Variation in sexual orientations among men who have sex with men, and their current sexual practices

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Canadian Journal of Public Health, available online: www.jstor.org/stable/41991346.Purpose: To explore group variations in sexual risk-taking among different sexual orientations of men who have sex with men (MSM). Method: A convenience sample of men was recruited in gay-identified venues. An analysis was conducted to determine the independence of sexual orientation (gay, gay-previously heterosexual, currently bisexual), age and risk-taking. Results: Bisexual men were younger, lived outside metropolitan areas and socialized more in bathhouses. In general, bisexuals reported the safest sexual practices and previously heterosexual men the most unprotected. Conclusions: Among MSM, variation in sexual orientations was associated with differences in unprotected sex for older age groups. For the youngest age group, a similar level of risk-taking of the different orientation groups suggests uniform sociocultural influences.This project was funded by the City of Toronto Department of Public Health and the Toronto Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal