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Sexual Behaviors and Experiences Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States

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Abstract

Research examining the sexual behaviors and experiences of behaviorally bisexual men is limited. Most studies focus primarily on highlighting sexual risk behaviors among groups of “men who have sex with men (MSM)” or “gay and bisexual men,” which may not be appropriate in terms of behaviorally bisexual men’s sexual repertoires with both men and women. This study aimed to assess a broad range of sexual behaviors and associated experiences among bisexual men living in the midwestern United States. An interviewer-administered questionnaire containing items from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior assessed lifetime and recent (i.e., past 6 months and last event) sexual behaviors and experiences with both male and female partners among a diverse sample of 75 behaviorally bisexual men. Responses were quantified and analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. A wide range of sexual behaviors with partners of both genders was found. Vaginal intercourse and oral sex with both men and women were the most commonly reported behaviors. Subjective reports of pleasure, arousal, and sexual function during sexual activity were similar with both male and female sexual partners. Many participants reported using condoms during insertive sexual behaviors with male and female partners, but less during oral sex. Unprotected receptive anal sex was less commonly reported. Overall, participants reported a variety of sexual behaviors and experiences; however, unlike other populations, they shared these with partners of both genders. Results have implications for interventions targeting the sexual behaviors and associated issues among behaviorally bisexual men.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the National Institutes of Health, grant R21 HD 059494 (Brian Dodge, Ph.D., Principal Investigator). We greatly appreciate the assistance of our Community Advisory Committee throughout the course of the study. We also thank the reviewers of this article for their constructive feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, 1025 E. 7th Street, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Brian Dodge, Phillip W. Schnarrs, Michael Reece, Omar Martinez, Gabriel Goncalves, Barbara Van Der Pol & J. Dennis Fortenberry

  2. Department of General Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    David Malebranche

  3. Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Barbara Van Der Pol

  4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Barbara Van Der Pol

  5. Step Up, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Ryan Nix

  6. Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    J. Dennis Fortenberry

Authors
  1. Brian Dodge
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  2. Phillip W. Schnarrs
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  3. Michael Reece
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  4. Omar Martinez
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  5. Gabriel Goncalves
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  6. David Malebranche
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  7. Barbara Van Der Pol
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  8. Ryan Nix
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  9. J. Dennis Fortenberry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian Dodge.

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Dodge, B., Schnarrs, P.W., Reece, M. et al. Sexual Behaviors and Experiences Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States. Arch Sex Behav 42, 247–256 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9878-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9878-2

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