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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Homosexual and bisexual men's coping with the AIDS epidemic: qualitative interviews with 10 non-HIV-tested homosexual and bisexual men.

This paper describes how the threat of HIV infection is appraised and coped with by homosexual and bisexual men. Very little is known about men who do not want to be HIV tested, thus non-HIV-tested homosexual and bisexual men have been interviewed in depth about themes concerning their lives during the AIDS epidemic. Men with sexual risk behaviour appeared to be very reluctant to participate, and therefore six men with safe sexual behaviour and four men with unsafe sexual behaviour were interviewed. The results showed that all the men were well informed about AIDS and preventive measures. Reasons for not wanting a test were fear of psychological distress caused by a possible positive test and the fact that no treatment is available. The men who had adopted safe sex appraised their sex lives to have suffered a minor loss but found that sexuality played a subordinate role compared to trust and friendship. The men with risk behaviour considered sexuality to play an important role in their lives. They found condoms a barrier to intimacy and used defensive strategies to manage stress. Most of them were able to exchange social support with their network but had difficulties in setting their own limits. All four men had experienced undertreated traumatic events in their past. The results indicate that knowledge of AIDS and satisfactory social support do not necessarily result in safe sexual behaviour. The role of undertreated traumatic events forming barriers against adopting safe sexual practices should be further studied. Proposals are put forward for future health education programmes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

AIDS in bisexual men in the United States: epidemiology and transmission to women.

BACKGROUND: Homosexual and bisexual men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) differ, and bisexual men play an important role in the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to women. METHODS: To describe AIDS in these groups, we examined AIDS cases reported nationally through June 1990. RESULTS: Among 65 389 men who reported having had sex with men since 1977, 26% were bisexual. More Black (41%) and Hispanic men (31%) than White men (21%) reported bisexual behavior. Bisexual men were twice as likely to report intravenous drug use (20%) as were homosexual men (9%), regardless of race or ethnicity. Among 3555 women with heterosexually acquired AIDS, 11% reported sexual contact with a bisexual man and no other risk factor, although in some states approximately half reported such contact. In 1989, the AIDS rate due to sex with a bisexual man was three and five times higher among Hispanic and Black women, respectively, than among White women. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between bisexual and homosexual men with AIDS and the relative importance of AIDS in women due to sexual contact with bisexual men should be considered in the development of HIV prevention programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Sexual behavior and status for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 among homosexual and bisexual males in Mexico City.

The authors examined sexual behaviors, the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and condom use among 2,314 homosexual and bisexual men tested during 1988-1989 at the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) National Center in Mexico City. Bisexuals constituted 24% of the sample; the seroprevalence rate was lower for bisexuals than homosexuals (21 vs. 34%). In logistic regressions, HIV-1 seropositivity was independently related to age, education, pattern of insertive/receptive behavior in anal sex, lifetime number of male sex partners, having sex with someone with AIDS, homosexual versus bisexual behavior, and a history of condyloma. The same logistic regressions were found to fit bisexuals and homosexuals. The rate of HIV-1 was reduced in individuals who indicated always requiring their partners to use a condom when practicing receptive anal sex (1% of the total). The most common practice for both homosexuals and bisexuals was "mixed" behavior (i.e., both insertive and receptive anal sex); this was also the practice with the highest risk. Bisexuals practiced both vaginal and anal sex with women and reported little condom use. The substantial seroprevalence among bisexuals, their frequent sexual contact with women, and their low rate of condom use imply a continuing role as a bridge of infection to females. Whether this risk will lead to a sustained heterosexual epidemic remains to be determined.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Beyond gender: the basis of sexual attraction in bisexual men and women.

The construct of sexual orientation has typically considered the gender of the sexual partner as defining whether the individual is homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual, and the Kinsey scale conceptualises bisexuality as a point midway between homosexuality and heterosexuality. We propose an alternative model which places homosexuality and heterosexuality at one end of a continuum as gender-linked choices of sexual partner, and bisexuality at the other as nongender-specific. As a test of this model, we administered repertory grids to nine bisexual men and women to investigate the characteristics of sexual attraction in individuals for whom gender of partner was not a critical variable. Results supported the hypothesis that gender is not a critical variable in sexual attraction in bisexual individuals. Personality or physical dimensions not related to gender and interaction style were the salient characteristics on which preferred sexual partners were chosen, and there was minimal grid distance between preferred male and preferred female partners. These data support the argument that, for some bisexual individuals, sexual attraction is not gender-linked.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Identity conflict or adaptive flexibility? Bisexuality reconsidered.

A definition of bisexuality is offered, followed by a discussion of two opposing models of bisexual functioning: the "conflict model," which views bisexuality as problematic, stemming from identity conflict and confusion that marks a transitional stage to a homosexual orientation; and the "flexibility model," which views bisexuality as the coexistence of heteroeroticism and homoeroticism, as the successful integration of homosexual and heterosexual identities into a dual sexual orientation. The Kinsey data are reviewed in an effort to determine the incidence of bisexuality in the U.S. population. Finally, specific clinical and empirical studies investigating bisexual subjects are reviewed in light of the two models.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1985

Psycho-social issues related to counseling bisexuals.

An increasing number of persons who experience bisexual feelings or behaviors are seeking professional counseling. This article explores the psycho-social issues related to counseling individuals and couples concerned about their own or their partner's feelings, fantasies, or behaviors with both men and women, and the appropriateness or inappropriateness of adopting a bisexual identity or developing a bisexual life-style. The steps for helping individuals to differentiate problems, handle confusion, and conceptualize bisexuality are outlined. The counseling process with bisexuals includes developing support systems, examining internalized homophobia and sex-role stereotyping, helping them deal with heterosexual concerns, and with issues which affect partners when one or both is bisexual.

Child Rearing↗

PubMed1990

Factors associated with AIDS and AIDS-like syndrome among homosexual and bisexual men in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

A case-control study to determine factors associated with AIDS and AIDS-like syndrome among homosexual/bisexual men was conducted in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil). Eighty-three per cent (45 patients) of all AIDS/AIDS-like syndrome cases in homosexual/bisexual men reported in Minas Gerais between February, 1986 and June, 1987 were compared to 133 seronegative controls seen at the same clinic. Blood samples were tested by ELISA and confirmed by Western blot. Sex with men from the USA, sex with someone who developed AIDS, number of male partners (greater than or equal to 100 lifetime), age (greater than or equal to 30 years old) and ethnicity (white) were independently associated with AIDS/AIDS-like syndrome (Odds Ratios = 5.5, 4.3, 3.9, 3.5 and 2.7, respectively). Thirty-nine per cent of cases and 44% of controls reported bisexual activity during the previous two years. From these, a high proportion reported anal intercourse with women in the same period (53% of bisexual cases and 33% of bisexual controls). Bisexual men had more male partners than female partners in the previous two years (median male partners = 20 for cases and five for controls; median female partners = three for both cases and controls). This explains in part why the epidemic has increased more rapidly among men then among women in Minas Gerais, despite the large proportion of bisexuals with the disease.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

PubMed1992

HIV education for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth: personal risk, personal power, and the community of conscience.

Adolescent gay and bisexual males face a higher risk of infection with HIV than most other young people because of their behaviors and because HIV prevention programs have failed to address their unique concerns. Ironically, current efforts to heighten public awareness about the AIDS pandemic may be nullifying the potential for gay, lesbian, and bisexual young persons at high risk to form the support networks needed to modify their behavior. The personal and group empowerment of gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people is a necessary prerequisite to their ability to make healthy behavioral choices around HIV and other health issues. This paper proposes a comprehensive health education model for HIV prevention for gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Current health education efforts would be augmented by broader self and group empowerment training that would develop self-esteem, social skills, support networks, and access to risk reduction materials. An integrated system of care involving school-based programs, multi-service youth agencies, and self-help groups would be in a position to deliver appropriate educational, mental health, medical, and social support services. Such a system of care presents gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth with their best chance to reduce their risk of infection with HIV and develop into emotionally healthy individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Hepatitis B and Delta virus infection among heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexual men.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection rates were estimated in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic: 759 heterosexuals and 154 homosexual-bisexual men. The anti-HBc prevalence was higher in homo-bisexual men (68.8 per 100) than in heterosexuals (41.8 per 100), whereas HBsAg was roughly the same in the two groups (about 6 per 100). The anti-HBc prevalence rate among heterosexuals was higher than that estimated in hospital personnel from the same geographical area. A positive association between anti-HBc prevalence and present or past sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was found among homo-bisexual men. Anti-HBc was also positively associated with herpes simplex type 2 antibodies in both heterosexuals and homo-bisexual men. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that sexual behavior also plays a role in the spread of infection among heterosexuals. Ten of the 46 HBsAg-positive subjects were anti-HDV positive: 6 of the 36 heterosexuals and 4 of the 10 homosexuals. All HDV-positive subjects had present or past STDs. These findings suggest sexual transmission of HDV infection.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

A potential source for the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus into the heterosexual population: bisexual men who frequent "beats".

Fifty-four actively bisexual men with recent sexual experiences with both men and women were interviewed as part of a wider study of 176 homosexual men, many of whom frequented "beats" (public toilets, parks and isolated roads where men meet for homosexual encounters). Forty-six per cent of the bisexual men were engaging in unsafe sexual practices with at least one man and one woman. Three of these men knew that they were seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus, with two of these men engaging in unsafe sexual practices with some of their partners. Fewer than one-quarter of the bisexual men identified with or participated actively in aspects of organized, overt "gay" culture. So-called "closeted" bisexual men are suggested to be a major, but neglected, target for educational efforts against the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1976

Bisexuality in women.

In-depth interviews with women having a history of bisexual behavior and/or a bisexual self-identification revealed only moderate correspondence between behavior and identity. A general description is provided of the sexual relationships of the respondents. The major focus is on the wide diversity of self-identified bisexual women, especially in terms of self-perceived sexual and emotional needs, circumstances precipitating heterosexual and homosexual behavior, and ideological supports for a bisexual life style. Heterosexual behavior among homosexual women is discussed in terms of economic necessity, experimentation, and the response of the lesbian community. Homosexual behavior among heterosexual women is discussed in terms of responses to different kinds of situational exigencies and the rationalizations used to deal with the experience while insulating the heterosexual self-identification.

Adult↗

PubMed1974

Bisexual mating behavior in a diploid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: evidence for genetically controlled non-random chromosome loss during vegetative growth.

A diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been isolated which exhabits bisexual mating behavior. The strain mates with either a or alpha strains with a relative mating efficiency of 1 to 2%. The efficiency of mating is correlated with the frequency with which subclones of this strain revert to a single mating type. Crosses of the bisexual diploid with a/a or alpha/alpha diploids yield bisexual segregants with a frequency of approximately 3%. Analysis of the segregation of the mating type alleles and other markers on chromosome III indicates that the primary event which leads to the bisexual phenotype is the loss of one homolog of chromosome III during vegetative growth to produce a monosomic (2n-1) diploid. Evidence is presented that the loss of chromosome III and possibly of other chromosomes during vegetative growth is affected by a recessive nuclear gene-her (hermaphrodite)-which is not closely linked to the mating type locus.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMed1992

A comparison of light intensity preferences for an oviposition site in parthenogenetic and bisexual strains of Drosophila.

On the assumption that the survival of a parthenogenetic strain in nature relies on the strain's ability to compete with the bisexual population, we attempted to discern any diminution of competition between bisexual strains of Drosophila and parthenogenetic strains derived from them on the basis of light intensity preferences in choosing an oviposition site. Four different experiential conditions were imposed on each strain prior to testing for light intensity preferences for an oviposition site. Most light responses are significantly different in each strain for the four experiences. There are also significant differences among the bisexual, unisexual and F1 females of a given strain and between strains. Further experiments were performed to determine light preferences during oviposition when unisexual and bisexual females were in direct competition. In only one comparison were their light preferences significantly different. All strains were unique in their overall behavioral spectra.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Differential variation of parthenogenetic and bisexual Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae).

Morphological characters are measured from each tick specimen from samples of 10 "populations" of Haemaphysalis longicornis. The 10 populations consist of 6 diploid bisexual and 4 triploid parthenogenetic populations from Australia, Japan, and Korea. Statistical analyses (univariate and multivariate) of differential morphological variation are made among sex, method of reproduction, and chromosome ploidy level in attempts to determine the effects of these parameters on overall variation. In general, laboratory-reared thelytokous females (3n = 33y are least variable, laboratory-reared bisexual females and males (2n = 22 female; 21 male) are intermediate in variation, and field-collected bisexual males and females are most variable. However, the only field-collected thelytokous "population" (3n = 33) in the analyses is more variable than even the field-collected bisexual ticks.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and sexual practices associated with faecal contact in homosexual or bisexual men with AIDS.

The causal agent of Kaposi's sarcoma is unknown. That the disorder is ten times more common in homosexual or bisexual men with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than in other human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission groups suggests that a certain aspect of their behaviour exposes them to the agent or facilitates its spread. We therefore assessed social and demographic characteristics, including sexual behaviour, of 65 homosexual or bisexual men with AIDS from London. Sexual practices in which there was contact with partner's faeces before AIDS developed were the main determinants of Kaposi's sarcoma risk. Risk increased with frequency of insertive "rimming" (oral-anal contact): Kaposi's sarcoma developed in 18% of the men with AIDS who reported never having practised insertive rimming compared with 50% who practised it less than once a month, 73% between once a week and once a month, and 75% or more once a week (two-sided exact p-value for trend less than 0.001). 45 men had been interviewed about their sexual practices before AIDS developed, and 20 were interviewed at the time the syndrome developed. The findings were similar and statistically significant when each group was analysed separately. The men with Kaposi's sarcoma also tended to be more sexually active and were more likely to engage in other sexual activities that entailed contact with faeces than were the men who had other features of AIDS only. Other behaviours and exposures, including the use of "poppers" (nitrite inhalants), were not related to Kaposi's sarcoma risk, after taking into account whether the subjects had practised insertive rimming. The data suggest that faecal-oral contact is the main route of transmission of the agent of Kaposi's sarcoma in homosexual or bisexual men with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS and chemical dependency: special issues and treatment barriers for gay and bisexual men.

Because gay and bisexual men continue to be the largest at-risk group for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related conditions, the special role of substance abuse, and not just intravenous drug abuse, must be understood in order to provide adequate services and prevention. Gay men and women appear to have a higher incidence of substance abuse than the general population. Genetic, biochemical, societal, and cultural factors may all contribute to this increase, especially the overwhelming impact of societal homophobia. To address the treatment barriers to gay and bisexual men seeking or needing treatment for HIV-related conditions, chemical dependence or both, the gay community should be seen like any other minority community. The social and cultural norms of this widely varied community should be studied: the socialization of being gay in mainstream society, including the awareness of being different; the coming-out process; and dealing with internalized homophobia need to be understood. In addition, the resistance or anxiety health care providers may feel in working with gay or bisexual men or with HIV-related conditions should be addressed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

The sexual behaviour of bisexual men in relation to HIV transmission.

Relatively little is known about the behaviour of bisexual men which may help in assessing their role in HIV transmission. A sample of 60 behaviourally bisexual men were asked about their sexual behaviour with male and female partners and their perceptions of risk of HIV infection. Only a minority of men engaged in unprotected anal sex with their male partners while two thirds had unprotected vaginal sex with their female partners. This asymmetrical pattern of sexual behaviour reflects a differential perception of risk of HIV infection with male and female partners. A quarter of the men had unprotected penetrative sex with both male and female partners in the previous year. The pattern of risk behaviour varied amongst men living in gay, heterosexual or bisexual contexts.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Group psychotherapy for bisexual men and their wives.

A significant number of men and women experience conflict surrounding homosexual expression within marriage. As the media focuses more attention on these relationships, more bisexual men and their wives seek counseling or psychotherapeutic assistance. Based upon the author's research and clinical experience, this article outlines a group psychotherapy strategy for bisexual men and their wives. Relevant research and background data on mixed-orientation marriages are summarized. Treatment strategy explores intervention processes, resistances to treatment, the unique supportive experiences of the group, and qualities of the co-therapist who may provide assistance to bisexual men and their wives.

Adaptation, Psychological↗