http://tinyurl.com/4a3ol

"Barebacking”: Intentional Condomless Anal Sex in HIV-risk Contexts.
Reasons for and Against it

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?  SOME OF THESE INSANE QUEERS ACTUALLY THINK
THERE IS A DEFENSE FOR BAREBACKING!

Page Range: 1 - 16 DOI: 10.1300/J082v47n01_01 Copyright Year: 2004

Contributors: Alex Carballo-Dieguez PhD, Research Scientist, HIV Center
for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Associate Professor, Clinical
Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York,
NY, 10032, ac72@columbia.edu Jose Bauermeister BA, Graduate Student,
University of Michigan

Abstract: Intentional condomless anal sex in HIV-risk contexts
(“barebacking”) has been heatedly debated in gay circles, the gay
media, and, to a lesser degree, the mainstream media. Yet it has
received little attention in the scientific literature. In order to
better understand the reasons behind this behavior, we conducted a
content analysis of messages posted on an Internet message board
following Gay.com's decision to close a company-sponsored bareback chat
room. Individuals posting messages self-identified in their online
profiles as being mostly White/ European gay men residing in the US,
with an average age of 35 years. Out of 130 messages, 62 (48%) were
pro-barebacking, 55 (42%) were against barebacking, and 13 (10%)
referred to other topics. The content analysis of the messages showed
that both those in favor of and against barebacking felt well-informed
about HIV/AIDS and the risks of HIV transmission. Those in favor
considered condomless sex more enjoyable than sex with condoms (both in
actual experience and in erotic imagery), felt that condomless sex
conferred a sense of freedom, minimized the risks involved in
barebacking (assuming that practitioners were already HIV infected and
that the risk of superinfection was small), and ultimately believed
that barebacking was a personal decision and responsibility. Those
against barebacking believed the behavior was dangerous, advocated for
condom use and personal and social responsibility, and felt barebackers
needed to be sensitized to the burdens of HIV disease. Implications of
these results are discussed, pointing out the need for further
scientific inquiry in this area.

Journal Title: Journal of Homosexuality Volume: 47 Issue: 1 ISSN:
0091-8369 Pub Date: 5/19/2004

[ Post a follow-up to this message ]