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PubMed2002

Application of the attribution-value model of prejudice to homosexuality.

According to the attribution-value model, prejudice toward a group stems from 2 interrelated variables: attributions of controllability and cultural value. Thus, prejudice toward gay men and lesbians may stem from others' holding them responsible for their behaviors and perceiving negative cultural value regarding homosexuality. The author tested that model by using the issue of homosexuality. The participants were Turkish undergraduates who completed a homophobia scale and answered questions about the origins of homosexuality, cultural attitudes toward homosexuality, and their own gender and sexual preferences. In general, the participants were prejudiced against gay men and lesbians. As expected, attributions of controllability and negative cultural value regarding homosexuality operated jointly to explain 39% of the variation in homophobia. The participants who thought that homosexuality was controllable had more negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians than did those who thought that homosexuality was uncontrollable. The female participants were more tolerant of homosexuality than were the male participants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Correlates and accompaniments of promiscuous sex among male homosexuals.

Until the past decade or thereabouts the psychoanalytic perspective has dominated writings on homosexuality. This almost inevitably entailed a concentration on the search for its etiological origins (Weinberg and Williams, 1974, pp. 3--4). As a consequence, the issue of the nature of the various styles of homosexual expression has been relatively neglected. An exploration of the "disconcerting variability" (Tripp, 1975, p. 133) of homosexual lifestyles is an extremely recent topic among researchers. Too often in the past homosexuality has been conceived of as a uniform entity: its contrasts with heterosexuality were exaggerated and similarities within homosexuality were overemphasized. Variation in modes of homosexual expression cries out for empirical attention (Bell and Weinberg, 1978, pp. 21--25). It is our intention in this paper to undertake an empirical exploration of some accompaniments of one dimension of homosexual behavior--having sexual experiences with a large number of partners. Far from asserting that this is characteristic of many or most homosexual men, we seek to differentiate them and understand to what extent the lives of men at the upper end of this continuum are intertwined with other, typically negatively regarded aspects of sexual life.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The effect of a biological explanation on attitudes towards homosexual persons. A Swedish national sample study.

Studies assessing attitudes towards homosexuals have revealed widespread homophobia. The first aim of this study was to assess potential changes in public attitudes after important legislative changes related to homosexuals in Sweden. The second aim was to test whether the attitudes differ: 1) between people who believe in biological vs. people who believe in psychological theories in explanation of homosexuality, 2) between men and women, and 3) between the older and younger age groups. To this end, a questionnaire survey of a representative, randomly selected, national sample of 992 adult Swedish residents was carried out. The response rate was 67%, which is considered high in this context. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a clear-cut change towards more tolerant attitudes towards homosexual men and women compared to earlier studies. The reasons for this change is discussed; among factors of importance are anti-discrimination legislation, increased visibility of homosexual people, and that more people currently regard homosexuality as a biologically determined, natural variant of human sexuality than was the case 10 years ago. In accordance, this study gave further support to the notion that those who believe that homosexuality is caused by biological factors have a less restrictive view on homosexuality than do people who hold a psychological view.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Homicide in homosexual victims: a study of 67 cases from the Broward County, Florida, Medical Examiner's office (1982-1992), with special emphasis on "overkill".

Forensic pathologists often state that homosexual homicides are more violent than those with heterosexual victims. Overkill or wounding far beyond that required to cause death is a frequently used descriptor of these deaths. We quantified the number and extent of injuries between homosexual and heterosexual homicide victims to determine whether one group suffered more violence than the other. This case-control study involved 67 homosexual homicide victims and 195 age, race, and gender-matched heterosexual (control) homicide victims from the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, between 1982 and 1992. The sexual preference of the victims was determined by police and medical examiner investigation. We compared the percentage of cases with multiple causes of death, mean number of injuries/case, and the mean number of different body sites with injuries/case between the two groups. The percentage of cases with multiple causes was 12% (n = 8) and 5% (n = 10) in the homosexual and heterosexual victims, respectively, with no significant statistical difference detected (Fisher exact test, two-tail, p = 0.088). The mean number of fatal sharp (5.4 vs 3.3, p < 0.05), blunt (9.0 vs 6.5, p < 0.05), and total (14.5 vs 6.5, p < 0.001) injuries/case was greater among the homosexual victims than among the heterosexual group. These differences were all statistically significant using the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. The mean number of different body sites with injuries/case was also greater (3.5 vs 2.4, p < 0.001) among the homosexual victims than among the heterosexual group. This difference was statistically significant using the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. Homosexual homicides are more violent than heterosexual homicides when one compares the mean number of injuries (fatal sharp, blunt, and total)/case and the extent of injuries on the body. The mean number of stab wounds wounds/case and percentage of cases with multiple causes of death were also greater among the homosexual group, but the differences were not statistically significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of age and exposure group on the onset of AIDS in heterosexual and homosexual HIV-infected patients. SEROCO Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influence of age at seroconversion and sexual exposure group on the progression of HIV disease. DESIGN: This multicentre prospective cohort study involved 443 subjects whose date of HIV infection was known to within +/- 1 year. Individuals whose sexual behaviour was exclusively heterosexual after HIV infection constituted the heterosexual group (n = 131). AIDS-free survival was compared with that of men (n = 312) infected through homosexual sex and who continued homosexual activity after HIV infection. They constituted the homosexual group. METHODS: The end-point was the onset of an AIDS-defining illness listed in the 1987 revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, AIDS-free survival curves were plotted for three age categories (< 20, 20-39, > or = 40 years). A Cox model was used to quantify the effect of age and to assess the influence of exposure group on AIDS onset after adjustment for age. Because of the high incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) among homosexual men, a disease that can be an early AIDS-defining illness, multivariate analysis was performed with and without consideration of the occurrence of KS. RESULTS: Patients aged > or = 40 years at seroconversion progressed more rapidly to AIDS than younger patients (P < 0.006). When age was fitted as a continuous variable and adjusted for exposure group, the relative risk of developing AIDS by any time after seroconversion was 1.34 for a 10-year increase difference [P = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.77]. After adjustment for age, the relative risk of developing AIDS (CDC criteria) was 2.42 (P = 0.008; 95% CI, 1.18-4.97) among the homosexual men (AIDS cases, n = 56). All cases of KS (n = 19) involved the homosexual group. Excluding KS as a first manifestation of AIDS, homosexual or bisexual subjects had a risk of AIDS of 1.92 (P = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.92-4.03) compared with heterosexual subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of AIDS increases with age at seroconversion. The more rapid progression towards AIDS in the homosexual group than in the heterosexual group persisted after adjustment for age. Further studies are required to determine the possible role of repeated exposure to HIV or other pathogens acquired sexually.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of progression and non-progression in injecting drug users and homosexual men with documented dates of HIV-1 seroconversion. European Seroconverter Study and the Tricontinental Seroconverter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the progression and non-progression of HIV infection among 418 injecting drug users (IDU) and 422 homosexual men with documented dates of HIV seroconversion from 12 cohorts. METHODS: Seroconversion dates were calculated for each subject using a cohort-specific estimate of the cumulative HIV seroincidence over calendar time. In survival analysis, we studied the progression from seroconversion to AIDS and death by risk group. We compared non-progression between both risk groups by evaluating annual CD4 decline over the 7 years following seroconversion among AIDS-free subjects. RESULTS: The relative hazard (RH) of AIDS for homosexual men compared with IDU was 1.54 before, and 1.21 after, adjusting for age at seroconversion and year of seroconversion. The risk of death from any cause for homosexual men compared with IDU increased over time since seroconversion. Fifty IDU died prior to AIDS, compared with seven homosexual men (unadjusted RH for homosexual men 0.10). Ignoring this pre-AIDS mortality, the crude RH of death for homosexual men compared with IDU was 2.05. Alter adjusting for age at seroconversion and year of seroconversion in multivariate analysis, the RH became 1.42. No differences in progression between subgroups aged 24 years or older could be demonstrated, but subjects < 24 years were found to be at a decreased risk. Proportions of non-progressors based on CD4 slope > or = 0 at 7 years following seroconversion were higher for IDU than for homosexual men. No differences were found in the proportion (approximately 5%) classified as non-progressors by criteria of both slope > or = 0 and absolute CD4 counts > 500 cells x 10(6)/l, even if pre-AIDS deaths and losses to follow-up were included. CONCLUSIONS: We found little evidence for an effect of risk group on progression and non-progression. Pre-AIDS mortality was much higher among IDU than homosexual men. Pre-AIDS mortality and a nonlinear age effect should be considered in planning interventions as well as studies comparing risk groups and modelling the epidemic.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

High rate of nonspecific anti-hepatitis C reactivity amongst homosexual men in comparison with that found in other sexually active groups and blood donors. Viral Hepatitis and AIDS Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the concordance of anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) reactivity by a second-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-2) and by a four-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay (4-RIBA) in homosexual men, in comparison with that found in other sexually active groups and blood donors. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre, Seville, Spain. SUBJECTS: A total of 1203 subjects were studied. Eight hundred and three were sexually active individuals: 547 female prostitutes, 88 heterosexual men who had frequent sexual intercourse with prostitutes, and 168 homosexual men. All of them denied blood transfusion and parenteral drug use. In addition, 400 voluntary blood donors were selected at random. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All serum samples were screened for anti-HCV by EIA-2 and repeatedly reactive sera were tested by 4-RIBA. Homosexual men were also screened for anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and gammaglobulin concentration. Finally, serum samples from homosexual men reactive for anti-HCV by EIA-2 were analyzed for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Concordance between EIA-2 and 4-RIBA in female prostitutes (71.4%), clients of prostitutes (75.0%), and blood donors (83.3%) was significantly higher than in homosexual men (38.8%) (P < 0.04). In this collective the concordance between 4-RIBA and PCR was 85.7% for positive cases and 88.8% for negative ones, and EIA-2 ratios in reactive sera were significantly higher in 4-RIBA confirmed cases (P < 0.0001). No correlation between false positive EIA-2 results and presence of HIV infection, HBV markers or hypergammaglobulinaemia was found in homosexual men by univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of non-specific anti-HCV reactivity by EIA-2 amongst homosexual men in comparison with that found in other sexually active groups and blood donors. The true prevalence of HCV infection amongst homosexual men could be even lower than previously described.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Lay theories of homosexuality: aetiology, behaviours and 'cures'.

This study set out to investigate the determinants, structure and relationship between lay people's beliefs about the aetiology (causes) of homosexuality, the attitudes to the behaviours of practising homosexuals and efficacy of 'cures' for homosexuality. Over two hundred and fifty subjects completed a three-part questionnaire, in which they specified their sexual orientation, personal contact patterns with homosexuals amongst other personal details. A factor analysis was performed on each of the three parts of the questionnaire and an interpretable factor structure emerged which suggested that lay people have an integrated 'theory' or schema concerning homosexuality. Lay theories concerning the aetiology, behaviours of, and 'cures' for homosexuality were moderately related to demographic variables such as sex, age and education, but strongly related to sexual orientation and contact with homosexuals. These results are discussed in terms of the literature on lay theories in general, and attitudes to homosexuals in particular.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Interleukin 2 augmentation of natural killer cell activity in homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells against K562 myeloid cells was studied in 8 normal heterosexual men, 5 healthy homosexual men, and 11 homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The overall natural killer cell activity was lower in healthy homosexual men and in homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from four normal heterosexual men were preincubated overnight in complete medium supplemented with various concentrations of lectin-free interleukin 2 lacking interferon. Cells from these cultures exhibited a dose-dependent augmentation of natural killer cell activity. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 8 normal heterosexuals, 5 healthy homosexuals, and 11 homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome were preincubated overnight in complete medium supplemented with 20% interleukin 2. Natural killer cell activity cultured in 20% interleukin 2 increased to 78.4 +/- 8.4 (mean +/- standard deviation) from 30.8 +/- 11.0 in normal heterosexual men, to 68.3 +/- 17.6 from 16.8 +/- 13.6 in healthy homosexual men and to 49.3 +/- 15.3 from 11.6 +/- 6.1 in homosexual men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome at a 100:1 effector/target cell ratio. These results suggest that interleukin 2 is capable of directly stimulating natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Consideration of the use of interleukin 2 as a potential therapeutic agent to modify immune responses in disorders such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome appears warranted.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1976

A 10-year study of homosexually transmitted infection.

A 10-year survey is presented of male cases of homosexually acquired infection seen between 1962 and 1971 at Charing Cross Hospital (West London Branch). Tables showing the number of cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and other conditions in homosexual and heterosexual males and in females are considered. Tables of other relevant data are also presented. The reasons underlying the changes illustrated, including the Act legalizing homosexual practices between consenting adult males, which became effective in 1968, are discussed. Certain pathological conditions apparently connected with homosexual practices, such as serum hepatitis, local rectal disease, and mucous colitis, are included and also some relevant manifestations of herpes genitalis and genitral warts. Homosexually acquired infection in prisoners is described. Some of the psychiatric effects of homosexuality on clinic patients and also their fears of treatment at clinics are considered, as well as the behavioral differences in response to infection between exclusively homosexuals, bi-sexuals, and married homosexuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Hepatitis delta virus in homosexual men in Sydney.

In countries not generally endemic for hepatitis B, homosexual men who are carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have to date largely been spared additional delta virus infection. A focus of homosexually acquired delta has, however, recently been identified in California. To assess the prevalence and risk factors for delta virus infection in homosexual men in Sydney, we tested the sera of 204 homosexual men with acute or chronic hepatitis B infection for total antibody to delta and delta antigen. Total antibody to delta was detected in eight men and delta antigen in one other (4.4% of the total). All men with antibody or antigen had intravenous drug use as a risk factor. Overall nine of 22 (40.9%) male homosexual intravenous drug users had serological evidence of delta infection. Delta positive patients tended to be younger, to have engaged in prostitution, to have more severe chronic liver disease, to be more likely to have a symptomatic acute illness, and to be less likely to express hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) in their sera. Though the homosexual transmission of delta infection cannot be concluded from this study, the detection of delta markers in nine homosexual men (including four prostitutes) suggests considerable potential for dissemination of this virus homosexually.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Hepatitis A seroprevalence in homosexual and heterosexual men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in homosexual and heterosexual males attending a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. DESIGN: Prospective study of male patients recruited from a GUM clinic during a 10 week period in 1993. SETTING: Central London outpatient GUM department at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. SUBJECTS: 255 patients were recruited, comprising 185 homosexual and 70 heterosexual males. Ninety two men were known to be HIV-positive, of whom 89 were homosexual. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum samples were screened for both IgM and IgG antibodies to hepatitis A by enzyme linked immunoassay. Results were matched to an anonymously completed questionnaire. RESULTS: 81 of the 255 subjects (31.8%) had been exposed to hepatitis A, two of whom were IgM positive. There were similar hepatitis A seroprevalence rates in homosexual (32.4%) and heterosexual men (30.0%). Although 48.1% of the homosexual men were known to be HIV-positive, compared with 4.3% of the heterosexuals. Hepatitis A seroprevalence remained comparable in both groups after patients with known HIV infection were excluded from the analysis. 11.4% of the heterosexual men admitted to oral-anal sexual contact compared with 62.2% of the homosexual men. This sexual practice was not associated with antibodies or a past history of hepatitis A exposure. CONCLUSIONS: There was no detectable difference in hepatitis A seroprevalence between male homosexual and heterosexual GUM clinic attenders, despite a much higher level of oral-anal sexual activity among the homosexual population.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Conceptions of masculinity and femininity as a basis for stereotypes of male and female homosexuals.

To date the majority of research published in relation to homosexuality has been concerned with the homosexual's problems, and with the etiology of homosexuality. As little as 8% of published research has dealt with attitudes toward homosexuals, and less still has been concerned with perceptions of and beliefs about homosexuals. Existing research on the latter is reviewed, and research is outlined that investigates perceptions of homosexuals. Stereotypes of male and female homosexuals are examined in the context of masculine-feminine traits using the Personality Attributes Questionnaire. Results strongly support the view that sex role definitions are a highly salient reference point for the public definition of homosexuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Public endorsement of restrictions on three aspects of free expression by homosexuals: socio-demographic and trends analysis 1973-1988.

The willingness of the public to endorse proposals to remove gay-positive books from library shelves, to dismiss college teachers who are homosexuals, and to prohibit public speaking by homosexuals was examined. A socio-demographic analysis aggregating the entire period 1973 through 1988, and an analysis of trends over the period, were undertaken using data from the General Social Surveys. Responses to survey questions concerning homosexuals were compared with responses to similar questions concerning other unpopular groups, and to questions which called upon the respondent to make a moral judgment concerning homosexual relations. A significant decline over the period was found in the public's willingness to endorse restrictions on homosexuals, and on each of the other unpopular groups used for comparison. Level of education appeared to be a strong indicator of a more tolerant attitude. Paradoxically, negative moral attitudes toward homosexual relations did not decline. Bias in the wording of the General Social Surveys' questions concerning the moral dimension of homosexuality may have distorted these results, however. The public's moral attitude toward homosexual behavior does appear to be quite labile from year to year, suggesting that concerted efforts to educate the public on this subject can have an important and rapid effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Homosexuality and police terror in Turkey.

Being a way of sexual living as old as human history, homosexuality occupies an interesting place in the life of the Turkish people of the Republic of Turkey. This has been so since the days of the glorious Ottoman Empire. In the year 1987, instead of investigating the roots of homosexuality, the pressing need has become to present a particular view of homosexuality in Turkey today. To be more specific, there is a need to explain the problems of Turkish homosexuals and suggest certain vital solutions. Our country is constantly endeavoring to become "westernized" and it is claimed that steps are being taken toward that modernization. Despite this fact, homosexuals are confronted with such great problems that it is not difficult to justify those who say that there is no democracy in Turkey. I will try to explain these problems with documentary evidence and without exaggeration. In doing so, I shall make use of new material in my book, published under the title of Homosexuality in Turkey: Yesterday, Today. Beginning in March of 1986, we compiled a list of the attitudes of the police toward gays, involving pressure and cruelty that can be qualified as torture. Despite this situation, instead of being more democratic and humane, in April 1987 the police force employed terror tactics against homosexuals in Istanbul. This was "the straw that broke the camel's back." Soon after this act of oppression, 18 gays, acting on our suggestions, sued the police for the first time. They then submitted a petition to the Attorney-General and later launched a hunger strike in Taksim Square. These represent movements of importance in the political history of Turkey. From now on homosexuals, too, will have the right to speak out in political affairs.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1996

The ethics of research into the cause(s) of homosexuality.

This paper gives a brief overview on the current state of the art of biomedical research on homosexuality. It concludes that so far the cause(s) of homosexuality is (are) unknown and that biomedical research has failed to provide evidence for a possible causation of homosexuality. We do think, however, that homosexuality is not merely a social construction and the quest for its cause is intelligible. It is less clear, however, whether research into the cause(s) of homosexuality should be done at all. We explore the different arguments brought forward in favor of doing this research and reject all of them. Furthermore, we argue that research into the causes of homosexuality is at the present time unethical and should not be undertaken. Research into the causes of homosexuality assumes more often than not that homosexuality is one or another form of mental illness or undesirable deviance from the heterosexual norm, and should be cured. These views will be criticized as heterosexist.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

Political opportunism and the harassment of homosexuals in Florida, 1952-1965.

This paper examines activities by the state against homosexuals in Florida between 1952 and 1965. At the beginning of this period most of this activity took the form of police raids on gay bars, beaches and other gathering places. By the mid-1950s, however, the state government had established an investigations committee which concentrated on what the legislature saw as the "homosexual problem." The committee was particularly concerned with homosexual school teachers and faculty members in land grant universities in Florida, and attempted to purge state institutions of homosexual employees. This activity followed a similar campaign against homosexuals by the federal government and the article examines this in order to provide background for the Florida campaign. The ideology about homosexuals which was propagated by these campaigns is examined, as are the effects of the campaigns on homosexuals, and their response. Concern about the "homosexual menace" gradually abated and these discriminatory campaigns subsided. The article examines the social and political context of these campaigns and speculates on causes for the rise and demise of these campaigns. Principal among these appear to be political expediency by leaders of campaigns to extend political power by attacking a weak and defenseless target group, and a desire by conservatives to re-establish traditional values.

Faculty↗
PubMed2002

The relationship between sexism and attitudes toward homosexuality in a sample of Turkish college students.

This study examined the relationship of sexism, having traditional and conservative values, and contact with homosexual individuals to attitudes toward homosexuality. Two hundred seven male and female students from Middle East Technical University completed Hudson and Rickett's Homophobia scale, Glick and Fiske's Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and questions about: (1) their sexual preferences, (2) whether they described themselves as traditional and conservative, and (3) whether they knew a homosexual or not. Sexist attitudes, being more traditional and conservative, and not knowing any homosexual individuals all predicted more negative attitudes toward homosexuality. The correlation between hostile sexism and anti-homosexual attitudes was higher than the correlation between benevolent sexism and anti-homosexual attitudes. In addition, male, as compared to female, respondents were both more sexist and held more negative attitudes toward homosexuality.

Adolescent↗