An ethnographic approach to a cross cultural understanding of homosexual men's sexual attitudes and behaviour.
Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:125 (abstract no. WS-D22-3) Lyons CM, Savage BJ; School of Healthcare, Liverpool John Moores University, England.
This study focused on the sexual attitudes and behaviours of homosexual men in London, Dublin, Athens, Paris and Brussels and has repercussions in relation to transmission of HIV infection. The researchers carried out semi-structured interviews from an opportunistic sample of homosexual men from a cross section of "gay" bars in each city. Individual attitudes and behaviours associated with sexual practices were elicited. Participant and non-participant observations were carried out to identify social interactions and group dynamics. Professionals working in the field of HIV and AIDS in each city were interviewed in order to cross reference information. The researchers found wide cultural differences in all cities in relation to marginalisation. Within each city there were stated public attitudes and a legal position in relation to homosexuality which was found not to reflect the social reality of homosexual men. Homosexual men regardless of public rhetoric are still marginalised by each society. The extent and nature of the marginalisation depended on the sub-culture of each city. Homosexual men in Athens were found to lose professional credibility and suffered ostracism from families and had the most to lose by public declaration of homosexuality. This situation was set against a backdrop of unsafe sexual practices and a high prevalence of bi-sexuality. The greatest tolerance and openness was found in London and Dublin.
Keywords: AEGIS, Homosexuality, Homosexuality, Male, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Attitude, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Interviews, London, Paris, Human, Male, ethnology, ICA9 930606
WSD223
