Homosexual Experience Research Articles

Sexual diversity in Urban Norwegians

The purpose of this study is to describe homosexual and heterosexual experiences in terms of sexual fantasies, sexual attraction, sexual conduct, and falling in love in an urban Norwegian population. In 1997, a randam sample of 5,000 persons (18–49 years) was drawn from the population register in Oslo to participate in a sexual behavior survey. Data collection was carried out by means of postal questionnaires and 45% responded. The results indicated that exclusive homosexuality was rare in the population. One exception was the prevalence of homosexual fantasies in women. Compared to respondents who had had exclusively heterosexual contact, respondents reporting bisexual contacts had a significantly higher number of lifetime sex partners, higher frequency of anal and oral sex and masturbation, and lower age at orgasm and masturbation debut. What significantly separated the groups of exclusive heterosexuals, bisexuals, and exclusive homosexuals were attitudes towards various expressions of sexuality and number of lifetime sex partners.

Loving Julie Andrews

Loving Julie Andrews

Prevenção da Aids com adolescentes encarcerados em São Paulo, SP

To describe social and family support, drug use, and knowledge, practices and attitudes related to AIDS and its prevention among male teenagers. Participants were 275 male teenagers interned in a youth detention center (FEBEM - State Foundation for Juvenile Well-Being) in São Paulo, Brazil. There were two segments. In segment 1, semi-structured interviews with 20 detainees took place. In segment 2, close-end self-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographic data, criminal records, sexual practices, drug use, attitudes, knowledge and AIDS-related practices were applied. Ninety percent of the detainees lived previously with their families. All of them had attended public schools, although 61% had already dropped out. Twelve percent had never used drugs, and 5.5% were intravenous drug users. Most (98%) were sexually active; 35% had had more than 15 sexual partners, 8% had homosexual experiences (inside or outside the center), 12% had exchanged sex for material return and 22% were fathers. Many said that getting HIV infected "that's life " and that they face greater risks in their lives, such as surviving on the streets. They think condoms are easily broken (83%) and interfere with sex (58%); 72% had used condoms but only 9% used them with all their partners. These teenagers have a very high risk of HIV infection. It is necessary to integrate AIDS prevention programs to their life ills and related problems such as racism, expectations for the future, criminality, drug use, basic rights including sexual and reproductive rights, and show them there are alternatives other than exposing themselves to HIV infection or dying as criminals.

Walsingham: gender, pain, knowledge

Robinson's 1797 Walsingham, with its female protagonist who dresses and passes as a male, may best be understood in the context of shifting attitudes over the course of the eighteenth century about the value and legitimacy of women's attempts to be like men. After providing this context to demonstrate that such attempts were roundly viewed as improper at the end of the eighteenth century, this article examines the significance of Robinson's nonetheless using a gender-bending female protagonist three years before that century's close. Her doing so not only raises the possibility that her characters have homosexual relationships or experience homoerotic desire, but also formulates unexpected limits to acceptable femaleness. The novel suggests that emulating ‘male’ intellect is more positive than her culture, for the most part, remained able to accept. Robinson demonstrates that it is valid for a woman to have a strong intellect in part through writing the novel in the voice of the erudite male protagonist, Walsingham, and through having her characters quote from and refer to a wide array of classical and modern authors. Rather than simply advocating a sort of mental androgyny, however, Robinson goes farther to suggest that women have access to a means of knowing not available to men, an epistemology rejecting the binary thinking that organizes the world into mutually exclusive oppositional categories.

Hiding homoeroticism in plain view: the Fight Club DVD as digital closet

–The DVD format has emerged as the dominant digital means of repackaging films for home consumption. In this essay, we theorize this new viewing experience and identify some of the challenges it poses for the media critic. We argue that the additional material DVDs typically offer, coupled with the format's interactivity, constitute a rhetorically powerful means of directing the consumer's viewing experience and protecting the commercial viability of the product. To illustrate, we offer a critical analysis of the DVD release of the controversial film Fight Club. Our analysis suggests that Fight Club's DVD “extra text” dissuades the viewer from acknowledging the film's homoerotic elements as representing homosexual experience.

The accuracy of reported sensitive sexual behaviour in Britain: exploring the extent of change 1990–2000

Objectives: The 1990–1 British national probability sample survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal 1990) was repeated in 1999–2001 (Natsal 2000) to update population estimates of risk behaviours, and assess...

From reassurance to irrelevance: adolescent psychology and homosexuality in America.

American psychology by the 1920s contained a greater capacity for viewing some homosexual experiences as normal than most current historical literature suggests. Developmental psychologists agreed with psychiatrists that adult homosexuality was pathological, but they also agreed that adolescent sexual development included a homosexual phase. Until the late 1960s, developmental texts reassured parents and teachers that homosexual behavior among adolescents was transitory and quite normal. The psychiatric view of homosexuality as pathology came under attack after the middle of the century and eventually was abandoned. The developmental concern with a transitory homosexual phase disappeared gradually. This trend in psychology suggests underlying social and cultural changes.

Risk behavior in Norwegian blood donors.

Blood banks ensure the safety of blood components by testing them for a set of known infectious agents and by careful selection of donors based on a self-administered questionnaire and an interview. The purpose of this study is to describe the risk behavior for sexually transmitted diseases in Norwegian blood donors. A survey of the sexual habits of 5,859 blood donors in the capital of Norway was performed by using anonymous questionnaires. The results were compared with a previous survey of 10,000 randomly selected Norwegian subjects aged 18 to 60 years. The response rates were 70.3 percent and 48.4 percent, respectively. Blood donors had considerably more education than the general population. Their general sexual behavior was similar to that of the rest of the population, although the blood donors had later sexual debut, fewer new partners per year, and a lower frequency of intercourse. In addition, homosexual experience among males was much lower in the donor group. Blood donors were less likely to engage in risk behavior for sexually transmitted diseases than were the general population. Nevertheless, 1.5 percent of the donors reported behavior that would have led to deferral had the behavior been disclosed at the predonation interview. Deferrable donors were more likely to be male and young and to have had many partners. Anonymous questionnaires reveal information that is not given at the time of blood donation.

GAY-RELATED THEMES IN THE FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE

IT IS A CRITICAL COMMONPLACE that homosexuality — or, to use a more common term of the period, “male love” — appears as a theme in certain of Oscar Wilde’s works.1 It is also a critical commonplace that many Victorian readers were aware of this fact.2 Scant attention, however, has been given to homosexual themes in Wilde’s first book, his 1888 collection of fairy tales, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, which he supplemented in 1891 with a second collection, A House of Pomegranates. The lack of critical attention is surprising, considering that the fairy tales not only mark the beginning of Wilde’s “reputation as an author” (Ellmann 299), but were written in the wake of his first homosexual experience — with Robert Ross in 1886 — a coincidence which gives us grounds to expect, or at least suspect, the presence of homosexual themes.3

Another Country: an exploration of the subversive in sexuality and spirituality

This paper begins with an exploration of the 'otherness' of homosexual experience in the twentieth century. It argues that this otherness has definite characteristics of subversiveness and creativity, together with a complex, ambiguous relationship to 'mainstream' sexual experience. There is then a review of some literature on children's and young people's experiences of this 'other' in their own sexuality. The interpretation offered here is that the power and creativity of the other is essential and in some cases is accentuated when suppressed.

Another Country: An exploration of the subversive in sexuality and spirituality

This paper begins with an exploration of the 'otherness' of homosexual experience in the twentieth century. It argues that this otherness has definite characteristics of subversiveness and creativity, together with a complex, ambiguous relationship to 'mainstream' sexual experience. There is then a review of some literature on children's and young people's experiences of this 'other' in their own sexuality. The interpretation offered here is that the power and creativity of the other is essential and in some cases is accentuated when suppressed.

Depression, suicidal ideation and STD-related risk in homeless older adolescents

Goals of this study were to examine the frequency of depression and related constructs of suicidal ideation and hopelessness in a sample of homeless older adolescents and their associations with behaviors that may increase the risk of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Diagnostic interviews and blood/urine samples were obtained from 523 homeless adolescents (mean age=17·8). Overall, 12·2 per cent had a current DSM-IV diagnosis of major depression and 6·5 per cent had dysthymia, with higher rates for female and older participants. Depression appeared to precede rather than follow homelessness and was associated with biologically verified STDs (in older participants), infrequent condom use, a non-heterosexual orientation (in older participants), and lifetime homosexual experience. Unlike depression, suicidal ideation and hopelessness were associated with higher rates of intravenous drug use but lower rates of multiple sex partners and, in young homeless women, less sexual coercion. Depression is frequent in homeless older adolescents and has a complex association with STD-related behaviors.

Another Country: an exploration of the subversive in sexuality and spirituality

This paper begins with an exploration of the 'otherness' of homosexual experience in the twentieth century. It argues that this otherness has definite characteristics of subversiveness and creativity, together with a complex, ambiguous relationship to 'mainstream' sexual experience. There is then a review of some literature on children's and young people's experiences of this 'other' in their own sexuality. The interpretation offered here is that the power and creativity of the other is essential and in some cases is accentuated when suppressed.

Risk Factors of Sexual Aggression and Victimization Among Homosexual Men1

This study examined risk factors of sexual aggression and victimization among homosexual men (N= 310). They completed the Homosexual Experiences Survey to record sexual aggression and victimization and provided information about 2 groups of potential risk factors: childhood abuse and sexual lifestyle (number of partners, age at first intercourse, age at coming out, accepting or paying of money for sex, and rape proclivity). One in 4 respondents reported severe forms of sexual victimization; 17% reported moderate victimization. Prevalence of perpetration of sexual aggression was almost 20% for severe aggression and 9% for moderate aggression. The risk of victimization increased as a function of childhood abuse as well as high number of partners and acceptance of money for sex. The risk of committing sexual aggression was positively related to childhood abuse, acceptance and payment of money for sex, high number of sexual partners, and rape proclivity. The findings are discussed in relation to evidence on heterosexual aggression.

Risk factors for Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) seropositivity in a cohort of homosexual men, 1981-1996.

A newly identified herpesvirus has been associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. We determined risk factors for Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV-8) seropositivity and incidence of infection over time in a cohort of Danish homosexual men followed from 1981 to 1996. Antibodies to a latent nuclear (LANA) and a structural (orf65) antigen of KSHV/HHV-8 were measured by immunofluorescence and ELISA/WB respectively. Through linkage with the national AIDS registry, all cohort members diagnosed with AIDS as of September 1996 were identified and their hospital records were scrutinized to record all diagnoses of KS. Overall, 21.1% (52/246) of the men were KSHV/HHV-8-seropositive in 1981. Among the initially seronegative, the rate of KSHV/HHV-8 seroconversion was highest between 1981 and 1982 and declined steadily thereafter. In a multivariate analysis of the status at enrollment in 1981, KSHV/HHV-8 seropositivity was not associated with age but was independently associated both with number of receptive anal intercourses (OR = 2.83; p = 0.03) and with sex with US men (OR = 2.27; p < 0.05). In a multivariate analysis of follow-up data, risk of KSHV/HHV-8 seroconversion was independently associated with having visited homosexual communities in the United States, and current HIV-positive status. More than 5 years' homosexual experience was associated with an insignificantly increased risk (RR = 2.68). KS occurred only in HIV-positive men who were KSHV/HHV-8-positive at or prior to their KS diagnosis. In conclusion, KSHV/HHV-8 appears to be sexually transmitted, probably by receptive anal intercourse, and may have been introduced to Danish homosexual men via sex with US men. The epidemic of KSHV/HHV-8 is now declining. These findings are concordant with the view that KSHV/HHV-8 may have been actively spread simultaneously with and by the same activities that lead to the spread of HIV.

同性愛先天性初探

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.本文討論了關於同性愛是先天形成還是後天形成的爭論，介紹了近年來有關同性愛與腦部結構相關性的研究結果，這些結果在一定程度上支持了同性愛先天性的論點，討論了對這些研究結果的爭議，以及同性愛者的反響。文章涉及研究同性愛的若干理論和方法論問題。Homosexuality exists in all times, all countries, all ethnic groups and all social classes. A survey shows that 2% of married men and women have homosexual experiences. It is a controversial issue on what causes a human being to be a homosexual. Many traditional behaviourists claims that homosexuality is a result of going astray in the course of growth and development. Although homosexuality has been excluded from mental illness by psychologists, but the public including a part of homosexuals themselves still think homosexuality perverse. But the majority of homosexuality maintain that homosexuality is not a choice, nor a disease, but a personal identity.The biological study on homosexuality began in the 18th century. In 1989 psychiatrists concluded that personal life in various aspects is determined by biological, familial, social and cultural factors of various kinds, sex orientation is a part of personal life, homosexuality is formed by more than one factor. But the dispute on nature v. nurture on homosexuality is still not solved: whether homosexuality is determined by environment or genetics.The findings of biological studies on homosexuality, especially on the correlation between homosexuality and brain structure in 1990s seem to s how that homosexuality is determined by genetic factor or at least influenced by this factor. But it cannot be ignored that the environment and psychological dynamics mechanism play a certain role in it. However, these findings caused further controversy. People with different sex orientation seem to make different interpretation of these findings. Somebody worries about that if homosexual gene is identified one day, this gene will be corrected by gene therapy, or the fetus with this gene will be aborted. Anyway, homosexuality is not simply preprogrammed, but a complex embodiment of one's value and personality. Gene is a only part of it, but not its whole.DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 30 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.

Assessing participation bias in a sexual behaviour survey: implications for measuring HIV risk.

To assess the likelihood of participation bias in a large population-based sex survey, and its possible effect on estimates of HIV risk behaviours. Construction of general hypotheses about non-participants through comparisons of willing and unwilling participants. British adults aged 16-59 years were surveyed in 1990-1991. Interviews consisted of a face-to-face section combined with a self-completion booklet (n = 18876). Interviewers recorded interviewee embarrassment. Homosexual experience and number of lifetime heterosexual partners (grouped 0, 1, 2 or more) were recorded prior to booklet offer. Logistic regression was performed, with embarrassment and booklet refusal as outcome variables, assessing their association with sexual behaviour after controlling for demographic variables. Assuming that, in sexual behaviour, non-participants are closer to the embarrased and the booklet refusers ('unwilling' participants) than to others, these analyses provide an indication of the nature of participation bias. Higher refusal an embarrassment rates were associated with both reporting no homosexual experience and fewer heterosexual partners. Under our untestable assumption, these results are consistent with non-participants being generally at lower risk of HIV infection. Methods need to be developed both to reduce participation bias in sex surveys, and to incorporate it in analysis.

Prevalence and trends in homosexual behaviour in Norway

The three main objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of the Norwegian population with experience of homosexual behaviour, to study the degree of change in sexual practices among homosexual men during a 5-year period and to study the degree of change in sexual practices reported by HIV positive homosexual men from before to after awareness of HIV-positivity. The data comes from two questionnaire surveys (in 1987 and 1992) of sexual behaviour in the general population of Norway and a questionnaire study of sexual behaviour before and after awareness of HIV-positivity among HIV-positive homosexual men taking part in a cohort study starting in 1988 (the Oslo HIV cohort study). Estimation of the proportion of subjects with homosexual experience was made as well as a trend analysis of the number of male sexual partners per year, number of intercourses per month, condom use and anal sex. Among men aged 18 to 60 from the general population, 3.8% reported homosexual practice during lifetime and 1.2% during the past 3 years. Among women, the same percentages were 3.1 and 1.0. In the surveys, the number of male partners per year decreased significantly for men with current homosexual experience from a yearly median of 1.0 in 1987 to 0.3 in 1992 (p = 0.02). Among HIV-positives, the number of male partners decreased from a yearly median of 4.3 before to 1.6 after awareness of HIV-seropositivity (p < 0.01). Among HIV-positives, a significant increase in the use of condoms, a decrease in the number of intercourses and a decrease in the frequency of anal sex was found. The results show that some changes in sexual practice may have occurred among homosexual men in general in the period from 1987 to 1992, and that more significant changes may have occurred for HIV-positive men. The present data do not support other findings of a relapse to more unsafe sex, but suggest that there is still a need to keep modifying behaviour in order to stop the spread of HIV among men who have sex with other men.

Traditional Ideology as an Inhibitor of Sexual Behavior

Abstract The political and religious correlates of sexual behavior in a sample of 344 German university students are presented and discussed within a framework of traditional ideology stifling sexual choice and expression. More-intense religious belief was found to be associated with fewer or no sex partners, with diminished likelihood of oral sex experience, with less frequent masturbation (in women), and with less ability to imagine having homosexual relations (among women who had no history of homosexual activity). Left-wing political views were associated with oral sex experience (in men), more sexual partners (in women), the conceivability of having homosexual relations (among both men and women with no history of homosexual activity), having had homosexual experiences (in women), higher frequency of masturbation, and younger age at first intercourse (for women). Intensity of political interest, regardless of direction, was associated with greater reliability of women's orgasm during sex with a partner. A large increase was noted in sexual activity compared with findings of a 1968 survey of the students at the same university. Frequency of masturbation was positively associated with all measures of sex with a partner for women but not for men.

Pediatricians and gay and lesbian youth.

The Epidemiology of Adolescent Homosexuality PREVALENCE Sexual orientation refers to an individual9s pattern of physical and emotional arousal toward other persons. It is not synonymous with gender identity (the knowledge of being male or female) or gender role (outward expression of maleness or femaleness). Gender identity and gender role generally are defined by anatomic and chromosomal gender in both heterosexual and homosexual individuals. Sexual orientation also is not synonymous with sexual activity; many homosexual individuals, especially during adolescence, participate in heterosexual behavior and relationships,1,2 and many adults who identify themselves as heterosexual report homosexual activity during adolescence.3-5 It is difficult to know with certainty the number of people who identify themselves as exclusively or predominantly homosexual. It is more difficult still to estimate the number who have questions about their sexual orientation during adolescence because of the well-known fluidity and complexity of sexual attractions and activities during this period. The original Kinsey study of sexuality reported that from puberty to age 20, 28% of boys and 17% of girls had one or more homosexual experiences. The same survey reported that 37% of adults have had homosexual experiences and that 10% consider themselves to be predominantly homosexual.3,4 In a somewhat more recent cross-sectional study of 13- to 19-year-olds, 11% of boys and 6% of girls reported at least one homosexual experience, with 17% of boys aged 16 to 19 reporting such activities.6