Heterosexual Research Articles

Investigating Eating Symptoms in the LGBTQIA+ Population: Do Discrimination and Adverse Conditions Matter?

Eating disorders (EDs) have traditionally been studied among heterosexual cisgender women, but recent research highlights a higher prevalence in LGBTQIA+ individuals. This study aims (1) to investigate the association between different groups based on gender identity and sexual orientation (GISO) and experiencing eating symptoms, and (2) to explore the extent to which self-perceived discrimination and adverse conditions explain this association. We administered an online survey to assess eating symptoms using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0) and measures of self-perceived discrimination and adverse conditions. Multistep logistic regressions were employed to analyze the associations between GISO and eating symptoms, initially unadjusted, then adjusted for sociodemographic variables, and finally adjusted for self-perceived discrimination and/or adverse conditions. A total of 560 adults aged 30 ± 10.9 years old were included. After adjusting for socio-demographics all groups were more likely to experience eating symptoms compared to heterosexual men, with odds ratios (ORs) of 5.7 [95% CI: 1.3, 24.3] for cisgender heterosexual women, 6.7 [95% CI: 1.5, 29.8] for cisgender non-heterosexual women, and 9.3 [95% CI: 1.8, 47.5] for non-cisgender individuals. After adjusting for self-perceived discrimination and adverse conditions, the associations for women were attenuated, while the associations for non-cisgender individuals were no longer significant. This study (1) confirms that sexual and gender minorities may be at higher risk for EDs, and (2) suggests that discrimination and adverse conditions may contribute to the higher prevalence of eating symptoms in this population. Additional research is needed to investigate these minority stressors as they may represent targets for effective interventions to prevent eating symptoms in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Increase in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections after ending COVID-19 lockdown measures in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

ObjectiveVarious European countries noted increasing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) positivity among cis-gender women and heterosexual men. We assessed changes over time in Ng among men who exclusively have sex with men...

Analysis of the Cultured Microbiome of Fertilization-Stage Maize Silks (Styles) Reveals Taxonomic Relationships Across North American Maize Genotypes and Heterotic Groups

Analysis of the Cultured Microbiome of Fertilization-Stage Maize Silks (Styles) Reveals Taxonomic Relationships Across North American Maize Genotypes and Heterotic Groups

The characteristics and parenthood aspirations of single women and lesbian couples seeking motherhood through sperm donation

IntroductionIn 2021, France authorized access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) for single women (SWs) and lesbian couples (LCs). We aimed to describe these new populations and compare their characteristics with those of the historical population of heterosexual couples (HCs) using ART with sperm donation. Material and methodsWe conducted a monocentric observational retrospective study at the Nancy Regional University Hospital Fertility Center from October 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all the women/couples willing to engage in parenthood with sperm donation, as well as their parenthood aspirations data, were collected. ResultsWe included 638 women/couples; 49.7% were SWs; 44.5% were LCs; and only 5.8% were HCs. The mean age of the whole population was 33.4±5.5 years. The SW population was significantly older by 6 years and came from executive and intellectual professions. A total of 18.3% of the LCs were interested in the reception of oocytes from the partner (ROPA). HCs (77.8%) and LCs (73.2%) were more interested in phenotypic matching than SWs (49.1%) (p<0.001). Monocentric support was more common in SW patients (88.9%) than in LCs patients (79.5%) and HCs (56.8%) (p<0.001). DiscussionIn a large cohort, we focused on and discussed the characteristics and the aspirations of these intended parents. We found that new populations favored ART with sperm donation. The overall characteristics of both heterosexual and lesbian couples were broadly comparable, as were the two LCs members. A French multicenter large-scale prospective study and anthropological studies are necessary to confirm and explain this data.

Phenotypic Characters and Inheritance Tendency of Agronomic Traits in F1 Progeny of Chinese Cherry

Chinese cherry [Prunus. pseudocerasus Lindl., syn. Cerasus. pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don], an economically important tetraploid fruit crop native to southwestern China, is celebrated as “the earliest fruit of spring”. Understanding the inheritance and heterosis of major agronomical traits is essential for advancing its breeding. In this study, we conducted a three-year observation and inheritance analysis of 32 economic traits in the reciprocal F1 populations (NH, n = 114; HN, n = 87) derived from Chinese cherry landraces “Nanzaohong” and “Hongfei”. The results revealed a broad segregation for all traits in F1 offspring. Fruit size exhibited an inheritance tendency toward smaller dimensions, with some individuals displaying extreme values (Fruit weight, HH = 3.90~12.15%) that highlighted the potential for selecting larger fruits. The hybrids showed a tendency for sweeter fruit flavor, with total soluble solids (RHm = 7.00~19.35%) and soluble sugar (RHm = 11.09% and 17.47%) exhibiting hybrid vigor, along with a decreasing tendency in titratable acid (RHm = −16.08~−1.05%). The flowering and fruiting phenology tended to occur earlier, with extremely early and late flowering lines offering the potential to extend the ornamental and harvesting periods. Fruit bitterness (H2 = 0.98 and 0.95) and fruit skin color (H2 = 0.93 and 0.89) displayed the highest heritability. Correlation analysis revealed strong internal correlations among trait categories, confirming the reliability of the data collection and analysis. Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the maternal and the paternal effect on the inheritance for agronomic traits attributes. This study systematically clarifies the inheritance trends of agronomic traits in Chinese cherry, providing a foundation for the rational selection of parental lines in breeding strategies and laying the groundwork for future molecular genetic research.

Гетерозис в селекции подсолнечника и его перспективы (обзор)

Heterosis is a manifestation of increased hybrid vigor, usually observed in the first generation. In sunflower hybrids, as well as in many other cross-pollinated agricultural crops, heterosis is achieved by crossing maternal cytoplasmic male-sterile lines with pollen fertility restorers. Numerous data on the study of heterosis phenomena in this crop are given. Interrelations of economically useful traits in parental lines and their hybrids are shown. Genome sequencing is one of the most promising methods of developing highly productive sunflower hybrids.

LGBTIQ+ Employees’ Coping Strategies to Deal with Gender Discrimination at Work: A Qualitative Study

The objective of this study is to elucidate the coping mechanisms that LGBTIQ+ individuals employ in response to discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity in the context of business life in Turkiye, with a particular focus on the influence of prevailing social norms and legal deficiencies. It is possible that LGBTIQ+ individuals may refrain from pursuing their rights in the event of discrimination. Consequently, LGBTIQ+ employees develop individual coping strategies in response to discriminatory practices. In this study, interviews were conducted with 19 LGBTIQ+ employees. The objective of the interviews is to ascertain the strategies that employees utilize to cope with discrimination. The structure and generally accepted norms of Turkish society, which justify LGBTIQ+ individuals’ concerns about discrimination and exclusion from social life, have formed the basis of scientific curiosity for this research project. The data obtained from the interviews were transcribed and subjected to a descriptive analysis. The findings were subsequently classified into the following categories: hiding in the workplace, hiding as a result of witnessing discrimination, living a facade, remaining silent in the face of discrimination, confronting discrimination, and not seeking legal rights. The findings indicate that the most prevalent coping strategy employed by LGBTIQ+ individuals is the concealment of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This approach often results in a sense of disconnection from their authentic selves in professional settings. Moreover, the primary strategies employed by LGBTIQ+ employees are identified as working for organizations that are relatively accommodating LGBTIQ+ individuals, working with acquaintances, and imitating a heterosexual lifestyle. The data indicate that individual coping strategies have been employed more frequently by gay and bisexual individuals than by transgender individuals.

Additive and Non-additive Genetic Effects on Growth and Egg Production Performance of Crossbred Chicken in Ethiopia

The present review article aims to provide an overview of the additive and non-additive genetic effects of crossbreeding and their contribution to the improvement of growth and egg production traits in chickens. It discusses the advancement in crossbreeding effects and mating design contribution to a significant rate of genetic progress in indigenous chicken. In Ethiopia, crossbreeding practice may be used to enhance the performance of local chicken ecotypes. The article extensively reviews various papers related to crossbreeding trials conducted in Ethiopia, evaluating their effectiveness in improving growth and egg production. It discusses the mating design and breeds used in these programs, such as exotic breeds like Rhode Island Red, Fayoumi, White Leghorn, Koekoek, Sasso, Kuroiler, and local Ethiopian chicken ecotypes. Among the exotic breeds involved in crossbreeding, Rhode Island Red and Sasso are considered more favorable for improving growth rate and color preference, while White Leghorn is preferred for enhancing egg production traits. In opposite to these indigenous chickens are preferred for disease resistance and product quality. Additive genetic effects are typically responsible for the genetic improvement of traits over generations through selection. In egg production, additive genetic effects influence the overall capacity of a chicken to lay eggs, affecting traits like egg number and egg size. Whereas, In growth performance, additive genetic effects influence traits like body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and overall growth rate. Non-additive genetic effects include dominance and epistatic interactions between genes. These effects can lead to genetic heterogeneity and can impact traits like egg production and growth performance besides playing a role in hybrid vigor or heterosis. In conclusion, both additive and non-additive genetic effects play a crucial role in determining egg production and growth performance in chickens. Additive effects drive genetic improvement over generations, while non-additive effects provide immediate benefits like hybrid vigor. Understanding and utilizing both types of genetic effects is essential for enhancing these traits in poultry breeding programs. Chicken crossbreeding programs are highly important in the poultry industry as they continuously improve the genetic potential of chickens, leading to more efficient production systems and higher profitability for producers.

Oropharyngeal gonorrhoea among heterosexual men and women at a sexual health centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2023: reservoir for transmission?

BackgroundSexual health centres (SHCs) in the Netherlands report a surge in gonorrhoea, especially among young women (notably oropharyngeal) and men who have sex with women (MSW) since the second half...

The Role of Jail Testing in the Public Health Response to Syphilis in King County, Washington.

Background: The incidence of syphilis among cisgender women and heterosexual men in the U.S. has risen sharply. Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC) implemented a voluntary, opt-in syphilis screening program in a jail to reach disproportionately affected populations outside the healthcare system.Methods: PHSKC Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) conducted syphilis screening four days per week in a regional jail. All persons screened January 2022 - March 2023 were included in the analysis. DIS performed point-of-care treponemal-specific tests, collected demographic and risk factor data, worked with jail medical providers to coordinate empiric treatment and confirmatory testing, and determined syphilis history and stage. We categorized persons with reactive rapid tests as "confirmed", "presumed", "possible", or "not new" cases based on confirmatory testing and syphilis history. We compared the characteristics of confirmed cases to overall King County syphilis cases using chi-square tests and examined treatment completion by diagnosis category.Results: 1,371 persons completed screening; 69 (5.0%) had positive results, of whom 51 (73.9%) had confirmatory testing, and 33 had confirmed infections (2.4% of screened persons). Compared to all King County syphilis cases, confirmed cases were more likely to be cisgender women (30.3% vs. 21.9%) or cisgender heterosexual men (66.7% vs. 20.6%), people living homeless (66.7% vs. 24.3%), or people who use methamphetamine (90.9% vs 20.3%) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Among 33 persons with confirmed syphilis, 29 (87.8%) started and 18 (54.5%) completed treatment.Conclusions: Jail screening reached persons at disproportionate risk for syphilis, but treatment was often incomplete.

Biodevelopmental Correlates of Sexual Orientation in Men: Evidence from a Polish Sample.

Biological mechanisms proposed to play a role in the development of sexual orientation in men include hormonal, genetic, and immunological factors. The posited roles of these factors are not mutually exclusive; instead, they may be at play to different degrees in different individuals. Direct measurement of these influences is challenging; thus, researchers rely on putative markers. We collected data on five well-established markers in a sample of gay and heterosexual men. We then (1) compared the levels of those markers in gay and straight men, (2) identified latent profiles based on those markers, and (3) compared the proportions of gay and straight men within the profiles. Gay men reported less gender conformity in childhood, a higher proportion of older brothers, were more right-handed, had more non-heterosexual relatives, and had more feminized digit ratios. Of the six identified profiles, the most numerous, containing a significantly higher proportion of straight men, had masculine digit ratios, masculine behavior in childhood, and was the most right-handed. Proportions of gay and straight men did not differ in the profile with the most feminine digit ratio, the profile associated with the highest proportion of older brothers, and the profile associated with left-handedness. Two remaining profiles, associated with familiality, and the most feminine childhood gender behaviors, consisted predominantly of gay men. The study suggests that further investigations of differences within sexual orientation categories are warranted.

Masculine stress and sexual health: mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and sexual esteem in heterosexual men in the United Kingdom

Masculine stress and sexual health: mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and sexual esteem in heterosexual men in the United Kingdom

Improving HIV testing, linkage, and retention in care among South African men through U = U messaging: A study protocol for two sequential hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trials.

Increasing HIV testing and treatment coverage among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is essential for achieving global HIV epidemic control. However, compared to women, cis-gender heterosexual men living with HIV are significantly less likely to know their HIV status, initiate anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and achieve viral suppression. This is particularly true in South Africa, where men are also at increased risk of mortality resulting from AIDS-related illnesses. While there is growing knowledge of Treatment as Prevention or the concept Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) among PLHIV in Western and high-income countries, the reach and penetration of the U = U message in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, and few studies have evaluated the impact of accessible and relatable U = U messages on ART initiation and adherence. To address these gaps, rigorous evaluations of interventions that incorporate U = U messages are needed, especially among men in high prevalence settings. Building on our U = U messages that we previously developed for men using behavioral economics insights and a human-centered design, we will conduct two sequential hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trials to evaluate the impact of U = U messages on men's uptake of community-based HIV testing and ART initiation (Trial 1), and retention in care and achievement of viral suppression (Trial 2). For trial 1, a cluster randomized trial will be implemented with HIV testing service site-days (each day at one testing site) randomized to U = U or standard-of-care (SoC) messages inviting men to test for HIV. For trial 2, an individual-level randomized control trial will be implemented, with men initiating ART at six government clinics randomized to receive U = U counselling or SoC treatment adherence messaging. We will incorporate a multi-method evaluation to inform future implementation of U = U messaging interventions. The study will be conducted in the Buffalo City Metro Health District of the Eastern Cape Province and in the Cape Town Metro Health District in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. These trials are the first to rigorously evaluate the impact of U = U messaging on HIV testing uptake, ART initiation and achievement of viral suppression among African men. If effective, these messaging interventions can shape global HIV testing, treatment and adherence counselling guidelines and practices.

Genomic Prediction of Kernel Water Content in a Hybrid Population for Mechanized Harvesting in Maize in Northern China

Genomic prediction enables rapid selection of maize varieties with low kernel water content (KWC), facilitating the development of mechanized maize harvesting and reducing costs. This study evaluated and characterized the KWC and grain yield (GY) of hybrid maize in northern China and used genomic prediction to identify superior hybrid combinations with low kernel water content at maturity (MKWC) and high GY adapted to northern China. A total of 285 hybrids obtained from single crosses of 34 inbred lines from Stiff Stalk and Non-Stiff Stalk heterotic groups were used for genomic prediction of KWC and GY. We tested 20 different statistical prediction models considering additive effects and evaluating the impact of dominance and epistasis on prediction accuracy. Employing 10-fold cross-validation, it showed that the average prediction accuracy ranged drastically from 0.386 to 0.874 across traits and models. Eight linear statistical methods displayed a very similar prediction accuracy for each trait. The average prediction accuracy of machine learning methods was lower than that of linear statistical methods for KWC-related traits, but the random forest model had a high prediction accuracy of 0.510 for GY. When genetic effects were incorporated into the prediction model, the prediction accuracy for each trait was improved. Overall, the model with dominant and epistatic effects (G:AD(AA)) performed best. For the same number of markers, predictions using trait-specific markers resulted in higher prediction accuracy than randomly selected markers. When the number of trait-specific SNPs was set to 100, the prediction accuracy of GY increased by 33.27%, from 0.406 to 0.541. Out of all the 561 potential hybrids, the TOP 30 hybrids selected by genomic prediction would lead to a 1.44% decrease in MKWC compared with Xianyu335, a hybrid with a fast kernel water dry-down, and these hybrids also had higher GY simultaneously. Our results confirm the value of genomic prediction for hybrid breeding low MKWC suitable for maize mechanized harvesting in northern China. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of genomic prediction to optimize maize hybrid breeding, enhancing efficiency and providing insights into genotype-accuracy relationships. The findings offer new strategies for hybrid design and advancing mechanized harvesting in northern China.

Tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, and polysubstance use disparities among sexual identity groups of US young adult women and men

BackgroundSexual minority young adults (SMYAs) display higher rates of polysubstance use (i.e., current use of multiple substances) than their heterosexual peers, but limited research has explored differences by gender and specific sexual identity. MethodsLatent class analyses (LCAs) examined past-month use of combustible tobacco (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, hookah), e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol among 2,343 YAs (Mage = 24.69, SD = 4.70; 57.4 % women, 42.6 % men; 18.0 % bisexual, 9.4 % gay or lesbian; 36.2% racial/ethnic minority) residing in 6 US metropolitan areas. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations among sexual identity (bisexual, gay/lesbian, heterosexual) and polysubstance use classes among women (n = 1,345) and men (n = 998), separately. ResultsLCA yielded a 5-class solution: primarily-alcohol use (29.5%), polysubstance use (i.e., use of all 4 substances, 24.3%), non-use (18.1%), cannabis and alcohol co-use (16.3%), and e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use (11.8%). Bisexual and lesbian (vs. heterosexual) women displayed lower odds of primarily-alcohol use, whereas bisexual (vs. heterosexual) women displayed higher odds of polysubstance use, as well as e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use. Bisexual (vs. heterosexual) men displayed lower odds of primarily-alcohol use, whereas gay (vs. heterosexual) men displayed lower odds of polysubstance use, as well as e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol co-use. ConclusionsBisexual women were at greatest risk for polysubstance use of combustible tobacco, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol, whereas bisexual and gay men were at lower risk than heterosexual men for polysubstance use. Results underscore the need for tailored interventions and campaigns to consider patterns of co-occurring tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol use, particularly for bisexual women.

Identification of a novel hybrid sterility locus S67 between temperate japonica subgroup and basmati subgroup in Oryza sativa L

Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important cultivated species in the AA genome species of the genus Oryza. basmati is a special and famous subgroup in Asian cultivated rice, and temperate japonica is one of the most important cultivated subgroup, too. However, hybrid sterility hinders the introgression of favorable traits and the utilization of hybrid vigour between the two subgroups. The genetic basis of intraspecific hybrid sterility between temperate japonica and basmati remained elusive. In this study, a novel hybrid sterility locus S67 was identified, which caused hybrid male sterility in hybrids between the temperate japonica rice variety Dianjingyou 1 (DJY1) and the basmati rice variety Dom-sufid. Initial mapping with BC1F1, BC4F1, BC4F2 populations and DNA markers located S67 between RM5362 and K1-40.6 on the long arm of chromosome 1. Genetic analysis confirmed that S67 caused a transmission advantage for the temperate japonica rice S67-te allele in the hybrid offsprings. This result not only fills the gap in the research on hybrid sterility between basmati and temperate japonica, but also lays a good foundation for the systematic study of the genetic nature of hybrid sterility between basmati and other subgroups, as well as the full exploration and utilization of this subgroup through the creation of wide or specific compatibility lines to overcome hybrid sterility. In addition, this result can also help us broaden our understanding of genetic differentiation within Asian cultivated rice and hybrid sterility between inter-subgroups.

Aligning to ambivalence: White petty bourgeois masculinities, leisure and the contemporary cultural politics of gender in the UK

Drawing on an ethnography of 12 white, young, petty bourgeois, heterosexual men between the ages of 20–26 from Leicester, UK, and utilising Raymond Williams concept of ‘structure of feeling’, this article will critically explore how their masculinities are performed, constituted and articulated in games of five-a-side football and house parties. This will further understanding of white masculinities, the intersecting gendered, classed and racial identities of the petty bourgeoisie, and the gender politics of the current conjuncture in the United Kingdom in three ways. First, it will make an explicit link between the broader cultural politics of gender in the United Kingdom and petty bourgeois masculinities through leisure. Second, it will critically build upon recent insights into the ‘both ways’ politics of the petty bourgeoisie in the United Kingdom by focussing on how gender and race factor into this. Finally, it will show how ‘aligning’ to this broader politics of gender is enabled by intersecting social locations of advantage, primarily in terms of class, race and sexuality, showing how alignment to ambivalence can articulate and reinforce inequalities between men, while feeding into broader gendered inequalities.

Molecular Mechanisms of Heterosis and Its Applications in Tree Breeding: Progress and Perspectives.

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, refers to the phenomenon where hybrid progenies outperform their parents in traits such as yield and resistance. This phenomenon has been widely applied in plant breeding. Recent advances in high-throughput genomics have significantly advanced our understanding of heterosis. This review systematically summarizes the genetic, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms underlying heterosis. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances in predictive methods for heterosis and their applications in improving growth rate, resistance to abiotic stresses, and wood yield in tree species. We also explore the role of tree genomics in unraveling the mechanisms underlying heterosis, emphasizing the potential of integrating high-resolution genomics, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics to achieve a comprehensive understanding of heterosis from the molecular to spatial levels. Building on this, CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies can be employed to precisely edit heterotic loci, enabling the study of allele function. Additionally, molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) can be utilized to identify heterotic loci in parental lines, facilitating the selection of optimal hybrid combinations and significantly reducing the labor and time costs of hybrid breeding. Finally, we review the utilization of heterosis in tree breeding and provide a forward-looking perspective on future research directions, highlighting the potential of integrating multi-omics approaches and emerging gene-editing tools to revolutionize tree hybrid breeding.

Associations of vasectomy with sexual dysfunctions and the sex life of middle-aged men.

Vasectomy is a safe and effective form of contraception. However, fear of altered sexual function is still associated with vasectomy in many men. To assess the prevalence of vasectomy among middle-aged men in Germany and to investigate possible associations between a previous vasectomy and sexual dysfunctions. Data on lifestyle, sexual activity, satisfaction, and dysfunction from 5425 middle-aged, heterosexual men were collected. Differences between vasectomized (VM) and non-vasectomized men (NVM) were assessed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were calculated to determine variables associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and low libido. 5425 men with a mean age of 50.6±0.8 years were included in this analysis. Vasectomy was performed in 12.5% (679/5425) on average 8.6±5.8 years ago. 84.4% were sexually active in the last 3 months (93.0% in vasectomized men vs. 83.2% in non-vasectomized men; p<0.001), and 45.4% were satisfied with their sexual life (55.2% in vasectomized men vs. 44.0% in non-vasectomized men; p<0.001). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was significantly lower in vasectomized men (12.1%vs. 20.1%; p<0.001), and a previous vasectomy was associated with a decreased risk for erectile dysfunction in multivariable regression analysis (OR: 0.65 [0.40-0.83]). The prevalence of low libido (4.7% in vasectomized men vs. 7.1% in non-vasectomized men; p=0.02) was marginally higher among non-vasectomized men. The prevalence of premature ejaculation (7.1% in vasectomized men vs. 6.1% in non-vasectomized men, p=0.5) did not differ significantly between vasectomized and non-vasectomized men. A previous vasectomy is not associated with an increased risk for sexual dysfunction, and vasectomized middle-aged men are more sexually active and satisfied compared to their non-vasectomized counterparts. The main limitations are the retrospective design and missing pre-vasectomy data. Men can be reassured that the fear of sexual dysfunctions and diminished sex life after a vasectomy is unwarranted.

(Im)politeness as a Strategy in the Discursive Construction of In-Group Solidarity in Discussions about Love, Sex and Relationships on Incels.is

As a discourse community that is formed and maintained mostly online, involuntary celibates (who are typically heterosexual men) have been known to be one of the most obvious groups presenting misogynistic attitudes (Bates 2020). There are various forums where such online users meet to discuss subjects of relevance to them, including Reddit and subreddit threads (r/incels) and websites specifically targeted at the community (such as Incels.is). Although the subject of incel discourses has been addressed from several linguistic perspectives, including the representation of social actors (Heritage &amp; Koller 2020), toxic language in the community (Pelzer et al. 2021), metaphor (Heritage et al. 2023) and the extreme language of misogyny (Bogetić 2022), still relatively little has been written specifically about how the community of practice is formed on the basis of the discursive expression of solidarity. The present paper is an analysis of discussions on the forum Incels.is on the subject of sex and relationships, specifically investigating how both manifestations of misogynist attitudes and discursive strategies of politeness are used to form solidarity between users. The analysis considers that through the employment of positive and negative politeness strategies in an online community, group bonds are made stronger and in-group solidarity is expressed both directly and indirectly. The analysis of politeness strategies showed that positive politeness and negative politeness were both present as face-saving acts and to construct solidarity through the use of sarcasm, kinship claiming, informal language and the negative evaluation of female actors.