Sex role separation in sexual diaries of homosexual men.
OBJECTIVE
To measure types of sex role prevalence in common and risk-related behaviours among gay men for modelling HIV transmission.


METHODS
Cohort study of 385 homosexually active men recording sexual diaries over 1-month periods.


METHODS
Measures of incidence of behavioural sex roles for masturbation, fellatio, anal intercourse and anilingus by relationship type, derived from 1-month sexual diary data.


RESULTS
Low behavioural role rigidity for masturbation and fellatio, but higher rigidity for anal intercourse and anilingus. Participants with no regular partner showed a relatively low frequency of anal intercourse, whereas those in closed relationships showed a high frequency.


CONCLUSIONS
Although anal intercourse shows a certain degree of behavioural role rigidity, this rigidity is not large enough to conclude that gay men exclusively engage in either an active or a passive role. Typical rates for exclusive active and passive roles for anal intercourse during the month the diaries were recorded were in the range of 12-15%; the dual role was significantly higher.
Coxon
A P
AP
Department of Sociology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
Coxon
N H
NH
Weatherburn
P
P
Hunt
A J
AJ
Hickson
F
F
Davies
P M
PM
McManus
T J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation / Q000453:epidemiology; D012380:Role; D012747:Sexual Partners