Sexual practices of gay, bisexual, and other nonidentified MSM attending New York City gyms: patterns of serosorting, strategic positioning, and context selection.
This descriptive paper characterizes the sexual behaviors of a diverse sample (N=311) of gay, bisexual, and other nonidentified men who have sex with men (MSM) who regularly attended gyms in New York City. Approximately 50% of the sample indicated sex with primary male partners, while 88% of the men had sexual relations with male casual partners in the 6 months prior to assessment. The participants met their casual partners in a variety of different venues, including the Internet. Differences were noted along key demographic factors with regard to the contexts in which men met their partners. The data indicate that the men use serosorting, strategic positioning, and contexts in which they meet other men, to influence choices concerning sexual partners and practices as a form of health protection. It is proposed that these patterns of sexual behavior are representative of the totality of the lives of gay, bisexual, and other MSM, because despite engaging in gym behaviors, which might be considered health promoting, these men are simultaneously taking risks. Such findings point to varying motivations as to why gay, bisexual, and other MSM actually attend the gym.
Halkitis
Perry N
PN
Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS), Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA. pnh1@nyu.edu
Moeller
Robert W
RW
Pollock
James A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D020446:Fitness Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012919:Social Behavior