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PubMed1976

Autonomic responses of transsexual and homosexual males to erotic film sequences.

Penile volume and galvanic skin responses to nude female and male film sequences were studied in 10 transsexual patients, 44 patients requesting treatment for homosexual impulses, and 60 heterosexual students. Student controls and homosexuals showed significantly greater galvanic skin responses to the preferred than to the nonpreferred sex. Transsexuals tended to show larger galvanic skin responses to females than did male homosexuals. No strong relationships were found between penile volume and galvanic skin response to the preferred sex. It is concluded that transsexual patients differ significantly from homosexual patients in autonomic responsivity, which may have diagnostic usefulness.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Incestuous experiences within homosexual populations: a preliminary study.

The incidence, frequency rates, and effects of both homosexual and heterosexual incestuous experiences within lesbian and male homosexual populations are examined. Twenty-nine female homosexuals and 54 male homosexuals from diverse demographic backgrounds were administered a 16-page anonymous questionnaire designed to capture a wide range of demographic, personality, life history, and attitudinal information. Differences in family characteristics that exist between individuals who have experienced nuclear family incest, extended family incest, and those who have never experienced incest are investigated. Differences that exist between the two populations, incest and nonincest, were also studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Childhood indicators of male homosexuality.

Questionnaires were administered to 206 male homosexuals and 78 male heterosexuals. The most important aspects of the questionnaire dealt with six "childhood indicators" of later adult homosexuality: (1) interest in dolls, (2) cross-dressing, (3) preference for company of girls rather than boys in childhood games, (4) preference for company of older women rather than older men, (5) being regarded by other boys as a sissy, (6) sexual interest in other boys rather than girls in childhood sex play. Significant differences were found between homosexuals and heterosexuals with respect to all six indicators. Moreover, it was found that the stronger one's homosexual orientation the greater was the number of childhood indicators. It is concluded that there are behavioral aspects related to one's sexual orientation which may begin to emerge early in childhood.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Psychological adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual men: a cross-national replication.

The present investigation of British subjects replicated an investigation conducted in the United States. There was considerable agreement in the findings of the two studies. A multidimensional evaluation of adjustment, based on questionnaire data, indicated that the total sample of British homosexuals described themselves as less well adjusted than the heterosexuals on four factors, better adjusted on two factors, and not different on six factors. There was a significant difference on only one dimension, however, for selected groups of masculine homosexuals vs. heterosexuals. Homosexuals and heterosexuals low on feminity, in addition, tended to be better adjusted than homosexuals and heterosexuals high on femininity. The possible confusion between adjustment and masculinity-femininity, as well as the importance of using a multidimensional approach when considering adjustment, is discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1976

Gonorrhoea in the asymptomatic patient: presentation and the role of contact tracing for heterosexual men and women and for homosexual men.

Clinically silent gonorrhoea is the major problem in the control of the disease. Only 12 per cent of infected women reported in 1974 because of symptoms, compared with 97 per cent of infected heterosexual men and only 35 per cent of homosexual men with gonococcal proctitis alone. Homosexual men, compared with heterosexual men, had twice as many subsequent sexual contacts after infection and had a higher incidence of early syphilis. Eighty-four per cent had experienced passive anorectal intercourse. Ninety-seven per cent of men with gonococcal urethritis reported because of symptoms, but occasionally (particularly after unsuccessful treatment) urethral gonorrhoea in men may be clinically silent and even require tests of the overnight urethral secretion for diagnosis. For women, and for homosexual men who have had passive anorectal (or oral) intercourse, the indication for attendance for tests for gonorrhoea should be having run the risk, and not the presence of symptoms. Routine tests of the anorectum for gonorrhoea are essential in cases of 80 women at risk, and for most homosexual men since over 80 per cent of these men will have had passive anorectal intercourse. Because gonococcal infections following treatment-failure are often clinically silent in both women and men, symptoms cannot be relied upon to indicate such failure. Follow-up smears and cultures are always essential.

Anal Canal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interferon production in male homosexuals with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or generalized lymphadenopathy.

We measured serum interferon (IFN) levels and leukocyte IFN production in vitro in homosexual men with AIDS or generalized lymphadenopathy and in asymptomatic homosexual or heterosexual men. Acid-labile interferon alpha was detected in the serum of two patients with AIDS and in three out of nine patients with lymphadenopathy, but not in the sera of healthy homosexual or heterosexual controls. The presence of serum interferon in patients with AIDS or lymphadenopathy was correlated with a marked deficiency of their leukocytes to synthesize interferon alpha in response to viruses or tumor cells, but did not significantly interfere with the production of interferon gamma in response to lectin or bacterial enterotoxin. Our results suggest an inverse correlation between serum interferon alpha and the amount of interferon alpha produced in leukocyte cultures in male homosexuals with AIDS or generalized lymphadenopathy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Selected aspects of AIDS among homosexual men.

This report is a brief summary of important points concerning AIDS and homosexual men. We present the current overall figures of the cumulative AIDS incidence for Switzerland, the United States and the world and similar figures for homosexual men in Switzerland, the United States and Europe. A brief history of the epidemic is included with focus on the role of homosexual men. The main risk factors for acquiring HIV infection among homosexual men, including large numbers of sexual partners, receptive and intercourse and rectal douching, are mentioned with emphasis on results from "The San Francisco Men's Health Study". The development of education and prevention programs is outlined along with the role in these areas of The Swiss AIDS Foundation and Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. Decreases in high risk sexual practices and decrease in seroconversion rates are also discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Primary malignant lymphoma of the anorectum in homosexual men.

Two homosexual men presented with primary malignant lymphomas of the anorectum. Each patient presented with a painful mass, diagnosed by biopsy and immunologic cell marker studies. One patient, who had a reversed T4/T8 cell ratio, developed a local relapse of the tumor 11 months after radiotherapy, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The other patient, with a normal T4/T8 ratio, remained lymphoma-free and without evidence of opportunistic infection 25 months after combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Anorectal pathologic findings in homosexual men includes proctitis, inflammatory stricture, fissure, or anal warts. Malignant anorectal diseases, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, and cloacogenic or squamous cell carcinomas have been described in homosexual men. Primary malignant lymphoma of the anorectum is rare in both the homosexual and general populations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

Excess of counterclockwise scalp hair-whorl rotation in homosexual men.

While most men prefer women as their sexual partners, some are bisexual and others are homosexuals. It has been debated for a long time whether a person's sexual preference is innate, learned, or due to a combination of both causes. It was recently discovered that the human right-versus-left-hand use preference and the direction of scalp hair-whorl rotation develop from a common genetic mechanism. Such a mechanism controls functional specialization of brain hemispheres. Whether the same mechanism specifying mental makeup influences sexual preference was determined here by comparing hair-whorl rotation in groups enriched with homosexual men with that in males at large. Only a minority of 8.2% (n = 207) unselected 'control' group of males had counterclockwise rotation. In contrast, all three samples enriched with homosexual men exhibited highly significant (P < 0.0001), 3.6-fold excess (29.8%, n = 272) counterclockwise rotation. These results suggest that sexual preference may be influenced in a significant proportion of homosexual men by a biological/genetic factor that also controls direction of hair-whorl rotation.

Hair↗
PubMed2005

Cultural universals and differences in male homosexuality: the case of a Brazilian fishing village.

This study investigated whether homosexually identified males in a small Brazilian fishing community are similar to homosexually identified males described in the international literature. In addition, it attempted to distinguish heterosexuals who have sex with homosexuals from other heterosexuals. A total of 41 men were classified into three sexual categories: paneleiros ("pan cabinets"), who have sex only with men, and invariably so in a bottom position; persistent heterosexuals, who have sex only with women; and paneleiro lovers, who have sex with women and with paneleiros, but invariably in a top position. There were significant differences in childhood play activities, sexual inclinations, and sports preferences between paneleiros and non-paneleiros; however, paneleiro lovers and persistent heterosexuals were not significantly different with regard to these variables or with regard to access to women. These findings add to the cross-cultural literature on childhood cross-gender behavior and homoerotic activities among non-homosexually identified males.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

An empirical test of the kin selection hypothesis for male homosexuality.

The current investigation, following Bobrow and Bailey (2001), aimed to test the kin selection theory of homosexuality in human males using a survey design. A total of 60 heterosexual and 60 homosexual men from England completed items measuring psychological and behavioral indices of "special design" as predicted by adaptation due to kin selection. There were no significant differences between heterosexual and homosexual men in general familial affinity, generous feelings (willingness to provide financial and emotional resources), and benevolent tendencies (such as willingness to baby-sit). These remained non-significant after co-varying for level of personal income (higher among homosexual men), psychological gender, and interest in children. Overall, little support was found for the kin selection theory in a community sample.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Anal dysplasia in homosexual men: role of anoscopy and biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Both anal squamous cell cancer and human papilloma virus (HPV) are increased in homosexual men. This study evaluates histology of internal anal abnormalities in a high-risk population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive and seronegative homosexual men. METHODS: Ninety men with abnormalities of the internal anal canal (referred from a cross-sectional study of 512 homosexual men) were evaluated by anoscopy, anal cytology, and directed biopsy. CD4 cell counts from blood and HPV types from anal tissue were also obtained. RESULTS: Seventy-eight (86%) men had HPV-associated abnormalities: discrete warts in 39 (43%), a wart ring in 23 (26%), and flat white epithelium in 18 (20%). Dysplasia was detected by cytology in 36% and by biopsy in 92% (27% high grade). High-grade dysplasia was equally common in HIV-seropositive and -seronegative men. The morphology of anal lesions did not predict the presence of dysplasia. Both high- and low-risk HPV types were common in many of the biopsy specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Anal dysplasia is common in biopsy specimens from homosexual men with visible HPV-associated internal anal abnormalities. Natural history studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of anal dysplasia, rates of progression to cancer, and the role of screening and therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Interferon alfa treatment of chronic hepatitis B: randomized trial in a predominantly homosexual male population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been suggested that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and male homosexuality predict poor response to interferon alfa therapy of chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of HIV coinfection on the response of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to interferon alfa therapy in a predominantly homosexual male population. METHODS: Fifty patients (82% male homosexuals, 50% HIV positive) with evidence of chronic HBV infection were randomized, stratified by HIV status, to undergo either treatment with interferon alfa (10 MU/m2 three times weekly for 12 weeks) or no treatment. Response was predefined as loss of serum HBV DNA, loss of hepatitis B e antigen, and the appearance of antibody to hepatitis B e antigen. HIV status and the interferon alfa-associated enzyme, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, were evaluated as potential predictors of response to therapy. RESULTS: Six treated patients responded with development of antibodies to hepatitis B e antigen (P < 0.05). HIV-positive patients were about one-fifth as likely to respond to interferon alfa therapy (relative risk, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.78). Pretreatment alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders (P = 0.0005). Pretreatment 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase levels did not predict response. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon alfa, 10 MU/m2 three times weekly for 12 weeks, is effective in eradicating HBV replication in a predominantly homosexual male population not coinfected with HIV.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1983

Immunological studies of homosexual men with immunodeficiency and Kaposi's sarcoma.

Acquired immunodeficiency and Kaposi's sarcoma are epidemic among homosexual men in the United States. We have identified three clinically distinct disease syndromes in homosexually active men: a syndrome of severe cellular immunodeficiency including infection with Pneumocystis carinii and other opportunistic pathogens, a syndrome of chronic benign lymphadenopathy without severe opportunistic infections, and Kaposi's sarcoma. All 46 patients which we have studied with these three disease syndromes shared a common immune abnormality, that being a reduction in the circulating T-lymphocyte subpopulation bearing the Leu-3/OKT-4 antigen. The second major T-lymphocyte subpopulation, which bears the Leu-2/OKT-8 antigen, was numerically normal in all the disease syndromes, but increased as a percentage of all circulating lymphocytes. These abnormalities resulted in an inversion of the normal ratio of these two lymphocyte subpopulations. A similar, but less pronounced imbalance in circulating T-lymphocyte subpopulations was observed in a group of healthy homosexual men. The immune deficiency in these patients was most evident in the T-cell component of the immune system. Percentages of B cells, circulating immunoglobulin levels, and natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytoxic (ADCC) functions were normal. Proliferative responses to antigen and mitogen were typically decreased in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and some Kaposi's sarcoma patients, but not those with the prolonged lymphadenopathy syndrome or a control group of healthy homosexual men. Possible causes or factors contributing to the immunodeficiency and interrelationships among the three disease manifestations are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Activated interferon system in healthy homosexual men.

More than 50% of a group of healthy homosexuals in Israel were found to have an activated interferon (IFN) system as evidenced by markedly elevated blood IFN levels, increased in vitro production of IFN by unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and HuIFN-alpha and HuIFN-gamma production by appropriately stimulated cells, and a surprisingly high incidence of an antiviral state of cells. This pattern resembles that found in persons with acute viral illness, and is unlike that found in normal healthy controls. The type of IFN in the blood was found to be unusual in that it was mainly HuIFN-alpha, pH 2-labile, a type of IFN found in certain collagen diseases as well as in homosexual men suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphadenopathy. Natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity was found to be somewhat lower than that found in normal controls, although no correlation was found between blood IFN levels and NK activity. Mean (2'-5')-oligoisoadenylate synthetase levels in cell extracts were intermediate between normal controls and patients with viral illness. Likewise no correlation was found between enzyme levels and blood IFN levels. The highly activated IFN system found in certain homosexuals, as well as the increased spontaneous production of IFN by unstimulated mononuclear cells, suggest the possibility of the presence of a virus, active or latent, in these individuals. This virus could be a retrovirus such as HTLV-III or LAV which have recently been isolated from AIDS patients. The special type of IFN present could be the response to a novel virus in an unusual situation. On the basis of recent reports, we speculate that homosexuals with highly activated IFN systems who produce pH 2-labile HuIFN-alpha could be at increased risk for developing AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Homosexual identity development.

This paper presents an ideal-typical model of homosexual identity development that describes how committed homosexuals (i.e., women and men who see themselves as homosexual and adopt corresponding lifestyles) recall having developed perceptions of themselves as homosexual. The model consists of four stages: sensitization, identity confusion, identity assumption, and commitment. Often-repeated themes in the life histories of lesbians and gay males, clustered according to life stages, provide the content and characteristics of each stage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Alcohol and tobacco use patterns among heterosexually and homosexually experienced California women.

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence suggests that lesbians and bisexual women may be at especially elevated risk for the harmful health effects of alcohol and tobacco use. METHODS: We report findings from the California Women's Health Survey (1998-2000), a large, annual statewide health surveillance survey of California women that in 1998 began to include questions assessing same-gender sexual behavior. RESULTS: Overall, homosexually experienced women are more likely than exclusively heterosexually experienced women to currently smoke and to evidence higher levels of alcohol consumption, both in frequency and quantity. Focusing on age cohorts, the greatest sexual orientation disparity in alcohol use patterns appears clustered among women in the 26-35-year-old group. We also find that recently bisexually active women report higher and riskier alcohol use than women who are exclusively heterosexually active. By contrast, among homosexually experienced women, those who are recently exclusively homosexually active do not show consistent evidence of at-risk patterns of alcohol consumption. DISCUSSION: Findings underscore the importance of considering within-group differences among homosexually experienced women in risk for tobacco and dysfunctional alcohol use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The prevalence of male homosexuality: the effect of fraternal birth order and variations in family size.

The prevalence of male homosexuality probably varies over time and across societies. One reason for this variation may be the joint effect of two factors: (1) variations in fertility rate or family size; and (2) the fraternal birth order effect, the finding that the odds of male homosexuality increases with each additional older brother. Because of these effects, the rate of male homosexuality may be relatively high (at least in terms of sexual attraction if not behavior) in societies that have a high fertility rate, but this rate has probably declined somewhat in some, particularly western, societies. Thus, even if accurately measured in one country at one time, the rate of male homosexuality is subject to change and is not generalizable over time or across societies.

Birth Order↗