Condom use and sexual identity among men who have sex with men--Dallas, 1991.

Safer sex practices intended to reduce the risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been vigorously promoted among men who are homosexual or bisexual (i.e., men who have sex with men). Such efforts have emphasized personal responsibility and protection of partners, and many of these men appear to have adopted risk-reducing behaviors (1). However, it is unknown whether these safer sex practices and norms have been adopted by men who have sex with men but conceal their sexual orientations or do not self-identify as homosexual or bisexual (2-7). To characterize the relation between the adoption of safer sex practices among men who have sex with men and sexual self-identity, as well as HIV information-seeking, exposure to the homosexual or bisexual community culture, and comfort in disclosing sexual identity, the Dallas County (Texas) Health Department (DCHD) conducted a survey among men who have sex with men. This report summarizes survey findings for men who reported having had sex with men and who visited DCHD clinics for anonymous HIV counseling and testing from January through June 1991.