture that has evolved in terms of its regard for dangers associated with HIV infection. Analysis of face-to-face interviews with 33 gay men (aged 40–53) in four U.S. cities revealed a model of gay intergenerational sexual (non)accommodation. The model includes forms of communicative convergence and nonaccommodating behavior that serve some men's achievement or continuation of sexual vitality and/or positive generational distinctiveness. Similarities and extensions to communication accommodation theory are discussed, as are the model's implications for understanding some gay men's management of sexual health at midlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares data on gay men and lesbians' sexual life courses in Italy from repeated cross-sectional surveys in 1995–1996 and 2012–2013. Gay men and lesbians increasingly experience sexual developmental milestones at similar ages and rates across the gender divide. They decreasingly experience their first coming out and first same-sex sexual contact in conventionally gendered situations. The number of lesbians' sexual partners rises towards that of gay men's. Sexual exclusivity spreads in gay and lesbian couples and the places were gay men and lesbians meet sexual partners consistently differ, but gendered trends point to common underlying norms. Growing similarities in gay and lesbian sexual experience across the gender divide suggest that, in line with on-going transformations in the meanings of sexuality in contemporary Italy, norms centred on relational preoccupations and sexual pleasure spread at the expense of the once hegemonic procreational and naturalised perspective on sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have theorized about the role of sexual shame as a mechanism through which sexual minority stress manifests into mental health difficulties, such as sexual compulsivity for gay and bisexual men (GBM), and about the resilience-promoting effects of sexual pride. However, no validated measures to date have directly tapped into these constructs rather than using proxies for them, such as internalized homonegativity. We developed the Sexual Shame and Pride Scale (SSPS) and conducted a psychometric evaluation of it using a sample of 260 highly sexually active GBM. The scale had the expected structure in factor analysis and showed evidence of internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Correlational analyses demonstrated the convergent validity of sexual shame and sexual pride with relevant constructs. Regression analyses demonstrated the predictive validity of sexual shame in relation to sexual compulsivity, accounting for unique variability even after adjusting for previously demonstrated etiological factors, and the predictive validity of both shame and pride, which interacted to consistently predict four sexual behavior outcomes. Findings suggest the SSPS is a psychometrically valid and reliable measure that may be useful in future empirical work and highlight preliminary evidence for the role of these constructs in the sexual health of GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the generic tendencies of gay male pornographic comics produced in the pre-Stonewall and First Waves of American gay male comics production. Topics discussed include character types, scenarios, and drawing styles found in these gay porno comics, discourses on gay porno comics, and mainstream gay porno genre as a representation of gay sex and gay male bodies.

Background: The needs of gay men after prostate cancer treatment are becoming visible. This patient group reports a more negative impact of treatment than heterosexual men. Yet, gay men's experiences of post-treatment sexual changes are still little explored. This study aims to determine specific concerns of gay men's post-treatment sexual practices. Methods: A qualitative study design was deployed using semi-structured interviews as data. Participants were purposefully sampled through advertisements and the snowball method. Eleven self-identifying gay men aged 58–81 years and treated for prostate cancer participated in interviews during 2016–2017. The interviews were transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Results: The analysis highlights sexual changes in relation to the physical body, identity and relations. Problematic physical changes included loss of ejaculate and erectile dysfunction. Some respondents reported continued pleasure from anal stimulation and were uncertain about the role of the prostate. These physical changes prompted reflections on age and (dis)ability. Relationship status also impacted perception of physical changes, with temporary sexual contacts demanding more of the men in terms of erection and ejaculations. Conclusions: Gay prostate cancer survivors' narratives about sexual changes circle around similar bodily changes as heterosexual men's, such as erectile problems and weaker orgasms. The loss of ejaculate was experienced as more debilitating for gay men. Men who had anal sex were concerned about penetration difficulties as well as sensations of anal stimulation. Additional studies are required to better understand the role of the prostate among a diversity of men, regardless of sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately burdened by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), accounting for 78% of all Japanese male HIV cases in 2016. Over 30% of newly identified HIV infections in Japan are diagnosed as AIDS annually, suggesting a large proportion of people living with HIV were unaware of their own infection status. An estimated two-thirds of Japanese men who have sex with men (MSM) are not attached to the gay community, and previous studies have largely sampled gay venues, thus, previous studies have likely failed to reach many men in this population. This study therefore examined HIV testing prevalence and correlates among MSM in Greater Tokyo who use gay mobile geo-social networking applications (gay mobile apps), which have been found to increase access to MSM not traditionally accessible through venue-based surveys. Among a sample of 1657 MSM recruited through advertisements on gay mobile apps, the prevalence of lifetime and six-monthly HIV testing was 72.8% and 29.7% respectively. In multiple regression analysis, higher lifetime HIV testing was associated with older age, education, HIV knowledge, anal intercourse with regular and casual male partners, and gay venue attendance. Testing was negatively associated with regular male partner condom use, marriage, residing outside central Tokyo and having both male and female partners. These results indicated that MSM who use gay mobile apps in Greater Tokyo do not meet the CDC yearly testing recommendations for high risk populations. Considering limited HIV prevention funding in Japan for MSM, moderate lifetime and recent testing, and the large number of gay mobile app users, utilization of popular gay mobile apps to promote nearby HIV testing facilities may be an effective prevention policy to target non-community attached MSM, particularly at-risk youth and individuals at risk of sudden-onset AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of contextualizing collective sex to sexual health promotion. Topics include the case of gay men's collective sex practices in New York City (NYC), the risks of collective sex before AIDS, and the discovery of a disease that led to the death of so many sexually active gay men. The changing risks in the era of biomedical prevention are also discussed.

Young men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, but it remains unclear whether there are differences in HIV risk behaviors between self-identified gay and bisexual young men. To address this, the current study examined differences in condomless sex and substance use before sex with male partners between self-identified gay and bisexual young men who are HIV-negative. Additionally, we examined differences in HIV risk behaviors with male versus female partners among the bisexual men. We used four waves of data spanning 24 months from a cohort of young MSM ages 16-29. At each wave, participants reported on up to four partners, allowing us to examine within-person associations. Compared to gay men, bisexual men reported more insertive condomless anal sex (CAS) with casual partners, they were more likely to report marijuana use before sex, and they were less likely to report lifetime HIV testing and PrEP use. Alcohol and marijuana use before sex were associated with CAS for both gay and bisexual men, but the association between marijuana use and insertive CAS was stronger for bisexual men. Bisexual men reported more condomless sex with female partners compared to male partners, but this was not significant after accounting for alcohol and marijuana use. Bisexual men were more likely to report alcohol and marijuana use with female partners compared to male partners, but both alcohol and marijuana use were associated with condomless sex regardless of partner gender. Findings support the need for tailored HIV prevention for self-identified bisexual men to address their lack of preventive behaviors, their increased engagement in certain risk behaviors with male partners, and their engagement in risk behaviors with female partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the lingering questions in Martin Buber's mature thought is the place of the erotic within it. Despite some earlier remarks on the subject, and the potentiality for I-You relations to emerge from erotic encounters, Buber's later work seems solely concerned with the objectifying tendencies in Eros, rather than its redemptive possibilities. This article reads Buber together with a lesser-known dialogical thinker, Harry Hay, the founder of the first gay rights organization in the United States, who developed what he called subject-SUBJECT consciousness: a nonobjectifying, nonhierarchical dialogical relationship between gay male subjects. Though apparently unaware of Buber, Hay's parallel dialogical system centers desire and Eros as generative of a redemptive politics and ethics. After introducing the reader to Hay's dialogical philosophy, I propose that, on the one hand, Hay's inclusion of eroticism enriches our readings of Buber and, on the other, that Buber's nonessentialist and nongendered thought is a necessary complement to Hay's. Reading Buber through Hay offers one approach to a nonhierarchical and sex-positive erotic ethos in the context of dialogical thought, and reading Hay through dialogical philosophy offers a way to recover subject-SUBJECT consciousness in a postessentialist frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet, as an integral part of global culture, has become a location offering a smorgasbord of pornographic images and films depicting multiple and fluid ways of being sexual. For males who identify as gay and/or queer, the Internet offers opportunities to explore same-sex sexualities in ways that have heretofore been challenging; thus, constructions of sexual identity can be interrogated, (re)examined, and (re)imagined. New explorations of sexualities may be the result of interface with Internet pornography, which opens spaces for not yet experienced ways of being sexual. Using qualitative methodology, this project engages the voices of three males who identify as gay and/or queer and focuses on how the Internet, particularly pornography on the Internet, impacts their sexual experiences and their sexual identities. Indeed, we argue here that the Internet does impact sexuality, and these men help to raise questions about what is possible with regard to sexuality and sexual identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fraternal birth order effect (FBOE) describes the phenomenon that homosexual men tend to have a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men. The FBOE is a marker for an innate, biological predisposition for androphilia in genotypic males. The FBOE has been studied since the 1930s and is the most consistent biodemographic correlate of sexual orientation in men. This study sought to determine whether the FBOE applies equally to all men who have sex with men (MSM), or disproportionately to MSM whose anal intercourse behavior is predominantly receptive (Bottoms). Participants included 243 North American adult MSM who responded to advertisements posted on a Web site and other electronic media associated with the GALA festival, a quadrennial gathering of gay and lesbian choruses. Each was asked whether his anal intercourse behavior during the preceding year was predominantly receptive, predominantly penetrative, or about equally receptive and penetrative. Those who indicated their behavior was predominantly receptive were coded "Bottoms"; all others were coded "Not-Bottoms." Participants were also surveyed as to their sibship composition. Bottoms had a significantly greater mean number of older brothers than did Not-Bottoms. There was no significant difference with respect to older or younger sisters or younger brothers. Further, the older sibling sex ratio (OSSR) for the Bottom cohort, but not for the Not-Bottom cohort, was significantly higher than the expected OSSR for the general male population (OSSR = No. older brothers/No. older sisters × 100; expected OSSR for general population = 106). Thus, late fraternal birth order was correlated with receptive anal-erotic behavior among MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of a French pre-exposure prophylaxis trial (Ipergay), and focusing on the communication strategies used to recruit volunteers, this article explores the figure who serves to justify the trial and who shapes the way in which populations concerned by this prevention tool are targeted. We show that this figure is that of the fallible man, a classic in moral philosophy: while aware of what is good or right for him, he is unable to put this knowledge into practice. The targeting of fallible men makes sense in the context of a resurgence of high-risk behaviors objectified in the late 1990s: qualifying gays who take risks as fallible individuals create a distance with respect to the "barebacker" who risks his life deliberately and has no intention of changing his behavior. Recognizing that certain gays are vulnerable to risk also provides justification for a preventive strategy that acknowledges the inadequacy of behavioral prevention, without giving up on prevention altogether. All in all, this analysis shows that the technological and epidemiological realism often highlighted in pre-exposure prophylaxis interventions is not without a moral dimension, attentive to individuals' contradictions and singularities, doubts and uncertainties, and to the risk of stigmatization inherent to the acknowledgement of risk-taking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who attend group-sex events often engage in risky sexual behaviors that contribute to the high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among this population. We conducted an online survey with 211 New York City MSM who attended sex parties in the prior year and asked them to describe their behaviors and perceptions of risk. We compared responses from HIV-positive-undetectable men (n = 36), HIV-negative men on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; n = 62), and HIV-negative men never on PrEP (n = 113). In bivariate analyses, undetectable and on-PrEP men had been to more sex parties in the prior six months, had more anal sex partners there, and had higher rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses than men never on PrEP. Although less than the other groups, 43% of the presumably HIV-negative men never on PrEP reported condomless anal sex at a party in the prior six months. About half of participants agreed that, at sex parties, they made assumptions about others’ HIV status, that they sometimes took more risks than intended, and that the atmosphere of these events was conducive to risk taking. Most disagreed that there was discussion of HIV status at sex parties. Implications for sexual health interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the author attempts to build a critical analysis of the interconnections between chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence. The notion of power is understood within the context of chemsex, along with issues of drug taking and sexual promiscuity since these activities often manifest in chemsex settings. By formulating a theoretical and conceptual analysis, drawing on hegemonic masculinity and normative heterosexuality as theoretical and conceptual frameworks to elucidate some links between chemsex, drug taking, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence, it is argued that the contexts in which chemsex occurs also give rise to male sexual assault and male rape in that the likelihood of these crimes occurring increases. This work is not (nor could it) generalize to a population. The slow upsurge of writing around male sexual victimisation has overlooked important and salient links between chemsex and male sexual violence. This paper offers a dialogue in which to speak about these links, encouraging future research on these important subject matters to contribute to knowledge in order to fully understand male rape. Making sense of these important links can provide some understanding of the personal, social and cultural implications associated with chemsex and male sexual violence. The current paper contributes to current debates in gender and sexuality studies, adding to current understandings of social and cultural constructions of masculinities and sexualities. Identifying the links between gender, sexualities, chemsex and male rape has largely been absent in gender and sexuality studies. The current paper makes these links to recognise and understand the different ways in which men navigate through different masculinities and sexualities, how they perpetuate or dispel hegemonic masculinity, and how men are positioned in certain masculinities in chemsex contexts. The paper considers the growing popularity of sexual practices that involve levels of drug use sufficient to pose tangible risks to those involved, which is clearly an important issue to highlight and to discuss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study draws from interviews with HIV-negative gay men to show how they are doing sexual responsibility online and how their actions uphold moralizing discourses around HIV. The analysis shows how gay men often engage in boundary work through stating their HIV status and "safe sex" practices on their online profile and through screening other people's profiles for similar information. The gay men also avoid interactions with HIV-positive people, maintaining the stigmatization of HIV-positive people and constructing an HIV-positive serostatus as a status distinction. However, although the HIV-negative gay men are often invested in doing sexual responsibility, they eschew condom use with people they trust. This study then demonstrates the limitations and unintended consequences of discourses that often focus on risk and individual responsibility. These discourses ignore the relational and emotive components of sexual interactions, and hence fail to capture the complexities of people's lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While illicit drug use is prevalent among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Australia, little is known about the factors associated with injecting drug use among GBM.Methods: The Following Lives Undergoing Change (FLUX) study is a national, online prospective observational cohort investigating drug use among Australian GBM. Eligible participants were men living in Australia who were aged 16.5 years or older, identified as gay or bisexual or had sex with at least one man in the last year. We examined baseline data for associations between socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics and recent (last six months) injecting using log-binomial regression.Results: Of 1995 eligible respondents, 206 (10.3%) reported ever injecting drugs and 93 (4.7%) had injected recently, most commonly crystal (91.4%) and speed (9.7%). Among recent injectors, only 16 (17.2%) reported injecting at least weekly; eight (8.6%) reported recent receptive syringe sharing. Self-reported HIV and HCV prevalence was higher among recent injectors than among other participants (HIV: 46.2% vs 5.0%, p < .001; HCV: 16.1% vs. 1.2%, p < .001). Recent injecting was associated with lifetime use of more drug classes (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) = 1.31, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.21-1.41), longer time since initiating party drug use (APR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.04), greater numbers of sex partners (2-10 sex partners: APR = 3.44, 95%CI 1.45-8.20; >10 sex partners: APR = 3.21, 95%CI 1.30-7.92), group sex (APR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.05-1.91) and condomless anal intercourse with casual partners (APR = 1.81, 95%CI 1.34-2.43) in the last six months.Conclusions: Observed associations between injecting and sexual risk reflect a strong relationship between these practices among GBM. The intersectionality between injecting drug use and sex partying indicates a need to integrate harm reduction interventions for GBM who inject drugs into sexual health services and targeted sexual health interventions into Needle and Syringe Programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexualised drug use (SDU), the use of drugs in a sexual context, has emerged as a marker of high-risk sexual activity and poor sexual health among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, however, there are no robust estimates of the prevalence of SDU. The primary sources of surveillance data on SDU should include both sexual health and drug treatment services. The challenges to achieving comprehensive, timely and valid SDU surveillance include establishing case definitions, selecting appropriate surveillance settings, and normalising the monitoring of SDU at clinical services. In this commentary we propose a means to address these challenges and discuss other sources of SDU data from ad hoc population surveys and sentinel systems. We also present case studies of SDU surveillance development in England and Switzerland. The patterns of SDU will be affected by a rapidly changing drug market and, as a result, surveillance systems must continuously adapt to ensure that they are fit for purpose and can provide data to guide policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much research concerning drug use in the context of sexual activity among gay and bisexual men derives from public health scholarship. In this paper, we critically examine how the relationship between methamphetamine use and sexual risk practice is treated and understood in this body of research. While public health has made important contributions to establishing the link between methamphetamine use and sexual risk-taking, the precise nature of the relationship is not well defined. This creates space for ungrounded assumptions about methamphetamine use to take hold. We outline what appear to be two dominant interpretations of the methamphetamine/sexual practice relationship: the first proposes that methamphetamine has specific pharmacological properties which lead to sexual disinhibition, risky behaviour and poor health outcomes; the second proposes that methamphetamine attracts men who are already inclined toward highly sexualised interactions and risky practice, and that such men are likely to engage in these practices with or without drugs. We suggest that both interpretations are problematic in that they individualise and cast drug and sex practices as inherently risky and biopsychologically determined. We outline a more historically, socially and politically engaged way to understand methamphetamine use in the context of sexual activity by drawing on the concept of sex-based sociality and the ways in which gay and bisexual men may use methamphetamine and sex as social resources around which to build identities, establish relationships, participate in gay communities, and maximise pleasure while protecting themselves and others from harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk for HIV infection, highlighting the need to understand the elements of prevention and risk associated with their relationships. We employed a phenomenological approach to explore how young MSM become involved in different romantic and sexual experiences. We analyzed 28 semi-structured interviews conducted with young MSM living in Michigan. Using a phenomenological approach, we analyzed the data using an inductive coding strategy and thematic analysis. Participants defined their romantic and sexual interactions with a limited set of partner classifications (e.g., dating, hooking up, friends-with-benefits), but recognized how these classifications were shifting, sometimes unexpectedly so (e.g., a date turning into a hook up and vice versa). Young MSM described relationships in transition that at times defied available typologies or hybridized elements of multiple partner types at once. Based on our analyses, we underscore the need to acknowledge the fluctuating and contextual nature of young MSM's romantic and sexual experiences. We discuss the relevance of our findings in terms of the developmental period of young adulthood and the implications our findings have HIV prevention efforts among young MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) have reported viewing significantly more sexually explicit media (SEM) than heterosexual men. There is evidence that viewing greater amounts of SEM may result in more negative body attitude and negative affect. However, no studies have examined these variables within the same model. A national sample of 1071 HIV-negative GBM in the U.S. participating in a larger study completed an online survey, which included measures of SEM consumption, male body attitudes, anxiety, and depression. Participants reported viewing 3 h of SEM per week, on average, and 96% of participants reported recently viewing at least some SEM. Greater consumption of SEM was directly related to more negative body attitude and both depressive and anxious symptomology. There was also a significant indirect effect of SEM consumption on depressive and anxious symptomology through body attitude. These findings highlight the relevance of both SEM on body image and negative affect along with the role body image plays in anxiety and depression outcomes for GBM. They also indicate a potential role for body image in explaining the co-occurrence of SEM consumption and negative affect. For interventions looking to alleviate negative affect for GBM, it may be important to address SEM consumption and body image as they are shown to be associated with both anxious and depressive symptomology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rather than individual preferences, examination of sexual fields demonstrates that what is considered desirable by a majority of gay men follows a predictable pattern and is embedded with larger social meaning that defines which characteristics have erotic worth and which do not. While there are many diverse sexual fields, with many different potentially desirable characteristics, we argue that race is a consistent gauge of desirability that spans across diverse sexual fields within the gay community leading to widespread incidences of “sexual racism.” While the idea of sexual racism has been widely discussed in the popular press, and academic studies have also documented the racial hierarchy in the gay community, there have been fewer attempts to systematically explore how such racialized hierarchies of desire are understood by gay men of color. In this article, we attempt to address sexual racism as it is experienced by gay men of color and examine the consequences that sexual racism has on members of these groups. At the same time, we show that gay men of color of color are not simply “victims” of sexual racism but actively confront racial hierarchies of desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use among gay and bisexual men (GBM) has increased in recent years. It is commonly cited as a sexual-enhancement drug. There is, however, little evidence for factors associated with GHB use or the consequences of its use among GBM.Aim: Factors associated with GHB use, its relationship to sexual risk behaviour, and the contexts, consequences, and motivations for its use were examined.Methods: The Following Lives Undergoing Change (Flux) Study is an online prospective observational study of Australian GBM. At baseline, a total of 3190 GBM provided details about their use of GHB. Data on frequency, methods, pleasures and consequences of their drug use, alongside key demographic variables were collected.Results: Mean age was 35.0 years. One in five men (19.5%) had a history of GHB use and 5.4% reported use within the past 6 months, with 2.7% having used it monthly or more frequently. Overdose had been experienced by 14.7%, this was more common among men who used GHB at least monthly. Being HIV-positive, having more gay friends, greater social engagement with gay men who use drugs, a greater number of sexual partners, group sex, and condomless anal intercourse with casual partners were independently associated with GHB use in the past 6 months. Greater social engagement with gay men who use drugs and group sex were independently associated with at least monthly use. More frequent GHB use was independently associated with experiencing overdose among GHB users.Conclusion: Most men used GHB infrequently and it was often used explicitly to enhance sexual experiences, often in the context of intensive sex partying. Men who used GHB frequently, were at greater risk of overdose and other negative health outcomes. GHB use should be considered alongside other drugs that have been implicated in sexual risk behaviour and HIV transmission. Harm-reduction interventions need to consider the particular impact of frequent GHB use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chemsex (the combined use of drugs and sexual experiences) by men who have sex with men is associated with the transmission of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses, but psychosocial factors associated with chemsex engagement and remission remain unidentified. In the present study we considered how do gay men self-identify a chemsex problem and remain chemsex free?Methods: Using a life course perspective, the present qualitative interview study examined participants' reflections to discern pathways in and out of chemsex engagement. Six participants (aged ≥18 years) were drawn from a cohort of men who had completed the tailored therapeutic Structured Weekend Antidote Program. Transcripts were analysed using a Labovian narrative analysis framework.Results: Each man identified a multiplicity of incidents and feelings that contributed to their engagement in chemsex, and engagement in chemsex was connected to participants' identity development and desire to belong to a gay community. Underlying individual accounts, a common narrative suggested a process through which chemsex journeys were perceived as spiralling from exciting and self-exploratory incidents into an out-of-control, high-risk activity that was isolating and prompted engagement with therapy. Despite seeking therapeutic engagement, participants expressed uncertainty about maintaining a gay future without chemsex.Conclusions: Chemsex was associated with a positive gay identity gain, which explained the ambivalence participants expressed in maintaining a gay future without chemsex despite their awareness of negative consequences. This is significant for understanding both why chemsex pathways may prove attractive and why they may be so difficult to leave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual sessions between men, organised through mobile technologies and combined with stimulants intended to extend and intensify the session have been reified into the phenomena of 'chemsex'. Understanding chemsex requires multiple levels of analysis and interpretation. This paper considers chemsex through the lens of edgework, a sociological category for voluntary risk taking identified in 1990 by Stephen Lyng. Edgework activities involve a clear and present danger to the self, intense emotions and sensations and an opportunity to exercise specialist skills. Using published research and other cultural products, this paper demonstrates that chemsex fully exhibits all the defining features of edgework. Chemsex is then positioned as an activity that epitomises the (gay) citizen as consumer in a technocapitalist age of pharmacopornographic consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the sexual motives underlying sexual self-labels among Chinese men who have sex with men. A total of 60 bottoms, 120 versatiles, and 48 tops participated in a Web-based survey. Our results showed that tops were more likely to desire exerting power over their partners during sex, while bottoms were more likely to desire being overpowered by their partners. There were no significant sexual self-label differences in the sexual motives of wanting intimacy and the desire for pleasure. The intimacy and power ratings differed across sexual activities and sex positions. There was a tendency for sexual positions in which the performer was facing the receiver to be rated as more intimate than those in which the performer was facing away from the receiver, and for individuals who preferred to be insertive to feel more powerful in sexual positions in which their partner was kneeling down or standing than those in which their partner was sitting or lying down. Tops were significantly more likely than bottoms to engage in insertive sexual positions, while bottoms were significantly more likely to engage in receptive sexual positions. Both tops and bottoms were more likely to engage in the corresponding insertive/receptive position when the insertive position was rated as more powerful than the receptive position. Our results suggest that the concordance between sexual self-labels and sexual position preferences may rely on the power difference between the insertive and receptive positions in addition to body characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial research into seroadaptive strategies suggests that, individually, they are potentially effective behavioral methods to reduce risk of HIV transmission. Combining strategies, therefore, has the potential to increase risk reduction. The aim of this study was to determine how gay and bisexual men (GBM) combine strategies. To this end, a total of 774 sexually active GBM, aged ≥16 years, in Metro Vancouver, Canada, were recruited. Grouped by self-reported HIV status, latent class analysis of self-reported condom use, strategic positioning, anal sex avoidance, serosorting, viral-load sorting, and withdrawal were conducted. Multinomial logistical regression identified explanatory variables of class membership (i.e., sensation seeking, treatment optimism, sexual altruism, relationship status, number of partners, anal sex preference). Four latent classes were identified: Condom Users, Multiple Prevention Users, Viral-Load Sorters, and Serosorters. The majority of HIV-negative/unknown men (72 %) and a large proportion of HIV-positive men (42 %) belonged to the Condom Users class. Class membership was associated with age, relationship status, treatment optimism, sexual altruism, sensation seeking, number of recent male anal sex partners, and recent condomless anal sex with a serodiscordant or unknown-status partner. Understanding these distinct patterns allows for tailored interventions addressing GBM's sexual health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a notable gap between heterosexual men and women in frequency of orgasm during sex. Little is known, however, about sexual orientation differences in orgasm frequency. We examined how over 30 different traits or behaviors were associated with frequency of orgasm when sexually intimate during the past month. We analyzed a large US sample of adults (N = 52,588) who identified as heterosexual men (n = 26,032), gay men (n = 452), bisexual men (n = 550), lesbian women (n = 340), bisexual women (n = 1112), and heterosexual women (n = 24,102). Heterosexual men were most likely to say they usually-always orgasmed when sexually intimate (95%), followed by gay men (89%), bisexual men (88%), lesbian women (86%), bisexual women (66%), and heterosexual women (65%). Compared to women who orgasmed less frequently, women who orgasmed more frequently were more likely to: receive more oral sex, have longer duration of last sex, be more satisfied with their relationship, ask for what they want in bed, praise their partner for something they did in bed, call/email to tease about doing something sexual, wear sexy lingerie, try new sexual positions, anal stimulation, act out fantasies, incorporate sexy talk, and express love during sex. Women were more likely to orgasm if their last sexual encounter included deep kissing, manual genital stimulation, and/or oral sex in addition to vaginal intercourse. We consider sociocultural and evolutionary explanations for these orgasm gaps. The results suggest a variety of behaviors couples can try to increase orgasm frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study investigated human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in anal and urine samples, and evaluated cytological findings among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Japanese men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods A total of 148 patients were enrolled. Anal and urine samples were collected from each participant, and a HPV-DNA test and genotyping were performed using flow-through hybridization. In addition, anal cytology was evaluated based on Papanicolaou staining. Questionnaires regarding lifestyle habits and sexual behavior were obtained. Results The β-globin gene was positive in 131 (88.5%) anal samples and 139 (94.0%) urine samples. Among the β-globin-positive samples, the HPV prevalence in anal and urine samples was 80.9% and 30.9%, respectively. High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) was detected in 57.3% of anal samples and 20.9% of urine samples. Among 122 adequate cytological samples, anal cytological abnormalities were observed in 99 cases (81.1%). Anal cytological tests revealed that atypical squamous cells of an undetermined significance (ASCUS) were detected in 57 (46.7%) patients, followed by low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in 35 (28.7%), high-grade SIL in five (4.1%), and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade SIL (ASC-H) in two (1.6%), respectively. The nadir counts of CD4-positive T-lymphocyte less than 200 μL and anal HR-HPV infection were independent risk factors for anal cytological atypia over ASC-H. Conclusions The present study demonstrated high HPV prevalence in the anus and urine, and showed a high incidence of anal cytological atypia associated with HR-HPV infections among HIV-infected MSM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use occurs at higher rates in men who have sex with men (MSM) than the general population, and, as a whole, is quantitatively linked to sexual risk behaviour. However, quantitative studies cannot adequately account for meanings, agency and role of social venue in shaping substance use, especially as regards sexual outcomes. To develop new theoretical constructs linking social venues and substance use in MSM, we systematically reviewed relevant qualitative studies and re-analysed them using a dimensional analysis method of grounded theory. Our analysis yielded an organising dimension of 'littoral spaces' in order to understand the meaning of MSM's substance use in relation to the social venue. This space is characterised as different from everyday life, through the altering of social boundaries; defined by its illegal qualities; and described as 'tribal' and 'ritual'. Substance use behaviours are embedded as performative regimes within these littoral spaces. Interventions for this population do not adequately account for the role of space in substance use behaviours. Harm reduction interventions, and interventions taking an approach focused on 'durable' planning for an entire evening, might offer improved effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has investigated the perceived influence of sexually explicit online media (SEOM) on body satisfaction and partner expectations of men who have sex with men (MSM). Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 MSM, covering the perceived influence of MSM-specific SEOM. All nine men who broached the topics of body satisfaction and partner expectations reported that MSM-specific SEOM set unreasonably high physical appearance expectations for themselves and/or their potential partners. Although MSM-specific SEOM might be negatively affecting body satisfaction and partner expectations among MSM, its ubiquity may make it a useful tool to support body positivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]