Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

A General Review of Recent Reports on Homosexuality and Lesbianism

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This review deals with the most recent reports on male homosexuality (H) and lesbianism (L). The reviewer checked the most recent 1000 articles in the Internet’s Medline to report the major new findings in H and L. First discussed is the presumed etiology or cause, including the “maternal immunization hypothesis” and the evidence for both genetic and environmental factors. Next the prevalence in various countries is reported. The related diseases include HIV+, syphilis and other venereal diseases. Factors like drug involvement, unprotected anal sex, casual partners are included, as is suicidal ideation, violence, child molestation and changes in sexual orientation over time. The goal of this review is to make available to all readers the most recent reports on H and L so that pre-existing problems and any new disorders that have arisen can be better understood and that attempts at their solution can be pursued.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hughes, J.R.: Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte: did he have seizures? Psychogenic or epileptic or both? Epilepsy Behav. 4(6), 793–796 (2003)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Fauvelet de Burrienne, M.: Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte (Trans. by Memes JS). Collier, New York (1892)

  3. Gibson, E., Mueller, H.F.: Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Random House, New York (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Arlington, VA (2000)

  5. Zucker, K.J., Spitzer, R.L.: Was the gender identity disorder of childhood diagnosis introduced into DSM-III as a backdoor maneuver to replace homosexuality? A historical note. J. Sex Marital Ther. 31(1), 31–42 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Helie, A.: Holy hatred. Reprod. Health Matters 12(23), 120–124 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. No authors listed: Nepal: Sexual minorities group facing possible ban. HIV AIDS Policy Law Rev. 10(2), 35–37 (2005)

  8. Blanchard, R.: Quantitative and theoretical analyses of the relation between older brothers and homosexuality in men. J. Theor. Biol. 230(2), 173–187 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Blanchard, R.: Fraternal birth order and the maternal immune hypothesis of male homosexuality. Horm. Behav. 40(2), 105–114 (2001)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Blanchard, R., Cantor, M., Goguert, A.F., et al.: Interaction of fraternal birth order and handedness in the development of male homosexuality. Horm. Behav. 49(3), 405–414 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Holtzen, D.W.: Handeness and sexual orientation. J. Clin. Exp. Neuropsychol. 16(5), 702–712 (1994)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Zucher, K.J., Beaulieu, N., Bradley, S.V., et al.: Handedness in boys with gender identity disorder. J. Child. Psychol. Psychiatry 42(6), 767–776 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Honekoff, J., Manning, J., Muller, C.: Digit ratio (2D:4D) and physical fitness in males and females. Evidence for effects of prenatal androgens on sexually selected traits. Hum. Behav. 49(4), 545–549 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Klar, A.J.: Excess of counterclockwise scalp hair-whorl rotation in homosexual men. J. Genet. 83(3), 251–255 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bogaert, A.F.: Gender role/identity and sibling sex ratio in homosexual men. J. Sex Marital Ther. 31(3), 217–227 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Rice, G., Anderson, C., Risch, N., Ebers, G.: Male homosexuality: absence of linkage to microsatellite markers at Xq28. Science 284(5416), 665–667 (1999)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Pearcey, S.M., Docherty, K.J., Dabbs, J.M. Jr.: Testosterone and sex role identification in lesbian couples. Physiol. Behav. 60(3), 1033–1035 (1996)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bos, H.M., van Balen, F., van den Boom, D.C.: Lesbian families and family functioning: an overview. Patient Educ. Couns. 59(3), 263–275 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Parson, I., Bimbi, D.S., Koken, J.A., Halkitis, P.N.: Factors related to childhood sexual abuse among gay/bisexual male internet escorts. J. Child Sex Abus. 14(2), 1–23 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Landolt, M.A., Bartholomew, K., Saffrey, C., et al.: Gender noncomformity, childhood rejection, and adult attachment: a study of gay men. Arch. Sex Behav. 33(2), 117–128 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Johnson, A.M., Mercer, C.H., Erens, B., et al.: Sexual behavior in Britain: partnerships, practices and HIV – risk behaviours. Lancet 358, 1835–1842 (2001)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Mercer, C.H., Fenton, K.A., Copas, A.J., et al.: Increasing prevalence of male homosexual partnerships and practices in Britain 1990–2000: evidence from national probability surveys. AIDS 18(10), 1453–1458 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Hon, K.L., Leung, T.F., Yau, A.P., et al.: A survey of attitudes toward homosexuality in Hong Kong Chinese medical students. Teach. Learn Med. 17(4), 344–348 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dieckmann, R., Oelke, M., Uckert, S., et al.: The prevalence of sexual problems in female medical students. Urologe A 43(8), 955–959 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Aaron, D.J., Chang, Y.F., Markovic, N., LaPorte, R.E.: Estimating the lesbian population: a capture-recapture approach. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 57(3), 207–209 (2003)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Austin, S.B., Ziyadeh, N., Kahn, J.A., et al.: Sexual orientation, weight concerns, and eating – disordered behaviors in adolescent girls and boys. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 43(9), 1115–1123 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Van Griensven, F., Kilmarx, P. H., Jeeyapant, S., et al.: The prevalence of bixexual and homosexual orientation and related health risks among adolescents in northern Thailand. Arch. Sex Behav. 33(2), 137–147 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Peck, J.A., Shoptaw, S., Rotheram-Fuller, E., et al.: HIV associated medical behavioral and psychiatric characteristics of treatment – seeking, methamphetamine – dependent men who have sex with men. J. Addict. Dis. 24(3), 115–132 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Prestage, G., Mao, L., Fogarty, A., et al.: How has the sexual behavior of gay men changed since the onset of AIDS 1986–2003? Aust. N.Z.J. Public Health 29(6), 530–535 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Folch, C., Casabona, J., Munoz, R., Zaragonza, R.: Trends in the prevalence of HIV infection and risk behaviors in homo- and bisexual men. Gac. Sanit. 19(4), 294–301 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Stolte, I.G., deWit, J.B., Kolader, M., et al.: Association between ‘safer sex fatigue’ and rectal gonorrhea is mediated by unsafe sex with casual partners among HIV-positive homosexual men. Sex Trans. Dis. 33(4), 201–208 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  32. No authors listed: 15,000 Canadians are HIV positive and don’t know it. Injection drug use now number one risk factor. HIV Prev. Plus 1(1), 1–2 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Berg, M.B., Mimiaga, M.J., Safrin, S.A.: Mental health concerns of HIV-infected gay and bisexual men seeking mental health services: an observational study. AIDS Patient Care STDS 18(11), 635–643 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Jin, F., Prestage, G.P., Kippax, S., et al.: Epidemic syphilis among homosexuality, active men in Sydney. Med. J. Aust. 183(4), 172–173 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Jiang, Z.J., Cao, J., Xia, Q., et al.: High prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men in Jiangsu Province, China. Sex Transm. Dis. 33(2), 118–123 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Tran, T.H., Cassoux, N., Bodaghi, B., et al.: Syphilitic uveitis in patients infected with human immuno-deficiency virus. Graefes Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol. 243(9), 863–869 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Marcus, U., Bremer, V., Hamouda, O., et al.: Understanding recent increases in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in men having sex with men: changes in risk behavior from risk avoidance to risk reduction. Sex Transm. Dis. 33(1), 11–17 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chen, M.Y., Donovan, B.: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Australia: epidemiology and clinical implications. Sex Health 14, 189–196 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Bailey, J.V., Farquhar, C., Owen, C., Mangtani, P.: Sexually transmitted infections in women who have sex with women. Sex Transm. Infect. 80(3), 244–246 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Beltrami, J.F., Shouse, R.L., Blake, P.A.: Trends in infectious diseases and the male to female ratio: possible clues to changes in behavior among men who have sex with men. AIDS Educ. Prev. 17(6 Suppl. B), 49–59 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Marcus, U., Zucs, P., Bremer, V., et al.: Shigellosis – a re-emerging sexually transmitted infection: outbreak in men having sex with men. Int. J. STD AIDS 15(8), 533–537 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Bremer, D.D., Golden, M.R., Handsfield, H.H.: Unsafe sexual behavior and correlates of risk in a probability sample of men who have sex with men in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Sex Transm. Dis. 33(4), 250–255 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Manfredi, R., Calza, L., Chiodo, F.: Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in the Bologna metropolitan area, northern Italy: importance of counseling and prophylactic measures for the male homo/bisexual population. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 11(10), 845–848 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Jin, F., Prestage, G.P., Pell, C.M., et al.: Hepatitis A and B infection and vaccination in a cohort of homosexual men in Sydney. Sex Health 1(4), 227–237 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Beyrer, C., Spiraipan, T., Tovanabutra, S., et al.: High HIV, hepatitis C and sexual risks among drug using men who have sex with men in northern Thailand. AIDS 19(14), 1535–1540 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. van der Snoek, E.M., van de Ende, M.E., Schouten, W.R., et al.: Anorectal malignancies and dysplasia in HIV-positive men who have sex with men. Ned. Tijdschr. Geneeskd. 149(36), 1989–1993 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Williams, D., Churchill, D.: Ulcerative proctitis in men who have sex with men: an emerging outbreak. BMJ 332(7533), 99–100 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Farhi, D., Dupin, N.: An outbreak of lymphogranuloma venereum in Western Europe. Rev. Prat. 55(6), 47–50 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Simoes, J.A., Discacciati, M.G., Brolazo, E.M., et al.: Clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 94(1), 28–32 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Bailey, J.V., Farquhar, C., Owen, C.: Bacteria vaginosis in lesbians and bisexual women. Sex Transm. Dis. 31(11), 691–694 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Abramowitz, L., Benabderrahmane, D., Bouvet, E., Duval, X.: Anal condyloma prevalence among HIV infected patients. Med. Mal. Infect. 35(5), 299–301 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Case, P., Austin, S.B., Hunter, D.J., et al.: Sexual orientation health risk factors, and physical functioning in the Nurses’ Health Study II. J. Women’s (Larchmt) 13(9), 1033–1047 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Agrawal, K., Sharma, S., Bekir, J., et al.: Prevalence of polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome in lesbian women compared with heterosexual women. Fertil. Steril. 82(5), 1352–1357 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Colfax, G.V., Mansergh, G., Guzman, R., et al.: Drug use and sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties; a venue-based comparison. J. Acquir. Defic. Syndr. 28(4), 373–379 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Fernandez, M.I., Bowen, G.S., Varga, L.M., et al.: High rates of club drug use and risky sexual practices among Hispanic men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida. Subst Use Misuse 40(9–10), 1347–1362 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Burgard, S.A., Cochran, S.D., Mays, V.M.: Alcohol and tobacco use patterns among heterosexually and homosexually experienced California women. Drug Alcohol Depend. 77(1), 61–70 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Greenwood, G.L., Paul, J.P., Pollack, L.M., et al.: Tobacco use and cessation among a household-based sample of US urban men who have sex with men. Am. J. Public Health 96(1), 145–151 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Roberts, S.J., Patsdaughter, C.A., Grindel, C.G., Tarmina, M.S.: Health related behaviors and cancer screenings of lesbians: results of the Boston Lesbian Health Project II. Women Health 39(4), 41–55 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Crosby, R., Mettey, A.: A descriptive analysis of HIV risk behavior among men having sex with men attending a large sex resort. J. Acquir. Immune Defic. Syndr. 37(4), 1496–1499 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Hart, G.J., Williamson, L.M.: Increase in HIV sexual risk behaviour in homosexual men in Scotland, 1996–2002: preventive failure? Sex Transm. Infect. 8115, 367–372 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Newman, P.A., Rhodes, F., Weiss, R.E.: Correlates of sex trading among drug using men who have sex with men. Am. J. Public Health 94(11), 198–200 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Prestage, G., Mao, L., Fogarty, A., et al.: How has the sexual behavior of gay men changed since the onset of AIDS: 1986–2003. Aust. N.Z.J. Public Health 29(6), 530–535 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Woods, W.J., Benson, D.: Public health policy and gay bathhouses. J. Homosex. 44(304), 1–2 (2003)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Hospers, H.J., Kok, G., Harterink, P., de Zwart, O.: A new meeting place: chatting on the Internet, e-dating and sexual risk behaviour among Dutchmen who have sex with men. AIDS 19(10), 1097–1101 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Elford, J., Bolding, G., Davis, M., et al.: Trends in sexual behavior among London homosexual men 1998–2003: implication for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion. Sex Transm. Infect. 80(6), 451–454 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Crosby, R., Mattey, A.: A descriptive analysis of HIV risk behavior among men having sex with men attending a large sex resort. J. Acquir. Immune Defic. Syndr. 37(4), 1496–1499 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Cohen, C.E., Giles, A., Nelson, M.: Sexual trauma associated with fisting and recreational drugs. Sex Transm. Infect. 80, 469–470 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. D’Augelli, A.R., Grossman, A.H., Salter, N.P., et al.: Predicting the suicide attempts of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 35(6), 646–660 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Fitzpatrick, I.K., Euton, S.J., Jones, J.N., Schmidt, N.B.: Gender role, sexual orientation and suicide risk. J. Affect. Disord. 87(1), 35–42 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Warner, J., McKeown, E., Griffin, M., et al.: Rates and predictors of mental illness in gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women: results from a survey based in England and Wales. Br. J. Psychiatry 185, 479–485 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Remafedi, G., Farrow, J.A., Deisker, R.W.: Risk factors for attempted suicide in gay and bisexual youth. Pediatrics 87(6), 869–975 (1991)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Diamant, A.L., Wold, C.: Sexual orientation and variation in physical and mental health status among women. J. Womens Health (Larchmt) 12(1), 41–49 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Heintz, A.J., Melendez, R.M.: Intimate partner violence and HIV/STD risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. J. Interpers. Violence 21(2), 193–208 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Shelton, A.J., Atkinson, J., Risser, J.M., et al.: The prevalence of partner violence in a group of HIV-infected men. AIDS care 17(7), 814–818 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Cameron, P.: Child molestation by homosexual foster parents: Illinois 1997–2002. Psychol. Rep. 96(1), 227–230 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Cameron, P.: Are over a third of foster parent molestations homosexual? Psychol. Rep. 96(2), 275–298 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Arreola, S.G., Neilands, T.B., Pollack, L.M., et al.: Higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among Latino men who have sex with men than non-Latino men who have sex with men. Data from the Urban Men’s Health Study. Child Abuse Negl. 29(3), 285–290 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Maccallam, F., Golombok, S.: Children raised in fatherless families from infancy: a follow-up of children of lesbian and single heterosexual mothers at early adolescence. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 45(8), 1407–1419 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Vanfraussen, K., Ponjaert-Kristoffersen, I., Brevaeys, A.: What does it mean for youngsters to grow up in a lesbian family created by means of donor insemination? J. Reprod. Infant. Psychol. 20(4), 237–242 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Stanley, L., Bartholomew, K., Oram, D.: Gay and bisexual mens age-discrepant childhood sexual experiences. J. Sex Res. 41(4), 381–389 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Lee, P.H., Houk, C.: Normal male childhood and adolescent sexual interactions: implications for sexual orientation of the individual with intersex. J. Pediatr. Endocrinol. Metab. 18(3), 235–240 (2005)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Kinnish, K.K., Strassberg, D.S., Turner, C.W.: Sex differences in the flexibility of sexual orientation: a multidimensional retrospective assessment. Arch. Sex Behav. 34(2), 178–183 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Cameron, P., Landess, T., Cameron, K.: Homosexual sex as harmful as drug abuse, prostitution, or smoking. Psychol. Rep. 96(3), 915–961 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John R. Hughes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hughes, J.R. A General Review of Recent Reports on Homosexuality and Lesbianism. Sex Disabil 24, 195–205 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-006-9025-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-006-9025-5

Keywords

Navigation