Gay Men Research Articles

Study on Long-Term Care Service Awareness, Needs, and Usage Intention of Older Adult Male Homosexuals in Taiwan and Their Ideal Long-Term Care Service Model.

As the significance of long-term care services for older adults becomes more pronounced in Taiwan, especially considering the intensifying trend of an aging population, there remains a lack of comprehensive attention to the long-term care needs and experiences of older adult individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. The present study examines the long-term care service awareness, needs, and usage intention of older adult male homosexuals in Taiwan and assesses their ideal long-term care service model. This study of five older adult male homosexual subjects aged 66 to 73 years is intended as a preliminary exploration. Interviews were used to collect data. The study determined that the five subjects displayed high awareness of long-term care services, as they possessed actual experience of these services or had even participated in care service staff training to obtain certificates. Some even had experience in applying for home care services and reported problems during use. The subjects perceived that they were very likely to require long-term care services in the future and tended to opt for home care services if they required long-term support. Due to their personal experiences, the subjects displayed negative awareness of long-term care services and expressed worry that long-term care service staff harbored poor attitudes toward homosexuals. The subjects considered the most important aspects of long-term care to be basic medical care and lifestyle care. However, they worried that long-term care staff would delay or refuse to provide such services due to the subjects' sexual orientation or stereotypes related to it, and they were concerned above all about the "friendly attitude" of long-term care staff. They hoped that long-term care staff were friendly toward homosexuals and did not discriminate against them, feeling that it would be more appropriate for homosexual long-term care staff to provide assistance. In terms of vision, while preferring organizations with homosexual employees, the subjects worried that they would be stigmatized and discriminated against. Regarding ideal long-term care services, while considering institutions with homosexual staff to be ideal, the subjects also worried that these would be labeled as institutions that were dedicated to homosexuals, potentially resulting in discrimination. Therefore, they hoped that the sexuality sensitivity of long-term care staff could be improved and that they would undergo professional continuing education to learn about homosexuals, their situations, and care needs.

(367) Penile Constriction Device Satisfaction: Does Sexual Preference Have Any Effect on Preferences and Effectiveness?

Abstract Introduction Penile constriction devices are a noninvasive way to improve sexual performance and erectile function, making them an appealing choice for men. To understand their clinical value and patient satisfaction, it is important to assess patient preferences and the efficacy of different devices. Comparative studies between heterosexual and homosexual men are also necessary to recognize and meet the diverse needs and experiences of these populations, leading to more tailored and effective recommendations. Objective To assess and compare the preference and effectiveness of two medical-grade penile constriction devices between heterosexual and homosexual men. Methods Between May 2023 and July 2023, males were recruited via social media platforms and prospectively enrolled into an IRB-approved, randomized, questionnaire-based study. Upon enrollment, the participants completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM). Participants were then randomized to which device (FirmTech vs Eddie by Giddy) they would receive first and were instructed to use the device twice either during masturbation or intercourse within a two-week timeframe. Once utilized, the participants completed a 17-question, five-point Likert scale device satisfaction questionnaire. Once the first device and survey were completed the other device was sent and the process was repeated. In the device satisfaction questionnaire, lower numbers indicated more positive responses to the questions. We then took the data collected and matched 2 homosexual participants to 1 heterosexual participant by age. Responses from the questionnaire with numerical values are presented as the mean difference (MD) and analyzed using a paired t-test. Questionnaire responses that were “yes” or “no” were analyzed using McNemar’s chi-square analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Fifty men were enrolled and 44 completed the study. After matching the patients by age, 21 were included in the analysis. Among the 21 participants, 14 (66.7%) were homosexual and 7 (33.3%) heterosexual. There was no statistically significant preference or effectiveness amongst the heterosexual group for either device. However when comparing both devices within the homosexual group, 11 (78.6%)) would recommend the FirmTech to a friend, compared to 5 (35.7%) who would recommend the Eddie by Giddy device (p=0.0412). Within the homosexual group, they preferred the ease of putting on the device while flaccid and erect and its comfort (MDs -1.14, -1.79, and-1.50; respective p-values 0.0019, 0.0010, and 0.0160). Homosexual participants also had a significantly better overall impression of the FirmTech device (MD=-0.79; p=0.0099). Lastly, the homosexual participants were significantly more likely to use the FirmTech device in partnered sex as compared to the Giddy (MD=-01.36, p=0.0038). Conclusions These findings suggest that homosexual men favor the FirmTech device over the Eddie by Giddy, rating it more positively and being more likely to recommend it to a friend. Further research with a larger and more diverse sample is needed to fully comprehend the different preferences and satisfaction with penile constriction devices among men with different sexual orientations Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: FirmTech and Eddie by Giddy Clarification: Industry funding only - investigator initiated and executed study Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: FirmTech- On Scientific Review Board.

Police Violence Experienced by Black Gay and Bisexual Men: The Effects on HIV Care Engagement and Medication Adherence.

Black men face high rates of police violence, including direct victimization and indirect exposure to or knowledge of harmful policing. This violence can result in death and physical harm, as well as in numerous poor mental health outcomes. There has been little research examining experiences of police violence experienced by Black gay and bisexual men or the effects of police brutality on HIV continuum of care outcomes. To address this important gap, in this exploratory study, we examined the effects of police brutality on engagement in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral medications. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 107 Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV. The path analysis showed that men with greater exposure to police violence had increased symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and were more likely to have missed HIV care appointments in the past year. Additionally, there was a significant indirect effect of exposure to police violence on missed medication doses via PTSD symptoms.

(207) Ejaculatory Function After Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract Introduction Retrograde ejaculation (RE) is a common outcome of surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Previous qualitative work in the context of prostate cancer has shown that gay and bisexual men (GBM) experience greater bother from loss of ejaculatory function. Ideally, BPH treatment decision-making for GBM who prioritize ejaculatory function would take into consideration their specific needs and outcomes. However, there is no quantitative or prospective data on BPH outcomes in GBM men to inform their care. Objective Our objective was to analyze the characteristics of BPH patients in a urology clinic catered to the needs of GBM in order to fill the gaps in knowledge of BPH outcomes in GBM and improve care. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all GBM patients presenting to an LGBT specialized urology clinic between 9/1/2021 and 4/30/2023. Patients who underwent a procedure for BPH with at least one recorded AUA symptom score were included. Results 24 gay and bisexual BPH patients presenting to the clinic between 9/29/2021 and 4/25/2023 were included. Ages ranged from 32 to 82, with a mean age of 64.23 (SD = 11.43, n=24). The distribution of treatments offered was TURP (n=14), Rezum (n=4) and TUIP (n=1). Of the TURP procedures, 10 were ejaculatory sparing. Four patients received two forms of treatment. Of the 16 patients asked, 14 said ejaculatory sparing mattered to them (Mean age = 67.03, SD = 6.28) and 2 said it did not (Mean age = 77.63, SD = 10.57). The average pre-treatment AUA-Symptom Score for the patients was 20.85 (SD = 6.89, n=13) and average QoL was 4.00 (SD = 1.13, n=12). The average post-treatment AUA symptom score for patients was 8.50 (SD = 5.21, n=8), and average QoL was 1.38 (SD = 1.41, n=8). Conclusions A vast majority of the clinic’s GBM patients place importance on ejaculatory function. Younger GBM placed greater importance on ejaculatory function compared to older men. AUA symptom scores on average were on the low end of severe pre-treatment, with patients feeling mostly dissatisfied with urinary function. Post treatment AUA symptom scores varied but were centered around the low end of moderate, with patients feeling mostly pleased with urinary function. These initial findings from our clinic highlight the need for further prospective research on GBM patient values and outcomes surrounding ejaculatory function. Disclosure No.

(135) A Randomized Survey Study Comparing the Preference and Effectiveness of Two Different Penile Constriction Devices

Abstract Introduction Penile constriction devices are a noninvasive way to improve sexual performance and erectile function, making them an appealing choice for men. To understand their clinical value and patient satisfaction, it is important to assess patient preferences and the efficacy of different devices. Comparative studies between heterosexual and homosexual men are also necessary to recognize and meet the diverse needs and experiences of these populations, leading to more tailored and effective recommendations. Objective To assess and compare the preference and effectiveness of two medical-grade penile constriction devices. Methods Between May 2023 and July 2023, males were recruited via social media platforms and prospectively enrolled into an IRB-approved, randomized, questionnaire-based study. Upon enrollment, the participants completed the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM). Participants were then randomized to which device (FirmTech vs Eddie by Giddy) they would receive first and were instructed to use the device twice either during masturbation or intercourse within a two-week timeframe. Once utilized, the participants completed a 17-question, five-point Likert scale device satisfaction questionnaire. Once the first device and survey were completed, the other device was sent and the process was repeated. In the device satisfaction questionnaire, lower numbers indicated more positive responses to the questions. Responses from the questionnaire with numerical values are presented as the mean difference (MD) and analyzed using a paired t-test. Questionnaire responses that were “yes” or “no” were analyzed using McNemar’s chi-square analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Fifty men were enrolled and 44 completed the study. Among the participants, 31 (70.4%) identified as homosexual, 10 (22.7%) as heterosexual, and 3 (6.8%) as bisexual with a mean age of 36.5 (IQR = 16.5). Table 1 provides a summary of the demographic characteristics. The baseline mean SHIM and ADAM score was 19.5 and 0.5, respectively. A statistically significant preference for the ease of putting on the FirmTech device while erect was found (MD,-0.84; p = 0.001). There was also a statistically significant preference for the comfort, adjustability, and stretch of the FirmTech device (MDs -0.66, -0.32, and -0.86; respective p values 0.018, 0.033, and <0.001). Finally, 35 (79.5%) participants stated that they would recommend FirmTech to a friend, as opposed to 25 (55.6%) who would recommend Eddie by Giddy (p = 0.020). Conclusions These findings suggest that, when comparing penile constriction devices, men prefer the FirmTech device over the Eddie by Giddy with respect to ease of putting on the device, comfort, stretch, and adjustability. Men are more likely to recommend the FirmTech device over Eddie by Giddy. Further research with a larger sample size, which includes a more equal distribution of men of different sexual orientations, is warranted to further support the generalizability and validity of these initial findings, illustrate consumer preference for FirmTech, and expound upon its preferential qualities. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: FirmTech and Eddie by Giddy. Clarification: Industry funding only - investigator initiated and executed study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: FirmTech- On Scientific Review Board.

(397) Investigating the Psychological Bother and Depression Among Gay Men with Peyronie's Disease

Abstract Introduction I: Peyronie's disease (PD) is associated with psychological bother, including depression and relationship dissatisfaction. Objective Our objective is to describe the prevalence of psychosocial issues using validated instruments, comparing gay and non-gay males. Methods We included patients diagnosed with PD who completed two validated questionnaires. The questionnaires were the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The PDQ has 3 domains that evaluate psychological and physical symptoms, penile pain, and bother signs. Higher PDQ scores indicate a greater negative impact, and a score ≥ 9 on the bother domain indicates significant distress. A CES-D score ≥ 16/60 suggests clinical depression. All gay and non-gay patients were matched, and potential indicators of psychological distress were examined in both populations. Our multivariable analysis (MVA) models included age, sexual orientation, pain, and curvature. Additionally, we collected demographic information and PD-related characteristics. Results 74 individuals were matched based on age, curvature direction, and curvature degree: 37 gay and 37 non-gay. The median age was 57 (50, 62) years. Gay population characteristics: 60% were partnered; 54% had ≥ 2 comorbidities; median PD duration of 9 (4, 17) months; median curvature of 35 (29, 49) degrees; 66% had penile instability; 57% in a dorsal direction curvature, and 73% were located at the mid-shaft; 18% had multiplanar curvature. The PDQ scores in the gay vs. non-gay population: median score on psychological and physical domain of 10 (7, 18) vs. 11 (5, 16); median score on pain domain was 3 (0, 9) vs. 3 (0, 6), with 43% of the gay population with pain vs. 21% in non-gay; median score on bother domain was 8 (4, 10) vs. 8 (6, 11), with 65% of gay patients with significant bother (score ≥ 9) compared to 51% in non-gay. Regarding the CES-D scores, 38% of individuals in both populations demonstrated meaningful depression (score ≥ 16), with a median score of 12 (4, 19) in the gay population and a median of 12 (5, 23) in non-gay. In the MVA, sexual orientation was not a predictor for bother or depression (Table 1). Conclusions More than half of both groups had meaningful bother, and 1 in 3 had clinical depression; however, sexual orientation was not a predictor of bother or depression. Disclosure No.

The Homophobia Course in the Life of Older Gay Men in Brazil: Their Social Representations

ABSTRACT This study aims at understanding the social representations of homophobia among older gay men. A number of 20 older gay men aged between 60 and 75 years old participated of the study; the average age was 63.25 years old (SD = 3.58). In the data collection, a semi-structured interview about homophobia was used; they were analyzed on IRAMUTEQ, which compiles the descendant hierarchical classification. The corpus was divided into three classes of social representations. The first representation comprises images of prejudice within society. The second one presents social representations involving reports of internalized homophobia and the experiencing of prejudice. The third one shows social representations about physical and identity violations. The social representations of homophobia show how the participants lead their actions in society, being based upon risk and protection issues to face the objective and subjective difficulties present in their social representations.

Physical Distancing for Gay Men from People Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT The fear of COVID-19 can exacerbate social stigma and prejudice against individuals living with HIV (PLWH). This research delved into the behaviors of MSM (men who have sex with men) who practice physical-distancing from PLWH. Data from 878 respondents were collected through a web survey conducted on Korea’s largest LGBT portal site over one month in July 2022. The study examined various independent variables encompassing socioeconomic characteristics, health status, media consumption habits, and homosexual attributes of MSM. The dependent variable assessed was the extent of physical-distancing perceived by MSMs without HIV toward PLWH. The statistical analysis employed nested regression models. In Model I, it was observed that physical-distancing from PLWH decreased as the age and education level of the respondent increased. In Model II, a decrease in physical-distancing was noted among respondents with underlying health conditions. Model III indicated that increased use of traditional media corresponded to greater physical-distancing from PLWH. Lastly, Model IV revealed a reduction in physical-distancing when the respondent was themselves a person living with HIV. This study underscores the existence of physical-distancing toward PLWH within the gay community. Consequently, fostering solidarity and providing support becomes imperative to prevent the isolation of PLWH within this community.

Sexuality Research During a National Lockdown: Reflexive Notes and Lessons from my Ph.D. Fieldwork

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for qualitative researchers since many countries had to implement lockdown policies to control the spread of the virus. Within the South African context, research on sexual minority identities and experiences is automatically sensitive and risky given the extent of intolerance and high regard for heteronormative ideologies and beliefs that continually exclude sexual minorities from the “normal.” The sensitivity is intensified during a national lockdown since there is an excessive reliance on digital public spaces to recruit participants and conduct interviews. Based on the experience of Ph.D. fieldwork, this paper pays attention to a sexuality researcher’s experience of conducting research on gay men’s experiences in the South African military and police services during a national lockdown. Particular attention is given to the dilemmas posed by the government’s restriction on physical movement and reliance on digital spaces, particularly social media to identify gay men who work in the two organizations and form virtual relationships of mutual trust. Ultimately, this paper holds that reflexivity is critical to feminist research on vulnerable sexual minorities when the relationships between the researcher and the researched are established and maintained through digital platforms. While digital spaces offer opportunities to reach vulnerable populations, they present some challenges that may compromise the credibility of the study if not identified by the researcher.

The (unlocated) in-game gender performativity in contemporary China: Exploring gender swapping practices in the online game sphere

ABSTRACT Gender swapping—selecting a different gender for an avatar in a game than the one assigned to the player in real life—is common, especially in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Such swapping enables a livable transsexual experience. This experience is challenging and dangerous in the real world, which is dominated by gender dimorphism and heteronormative values. Building upon Terry Lovell’s (2003) critique of Judith Butler’s (1990, 2004) concepts of gender performance and performativity, this article identifies different gender swapping practices and their cultural and political implications in contemporary China. Through digital ethnography and in-depth interviews with 31 interviewees, we identified two distinct types of in-game gender swapping: in-game performance and in-game performance of performativity. Regarding in-game performance, heterosexual gamers choose an opposite gender to achieve better outcomes, to avoid sexual harassment, and to fulfill heterosexual- and homosexual-gazing desires. Lesbians’ and gay men’s in-game performance of performativity highlights the newly emerging practice of queer dating and socializing in MMORPGs, displaying a productive process of nonconforming identity creation. However, due to the extensive online censorship and an increasingly hostile environment towards queer culture, the performativity of in-game gender-swapping—which has the potential to disrupt the social order both within and outside the gaming sphere—cannot be identified.

Addiction/Drug Use and Usage of Condoms Among Homosexual Males: A Cross-sectional Study.

Despite the legal acceptance of homosexuality in India, it remains a social taboo, resulting in various challenges being faced by homosexual males. These challenges mainly include issues such as addiction/drug use and inconsistent and/ or incorrect condom usage which increase the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among them. This study was thus conducted with the objective of studying the patterns of addiction/drug use and condom usage among homosexual males. The study was conducted at outreach sites of a non-governmental organization (NGO). A total of 240 participants, consisting of homosexual and bisexual males aged 18-24 years who were residing in the metropolitan city of Mumbai for at least 1 year, were enrolled. Data about addiction/drug use and patterns of condom usage was collected, compiled, entered into Microsoft Excel, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS. Out of the total participants, 171 (71.2%) reported engaging in addiction/drug use, Among those participants, 105 (61.4%) engaged in alcohol consumption prior to sexual contact to enhance pleasure or delay climax. Cigarette smoking was the most common type of addiction. Statistically significant association was found between habitual addiction/drug use (P=0.0023), use of ecstasy/aphrodisiac drugs (P=0.00654) and, inconsistent and/or incorrect condom use among the participants. However, planned addiction/drug use only before sexual contact did not show a significant association (P=0.066). Habitual addiction/drug use among homosexual males increases the likelihood of engaging in inconsistent and/ or incorrect condom use, thereby elevating the risk of acquiring STIs and HIV. To mitigate this risk, interventions targeting addiction/ drug use prevention should be initiated during adolescence to address this issue at an earlier stage of life.

#45 - - Greater disclosure of sexual orientation is associated with lower total post- awakening cortisol concentrations in gay men

#45 - - Greater disclosure of sexual orientation is associated with lower total post- awakening cortisol concentrations in gay men

A war against the natural order: Joseph Nicolosi, Reparative Therapy, and the Christian Right.

This article situates Joseph Nicolosi's first book, Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality, in historical context. Nicolosi, a Catholic clinical psychologist, was one of the most vocal practitioners of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) from the early 1990s until his death in 2017, and in these decades, the Christian Right became a key supporter of SOCE. In this article, I argue that two features of Nicolosi's book appealed to the Christian Right. First, Nicolosi relied on psychoanalytic thought to pathologize not only same-sex sexual desires but also poor parenting. The use of psychoanalytic thought was of particular interest to conservative Christians who believed that American fathers had forfeited their role as strong patriarchs. Second, Nicolosi's approach to therapy, which included changing one's dress and mannerisms and assertiveness training, stressed that same-sex desires could be eliminated through behavioral reconditioning. Nicolosi's psychological eclecticism, a common feature for mental health practitioners at the end of the twentieth century, has not been emphasized in prior scholarship on reparative therapy. Importantly, the psychological eclecticism practiced by Nicolosi became common within the Christian Right after the publication of Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality. By offering a close reading of Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality, this article demonstrates the interrelationship between one of the core texts of the ex-gay movement and the psychological and religious thought of the Christian Right at the turn of the twenty-first century. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Hepatitis C virus reinfection incidence among gay and bisexual men with HIV in Australia from 2016 to 2020.

There is some concern that hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection might impact HCV micro-elimination efforts among gay and bisexual men (GBM) with HIV. However, there is a limited understanding of reinfection incidence in the context of unrestricted government-funded HCV treatment. We aimed to estimate HCV reinfection incidence among GBM with HIV in Australia from 2016 to 2020. Data were from 39 clinics participating in ACCESS, a sentinel surveillance network for blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections across Australia. GBM with HIV who had evidence of treatment or spontaneous clearance with at least one positive HCV RNA test, a subsequent negative HCV RNA test, and at least one additional HCV RNA test between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2020 were eligible for inclusion. A new HCV RNA positive test and/or detectable viral load was defined as a reinfection. Generalised linear modelling was used to examine trends in reinfection. Among 12 213 GBM with HIV who had at least one HCV test, 540 were included in the reinfection incidence analysis, of whom 38 (7%) had evidence of reinfection during the observation period. Over 1124 person-years of follow-up, the overall rate of reinfection was 3.4/100PY (95% CI 2.5-4.6). HCV reinfection incidence declined on average 30% per calendar year (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91). HCV reinfection incidence has declined among GBM with HIV in Australia since government-funded unrestricted DAAs were made available. Ongoing HCV RNA testing following cure and prompt treatment for anyone newly diagnosed is warranted to sustain this.

Interventions, Barriers, and Facilitators to Address the Sexual Problems of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: A Rapid Scoping Review.

Sexual problems are common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) after diagnosis with HIV. However, these are often overlooked in care and research, where sexual risk reduction and biomedical aspects of sexual health tend to dominate. We conducted a rapid scoping review to investigate which sexual problems of GBM living with HIV are addressed by interventions, and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation. Literature from high-income countries published in English since 2010 was reviewed. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases were searched on July 4, 2022. Targeted sexual problems were categorized according to the ten dimensions of Robinson's Sexual Health Model, and barriers and facilitators, according to the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interventions focused solely on the dimension of Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex were excluded. Relevant information was extracted from the qualifying documents with NVivo 12 software for content analysis. Fifty-two documents were included, referring to 37 interventions which mainly took place in the United States (n = 29/37; 78%), were group-based (n = 16; 41%), and used counselling techniques (n = 23; 62%; e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Their settings were mostly primary care (n = 15; 40%) or community-based (n = 16; 43%). On average, interventions addressed three sexual health dimensions (SD = 2; range: 1-10). The most targeted dimension was Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex (n = 26; 70%), which concerned sexual risk reduction. Next, Challenges (n = 23; 62%), included substance use (n = 7; 19%), sexual compulsivity (n = 6; 16%), sexual abuse (n = 6; 16%), and intimate partner violence (n = 4; 11%). Third was Talking About Sex (n = 22; 59%) which mostly concerned HIV disclosure. About a third of interventions addressed Culture/Sexual identity (n = 14; 38%), Intimacy/Relationships (n = 12; 33%), and Positive sexuality (n = 11; 30%). Finally, few targeted Body Image (n = 4; 11%), Spirituality (n = 3; 8%), Sexual AnatomyFunctioning (n = 2; 5%) or Masturbation/Fantasy (n = 1; 3%). Forty-one documents (79%) mentioned implementation barriers or facilitators, particularly about the characteristics of the interventions (41% and 78%, respectively; e.g., cost, excessive duration, acceptability, feasibility) and of the individuals involved (37% and 46%; e.g., perceived stigmatization, provider expertise). The other three CFIR dimensions were less common (5%-17%). The search strategy of this review may not have captured all eligible documents, due to its limit to English-language publications. Overall, most interventions incorporated a focus on Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex, at the expenses of other prevalent sexual problems among GBM living with HIV, such as intimate partner violence (Challenges), erectile dysfunction (Sexual Anatomy Functioning), and Body Image dissatisfaction. These findings suggest they could receive more attention within clinical care and at the community level. They also highlight the importance of cost-effective and acceptable interventions conducted in non-stigmatizing environments, where patients' needs can be met by providers who are adequately trained on sexuality-related topics.

Prevalence rates and identification of nonconsensual sexual experiences among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have been identified as a population at higher risk of experiencing non-consensual sexual experiences (NSEs). However, previous research studies examining the prevalence of NSEs in this population have been limited by inconsistent terminology and a lack of research on the topic. The main focus of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using self-labels versus behavioural indicators to measure the prevalence of NSEs experienced in adulthood in GBMSM and contribute to more accurate prevalence rates in the Canadian context. A total of 346 participants were recruited from various social media platforms in Canada. The study used a two-part question that asked participants if they had ever been sexually assaulted or raped, followed by a question about other nonconsensual sexual experiences. The study also used a formal behavioural measure, the Sexual Experiences Survey, to assess the prevalence of NSEs. The results indicated that a two-part question and the formal measure reported similar prevalence rates of NSEs—64.5% and 66.8% respectively. Overall prevalence of NSEs was very high in this sample, and people of colour and trans men reported even higher rates. Depending on the context, the parsimonious choice of questioning persons on the NSE history may be valid, however, only if applied in the context of asking for rape and assault as well as other NSEs that may not be captured by these definitions. The study highlights the importance of using consistent terminology and effective measurement methods when studying the prevalence of NSEs in GBMSM. These findings may have important implications for developing interventions and for obtaining more accurate prevalence rates in a variety of settings without having to use a longer, more formalized measure.

Individual difference predictors of the Attitudes Towards Asexuality scale

While predictors of attitudes toward lesbians and gay men, as well as bisexuals and trans individuals, have been investigated relatively thoroughly, attitudes toward asexuality are a recently emerging field. The current study investigates predictors of attitudes toward asexuality, operationally defined using the Attitudes Towards Asexuality (ATA) scale created by Hoffarth and colleagues in 2016 . Predictors included authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, intergroup disgust sensitivity, sexism, erotophobia–erotophilia, sociosexuality, motivation to respond without prejudice, singlism, and demographic characteristics of the perceiver. Response to the ATA indicated positivity toward asexuality, with the majority of participants expressing disagreement with the negative statements about asexuality. Many of the individual difference variables correlated moderately with the ATA. Multiple regression analyses indicated that significant predictors of the ATA included right-wing authoritarianism, internal motivation to respond without prejudice, intergroup disgust sensitivity, benevolent sexism, participant sexual orientation, and religiosity. Together, these six predictors accounted for half of the variance in the ATA. The findings of this study suggest that attitudes toward asexuality are similarly predicted by those individual difference variables that predict attitudes toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transpersons.

We are family: Taiwanese gay fathers’ strategic normalisation decision-making in transnational reproduction

ABSTRACT Taiwanese gay men have been seeking transnational assisted reproductive technologies and surrogacy to become fathers. Due to legal restrictions in Taiwan, overseas reproduction is the only legal way for them to have children. This study explores gay fathers’ reproductive strategies and rationales. The data came from in-depth interviews with 53 gay fathers and participant observation with an LGBTQ + family association. I analysed data thematically with the sociological approach ‘reproduction as a lens’ to elucidate how social norms influence gay men’s reproductive perceptions and practices and what social changes they brought to the understanding of family-making. The results show that gay fathers were aware of the ideal family model in heteronormative society, and they established strategies to justify their decision-making and make sense of their family-making. They shaped their gay fatherhood by affirming their decision to use third-party reproduction, deciding who would be the sperm provider, and selecting ovum donors with specific attributes. They also reconsidered the meaning of relatedness by embodying innovative ways of making kinship. This article argues that Taiwanese gay men became fathers through the dynamic processes of ‘strategic normalisation’ and ‘selective differentiation’, which secured their social acceptance and demonstrated diverse pathways of queer family-making.

Mental health experiences of young gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, and non-binary people in Canada

There is a growing body of research on the disparities, barriers, and inequities experienced by sexual- and gender-minority communities in Canada, particularly in comparison with heterosexual cisgender counterparts. This article examines data from the community-based Canada-wide Sex Now 2018 (in person) and Sex Now 2019 (online) surveys to gauge the mental health, social and community connection, and service needs of young gay, bisexual, transgender, Two-Spirit, and queer (GBT2Q) men and non-binary people. Differences across people of colour, Indigenous, trans, and non-binary sub-populations provide insight for future interventions and targeted programs to support the mental health of GBT2Q young people across Canada.

The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem on the Association Between Minority Stress and Social Well-Being Among Indonesian Young Adult Gay Men and Lesbian Women

This study explores the correlation between minority stress, self-esteem, and social well-being among young adult gay men and lesbian women in Indonesia, by analyzing the mediating role of self-esteem on the correlation between minority stress and social well-being. Design utilized in this study is correlational design with mediation analysis. This study draws on a sample of 437 gay men and lesbian women (Mage = 24). The authors employed Spearman’s correlation and mediation analysis on the three measurement instruments. Results showed that all the measurement instruments correlated with each other significantly. Specifically, minority stress reduces self-esteem and in turn it will also lower the social well-being among young adult gay men and lesbian women in Indonesia. Moreover, the result also indicated that self-esteem have a partial mediating role on the relationship between minority stress and social well-being among young adult gay men and lesbian women. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that self-esteem is an important protective factor on gay men and lesbian women’s self-esteem. Therefore, the authors endorse a cultural shift to reduce minority stress among gay men and lesbian women in Indonesia. Additionally, organizations or mental health professionals may utilize self-esteem and social well-being as a mean for enhancing the mental health of Indonesian gay men and lesbian women.
 
 Studi ini mengeksplorasi korelasi antara minority stress, self-esteem, dan kesejahteraan sosial di kalangan laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian dewasa muda di Indonesia, dengan menganalisis peran mediasi self-esteem terhadap korelasi antara minority stress dan kesejahteraan sosial. Desain yang digunakan dalam studi ini adalah desain korelasional dengan analisis mediasi. Studi ini memiliki sampel 437 laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian (Mage = 24). Penulis menggunakan korelasi Spearman dan analisis mediasi dengan ketiga instrumen pengukuran. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa seluruh instrumen pengukuran berkorelasi satu sama lain secara signifikan. Secara spesifik, minority stress menurunkan self-esteem dan hal ini berakibat pada penurunan kesejahteraan sosial di kalangan laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian dewasa muda di Indonesia. Selain itu, hasil studi juga menunjukkan bahwa self-esteem memiliki peran mediasi parsial pada hubungan antara minority stress dan kesejahteraan sosial di kalangan laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian dewasa muda. Dari hasil studi ini, dapat disimpulkan bahwa self-esteem merupakan faktor pelindung yang penting terhadap self-esteem laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian. Maka dari itu, penulis mendukung perubahan budaya untuk mengurangi minority stress di kalangan laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian di Indonesia. Selain itu, organisasi atau layanan profesional kesehatan mental dapat memanfaatkan self-esteem dan kesejahteraan sosial sebagai sarana untuk meningkatkan kesehatan mental laki-laki gay dan perempuan lesbian di Indonesia.