Frutchey C, Williams AM; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: D417 (abstract no. PoD 5181).
San Francisco AIDS Foundation, CA.
ISSUE/PROBLEM: Designing appropriate HIV intervention strategies for the growing social group that goes to gay sex clubs and group sex environments is hampered by a lack of understanding of these activities. Research in this area has been undermined or neglected due to the perception that anonymous and group sex has decreased and a reluctance by researchers to investigate this aspect of sexual expression. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: Two members of the Coalition for Healthy Sex, a coalition of San Francisco AIDS educators and sex club operators, designed an open-ended qualitative questionnaire. Fourteen members of the social group that frequents San Francisco gay sex clubs and engages in group sex participated in 2-3 hour in-depth interviews. The data was analyzed to determine the social and sexual significance of group sex, the individual's level of commitment to safe sex, and their perceptions of any current safe sex interventions in the clubs. RESULTS: Men reported their sexual and social activities in sex clubs, and also detailed the role of the significant customs and etiquette commonly understood at sex clubs. They reported an increase in popularity of gay male sex clubs due to increasing disillusionment with gay bars as a place for socializing and meeting sexual partners. Sex clubs function as a safe gay environment, both sexually and socially. Most men reported that these environments reinforce safe sex behavior, as well as the social stigma against unsafe practices. The participants consistently expressed a desire for more "on site" safe sex interventions, which they feel would strengthen their own commitment to safe behaviors and educate hard-to-reach gay and bisexual men. LESSONS LEARNED: Investigation into this area has revealed that group sexual interactions are prevalent and meaningful to gay men. The sexual and social dimensions of gay male group sexual interactions are not easily separated. Participants are eager for on-premises HIV prevention initiatives. complex customs and etiquette which serve to structure the interaction in these environments should be understood and help to inform the design of HIV prevention strategies for this population.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Bisexuality
- Drug Interactions
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Interviews as Topic
- Male
- Population Groups
- Questionnaires
- Safe Sex
- San Francisco
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- diagnosis
- ethics
- prevention & control
Other ID:
UI: 102200401
From Meeting Abstracts