Document 0655
 DOCN  M9590655
 TI    Gay community links and safety. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville,
       MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.
 DT    9509
 AU    Gold RS; Deakin University, School of Psychology, Victoria, Australia.
 SO    Focus. 1995 Feb;10(3):5-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95700281
 AB    Links to the gay community may strengthen the resolve of those with a
       strong orientation towards safe sex, but weaken it for those without
       this resolve. Four Australian studies found statistically significant
       correlations between unprotected anal intercourse and links to the gay
       community. The samples from these studies consisted of men who had
       engaged in widespread unprotected anal intercourse, but who were in no
       way isolated from the gay community. These results may differ from those
       obtained from other studies that have sampled gay men without
       restriction, presumably including many men who found it easier to stick
       to safe sex practices. These findings suggest that contact with the gay
       community probably reinforces safe sex behavior among gay men with a
       safe sex orientation, but may have the opposite effect on those who have
       difficulty maintaining safe sex.  Regardless, contact with the community
       acts as a multiplier, heightening the effects of existing tendencies.
       Over-optimism about the effect of community links has been fueled by the
       inaccurate assumption that men who are HIV-infected will feel a strong
       sense of responsibility towards their partners. The strongly
       individualist culture of the 80's and 90's, misguided assumptions on the
       part of some men participating in unprotected sex, and the strong desire
       among some men for unprotected anal intercourse contradict the
       assumption. The author concludes that how gay men relate to one another
       may often be part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
 DE    Communication  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION
       *Homosexuality, Male  Human  Intervention Studies  Knowledge, Attitudes,
       Practice  Male  *Sex Behavior  Sexual Partners  NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).