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Comparison of height and weight in homosexual versus nonhomosexual male gender dysphorics.

The authors' clinical impression that homosexual gender-dysphoric males are physically smaller than nonhomosexual gender-dysphoric males was tested. Subjects were 176 homosexual and 246 nonhomosexual male outpatients, ages 16 to 65, who complained of discontent with their biological sex. Compared with the nonhomosexual male gender dysphorics, the homosexual gender dysphorics were shorter, lighter, and lighter in proportion to their height. The homosexual gender dysphorics were also shorter than men in the general population, whereas the nonhomosexual gender dysphorics were not. The smaller physiques of homosexual gender-dysphoric men may partly explain the clinical observation that these patients are somewhat more successful in passing as women.

Adolescent↗

Cultural factors affecting urban Mexican male homosexual behavior.

Some aspects of the mestizoized urban culture in Mexico are linked to male homosexuality in support of the theory that cultural factors play an important role in the kind of life styles and sex practices of males involved in homosexual behavior. The following factors are considered relevant: the sharp dichotomization of gender roles, dual categorization of females as good or bad, separate social networks maintained by males before and after marriage, proportion of unmarried males, and distribution of income. One result of the sharp dichotomization of male and female gender roles is the widely held belief that effeminate males generally prefer to play the female role rather than the male. Effeminacy and homosexuality are also linked by the belief that as a result of this role preference effeminate males are sexually interested only in masculine males with whom they play the passive sex role. The participation of masculine males in homosexual encounters is related in part to a relatively high level of sexual awareness in combination with the lack of stigmatization of the insertor sex role and in part to the restraints placed on alternative sexual outlets by available income and/or marital status. Males involved in homosexual behavior in Mexico operate in a sociocultural environment which gives rise to expectations that they should play either the insertee or insertor sex role but not both and that they should obtain ultimate sexual satisfaction with anal intercourse rather than fellatio. In spite of cultural imperatives, however, individual preferences stemming from other variables such as personality needs, sexual gratification, desires of wanted partners, and amount of involvement may override the imperatives with resulting variations in sexual behavior patterns.

Adolescent↗

Recalled parent-child relations and need for approval of homosexual and heterosexual men.

Young adult male homosexuals were recruited from a homosexual group and were given the Roe-Siegelman Parent-Child Relations questionnaire and the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale. Compared to a control group of heterosexuals, the homosexual group rated their mothers significantly more rejecting and their fathers less loving and more rejecting. The Love-Reject factor also showed the between-groups difference for the ratings of fathers; for mothers, the Love-Reject factor difference was marginally significant. The homosexual group also had a significantly higher mean score on the social desirability scale. This study, using direct subject selection and control of test administration, gives a close replication of important parts of Siegelman's (1974) results, especially the ratings of fathers' child-rearing practices and the homosexual-heterosexual difference on the social desirability scale.

Adult↗

Childhood play activities of male and female homosexuals and heterosexuals.

This study examined the differences in childhood play behavior reported by adult male homosexuals (N = 198) and heterosexuals (N = 198) and those reported by female homosexuals (N = 198) and heterosexuals (N = 198). Two checklists with a total of 58 sports, games, and play activities were assembled: one for ages 5--8 and the other for ages 9--13. These were administered to the four samples. Monotonicity analysis (a type of factor analysis) revealed four scales within each checklist that were statistically reliable in each of the four samples. Scale and item mean comparisons revealed large significant differences between heterosexual males and females, male homosexuals and heterosexuals, and female homosexuals and heterosexuals. A majority of homosexuals reported significant degrees of cross-sex behavior in childhood play. Favorite play activities, age trends, play-related attitudes, and parent-child interactions were also examined.

Adolescent↗

Maternally rated childhood gender nonconformity in homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Homosexual and heterosexual subjects provided self-ratings of childhood gender nonconformity. Additionally, their mother rated them on several adjectives describing childhood behavior, which included words related to gender nonconformity. Male homosexuals were remembered by their mothers as less masculine and more nonathletic. This finding did not appear to be due to a bias in mothers' memories. Though female homosexuals were recalled as more masculine than female heterosexuals, this appeared to reflect retrospective bias, as mothers who knew of their daughters' homosexuality were more likely to rate them as masculine. Both self-rated and maternally rated childhood gender nonconformity made independent contributions in predicting sexual orientation. Within the homosexual samples, maternal and self-ratings of subjects' childhood gender nonconformity failed to correlate significantly.

Adolescent↗

Biodemographic comparisons of homosexual and heterosexual men in the Kinsey Interview Data.

Relations between sexual orientation and several biodemographic variables previously reported to differentiate between homosexual and heterosexual men were examined. Subjects were 4948 white, postpubertal males, who were never reared in foster homes, orphanages, or other institutions, and were never arrested or convicted on criminal charges. These were dichotomously classified as homosexual (n = 844) or heterosexual (n = 4104). Data came from survey interviews conducted by staff members of The Kinesey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction from 1938 to 1963. Results extended previous findings that, compared with heterosexual controls, homosexual men have a later birth order, an earlier onset of puberty, and a lower body weight. Sexual orientation was weakly related or unrelated to height, paternal age, and sibling sex ratio. A more detailed analysis of the late birth order of the homosexual group showed that homosexual men have a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men, but they do not have a greater number of older sisters, once their number of older brothers has been taken into account.

Birth Order↗

Childhood family correlates of heterosexual and homosexual marriages: a national cohort study of two million Danes.

Children who experience parental divorce are less likely to marry heterosexually than those growing up in intact families; however, little is known about other childhood factors affecting marital choices. We studied childhood correlates of first marriages (heterosexual since 1970, homosexual since 1989) in a national cohort of 2 million 18-49 year-old Danes. In multivariate analyses, persons born in the capital area were significantly less likely to marry heterosexually, but more likely to marry homosexually, than their rural-born peers. Heterosexual marriage was significantly linked to having young parents, small age differences between parents, stable parental relationships, large sibships, and late birth order. For men, homosexual marriage was associated with having older mothers, divorced parents, absent fathers, and being the youngest child. For women, maternal death during adolescence and being the only or youngest child or the only girl in the family increased the likelihood of homosexual marriage. Our study provides population-based, prospective evidence that childhood family experiences are important determinants of heterosexual and homosexual marriage decisions in adulthood.

Child↗

Is early effeminate behavior in boys early homosexuality?

This report continues the study of early effeminate behavior in boys. A previous article reported on the long term follow-up of 55 boys and the resulting outcome in homosexuality. In this paper an effort is made to explore further the nature of the connection between childhood effeminate behavior and adult homosexuality. Individual signs are discussed with regard to relevant aspects of their development. It is concluded that early effeminate behavior is not merely a forerunner of homosexuality in that it forecasts homosexuality, but that is is in fact the earliest stage of homosexuality itself.

Adolescent↗

Spectrum of rectal biopsy abnormalities in homosexual men with intestinal symptoms.

Homosexually active men have frequent intestinal and rectal symptoms resulting from sexually acquired gastrointestinal infections. We evaluated the histologic findings in rectal biopsy specimens obtained from 89 homosexual men with intestinal symptoms and 11 homosexual men without intestinal symptoms. All had undergone comprehensive microbiologic evaluation for rectal and enteric pathogens. Rectal biopsy specimens were evaluated without knowledge of clinical or microbiologic data by a standardized method for the presence or absence of abnormal histologic features. Forty-six percent of specimens from symptomatic men and 27% of those from asymptomatic men were abnormal. Acute inflammation was the most frequent histologic abnormality and was more frequent in men who had pathogens (51%) than men without pathogens (24%, p less than 0.02). Acute but not chronic inflammation was seen also in specimens from homosexual men without intestinal symptoms. Intestinal spirochetosis was present in specimens from 23 (26%) of the symptomatic and 5 (45%) of the asymptomatic men. In 5 of the 89 symptomatic men, biopsy features of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IIBD) were present; all 5 of these men were infected with either Treponema pallidum or Chlamydia trachomatis. Features of IIBD were present in 25% of those infected with C. trachomatis or T. pallidum. Chronic inflammation was more frequent in men infected with C. trachomatis, syphilis, or herpes simplex virus type II: 31% vs. 3%, p = 0.0002. Acute inflammation was present in specimens from men with proctitis or proctocolitis and enteritis as well as in those from asymptomatic men, whereas chronic inflammation was present only in specimens from men with proctitis or proctocolitis. Both acute and chronic inflammation were more frequent when biopsy specimens of the abnormal mucosa were examined. When specimens from men with single infections were analyzed, histology was rarely diagnostic. We conclude that acute inflammation is frequent in rectal biopsy specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic homosexual men; chronic inflammation is infrequent, but when present is significantly associated with syphilis, herpes simplex virus type II, and C. trachomatis infection.

Adult↗

Acquired immune dysfunction in homosexual men: immunologic profiles.

Homosexual men with Kaposi sarcoma, lymphadenopathy syndrome, opportunistic infection, and nonhomosexual traditional Kaposi sarcoma were evaluated for B cell, T cell, and complement immunity and compared to normal controls and homosexual controls. No significant immunologic abnormalities were found in the traditional Kaposi group. All homosexual groups, including the homosexual controls, had a significant decrease in the helper/suppressor cell ratio. Functional abnormalities of T-cell immunity were observed in the homosexual Kaposi sarcoma, lymphadenopathy syndrome, and opportunistic infection groups. Significant elevations of IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE were found in the lymphadenopathy group, while only IgG and IgA were elevated in the Kaposi sarcoma group. C3, C4, and immune complexes were normal, while total hemolytic complement activity was increased in the Kaposi sarcoma and lymphadenopathy syndrome groups.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

T-cytotoxic/suppressor cell phenotypes in a group of asymptomatic homosexual men with and without exposure to HTLV-III/LAV.

The number of lymphocytes bearing the Leu 2+ or T8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) phenotype is elevated in asymptomatic homosexual men. By two-color immunofluorescence using paired monoclonal antibodies (alpha-Leu 2 and alpha-Leu 15, alpha-Leu 2 and alpha-Leu 7, alpha-Leu 7 and alpha-Leu 11), we enumerated phenotypic subpopulations that are associated with cytotoxic, suppressor, or natural killer function. Both cytotoxic (Leu 2+15-) and suppressor (bright Leu 2+15+) cell populations are elevated in homosexual men. Homosexual men who have been exposed to human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) have higher numbers of Leu 2+15- and Leu 2+7- cells than homosexual men who have not been exposed. Phenotypic subpopulations (dim Leu 2+ Leu 15+ and Leu 7-11+) that are associated with the most potent natural killer activity (against K562 target cells) were not found to be elevated in homosexual men.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Immunological alterations in anti-HTLV-III negative haemophiliacs and homosexual men in Hungary.

Hungary can be considered as a low risk area for AIDS since no patient with full-blown AIDS or AIDS-related complex has been found in the country. A complex clinical and immunological (T cell subsets, DNCB sensitization test, circulating immune complexes, acid-labile alpha interferon) investigation was performed between November, 1983 and June, 1984 in order to study whether alterations found in symptom-free homosexuals and haemophiliacs in the risk areas for AIDS can be observed in Hungary as well. 38 patients with mild haemophilia, 35 patients with severe haemophilia and 40 homosexual men were investigated in parallel to 37 heterosexual blood donors as controls. Anti-HTLV-III antibodies were measured later in the stored serum aliquots from the same subjects by the indirect membrane immunofluorescence assay. Although specific anti-HTLV-III antibodies were not detected in the haemophiliacs or homosexuals, immunological alterations characteristic for the members of AIDS risk groups in the high risk areas (decrease in the percentage of OKT4 cells and/or decrease of the OKT4/8 ratio) were found in one-third of the homosexuals and haemophiliacs tested. In addition, a significant part of these subjects did not develop delayed type hypersensitivity skin reaction on DNCB rechallenge. These findings indicate that an immunodeficiency independent of HTLV-III infection can be present in two major AIDS risk groups, in homosexual men and haemophiliacs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cerebral lateralization in homosexual males: a preliminary EEG investigation.

A preliminary investigation was conducted to determine whether hemispheric patterns of electrophysiological activation in male homosexuals differ from that of male and female heterosexuals. Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded over left and right cerebral hemispheric locations while subjects performed verbal and spatial cognitive tasks. Male homosexuals demonstrated different patterns of alpha power compared to heterosexual males and females during baseline recording. Different hemispheric patterns of alpha activity also were observed between homosexual and heterosexual males during affective judgments of both verbal and spatial stimuli, but not between homosexual males and heterosexual females. These results provide further evidence of biologically-mediated functional differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Adult↗

In vitro modulation of purine enzyme metabolism and lymphocyte surface marker expression by thymosin fraction 5 in homosexual males.

Thymosin fraction 5 (Thymosin) has numerous immunoregulatory activities including modulation of enzymes involved in lymphocyte maturation. The effect of Thymosin on the purine metabolic enzymes adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and 5' nucleotidase (5'NT) in null and T-enriched peripheral blood lymphocytes from sexually active asymptomatic homosexual males (AS), patients with the AIDS-related symptom complex (ARC), and those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was examined and compared to its effect on lymphocytes from healthy heterosexual controls. Mean ADA activity was significantly higher in null cells from fourteen AIDS patients than in five asymptomatic homosexuals, ten ARC patients, or 27 controls. Mean PNP activity was significantly elevated in null-enriched lymphocytes from ten ARC and fourteen AIDS patients compared to controls. No differences in these enzymes were found in T-enriched cells from any group. 5'NT was markedly decreased in both null and T lymphocytes in all homosexual groups relative to controls. Homosexuals had significantly elevated percentages of OKT10 positive and Ia positive lymphocytes compared to controls. Thymosin at an optimal concentration of 150 micrograms/ml caused significant decreases in mean ADA and PNP activity in null lymphocytes from ARC + AIDS patients along with a significant decrease in the percentage of OKT10 positive lymphocytes. No phenotypic changes were seen in AS or control lymphocytes. The data suggest that Thymosin has a maturational effect in vitro on immature T cells from symptomatic homosexuals.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Left-handedness in homosexual men and women: neuroendocrine implications.

Although numerous researchers have hypothesized a biological factor in the etiology of homosexuality, there is a lack of empirical evidence. Previous investigations did not focus on behavioral functions of the brain. Using neuropsychological testing, we found an increased incidence of left-hand preference (defined as non-consistent right-hand preference) in a group of 32 homosexual women. A trend in the same direction was found in a group of 38 homosexual men. These results suggest that homosexual orientation has a neurobiological component possibly related to hemispheric functional asymmetry. The results are consistent with previous reports that (1) prenatal neuroendocrine events are a factor in the development of human sexual orientation and functional brain asymmetries, and (2) the mechanisms associated with homosexual orientation and related neuropsychological characteristics are different between the sexes, i.e. elevated levels of prenatal sex hormones in women and decreased levels in men.

Adult↗

Psychosocial and cultural factors in alcohol and drug abuse: an analysis of a homosexual community.

Homosexual men and women may be at risk for alcohol and drug abuse due to psychosocial variables such as drinking styles, stress, or the cultural importance of bars. The study of psychosocial variables in homosexual culture may help us understand how they operate generally. This paper describes the findings of a large (n = 3400) survey of homosexual population. The core hypothesis was that stress and other psychosocial variables have their primary effects among people made vulnerable to substance abuse by individual expectancies and/or cultural values. Tension reduction expectancies of alcohol effects had substantial effects on alcohol and drug abuse, as did the use of bars as a social resource, a vulnerability variable more specific to urban homosexual culture. Further, stress affected alcohol-drug problems only among people who were "vulnerable" via expectancies and values, and both high risk styles of substance use and simple consumption levels had much stronger effects on problems among vulnerable respondents, thus supporting the stress-vulnerability perspective. Individual differences in social role status was related to alcohol and drug problems, and may explain differences between homosexual and general populations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

A community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A: risk factors for infection among homosexual and bisexual men.

PURPOSE: To assess risk factors for hepatitis A infection among homosexual and bisexual men during a community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A in New York City. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five homosexual and bisexual men, 20 to 49 years of age with hepatitis A identified from health department surveillance data (cases) were compared with 42 homosexual and bisexual men of similar age distribution who were seronegative for hepatitis A virus and identified from private physician offices (controls). Odds ratio (OR) were determined for acute hepatitis A infection according to demographics, numbers of sexual partners, frequency of specific sexual behaviors, and self-reported human immunodeficiency virus status. RESULTS: Cases had more anonymous sex partners (0 to 1 partner versus > 1 partner) than controls during the 6 weeks before illness onset (OR = 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 to 14.4). Cases were more likely than controls to have engaged in group sex (OR = 3.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 12.6). Among specific sexual behaviors examined, oral-anal intercourse (oral role) and digital-rectal intercourse (digital role) with anonymous sex partners were more commonly reported by cases than controls (OR = 9.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 78.7 and OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.4, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that > 1 anonymous sex partner, group sex, oral-anal intercourse, and digital-rectal intercourse were associated with illness in models controlling for duration of sexual activity. Because these variables were highly correlated, independent risk could not be evaluated in a single model. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis A infection among homosexual and bisexual men is associated with oral-anal and digital-rectal intercourse, as well as with increasing numbers of anonymous sex partners and group sex. These findings reinforce the importance of developing educational activities for homosexual and bisexual men that focus on risk reduction for hepatitis A as well as other sexually transmitted disease spread via the fecal-oral route.

Adult↗

Is Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus detectable in semen of HIV-infected homosexual men?

We explored a possible route of transmission of Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) with nested and unnested PCR techniques. We looked for KSHV DNA sequences in semen of HIV-positive homosexual men and HIV-negative healthy semen donors. With unnested primers we found KSHV sequences in 21 of 33 (64%) homosexual men and in none of 30 healthy donors. With a nested PCR assay, 30 of 33 (91%) specimens from the homosexual men and 7 of 30 (23%) specimens from healthy donors had detectable KSHV sequences. Over 5 years of follow-up, 13 of 30 KSHV-positive homosexual men (43%) developed KS compared with none of the 3 KSHV-negative homosexual men.

DNA, Viral↗