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Exploring Diversity in HIV Research in the Sexual Partnerships of Australian Gay and Bisexual Men

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posted on 2023-08-30, 16:57 authored by Steven P. Philpot, Benjamin R. Bavinton, Garrett Prestage, Jeffrey Grierson, Jeanne Ellard, Duane Duncan
Gay and bisexual men engage in a variety of sexual partnerships, but the most common distinction made in HIV research and behavioral surveillance is a binary between "regular" and "casual" partners. The "regular partner" category is often perceived as pertaining to ongoing coupled "boyfriend" relationships, with the literature to date rarely troubling what actually constitutes a "regular partner." Some emerging literature has identified "fuckbuddy" partnerships as a type of regular partnership requiring attention, but it is relatively new and not well understood. Currently, assumptions of the regular partner category do not capture how men perceive and conduct commitment in different sexual partnerships that could also be considered "regular," and the implications this has for HIV prevention. Drawing on in-depth interviews with a sample of 61 Australian gay-identified men, we explore a diversity of partnership types that represent unique ways of enacting commitment. We identify three sexual partnerships: "fuckbuddies," dating, and serial monogamy, each with specific issues for HIV risk and prevention. These partnerships suggest important differences in the way men conceive of and practice intimacy and sex.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

49

Page range

2069-2080

Publication title

Archives of Sexual Behavior

ISSN

1573-2800

Publisher

Springer

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2020-02-17

Legacy creation date

2020-02-17

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care

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