GETTING SERIOUS

There are often misconceptions in society that gay/bi men are somehow more promiscuous than their heterosexual counterparts.  Since the inception of HIV/AIDS, it seems that we've had to defend our sex lives, no matter how chaste and committed they may be.  Despite our best efforts, many still believe that the continuation of high numbers of new HIV/AIDS cases in the gay/bi community are directly correlated to promiscuous and risky sexual behaviors.  A new study, however, may finally help to silence that myth.

According to this study, the strongest single predictor of not using condoms in anal sex in a group of young US gay men was that the relationship was regarded as ‘serious’. Unprotected sex was eight times more likely in serious relationships than in casual encounters.

This study, conducted conducted by Northwestern University in Illinois, USA (Mustanski) reinforces previous findings that over two-thirds of HIV transmissions between US gay men happen between primary sex partners and only a third between casual partners (Sullivan).

In this study, the researchers comment, “there was almost no unprotected sex occurring in relationships classified as casual”. This suggests that HIV prevention strategies amongst US gay men may need to focus more on HIV risk and safer-sex negotiation within couples than on individual risk-taking decisions.

The entire article on the report can be read here.  It's important to note that this is ONE study.  However, it could help influence how groups like AID Atlanta target their programming to the community in the future. 

What are your thoughts?

Are you more likely to have unprotected sex in a

relationship you consider serious?

If so, what defines a "serious" relationship?