Online dating among Australian gay and bisexual men: romance or hooking up?

Sexual Racism on Geosocial Networking Applications and Identity Outness Among Sexual Minority Men in the US

Although the use of geosocial networking (GSN) applications for relationship seeking is prevalent among sexual minority men (SMM), SMM of color may be vulnerable to sexual racism online. Little is known about how sexual racism relates to SMM of color's identity outness, which is integral to the minority stress model and the focus of this study. Eighty SMM, recruited through social media (53.7% racial/ethnic minority), reported their experiences of race-based discrimination on GSN apps and identity outness. Chi-squared and Fisher's tests examined differences in race-based discrimination online by participants' race/ethnicity. A factorial MANOVA was performed on outness to family, peers, and healthcare providers. Nearly one-third of participants experienced race-based discrimination online. Higher percentages of SMM of color experienced race-based discrimination than White SMM. SMM who experienced race-based discrimination online reported lower outness to family than those who had not. Post-hoc analyses revealed that Asian SMM reported consistently lower outness than other groups. Our findings resonated with the mediation framework of minority stress, suggesting that sexual racism online may be a distal stressor that contributes to the group-specific process of identity outness. This also illustrated the importance of addressing sexual racism on GSN apps to buffer existing stress with outness among SMM of color.

The effect of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on negotiating casual sex between gay men: disclosure, assumptions, and communication

BACKGROUND

The disclosure of HIV status and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use can be important in the negotiation of safe sex. With the rapid uptake of PrEP in Australia, norms and expectations about discussion and disclosure may have changed.

METHODS

We explored the disclosure of PrEP use, HIV status and communication with sex partners by HIV-negative gay men in Sydney, Australia. We conducted semi-structured interviews from October 2017 to May 2018 and analysed data using a codebook thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Participants had a variety of expectations of what they should tell their partners and what they expected in return. For some participants, PrEP had negated the need for any discussion about HIV. Many participants assumed their partners would find information about their HIV status or PrEP use on their online profiles or that partners would ask, if necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

Building a stronger, shared understanding among gay men that disclosure and discussion no longer automatically occur before sexual encounters may be useful.

A Prospective Study of Predictors and Consequences of Hooking Up for Sexual Minority Women

Hooking up, which refers to a sexual encounter (ranging from kissing to penetrative sex) between individuals who are not in a committed relationship, is an increasingly normative form of sexual exploration among emerging adults. Past research has focused on hookups within a heteronormative context, and some of this work has examined hookups as a way to cope with distress. Building on this work, we examined the role of hookups as a means for lesbian and bisexual women to cope with minority stress through increasing connection and engagement with the LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer or questioning) community. A nationally recruited sample of 520 lesbian and bisexual women ages 18 to 25 years completed questionnaires regarding their hookup behaviors as part of a longitudinal study. Childhood sexual abuse, posttraumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use, minority stress, and involvement and connectedness with the LGBTQ community were also assessed. First, regression analyses were used to examine baseline predictors of hookup behaviors reported at a 12-month follow-up. Findings revealed that alcohol use was associated with a greater likelihood of any subsequent hookups, and individuals reporting more minority stress subsequently hooked up with more partners. Second, hookup behaviors at 12 months were examined as predictors of outcomes at a 24-month follow-up, after controlling for baseline variables. Findings revealed that hookup behaviors were associated with reduced minority stress as well as increased involvement with and connectedness to the LGBTQ community, suggesting hookups may serve a protective function. Overall, findings support the notion that, for sexual minority women, hookups may operate as a means of coping and connection.

Genetic Network Analysis to Assess the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Seeking Partners on the Internet

BACKGROUND

Online partner seeking (OPS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) is associated with increased risk behavior including frequency of unprotected anal intercourse, number of partners, and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, the impact on transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is uncertain.

METHODS

MSM diagnosed with acute and early HIV infection were recruited from the Primary Infection Resource Consortium. HIV transmission events in the year following infection were inferred using estimated date of infection combined with genetic network analysis with linked sequences defined as ≤0.015 sequences/site difference in the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) pol coding region. Participants completed a detailed baseline questionnaire including reported methods of meeting sexual partners, including OPS, in the prior 3 months, and regression was performed with inferred transmission as the outcome.

RESULTS

From 147 MSM who completed the questionnaire, there were an associated 20 inferred HIV transmissions. No association with OPS was found (odds ratio, 0.64 [95% confidence interval, .24-1.69]; P = .37), though individuals who reported OPS were more likely to have reported a greater number of partners (P = .003) and prior STIs (P = .002). Geospatial analysis did not indicate that OPS was associated with increased geographical reach of the user (P = .68).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals reporting OPS did not have increased odds of inferred HIV-1 transmission in the year following infection using genetic linkage analysis despite apparently increased risk behavior. OPS also did not increase the geographic distance between genetically clustered HIV infections, suggesting that individuals mainly use the internet to meet partners in their local region.

Online Dating Profile Content of Older Adults Seeking Same- and Cross-Sex Relationships

Online dating is a common way for older adults to find a romantic partner, yet little is known about the dating motivations and self-presentations of older adults seeking same-sex relationships. These adults may have different approaches to dating than their counterparts seeking cross-sex relationships. Additionally, geographic location may shape online self-presentations and dating preferences due to regional differences in support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) populations. This study used the Meaning Extraction Method (MEM; Chung & Pennebaker, 2008), to examine 3,343 dating profiles of adults aged 60 and over seeking same- or cross-sex relationships residing in geographic environments with low versus high structural support for GLBT individuals. Results revealed that adults emphasized their desire for a relationship in their profiles as well as hobbies/interests, shared experiences, romance, and humor. Older adults seeking same-sex relationships emphasized romance more so than older adults seeking cross-sex relationships. Further, adults seeking same-sex relationships who lived in environments with low structural support for GLBT people were most likely to emphasize a desire for shared experiences. Findings suggest that despite the scripted nature of dating profiles and similarity in thematic content, older adults seeking same-sex relationships in different geographic areas may have distinct motivations when seeking a romantic partner.

Australian Gay Men Describe the Details of Their HIV Infection Through a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey

Background

With emerging opportunities for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, it remains important to identify those at greatest risk of infection and to describe and understand the contexts in which transmissions occur. Some gay and bisexual men with recently diagnosed HIV infection are initially unable to identify high-risk behaviors that would explain their HIV infection. We explored whether Web-based data collection could assist them in identifying the circumstances of their infection.

Objective

To assess the capacity of a Web-based survey to collect reliable self-report data on the event to which gay and bisexual men ascribe their HIV infection.

Methods

The HIV Seroconversion Study included a Web-based survey of gay and bisexual men with recently diagnosed HIV infection in Australia. Participants were asked if they could identify and describe the event they believe led to their infection. Men were also asked about their sexual and other risk practices during the 6 months before their diagnosis.

Results

Most (403/506, 79.6%) gay and bisexual men with newly diagnosed HIV infection were able to identify and describe the circumstances that likely led to their infection. Among those who were initially unable to identify possible exposure events, many could nonetheless provide sensible information that ostensibly explained their seroconversion. Free-text responses allowed men to provide more detailed and contextual information, whereas questions about the totality of their sexual behavior before diagnosis provided opportunities for men to describe their sexual risk behavior in general. Overall, 84.0% indicated having engaged in condomless anal intercourse before their HIV diagnosis, including 71.8% in the receptive position.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using Internet-based technologies to capture sensitive information about the circumstances in which HIV infection occurs among gay and bisexual men. By providing a range of opportunities for relaying experience, this research reveals some of the complexity in how individuals come to understand and explain their HIV infection. These findings may assist in obtaining detailed sexual history in the clinical setting.

Venue-Based Networks May Underpin HCV Transmissions amongst HIV-Infected Gay and Bisexual Men

Background

This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of venue-based networks on HCV transmission in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM).

Methods

This was a prospectively recruited cohort of HIV-infected GBM with recently-acquired HCV infection resident in Melbourne and Sydney. Clinical and demographic data were collected together with blood samples for HCV sequencing. Phylogenies were inferred and clusters of individuals infected with HCV with genetic sequence homology were identified. Venues used for sourcing sexual partners were identified; sourcing partners from the same venue was considered a potential social link. Using the Jaccard similarity coefficient, associations were identified between the network of sites where men sourced sex partners and transmission relationships as defined by phylogenetic clustering.

Results

Forty individuals were recruited, of whom 62.5% were considered to have sexually- and 37.5% IDU-acquired HCV. Venue use was consistent with men being members of a more sexually adventurous gay community subculture. Six phylogenetically-determined pairs or clusters were identified, comprising fifteen (15/28, 53.6%) individuals. Participants belonging to phylogenetic clusters were observed within the same networks. There was a significant correlation between the network and phylogenetic clustering when both cities were considered simultaneously (p = 0.005), raising the possibility that social connections may be important for HCV transmissions.

Conclusions

Venue-based network elicitation is a promising approach for elucidating HCV transmissions amongst HIV-infected GBM. Public health approaches targeting individuals and venues prominent within networks may reduce onward HCV transmission.

Geosocial Networking App Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Serious Romantic Relationships

Geosocial networking (GSN) mobile phone applications ("apps") are used frequently among men who have sex with men (MSM) to socialize and meet sexual partners. Though GSN apps are used by some MSM in partnered relationships, little is known about how the use of GSN apps among MSM in serious romantic relationships can influence couples' sexual and relationship health. MSM in serious relationships (N = 323; M age = 40 years) were recruited through a popular GSN app for MSM. Participants completed open-ended items regarding the costs and benefits of app use to their relationships, discussions of app use with their partners, and preferences for relationship education related to app use. Reported benefits of app use included improving sex and communication with one's primary partner and fulfilling unmet sexual needs. Although approximately half had not discussed app use with their partners, citing app use as a "non-issue," many cited various drawbacks to app use, including jealousy and being a distraction from the relationship. Few described sexual health concerns as a drawback to meeting partners through apps. Regarding relationship education preferences, most wanted help with general communication skills and how to express one's sexual needs to a partner. Although GSN app use can enhance relationships and sex among partnered MSM, unclear communication about app use may contribute to negative relationship outcomes and could prevent partners from having sexual needs met. Relationship and sexual health education programs for male couples should consider addressing social media and technology use in their curricula.

The use of mobile phone apps by Australian gay and bisexual men to meet sex partners: an analysis of sex-seeking repertoires and risks for HIV and STIs using behavioural surveillance data

BACKGROUND

Mobile phone apps are now the most popular method that Australian gay men use to find sex partners. Partner-seeking mobile phone apps use location functions to identify like-minded men and display their proximity. This study examines whether meeting partners via mobile apps is associated with a greater risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than with other ways of meeting partners.

METHODS

Data were analysed from the Gay Community Periodic Surveys, community-based, cross-sectional surveys conducted in Australian state capital cities between 2010 and 2014. χ² tests and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse differences in risk profiles of men who used different methods to meet partners.

RESULTS

Data were analysed from 36 428 men who participated in the Gay Community Periodic Surveys between 2010 and 2014. In 2014, 4116 men reported meeting sex partners with the use of mobile apps, increasing from 23.9% in 2011 to 42.5% in 2014. Men who used a combination of online and offline methods reported a greater number of sex partners and were more likely to report a recent STI than men who used online methods only or offline methods only.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a steep increase in the use of mobile phone apps by gay men in Australia to meet male partners. However, men who use a combination of mobile phone apps, internet websites and offline places to meet partners appear to be at increased risk of STIs or HIV compared with men who use a narrower range of online and offline methods.