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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Controlled comparison of attitudes of psychiatrists, general practitioners, homosexual doctors and homosexual men to male homosexuality.

A controlled analysis of the attitudes of doctors and homosexual men to male homosexuality is reported. Not surprisingly the homosexual men held the most liberal attitudes which served as a yard-stick against which the doctors' attitudes could be assessed. The implications of these data, collected before the AIDS era, are discussed in terms of the current needs of homosexual patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Correlates of attitudes toward homosexuality and intention to care for homosexual people among psychiatric nurses in southern Taiwan.

This study examined the association between attitudes toward homosexual individuals and intention to provide care and demographic and occupational factors, sexual orientation, knowledge about homosexuality, and experiences of contact with homosexual people among psychiatric nurses in southern Taiwan. In total, 133 psychiatric nurses from a medical center, three regional teaching hospitals, and one psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan were recruited into this study. Their attitudes toward homosexual people as recorded on the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Questionnaire, intention to provide care to homosexual individuals, and related factors were examined. The results revealed that psychiatric nurses who had a bachelor's or master's degree, higher level of knowledge about homosexuality, and friends or relatives with a homosexual orientation had a more positive attitude toward homosexuality. These psychiatric nurses, with more positive attitudes, and who worked in the medical center or regional teaching hospitals had a higher intention to care for homosexual people. The factors related to attitudes toward homosexuality and intention to care for homosexual people identified in this study should be taken into consideration when intervening in psychiatric nurses' attitudes toward homosexuality and intention to care for homosexual people.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The effect of hetero- and homosexual experience and long-term treatment with fluoxetine on homosexual behavior in male rats.

INTRODUCTION: The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have become the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression. Sexual side effects have been noted to occur with this treatment on heterosexual behavior in rats. Heterosexual experience facilitates sexual orientation of male rats and decreases the latencies to first mount and first intromission. On the other hand, homosexual behavior in male rats induced by female hormones has not been evaluated. AIM: The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of heterosexual and homosexual experience in male rats long-term treated with fluoxetine (FLX) on homosexual hormone-induced behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were treated with FLX or saline solution (10 mg/kg for 65 days). At days 36, 50, and 65 of the treatment, the rats were evaluated for homosexual behavior. Other rats treated with FLX or saline solution for 60 consecutive days were submitted to heterosexual behavior at 14, 21, and 28 days of the treatment. After this, they were orquiectomized and homosexual hormone-induced behavior was observed at 45 and 60 days of the treatment. RESULTS: (1) Only treatment with FLX did not affect the homosexual behavior. (2) The homosexual experience facilitated the homosexual behavior mainly on the animals from the control group. (3) The heterosexual experience facilitated the homosexual behavior on both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Only long-term administration of FLX does not interfere with the homosexual behavior in male rats. The homosexual and the heterosexual experience facilitated the homosexual behavior on the control and experimental groups. We suggested that learning aspects related to sexual behavior are responsible by these results.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Sex in Australia: homosexual experience and recent homosexual encounters.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and features of homosexual experience and recent homosexual encounters among a representative sample of Australian adults. METHODS: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 10,173 men and 9,134 women aged 16-59 years from all States and Territories. The overall response rate was 73.1% (69.4% among men and 77.6% among women). RESULTS: Overall, 8.6% of women and 5.9% of men reported some homosexual sexual experience in their lives (p<0.001); these figures fell to 5.7% and 5.0% respectively (p=0.106) when non-genital sexual experience was excluded. 1.9% of men and 1.5% of women reported homosexual experience in the past year. Men who reported homosexual experience reported more same-sex partners than did women (means 31.6 and 3.2, p<0.001), and men and women who identified as homosexual or bisexual reported more sexual partners in total than those who identified as heterosexual. Respondents reporting homosexual experience were significantly more likely to be from an English-speaking background, have higher levels of education, live in a major city, and report a white-collar or managerial/professional occupation. Women who reported homosexual experience were less likely to have a middle or high income. In the most recent homosexual encounter, genital touching was the most commonly reported practice, and oral sex was reported much more frequently than in heterosexual encounters. CONCLUSION: Homosexually and bisexually identified men and women had higher total numbers of partners than heterosexuals. Improved societal attitudes towards homosexuality are likely to lead to further increases in estimates of the prevalence of homosexual experience in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Effects of social contact with homosexuals on heterosexual Turkish university students' attitudes towards homosexuality.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of social interaction with homosexuals on attitudes toward homosexuality in a sample of heterosexual Turkish university students. Hudson and Ricketts' 25-item scale was translated from English into Turkish and used to measure students' attitudes toward homosexuality. Findings, in general, suggested that exposure to and contact with homosexuals resulted in more positive attitudes toward homosexuality. Performed factor analysis demonstrated that there were three factors for the scale. The factors were labelled as "Social interaction with homosexuals," "Probable family ties with homosexuals," and "Tendency to be a homosexual." Subjects' negative attitudes toward homosexuality increased on the last two factors, which were about having a homosexual child or sibling, and being comfortable with being attracted to a homosexual. Results were discussed in terms of prejudice and intergroup contact.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Humoral immune responses in healthy heterosexual, homosexual and vasectomized men and in homosexual men with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

In homosexual men, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is associated with sexual promiscuity and the appearance of circulating immune complexes (CICs) and antibodies to spermatozoa which crossreact with lymphoid cells. A comparative study was initiated to determine whether similar humoral responses existed in 38 heterosexual men lacking sperm antibodies, 13 heterosexuals with sperm antibodies, 42 heterosexual vasectomized men, 22 healthy homosexual men, 26 homosexuals with lymphadenopathy and 16 with AIDS or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Sperm antibodies were detected in 12% of the vasectomized heterosexual men, 23% of the healthy homosexuals, 35% of the lymphadenopathy patients and 44% of the men with KS-AIDS. IgG reactive with peripheral blood T lymphocytes was present in only 3% of heterosexuals lacking sperm antibody and 5% of vasectomized men. In contrast, 23% of heterosexuals with sperm antibody, 36% of healthy homosexuals, 31% of men with lymphadenopathy and 62% of KS-AIDS patients were positive in this assay. Antibodies to the neutral glycolipid asialo GM1 were found in none of the vasectomized men, 3% of the heterosexuals without and 8% with sperm antibodies, 17% of healthy homosexuals and 38% and 31% in patients with lymphadenopathy or KS-AIDS, respectively. Lastly, the incidence of CICs, determined by the Raji cell assay, was 0% in vasectomized men, 3% in heterosexuals lacking sperm antibody, 31% in heterosexuals with sperm antibody, 69% in healthy homosexuals, 81% in lymphadenopathy patients and 87% in KS-AIDS. In the homosexuals with lymphadenopathy and KS-AIDS, levels of CICs, T cell-reactive IgG and asialo GM1 antibody were positively correlated (p less than 0.01). Sperm antibody levels were negatively correlated (p less than 0.01) with CICs levels and T cell reactive IgG in heterosexuals and lymphadenopathy and KS-AIDS patients. The results demonstrate that vasectomized men do not manifest at all, and that non-vasectomized heterosexuals with sperm antibodies manifest to a much lesser extent the range of humoral immune responses exhibited by the three homosexual groups. Thus, the route of sperm immunization and/or exposure to autologous vs. heterologous spermatozoa may be of critical importance for eliciting specific immune responses.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2002

Homosexual partnerships and homosexual longevity: a replication.

Replicating previous findings that homosexuals are underrepresented after middle age, the 1996 National Household Survey of Drug Abuse (N = 12,381) and 2000 Kaiser Family Foundation 15-city survey (N = 405) reported that homosexual men and women are seldom aged 50+ yr. and that older homosexuals are more apt to have a homosexual partner. Deaths of 228 homosexuals as recorded in the Washington Blade 1999-2001 were examined. Although more apt to have a partner when older, the median age of death of 88 homosexually partnered men was 45 yr., while for 118 unpartnered homosexual men it was 46 yr. This is consistent with the suggestion that homosexual partnering may be an additional hazard to men.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Exclusion, toleration, acceptance, integration: the experience of Dutch Reformed churches with homosexuality and homosexuals in the church.

The overwhelming majority of Protestant Christians in The Netherlands are members of denominations in the Reformed tradition (i.e., protestant churches characterized by Calvinist theology and a "presbyterian" church government by elected assemblies of elders). Comparable North American denominations are the Reformed Church in America and the United Presbyterian Church, both of which are facing some degree of internal controversy over homosexuality. In The Netherlands, the four major strands of the Reformed church have taken various positions on homosexuality, ranging from absolute rejection of homosexuality in the church and society, through one denomination which found itself in the curious position of approving the ordination of homosexual clergy while barring homosexuals from the Lord's Table, to creating "life covenants" which re-evaluate heterosexual marriage while also blessing relationships between homosexuals. All call upon the same set of principles for their varied stands. The two major denominational branches, the Netherlands Reformed Church (Hervormde Kerk) and the Reformed Churches in The Netherlands (Gereformeerde Kerken) have taken different approaches to resolving the issue, the former through internal political conflict and the latter through a more authoritarian (though progressive) stand. The article traces the political, theological, and juridical history of the evolution of these positions, and suggests various potential models, and their possibilities and pitfalls, for North American Protestant churches dealing with issues surrounding homosexuality and the church.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Proportion of unmarried siblings of homosexual and non homosexual gender-dysphoric patients.

Among the siblings of homosexuals, a lack of sexual and romantic interest in women may be independent of erotic feelings for men. This study investigated the sexual histories of siblings of gender-dysphoric outpatients. The patients were classified into three groups: non homosexual males, homosexual males and homosexual females. Their siblings consisted of 301 brothers and 284 sisters over the age of 25. Logistic regression showed that the brothers of the homosexual male patients were significantly less likely to have been married, either legally or common-law, than the brothers of the other gender-dysphoric groups, even with age and relative birth order taken into account. This finding suggests that the low propensity for long term heterosexual relationships seen in homosexual male gender-dysphoric patients also tends to appear in their brothers.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effect of reading a summary of research about biological bases of homosexual orientation on attitudes toward homosexuals.

The effect of exposure to information regarding the development of homosexual orientation on attitudes toward homosexuals was investigated. Testing was conducted in five regularly scheduled undergraduate classes. 105 volunteer subjects from college classes were exposed to one of three treatment conditions. Subjects in the experimental group read a summary article of current research emphasizing a biological component of homosexual orientation. Subjects in one control group read a summary article of research focusing on the absence of hormonal differences between homosexual and heterosexual men. Subjects in another control group were not exposed to either article. All subjects completed the Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals. As predicted, subjects in the experimental group had significantly lower scores than subjects in the control groups. There was a significant interaction between treatment condition and sex of subject. Scores on the index were significantly lower for women, but only in the experimental group. These results show that exposure to a research summary can significantly affect immediately assessed scores on the Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals. Also, the pattern of effects of these experiences was different for women and men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Homosexuality and the ethics of behavioral intervention: Homosexuality, the ethical challenge.

It is suggested that behavior therapists have not attended sufficiently to the factors influencing the desire of some homosexuals to change their sexual orientation. Therapists of all persuasions constantly make decisions for their voluntary clients, encompassing both the goals of therapy and the means to be used to achieve those goals. A perusal of the psychotherapy and behavior therapy literature indicates that therapists generally regard homosexuality as undesirable, if not pathological. Since professionals are unlikely to work on treatment procedures unless they see a problem, it is probable that the very existence of change-of-orientation programs strengthens societal prejudices against homosexuality and contributes to the self-hate and embarrassment that are determinants of the "voluntary" desire by some homosexuals to become heterosexual. It is therefore proposed that we stop offering therapy to help homosexuals change and concentrate instead on improving the quality of their interpersonal relationships. Alternatively, more energy could be devoted to sexual enhancement procedures in general, regardless of the adult gender mix.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1978

Sex-role self-concepts of homosexual men and their attitudes toward both women and male homosexuality.

A nonclinical sample of 88 homosexual males responded to a questionnaire that assessed their sex-role self-concept and their attitudes toward both women and male homosexuality. Results indicated that in terms of socially valued masculine and feminine characteristics, the majority of homosexual males viewed themselves as predominantly androgynous. These respondents also favored equality between the sexes, reflecting positive attitudes toward women. Similarly, those homosexual men who supported equality between the sexes also held more positive attitudes toward male homosexuality.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Conceptualizations of homosexual behavior which preclude homosexual self-labeling.

Our culture presents people with a problematic pair of messages: engaging in homosexual behavior makes a person a homosexual, and homosexuality is bad. In this context, maintenance of self-esteem, sexual/affectional satisfaction, and coherent identity requires some intricate psychological footwork. This article describes a variety of common conceptualizations of "homosexual behavior" which permit the individual to avoid the stigma of homosexual self-labeling. It is suggested that the "accuracy" of these constructions is less important than the appropriate doubt they cast on our widely held, but psychologically inadequate, concepts of sexual orientation.

Denial, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Homosexuality, birth order, and evolution: toward an equilibrium reproductive economics of homosexuality.

The survival of a human predisposition for homosexuality can be explained by sexual orientation being a polygenetic trait that is influenced by a number of genes. During development these shift male brain development in the female direction. Inheritance of several such alleles produces homosexuality. Single alleles make for greater sensitivity, empathy, tendermindedness, and kindness. These traits make heterosexual carriers of the genes better fathers and more attractive mates. There is a balanced polymorphism in which the feminizing effect of these alleles in heterosexuals offsets the adverse effects (on reproductive success) of these alleles' contribution to homosexuality. A similar effect probably occurs for genes that can produce lesbianism in females. The whole system survives because it serves to provide a high degree of variability among the personalities of offspring, providing the genotype with diversification and reducing competition among offspring for the same niches. An allele with a large effect can survive in these circumstances in males, but it is less likely to survive in females. The birth order effect on homosexuality is probably a by-product of a biological mechanism that shifts personalities more in the feminine direction in the later born sons, reducing the probability of these sons engaging in unproductive competition with each other.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Does homosexuality have a place in psychopathology? III. Behavioral approach and homosexuality].

The behavioral approach does not propose any global explaining theory of homosexuality. It was the subject of many clinical and experimental works. Some questions and hypotheses are raised on the theoretical and therapeutical as well as ethical frames. When the behaviorist speaks of homosexuality, he only refers to the mode of behavior, at the object and not to deep characteristics of the individual. The homosexual behavior is defined as resulting from a sexual excitation in the presence of uncommon stimuli. The sexual preference is not considered as the proof of a psychopathological problem. On the etiological ground, the homosexual behavior is resulting from a social learning with a possibility of biological predisposition. The therapeutic approach is controversial. Some authors feel the behaviorist should refuse to help the patient changing his sexual orientation, even if he asks for it.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1982

An epidemic outbreak of hepatitis A among homosexual men in Stockholm. Hepatitis A, a special hazard for the male homosexual subpopulation in Sweden.

In 1979-1980, a distinct outbreak of hepatitis A occurred among homosexual men in Stockholm, Sweden, city and county area. The epidemic comprised 145 known cases. It began in December 1979 and progressed in waves during the following 10 months, with three distinct peaks separated by about six-week intervals. Actually, the incidence of hepatitis A in the Stockholm area showed a fivefold increase during 1980 as compared to the previous year. Clinical serologic, and social characteristics were studied more closely in 98 of the 145 homosexual men. Verification of hepatitis A was made by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay technique for detection of antibody to hepatitis A virus of the immunoglobulin M class. In addition, 64% of the men showed findings consistent with a prior hepatitis B (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and/or antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen) and 34% were Treponema pallidum immobilization-positive from a prior or concomitant syphilis. Employment in risk professionals was common; thus, 19% worked in restaurants or otherwise handled food and 20% were engaged in medical care as compared to the 1% occupied in either branch of work among the general population in Sweden. Sexual habits with multiple partners and oral-anal sexual contacts were judged to be of major importance in the spread of this epidemic. Some spread of hepatitis A to the general population probably occurred due to the risk occupations of many homosexual men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Children of homosexuals and transsexuals more apt to be homosexual.

Do the sexual inclinations of parents influence those of their children? Of 77 adult children of homosexual parents who volunteered for three different investigations, at least 23 (30%) were currently homosexual: twelve (55%) of 22 daughters and three (21%) of fourteen sons of lesbians; five (29%) of seventeen daughters and three (17%) of eighteen sons of gays; none of six sons with both a gay and a lesbian parent. At least 25 (32%) were currently heterosexual. Of the ten with transsexual parents, one of nine daughters was currently lesbian, one was currently heterosexual, and one was transsexual. The son's sexual preference was not reported. These findings suggest that parents' sexual inclinations influence their children's.

Adult↗