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PubMed1987

Cytomegalovirus infection in homosexual men. Relationship to sexual practices, antibody to human immunodeficiency virus, and cell-mediated immunity.

To investigate the relationships among cytomegalovirus infection, sexual behavior, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity, and indexes of cellular immunity, 180 homosexual men and 26 heterosexual men were studied. Among the homosexual men, cytomegalovirus seropositivity was associated with increased T8 lymphocyte counts (p less than 0.001) and reduced T4/T8 ratios (p = 0.006); these results were independent of HIV infection. Cytomegalovirus seropositivity was also associated with increasing age, numbers of sexual partners, and the practice of anal-receptive intercourse. At the first visit, cytomegalovirus was isolated from none of 13 cytomegalovirus-seropositive heterosexual subjects, compared with 62 (36 percent) of 171 seropositive homosexual men (p less than 0.005). Viral isolation was most common from semen. Among 32 cytomegalovirus-seropositive homosexual subjects from whom culture specimens were obtained more than four times over 10 to 30 months, 72 percent of the specimens were culture-positive. The mean duration of cytomegalovirus excretion in semen was 22 months, and in urine, the duration was nine months. Cytomegalovirus excretion was associated with younger age and reduced lymphocyte proliferation in response to cytomegalovirus, but not with antibody to HIV. Cytomegalovirus infection is sexually transmitted among homosexual men, perhaps by rectal intercourse, and is associated with alterations in T lymphocyte subsets. Most seropositive homosexual men excrete cytomegalovirus intermittently, primarily in the semen.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The relationship of abnormalities of cellular immunity to antibodies to HTLV-III in homosexual men.

A comprehensive evaluation of the cellular immune system (total T-cell, helper cell, suppressor cell, and natural killer cell numbers; in vitro interleukin-2 production, T-cell responses to mitogens and antigens, serum beta 2 microglobulin levels, and delayed hypersensitivity skin tests) was performed on 36 HTLV-III seronegative and 16 HTLV-III seropositive healthy homosexual men, 48 asymptomatic homosexual men with the chronic lymphadenopathy syndrome, 41 patients with AIDS, and 29 heterosexual controls without any known risk factors for AIDS. Our studies demonstrate that HTLV-III seronegative homosexual men have normal cellular immunity and are comparable to heterosexual controls. The abnormalities of lymphocyte subsets observed in HTLV-III seropositive healthy homosexual men are comparable to subjects with chronic lymphadenopathy. Assays of lymphocyte function, with the exception of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin tests, are similar in each group except patients with AIDS. Subjects with chronic lymphadenopathy were less responsive to DTH skin tests and HTLV-III seropositive healthy homosexuals were comparable to chronic lymphadenopathy subjects. We conclude that immunologic abnormalities in homosexual men are attributable to infection with HTLV-III.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Oral manifestations of HIV infection in homosexual men and intravenous drug users. Study design and relationship of epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic parameters to oral lesions.

This article describes the baseline findings from a study designed to compare the oral manifestations of HIV infection in homosexual men and intravenous drug users. Both seropositive and seronegative persons were studied. A standard examination instrument was developed to record indexes of oral disease as well as to record the presence of oral lesions. The two groups differed in terms of education, race, socioeconomic status, employment status, housing, and smoking experience. The prevalence and type of oral lesions differed in the two seropositive groups. In seropositive homosexual men, white lesions on the tongue (28.4%) predominated; whereas for the seropositive intravenous drug users, oral candidiasis (43.0%) and gingival marginal erythema (33.3%) were most often detected. We also observed that seronegative intravenous drug users displayed a greater number of oral lesions than seronegative homosexual men. For seropositive homosexual men, lesion presence was significantly associated with decreased levels of CD4; positive associations were seen with current smoking, antiviral drug use, and antibiotic use, and a negative association was observed with current employment. In contrast, only exposure to antiviral drugs was significantly correlated with lesion presence for seropositive intravenous drug users. This baseline analysis from our longitudinal study suggests clear differences in oral manifestations of HIV infection between seropositive homosexual men and intravenous drug users and between seronegative homosexual men and intravenous drug users. Among other parameters, it is apparent that lifestyle, access to health care, and the condition of the oral cavity before infection influence the development of oral lesions in persons with HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Willingness of male homosexuals to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MMR) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a proven effective lifesaving procedure. However, the perceived risk to the rescuer of contracting infectious diseases, especially acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), by performing MMR on a possibly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individual is probably affecting the number of people willing to perform MMR. Physicians and nurses constitute a major part of citizen cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) responders and serve as CPR educators and resource personnel. Currently, the fear of physicians and nurses of contracting infectious disease has dampened their willingness to perform MMR, and thus has reduced the number of strangers who will receive MMR. Homosexual males, like the medical community, have an increased perceived risk of acquiring infectious diseases, especially AIDS, and have been the target of intense educational efforts concerning the transmission of HIV. By (a) determining the willingness of various groups to perform MMR, (b) elucidating the factors which affect their willingness to perform MMR, and (c) comparing this willingness to the actual, not perceived, risk of acquiring HIV by performing MMR, either appropriate changes can be made to educate people in the performance of MMR, by informing them of the actual risks of contracting infectious diseases, or alternative methods of resuscitation, involving 'lay-on' masks, can be recommended. Thus the willingness of homosexual males to perform MMR was determined and compared to the previously determined actual reluctance of the medical community to perform MMR in similar hypothetical scenarios. METHODS: During interviews, 200 male homosexuals in Los Angeles were asked to assume that they knew how to perform CPR and MMR and to indicate how they would respond to four hypothetical cardiac arrest scenarios. These scenarios included cardiac arrests of a child, a trauma victim, a young man in a gay neighbourhood, and a victim of unknown history. Demographical data concerning the respondents was also obtained. RESULTS: Of the homosexual men surveyed, 93 and 85% stated they would perform MMR on a stranger of unknown history, if they, the rescuer, were HIV negative or positive, respectively, (P < 0.001). Similarly, a high percentage of the presumed HIV negative and HIV positive respondents stated a high willingness to perform MMR in response to hypothetical cardiac arrest scenarios involving a trauma victim, a child, and a young man in a gay neighbourhood. CONCLUSIONS: The willingness of male homosexuals to perform MMR is high, in contrast to the general reluctance of internists and medical nurses to perform MMR in the same outpatient scenarios. The different perceived risks of male homosexuals and physicians acquiring infectious diseases by performing MMR is probably responsible for the difference in willingness of these two groups to perform MMR. The high perceived risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to performance of MMR currently held by physicians in general may be lowered by increasing educational efforts. CPR courses should (a) discuss actual and perceived risks of acquiring infectious diseases by MMR, (b) discuss and weigh a small, and possibly not valid, risk of contracting an infectious disease while performing MMR on a victim, and (c) emphasize techniques involving 'lay-on' barrier masks. The availability of effective 'lay-on' barrier masks' should also be increased.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Alcohol and drug use among homosexual men and women: epidemiology and population characteristics.

Homosexual men and women have been described as at high risk for alcohol and drug abuse, due to psychosocial variables such as stress levels or the cultural importance of bar settings. However, there are few actual data in this regard. This paper presents the findings of a large (n = 3400) survey of a homosexual population regarding population characteristics and patterns of alcohol and drug use. Psychosocial variables that may account for substance use patterns both generally and in this population are discussed in an accompanying paper. Substantially higher proportions of the homosexual sample used alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine than was the case in the general population. Contrary to other reports, this was not accompanied by higher rates of heavy use, although homosexuals did show higher rates of alcohol problems. In the general population women consume less drugs and alcohol than do men, and substance use substantially declines with age. Neither of these patterns were found for the homosexual sample, thus creating overall higher rates of substance abuse. This may reflect differences between homosexuals and the general population in their adherence to sex-role stereotypes and age-related social role changes, as well as culturally specific stressors and vulnerability to substance use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction to detect sub-clinical Pneumocystis carinii colonization in HIV-positive and HIV-negative male homosexuals with and without respiratory symptoms.

Pneumocystis carinii colonization was studied in 90 men using the polymerase chain reaction. These comprised ten heterosexual controls; ten HIV-seronegative homosexual controls; 20 HIV-seropositive homosexuals with blood CD4 count > 400 x 10(6) l-1; 20 HIV-seropositive homosexuals with CD4 < 400 x 10(6) l-1; ten HIV-seropositive homosexuals with CD4 < 60 x 10(6) l-1 receiving PCP chemoprophylaxis; and 20 HIV-seropositive homosexuals with respiratory symptoms but without PCP. Induced sputum was obtained from all but the last group, who had bronchoalveolar lavage, and all specimens were tested for P. carinii using the polymerase chain reaction. The first four groups received no pneumocystis chemoprophylaxis, and all but the last group were asymptomatic. P. carinii colonization did not occur in the two control groups. P. carinii colonization rates were significantly different in the CD4 > 400, CD4 < 400, and CD4 < 60 groups (10%, 20%, and 40% respectively) (P < 0.025). Two patients (one each from CD4 < 400 and CD4 < 60) developed PCP 4-6 weeks after sputum induction, both had previously had high levels of P. carinii on sputum induction. Two patients from the CD4 < 400 group had high levels of P. carinii but did not develop PCP. In the symptomatic group, two subjects had low levels of P. carinii, but did not develop PCP. We have demonstrated P. carinii colonization in HIV-seropositive homosexuals in association with a low peripheral CD4 count. The polymerase chain reaction may be a useful technique for determining the need and efficacy of anti-pneumocystis chemoprophylaxis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

An association between male homosexuality and reproductive success.

The existence of homosexuality in humans poses a problem for evolutionary theory. Exclusive male homosexuality has a catastrophic effect on reproduction and yet inherited factors appear to contribute to it. Previous attempts to resolve this conundrum are inconsistent with aspects of evolutionary theory. Additional limitations are as follows. Until recently, accounts of homosexuality have paid little attention to the probable existence of adaptive bisexuality in ancestral populations, from which further variations in sexual orientation may have evolved. Secondly, previous explanations have concentrated on the ancestral environment of two to three million years ago as the determinant of modern sexuality, when more recent influences are likely to have had considerable impact. I argue in favour of a longitudinal rather than cross-sectional model of the ancestral environment. Thirdly, they have often ignored the possibility of variable phenotypic expression, whereby those individuals with a genetic propensity for homosexuality exhibit different and adaptive qualities on most other occasions. It has been demonstrated in previous studies that homosexual men have superior linguistic skills compared to heterosexual men. This may be the result of an adaptive feminising effect on the male brain and apply to many practising heterosexuals. Other adaptations to the recent ancestral environment may include enhanced empathy, fine motor skills and impulse control. By drawing together these contributing factors an evolutionary basis for homosexuality can be demonstrated.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed2003

2nd to 4th digit ratio and a universal mean for prenatal testosterone in homosexual men.

Male homosexuals are said to have experienced high prenatal testosterone, and testosterone may have deleterious effects on the immune system. The question of the prenatal androgen status of male homosexuals is therefore of importance. There is evidence that the relative length of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) is negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone. We review the available literature, and provide further data on 2D:4D in male heterosexuals and homosexuals. Normative values of male mean 2D:4D ratio vary between 0.94 to 1.00 across populations. However, mean 2D:4D ratio is relatively constant among male homosexuals from different populations, with a mean of 0.96 to 0.97. Therefore homosexuals appear to be more androgenised (lower 2D:4D) than heterosexuals in some populations, while in others they appear to be less androgenised (higher 2D:4D) than heterosexuals. Speculations regarding the effect of early sex steroids on the health of male homosexuals should therefore focus on the effects of prenatal testosterone levels associated with 2D:4D ratios of between 0.96 and 0.97.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Birth order in homosexual versus heterosexual sex offenders against children, pubescents, and adults.

Homosexual men erotically attracted to physically mature partners typically have more older brothers than comparable heterosexual men. We investigated whether late fraternal birth positions also occur in homosexuals attracted to children or pubescents. Probands were 710 sex offenders from Gebhard et al.'s (1965) study of sexual offending. Homosexual offenders against adults and pubescents had later fraternal birth positions than heterosexual offenders against adults and pubescents, respectively; there was no difference between the homosexual and heterosexual offenders against children. Results provide some evidence that homosexuality in men attracted to immature males is etiologically related to homosexuality in men attracted to mature males.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Implicit attitudes towards homosexuality: reliability, validity, and controllability of the IAT.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the psychometric properties of an Implicit Association Test (IAT; Greenwald, McGhee, & Schwartz, 1998) that was adapted to measure implicit attitudes towards homosexuality. In a first experiment, the validity of the Homosexuality-IAT was tested using a known group approach. Implicit and explicit attitudes were assessed in heterosexual and homosexual men and women (N = 101). The results provided compelling evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the Homosexuality-IAT as a measure of implicit attitudes. No evidence was found for two alternative explanations of IAT effects (familiarity with stimulus material and stereotype knowledge). The internal consistency of IAT scores was satisfactory (alpha s > .80), but retest correlations were lower. In a second experiment (N = 79) it was shown that uninformed participants were able to fake positive explicit but not implicit attitudes. Discrepancies between implicit and explicit attitudes towards homosexuality could be partially accounted for by individual differences in the motivation to control prejudiced behavior, thus providing independent evidence for the validity of the implicit attitude measure. Neither explicit nor implicit attitudes could be changed by persuasive messages. The results of both experiments are interpreted as evidence for a single construct account of implicit and explicit attitudes towards homosexuality.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Suicidal behaviors in homosexual and bisexual males.

A stratified random sample of 750 males in Calgary, Canada, aged 18-27 years, were given questions on sexual activity and orientation. Mental health questions included a measure of suicidality and of acts of deliberate self-harm. A computerized response format, which has been established as a good method for eliciting sensitive personal data, ensured anonymity. Almost 13% of the males were classified as homosexual or bisexual on the basis of being currently homosexually active or by self-identification. Significantly higher rates of previous suicidal ideas and actions were reported by homosexually oriented males than by heterosexual males. Homosexually oriented males accounted for 62.5% of suicide attempters. These findings, which indicate that homosexual and bisexual males are 13.9 times more at risk for a serious suicide attempt, are consonant with previous findings. The predominant reason for the suicidality of these young males may be linked to the process of "coming out," especially for those who currently have high levels of depression. These results underscore the need for qualified services rarely available to homosexually oriented youth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Homophobia and physical aggression toward homosexual and heterosexual individuals.

This study examined the relationship between homophobia (defined as self-reported negative affect, avoidance, and aggression toward homosexuals) and homosexual aggression. Self-identified heterosexual college men were assigned to homophobic (n = 26) and nonhomophobic (n = 26) groups on the basis of their scores on the Homophobia Scale (HS; L. W. Wright, H. E. Adams, & J. A. Bernat, 1999). Physical aggression was examined by having participants administer shocks to a fictitious opponent during a competitive reaction time (RT) task under the impression that the study was examining the relationship between sexually explicit material and RT. Participants were exposed to a male homosexual erotic videotape, their affective reactions were assessed, and they then competed in the RT task against either a heterosexual or a homosexual opponent. The homophobic group reported significantly more negative affect, anxiety, and anger-hostility after watching the homosexual erotic videotape than did the nonhomophobic group. Additionally, the homophobic group was significantly more aggressive toward the homosexual opponent, but the groups did not differ in aggression toward the heterosexual opponent.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

From reassurance to irrelevance: adolescent psychology and homosexuality in America.

American psychology by the 1920s contained a greater capacity for viewing some homosexual experiences as normal than most current historical literature suggests. Developmental psychologists agreed with psychiatrists that adult homosexuality was pathological, but they also agreed that adolescent sexual development included a homosexual phase. Until the late 1960s, developmental texts reassured parents and teachers that homosexual behavior among adolescents was transitory and quite normal. The psychiatric view of homosexuality as pathology came under attack after the middle of the century and eventually was abandoned. The developmental concern with a transitory homosexual phase disappeared gradually. This trend in psychology suggests underlying social and cultural changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Did the APA misrepresent the scientific literature to courts in support of homosexual custody?

In 1994, American Psychological Association amicus briefs informed two state Supreme Courts that (a) homosexual parents are not more apt to have homosexual children; (b) lesbians "score significantly higher than heterosexual parents" on a measure of parental effectiveness; and (c) no differences between the children raised by homosexuals and nonhomosexuals had been found "regardless of the geographic region within the United States where the children were raised." In fact, the evidence from these briefs shows to the contrary that (a) homosexual parents are more apt to have homosexual children; (b) the findings on parental effectiveness consisted of 15 fathers being less verbal than 45 mothers; and (c) the finding of no differences between homosexually and heterosexually raised children consisted of investigators visiting 11 states to test 89 offspring of 83 lesbian vs. 81 children of 69 nonlesbian volunteers. The APA's support for gay rights in these briefs may have violated its own ethical principles that "psychologists base their statements on scientifically acceptable psychological findings and techniques with full recognition of the limits and uncertainties of such evidence" and that psychologists must "provide thorough discussion of the limitations of their data, especially where their work touches on social policy" (APA, 1981).

Child Custody↗
PubMed1978

Psychodynamics, homosexuality, and the question of pathology.

A persistent polarity has existed among theories concerning the origins and the nature of preferred homosexuality. One major group of theories, including most psychoanalytic approaches, stresses early developmental contributions and tends to view homosexuality as psychopathological--a deviation from healthy and fully mature living. The other major group of theories assumes homosexuality not to be psychopathological and views homosexuality as either a spontaneous expression of a natural, polymorphous sexuality, or as one possible outcome, among many equally healthy and rewarding outcomes, of social conditioning. Common to both groups of theories is the shared assumption that psychodynamic contributions and etiology imply pathology--a psychodynamic dimension is either accepted and pathology is assumed, or pathology is denied and any possible psychodynamic contribution is debunked. The notion that psychodynamic causes and contributions imply pathology is, as I will show, a historical artifiact deriving from Freud's original libidinal fixation theory of neurosis. Such an assumption is not only no longer necessary, but also is inconsistent with a more contemporary psychondynamic understanding of human experience and several important psychoanalytic principles. I will explore the manner in which this assumption has been responsible for polarization and miscommunication among various contributions in psychoanalytic, sociological and political literature on the nature of homosexuality--including the presumption of pathology that is built into the very language and choice of metaphors employed in psychoanalytic discussions of homosexuality. I will also suggest an alternative conceptual approach.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attitude change in response to information that male homosexuality has a biological basis.

We assessed 28 college students' attitudes toward homosexuals immediately before and 1 week after the presentation of either an article suggesting that male homosexuality has a biological component or a control article. Change in attitude toward homosexuality for subjects exposed to the biological article depended on subjects' memory of the article and on their college major. Subjects undecided in their major and those who scored below average on a memory test of the article's content had the most positive attitude change, while biological science majors and those who scored above average on the memory test became more negative toward homosexuals. The results suggest biological information about homosexuality can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on attitudes toward homosexuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The Catholic Church, the American military, and homosexual reorientation therapy.

Homosexual activist groups have targeted the Catholic Church and the American military as institutions especially in need of transformation. Associations of healthcare professionals are also under assault from homosexual activists. It is, nevertheless, appropriate for the Church and the military to defend themselves against this assault, to affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian ethics and military service, and to help homosexuals free themselves from the vice of homosexuality. Arguments that homosexual reorientation therapy is unethical are unsound. Such therapy is consistent with the Christian virtue of charity.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1993

Mycoplasma penetrans infection in male homosexuals with AIDS: high seroprevalence and association with Kaposi's sarcoma.

Antibodies to Mycoplasma penetrans were found at an unusually high frequency in male homosexuals with AIDS (55 of 149; 37%) and in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected asymptomatic homosexuals (13 of 49; 26.5%) but not in intravenous drug users (3 of 308; 1%) and hemophiliacs (1 of 165; 0.6%) with or without HIV-1 infection. Thus, both M. penetrans and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) occur primarily in male homosexuals and rarely in other groups of patients at high risk of AIDS. Among 414 HIV-1-infected patients, statistical analysis revealed those with M. penetrans antibody were 11.7 times more likely to develop KS. Furthermore, among 198 HIV-infected homosexuals (149 with AIDS and 49 without AIDS), those with KS had M. penetrans-specific antibody at a significantly higher frequency (28 of 47; 59.6%) than did those without KS (27 of 102 with AIDS [26.5%] as well as 13 of 49 without AIDS [26.5%]; odds ratio = 4.1, P < .001). M. penetrans is apparently transmitted sexually through homosexual activity and is epidemiologically linked to formation of KS in homosexual men with AIDS. Parallel tests with M. genitalium revealed no similar link to KS in the same study sample.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗