Davis M, Bolding G, Sherr L, Hart G, Elford J; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. C10132.
City University London, London, United Kingdom
Background: Since an increasing number of gay/bisexual men seek sexual partners through the Internet, we need to understand how they chat about sex online. This is a qualitative investigation into how gay/bisexual men use the Internet to communicate their sexual preferences. Methods: Thematic analysis of interviews with 128 gay/bisexual men living in London in 2002-2003. Interviewees were from the Internet and HIV study which comprises men who use gay Internet sites (gaydar, gay.com); HIV positive men attending a hospital clinic; men who recently tested HIV negative; and men from community settings. Results: Preferences for safer sex were expressed through Internet profiles, chatting and messaging. For HIV positive men, profiles where men said they "sometimes" did safer sex could indicate that the person in the profile was himself HIV positive. In which case, condoms may be used with HIV negative men but not with men who were also positive. On the other hand, HIV negative men reported that those who said they "always" did safer sex on their profiles were seen as risk averse and supportive of a safer sex philosophy. They were regarded as preferred partners despite an awareness that men may not always describe their preferences with complete accuracy. Explicit communication about sexual interests and intentions was seen as non-erotic, leading to an inflexible commitment to having sex. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that HIV negative and HIV positive gay men interpret safer sex intentions on Internet profiles in different ways. It also seems that gay/bisexual men avoid overly explicit communication and negotiation about sex and risk on the Internet
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Bisexuality
- Condoms
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Internet
- Interviews as Topic
- London
- Male
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
Other ID:
UI: 102277038
From Meeting Abstracts