The prevention of AIDS by modifying sexual behavior
William, D.C.
Annals of the new York Academy of Sciences 437: 283-285
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0077-8923 PMID: 6598305 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1984.tb37147.xDocument Number: 424896
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has promoted the emergence of a new sexual ethic among homosexual men in the US. Gay men have been encouraged to significantly and dramatically limit their number of sexual partners. This has given rise to a pattern of creative sexuality that includes dating, serial monogamous relationships, mutual masturbation, condom use, massage, and nonsexual leisure time activities. Friendships, social groups, and gym workouts have increased in importance in many gay communities and sexuality has become a delayed gratification. Dating and courtship have begun to emerge as part of the new behavior pattern. Encouraging is the decline in the proportion of AIDS cases reported from New York City from 46% to 39% of the national total in the past year. This trend is believed to reflect decreased levels of promiscuous sexual behavior.