Risk-taking behaviors of gay and bisexual men in New York City post 9/11.
Until now, the reactions of gay and bisexual populations have been largely overlooked in response to terror and disaster. This study assesses risk-taking behaviors in gay and bisexual men two weeks before and after the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan. For the purposes of this study, risk-taking behaviors include drug use and unprotected anal sex. These behaviors and associated desires were examined in relation to race/ethnicity, age, geographic location, and HIV status, within and across time. The results of this study demonstrate that HIV status may be a pivotal demographic feature in understanding risk-taking behaviors post disaster. No changes in drug use were reported pre and post 9/11. However, there was an increase in risky sexual behaviors in relation to serostatus, with HIV-positive men reporting a higher number of sexual partners post 9/11. In contrast, the number of sexual partners remained constant in HIV-negative men. There was also an interaction effect, demonstrating that HIV-positive men were more likely than HIV-negative men to act on their desire for sex. Thus, as a population already faced with the prospect of death, HIV-positive men may be a population more vulnerable in the face of terror and disaster.
Espinosa
Lindsay S
LS
Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, & Prevention Studies, The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, 82 Washington Square East, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Maddock
Chelsea B
CB
Osier
Hannah W
HW
Doig
Stephanie A
SA
Halkitis
Perry N
PN
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D012309:Risk-Taking; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*