Skip to main content
Log in

Comparing Gay and Bisexual Men on Sexual Behavior, Condom Use, and Psychosocial Variables Related to HIV/AIDS

  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 750 men, recruited from a variety of sources in Chicago, who reported sex with men in the past 3 years. Behavioral criteria were used to establish groups of gay and bisexual men. We predicted that gay men, compared to bisexual men, would report more male sexual partners, more experience with receptive sex, and more tolerant attitudes toward homosexuality. The only reliable difference between the gay and bisexual men with respect to number of partners was that gay men were more likely to have had a steady male partner or lover. Gay men were more likely than bisexual men to have engaged in receptive sex, including unprotected receptive anal sex. Bisexual men were more self-homophobic and saw other people as less accepting of same-sex activity. There were no differences between gay and bisexual men in other psychosocial variables. Interventions designed to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS need to consider differences in gay and bisexual men's sexual behavior and attitudes toward homosexual behavior.

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

  • Carrier, J. (1985). Mexican male bisexuality. J. Homosex. 11: 75–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chetwynd, J., Chambers, A., and Hughes, A. J. (1992). Condom use in anal intercourse amongst people who identify as homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual. New Zeal. Med. J. 105: 262–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz, T., Chu, S. Y., Frederick, M., Hermann, P., Levy, A., Mokotoff, E., Whyte, B., Conti, L., Herr, M., Checko, P. J., Rietmeijer, C. A., Sorvillo, F., and Mukhtar, Q. (1993). Sociodemographics and HIV risk behaviors of bisexual men with AIDS: Results from a multistate interview project. AIDS 7: 1227–1232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doll, L. S., and Beeker, C. (1996). Male bisexual behavior and HIV risk in the United States: Synthesis of research with implications for behavioral interventions. AIDS Educ. Prevent. 8: 205–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doll, L. S., Petersen, L. R., White, C. R., Johnson, E., Ward, J. W., and Blood Donor Study Group. (1992). Homosexually and nonhomosexually identified men who have sex with men: A behavioral comparison. J. Sex Res. 29: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, M., Uribe, P., Gortmaker, C., Avila, L., De Caso, L. E., Mueller, N., and Sepulveda, J. (1992). Sexual behavior and status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 among homosexual and bisexual males in Mexico City. Am. J. Epidemol. 135: 883–894.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hood, D., Prestage, G., Crawford, J., Sorrell, T., and O'Reilly, C. (1994). Report on the B.A.N.G.A.R. Project: Bisexual Activity/Non-Gay Attachment Research, National Centre in HIV Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kippax, S. Crawford, J., Rodden, P., and Benton, K. (1994). Report on Project Male-Call: National Telephone Survey of Men Who Have Sex with Men, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kippax, S. Crawford, J., Rodden, P., and Benton, K. (1994). Report on Project Male-Call: National Telephone Survey of Men Who Have Sex with Men, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever, J., Kanouse, D., Rogers, W., Carson, S., and Hertz, R. (1992). Behavior patterns and sexual identity of bisexual males. J. Sex. Res. 29: 141–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D. K., and Watters, J. K. (1994). Sexual behavior and sexual identity in male injection drug users. J. AIDS 7: 190–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mays, M., and Cochran, S. D. (1987). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Black Americans: Special psychosocial issues. Public Health Rep. 102: 224–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKirnan, D. J., Stokes, J. P., Doll, L., and Burzette, R. G. (1995). Bisexually active men: Social characteristics and sexual behavior. J. Sex Res. 32: 64–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse, E. V., Simon, P. M., Osofsky, H. J., Balson, P. M., and Gaumer, H. R. (1991). The male street prostitute: A vector for transmission of HIV infection into the heterosexual world. Soc. Sci. Med. 32: 535–539.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norusis, M. J. (1990). SPSS/PC+ Advanced Statistics 4.0, SPSS, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. (1992). Black men and their same-sex desires and behaviors. In Herdt, G. (ed.), The Culture of Gay Men, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 147–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. L., and Marin, G. (1988). Issues in the prevention of AIDS among black and Hispanic men. Am. Psychol. 43: 871–877.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M. W., Wodak, A., and Gold, J. (1992). Sexual behaviour in injecting drug users. J. Psychol. Hum. Sex. 5: 89–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, J. P., and Damon, W. (1995). Counseling and psychotherapy for bisexual men. Dir. Clin. Psychol. 5: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, J. P., McKirnan, D. J., Doll, L., and Burzette, R. G. (1996). Female partners of bisexual men: What they don't know might hurt them. Psychol. Women Quart. 20: 267–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, J., Taywaditep, K., Vanable, P., and McKirnan. D. (1996). Bisexual men, sexual behavior, and HIV/AIDS. In Firestein, B. (ed.), Bisexuality: The Psychology and Politics of an Invisible Minority, Sage, Newbury Park, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. W., Krueger, L. E., Pearlman, T. C., and Goldbaum, G. (1993). HIV transmission: Women's risk from bisexual men. Am. J. Public Health. 83: 1757–1759.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stokes, J.P., Vanable, P. & McKirnan, D.J. Comparing Gay and Bisexual Men on Sexual Behavior, Condom Use, and Psychosocial Variables Related to HIV/AIDS. Arch Sex Behav 26, 383–397 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024539301997

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024539301997

Navigation