8. Province
Alberta 1065 (13%)
British Columbia 1805 (21%)
Manitoba 342 (4%)
New Brunswick 105 (1%)
Newfoundland and 85 (1%)
Labrador
Nova Scotia 223 (3%)
Northwest Territories 11 (0.1%)
Nunavut 4 (0.05%)
Ontario 3367 (40%)
Prince Edward Island 33 (0.4%)
Quebec 1048 (12%)
Saskatchewan 289 (3%)
Yukon 8 (0.1%)
Outside of Canada 109 (1%)
Total 8494 (100%)
18. Gender Non-Conformity for Men
Definition: When a man‟s
clothes, presentation, expressions, intonation, e
tc., do not meet society‟s expectations of how a
man should be.
Gender Non-Conforming Man:
Feminine, Femme, Queen, Sissy, Nelly, Swishy,
etc.
Gender Conforming Man:
19. Fingernail Analysis
Men were asked if they have ever worn nail
polish at work as a way to be out about their sexuality.
Hypothesis: Men who demonstrate visible gender non-
conformity experience more violence and workplace
discrimination due to gender based oppression.
20. Fingernails and Physical
Violence
80%
71%
70%
60%
50% 46%
40% 34%
30%
30%
20% 16%
12%
10%
0%
Experienced Verbal Experienced Physical Experienced Workplace
Violence Violence Discrimination
OR: 2.8 OR: 3.2 OR: 2.8
p < .001 p < .001 p < .001
Painted fingerails (N = 237) Did not paint fingernails (N = 8257)
21. Nail Polish as a proxy for Gender Non-
Conformity
Let‟s consider fingernail polish as a proxy variable for
Gender Non-Conformity
Gender non-conforming men may be more likely to
have received violence
Where do we go from here?
22. Nail Polish Practical Implications
Research that encompasses parameters for
gender non-conformity to better understand the
role of gender expression in men‟s health and
experience
e.g. Options for gender expression such as
masculine, jock, queen, “straight-acting,” etc.
Public Outreach Campaigns that support men
exploring our insecurities around gender
e.g. How many of us would wear a dress in public? To
work? Why?
Services for gender non-conforming men
23. Ready or Not:
An analysis of generational
trends and the effects of coming
out earlier
Keith Reynolds
24. What do they want?
What are they looking
30 or over Under 30 OR 95% CI
for?
Dating 16% 43% 4.0 3.5 - 4.4
Sex w/ Partner 16% 29% 2.1 1.8 - 2.3
Sex w/ Partner and
others 31% 20% 0.5 0.5 - 0.6
Sex Buddies 46% 43% 0.9 0.8 – 1.0
Group Sex 23% 21% Not Significant
25. What do they want?
What are they into? 30 or over Under 30 OR 95% CI
Masturbation 57% 73% 2.0 1.8 – 2.3
Oral 89% 90% Not Significant
Anal 52% 61% 1.4 1.3 – 1.6
Leather, spanking, ws 7% 6% 0.8 0.6 – 1.0
Rough, fisting, dildos 7% 9% 1.3 1.1 – 1.5
26. Are the kids alright?
30 and over Under 30 OR 95% CI
Bullied before 18
(about sexuality) 37% 51% 2.2 2.0 – 2.5
Verbal Violence 43% 62% 2.1 1.9 – 2.4
Physical Violence 13% 13% Not Significant
Medication for
Depression/Anxiety 24% 17% 0.7 0.6 - 0.7
Suicidality 48% 59% 1.5 1.4 - 1.7
27. Are the kids alright?
Who can they count
30 and over Under 30 OR 95% CI
on for support?
Family 32% 48% 2.0 1.8 – 2.1
Gay friends 63% 73% 1.6 1.4 - 1.8
Straight friends 40% 69% 3.4 3.0 – 3.8
Professionals 30% 26% 0.8 0.7 – 9.5
No one 27% 17% 0.5 0.5 - 0.6
28. The New „Normal‟
34% of guys under 30 had come out by the
time they were 18, compared to 9% of guys
30 years and older.
29. Effects of Coming Out Earlier
Not Out <18 Out <18 OR 95% CI
Sex before 18 37% 72% 4.4 3.6 – 5.5
Bullied before 18
(about sexuality) 43% 51% 2.4 1.9 - 2.9
Verbal Violence 53% 79% 3.2 2.6 - 4.0
Physical Violence 8% 22% 3.4 2.5 - 4.5
Suicidality 54% 69% 1.9 1.6 - 2.3
Medication for
Depression/Anxiety 22% 30% 1.6 1.3 - 2.0
30. Effects of Coming Out Earlier
Who can they count
Not Out <18 Out <18 OR 95% CI
on for support?
Family 40% 66% 2.9 2.4 - 3.6
Gay friends 68% 82% 2.1 1.7 - 2.7
Straight friends 61% 85% 3.6 2.8 - 4.6
Professionals 22% 34% 1.8 1.4 - 2.2
No one 22% 6% 0.2 0.1 - 0.3
31. Discussion
Guys over 30 tend to have less robust support
systems which may be vulnerable
Coming out earlier not a significant indicator of
UAI or substance abuse
Bullying is pervasive regardless of espoused
sexual orientation, but heightened if they are
out
Diverse support systems are
available, however does not necessarily
protect from harassment
33. Interests / Why relationships?
Lets be honest, being single can sometimes
SUCK
I wanted to understand the relationship of
being in no relationship and the health
outcomes in comparison to men who were in
relationships
Hypothesis: Single men will have more mental
and physical health inequities
34. The Relationship Data
Relationship Status Gay Bisexual
Single 2872 (52%) 750 (27%)
Partnered with a man 2124 (39%) 109 (4%)
Partnered with a woman 110 (2%) 1585 (58%)
Other 384 (7%) 296 (11%)
35. Mental Health and
Relationships
% OR (95% CI)
Suicidal thought (last 12
months)
Partnered with a woman 16% REF
Partnered with a man 24% 1.7 (1.4 – 2.0)
Single 31% 2.5 (2.1 – 2.9)
Loneliness (More than 25%)
Partnered with a woman 24% REF
Partnered with a man 24% Not significant
Single 46% 2.7 (2.4 – 3.1)
Sad (More than 25%)
Partnered with a woman 19% REF
Partnered with a man 24% 1.3 (1.1 – 1.5)
Single 32% 2.0 (1.7 – 2.3)
36. Mental Health and
Relationships
% OR (95% CI)
Depression (last 12
months)
Partnered with a woman 10% REF
Partnered with a man 15% 1.7 (1.4-2.0)
Single 17% 1.9 (1.6-2.2)
Anxiety (last 12 months)
Partnered with a woman 13% REF
Partnered with a man 21% 1.8 (1.5-2.2)
Single 16% 1.4 (1.1-1.6)
Suicide attempt (last 12
months)
Partnered with a woman 1.1% REF
Partnered with a man 1.7% 1.5 (0.9-2.7)
Single 2.3% 2.1 (1.3-3.5)
37. Drugs and Relationships
% OR (95% CI)
Party Drugs
Partnered with a woman 7% REF
Partnered with a man 17% 2.8 (2.2 – 3.4)
Single 18% 3.1 (2.5 – 3.8)
Smoking
Partnered with a woman 32% REF
Partnered with a man 33% Not significant
Single 40% 1.5 (1.3 – 1.6)
Frequent Binge Drinking
Partnered with a woman 12% REF
Partnered with a man 13% Not Significant
Single 15% 1.3 (1.1 – 1.5)
38. Sexual Health and
Relationships
% OR (95% CI)
Any UAI with unknown or
opposite status partner
Partnered with a woman 19% REF
Partnered with a man 31% 1.9 (1.6-2.1)
Single 34% 2.1 (1.9-2.4)
Tested for STI (last 12
months)
Partnered with a woman 31% REF
Partnered with a man 53% 2.6 (2.3-2.9)
Single 53% 2.6 (2.3-2.9)
Tested for HIV (last 12
months)
Partnered with a woman 33% REF
Partnered with a man 53% 2.3 (2.0-2.6)
39. Support Systems and
Relationships
% OR (95% CI)
Support from family
Partnered with a woman 5% REF
Partnered with a man 59% 29.6 (23.4-37.5)
Single 37% 12.1 (9.6-15.2)
Support from friends
Partnered with a woman 35% REF
Partnered with a man 87% 12.4 (10.6-14.6)
Single 76% 5.9 ( 5.2-6.7)
No Support
Partnered with a woman 56% REF
Partnered with a man 6% 0.47 (0.03-0.05)
Single 22% 0.22 (0.19-0.25)
40. Conclusions
Single men are more likely be sad, depressed
and suicidal
Drug use increases for being single
Lack of support systems for single men
Testing for HIV and STI‟s are roughly the same,
however, single men are more likely to engage
in risky sexual behaviors
It‟s not all bad news for single men. Some
cases single men have similar health outcomes
Highlights the importance of the social
determinants on gay men
42. How does a gay man‟s view of his
body affect his mental health?
Joshun Dulai
43. Body Perception Questions
1. How have you been in the last 12 months? [I‟m satisfied with how my body
looks]
No (I’m not satisfied with Yes (I’m satisfied with
how my body looks) how my body looks)
Gay Men 43% 57%
Bisexual & Straight Men 50% 50%
2. How have you been in the last 12 months? [I should be losinglosing
No (I should not be losing Yes (I should be
weight]
weight) weight)
Gay Men 39% 61%
Bisexual & Straight Men 34% 66%
3. How have you been in the last 12 months? [I wish I was more muscular]
No (I wish I was not more Yes (I wish I was more
muscular) muscular)
Gay Men 22% 78%
Bisexual & Straight Men 29% 71%
44. Body Perception and
Depression
Gay Men Bisexual & Odds Ratio
Straight Men
Have been 12% 7% 1.9
unsatisfied with
their bodies for
the last 12 months
Felt like they 19% 12% 1.9
should be losing
weight the last 12
months
Wished they were 18% 12% 1.9
more muscular in
the last 12 months
45. Body Perception and Anxiety
Gay Men Bisexual & Odds Ratio
Straight Men
Have been 18% 10% 1.7
unsatisfied with
their bodies for
the last 12 months
Felt like they 19% 13% 1.8
should be losing
weight the last 12
months
Wished they were 20% 13% 1.7
more muscular in
the last 12 months
46. Body Perception and Suicidal
Thought
Gay Men Bisexual & Odds Ratio
Straight Men
Have been 19% 12% 1.7
unsatisfied with
their bodies for the
last 12 months
Felt like they 32% 20% 1.8
should be losing
weight the last 12
months
Wished they were 32% 22% 1.7
more muscular in
the last 12 months
47. Attempts at Explaining this
Difference
Internet Usage and Body Satisfaction
Gay News
Pornography
Squirt
Manhunt
Discrimination and Body Satisfaction
Acceptance
Exclusion
SingledOut
Cyber Bullying/Harassment
48. Body Satisfaction and Accessing
Mental Health Services
Of those who are unsatisfied with their bodies,
how many have visited a(n)…
Gay Men Bisexual & Straight Odds Ratio
Men
Psychiatrist within the 24% 16% 1.7
last 12 months
Psychologist within 30% 18% 2.0
the last 12 months
Therapist within the 26% 18% 1.6
last 12 months
Counsellor within the 17% 7% 2.5
last 12 months
Other health care 32% 18% 2.3
provider within the last
12 months
49. Summary
While gay men who are unhappy with their bodies
score higher than bisexual and straight men on
depression, anxiety, and suicidality, the vast
majority of men are mentally healthy
We may not know what causes this difference
between gay men and bisexual and straight men
on mental health measures, but on the bright side
gay men who do feel more negatively about their
bodies are discussing these issues with health
care providers
51. Is the gay community one of
drug abusing sluts? And if so,
how might this impact health
outcomes?
52. Just who qualifies?
Fucked 6 or more partners 3014 (50%)
Fucked 12 or more partners 1891 (31%)
Fucked 30 or more partners 784 (13%)
Any UAI with unknown or 1972 (33%)
opposite sero status partner
53. How we compare
MSM GAY OR (p-Value)
Fucked 6 or more partners 38% 50% 1.6 (.000)
Fucked 12 or more Partners 19% 32% 2.0 (.000)
Fucked 30 or more partners 6% 13% 2.2 (.000)
54. UAI by number of sexual
partners
Less than More than OR (P
12 12 values)
MSM 20% 40% 2.8 (.000)
Gay 23% 50% 3.4 (.000)
All 22% 49% 3.3 (.000)
55. Reassuring HIV testing habits
Tested for HIV last 12 OR (p value)
months
By number of Partners
Less than 12 50% Ref
12 or more 66% 1.9 (.000)
BY UAI
No UAI 51% Ref
At least one episode 60% 1.4 (.000)
56. Not so reassuring…
TESTED FOR HIV OR (.000)
Less than 12 Partners
No UAI 48% Ref
At least one UAI episode 55% 1.3 (.000)
12 or more sexual partners
No UAI 67% Ref
At least one UAI episode 65% 0.9 (.321)
57. Anybody wanna party?
(According to Sex Now, about one in five of us would, yes)
Party Drug Use OR (P value)
Total 15%
MSM 8% Ref
GAY 18% 2.6 (.000)
58. Party Drugs OR (.000)
Under 30
MSM 21% Ref
Gay 21% 0.9 (.000)
30 +
MSM 7% Ref
Gay 17% 2.8 (.000)
59. Associations with party drug
use
No Drugs Party Drugs OR (p value)
UAI 29% 52% 3.3 (.000)
Suicide 2% 4% 2.6 (.000)
attempts
Fucked 12 + 30% 46% 1.9 (.000)
partners
60. Drugs, UAI, and high volume of
sex partners….
UAI OR (.000)
Less than 12 Partners
No drugs 23% Ref
Party Drugs 37% 2.0 (.000)
12 or more sexual partners
No drugs 47% Ref
Party Drugs 70% 2.7 (.000)
61. Conclusions
As none of my findings are conclusive, I have no
conclusions; analysis is ongoing
Through examining men like myself and many around me I
hoped to gain a better understanding of associated risks
for those like myself and like gay guys like myself that I
love
These numbers, while interesting, are useless without
qualitative or institutional follow-up.
62. To my first posed question…
Certainly, we enjoy our bodies and we enjoy our
substances, and these are joys not without
associated risks.
68. Social Support in the SexNow
Survey
Who can you count on or talk to for support?
Gay friends Family
Straight friends Partner
Professional
(i.e., doctor, advocate, counsellor)
69. Did men have social support?
100 %
88%
90 %
80 %
70 % Report few
59% to no one
60 %
52% 48% for social
50 % support
41%
40 % Had social
30 % support
20 %
12%
10 %
0%
Gay Bi Straight
70. Who can you count on or talk to for
support?
100 %
90 %
80 %
70 %
60 % Family
Gay Friends
50 %
Straight Friends
40 %
Professionals
30 % Partner
20 %
10 %
0%
Gay Bi Straight
71. Support Across the Lifespan
100 %
90 %
80 %
70 %
60 % Partner
Family
50 %
Gay
40 %
Straight
30 %
Professional
20 %
10 %
0%
<25 25-3030-3535-4040-4545-5050-5555-60 60+
72. STI Testing in the Past 12
Months
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
1.6
Gay friends 47% 58%
(1.4 –1.8)
1.2
Straight friends 53% 57%
(1.1 – 1.3)
Partner 56% 55% Not Significant
1.3
Family 53% 59%
(1.1 – 1.4)
1.8
Professional 51% 65%
(1.6 – 2.0)
73. HIV Testing in the Last 12
months
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
1.6
Gay friends 46% 58%
(1.4 – 1.8)
1.2
Straight friends 53% 57%
(1.08 – 1.3)
Partner 56% 55% Not Significant
1.2
Family 53% 58%
(1.1 – 1.4)
1.6
Professional 51% 63%
(1.5 – 1.8)
74. Last Medical Appointment
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
1.5
Gay friends 78% 84%
(1.3 – 1.8)
Straight friends 83% 83% Not Significant
1.2
Partner 82% 84%
(1.01 – 1.4)
1.3
Family 81% 85%
(1.1-1.5)
2.8
Professional 78% 91%
(2.3 – 3.3)
75. Happiness
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
2.0
Gay friends 66% 80%
(1.7 – 2.3)
1.6
Straight friends 71% 80%
(1.4 – 1.8)
1.9
Partner 72% 83%
(1.6 – 2.1)
1.7
Family 72% 81%
(1.5 – 1.9)
Professional 76% 77% Not Significant
76. Body Satisfaction
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
1.4
Gay friends 37% 45%
(1.2 – 1.6)
Straight friends 42% 44% Not Significant
1.4
Partner 40% 48%
(1.3 – 1.6)
1.2
Family 41% 46%
(1.1 – 1.3)
Professional 42% 44% Not Significant
77. Feeling Accepted
Type of Support No Yes Odds Ratio
2.3
Gay friends 75% 87%
(2.0 – 2.7)
2.2
Straight friends 78% 89%
(1.9 – 2.6)
1.8
Partner 82% 89%
(1.6 – 2.1)
2.3
Family 80% 90%
(1.9 – 2.7)
2.1
Professional 81% 90%
(1.8 – 2.5)
78. Feeling Accepted
100 %
90 %
80 %
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
10 %
0%
No Support 1 Support 2 Support 3 Support 4 Support 5 Support
79. Take away messages
Having a professional we can count on, greatly
facilitates our likelihood of testing and accessing
health care services
When we have partners, we are more likely to feel
happy and good about our bodies
Across the board, gay friends remain a consistent
source of benefits both in health behaviours and in
feelings of happiness and acceptance
What does this look like in our day to day lives?
80. They are the people we go to when
we need a helping hand...
We had the highest response from men in Ontario followed by British Columbia.Perhaps because of amount of big cities.Also the survey has been running in BC for a while.
Majority of men were Caucasian.It looks like the survey is still tapping into a mainly Caucasian sample, considering the concentration of Asian men in BC and Ontario.
The majority of men, about 50%, in the study were between 40-59 with young gay men coming in second at about 20%.Interesting to have participants above 60+ considering the survey was an online survey.
Majority have college or some form of university education.
It’s interesting that even with an older sample, about 50% of men are making less than 50K. And really well educated.
For many of us, our first experience of not meeting these expectations of maleness was in our attractions to men. Some of us may meet the masculinity requirements of maleness, and some of us may strive to, but may never be “man enough.” Some of us may not even try to “be a man.” Many of us fit somewhere in the middle, perhaps in both of these categories from time to time as it often feels like we are NEVER “Man enough” no matter what we do....
The men who have worn nail polish to work are significantly more likely to have been gaybashed (experienced received verbal or physical violence) compared to guys who have not worn nail polish to work. These men are also significantly more likely to have experienced workplace discrimination than men who have not worn nail polish to work
A lot of time has been devoted to lamenting that younger gay guys didn't have the same connection to each other because they grew up in a different world. Gay marriage, postiveprotrayals in the media, HAART and post-AIDS. Speculation about the way that these things have affected 'kids these days' comes up from time to time, but I only ever saw anecdotal cases of the internet or grindr causing the breakdown in the chosen family unit.While Sex Now may not be perfectly suited for delving into inter-generational relations, it can be used to show some trends in young gay men's lives. Who are they? What do they want and how are they getting it?
Well let's see what they're looking for: (Table)43% were looking to date, this is higher than the 16% of guys over thirty28.6% looking to have sex with just a primary partner compared to 16.3% Bit of a role reversal when we're talking about primary partner and other guys.About the same on Sex buddies (43% and 46%) and Group sex (22.5% and 21.3%)When they're having sex, yougner guys masturbated and had anal sex more, and everyone was blowing each other, which is nice.
Well let's see what they're looking for: (Table)43% were looking to date, this is higher than the 16% of guys over thirty28.6% looking to have sex with just a primary partner compared to 16.3% Bit of a role reversal when we're talking about primary partner and other guys.About the same on Sex buddies (43% and 46%) and Group sex (22.5% and 21.3%)When they're having sex, yougner guys masturbated and had anal sex more, and everyone was blowing each other, which is nice.
What I thought was really striking was the differences in their support systems.Overall, young gay guys said that they could count on more people, it was especially pronounced in the Straight friends category.
What I thought was really striking was the differences in their support systems.Overall, young gay guys said that they could count on more people, it was especially pronounced in the Straight friends category.
One very important points that I found were: 34.3% were out before they were 18 compared to the 9.3% which I think speaks to the shift in societal attitudes. Gay guys are coming out younger these days, but what effect does this have on them?
Regardless of espoused sexual orientation, half of the guys in the sample were bullied about their sexuality, but those who came out were 2.38 OR 64.6 to 43.4%. 78.7 were harassed verbally, 21.8 physically (compared to 53.4 and 7.7). This corresponded to higher rates of suicidality and being prescribed medication for anxiety or depression.Across the board, younger gay guys who had come out, were able to find more support than those who hadn't. Which I think is somewhat heartening. Again, especially amongst straight friends and allies. Also in families.
Regardless of espoused sexual orientation, half of the guys in the sample were bullied about their sexuality, but those who came out were 2.38 OR 64.6 to 43.4%. 78.7 were harassed verbally, 21.8 physically (compared to 53.4 and 7.7). This corresponded to higher rates of suicidality and being prescribed medication for anxiety or depression.Across the board, younger gay guys who had come out, were able to find more support than those who hadn't. Which I think is somewhat heartening. Again, especially amongst straight friends and allies. Also in families.
So while guys are coming out more and more and yougner ages, I worry that we they may be doing so ahead of the capacity. Society may be changing, but I wonder if we're failing those that do come out, not by being there for them when they need support, but by not being proactive and not creating protection into our places of work and study.
Note: For questions 1 and 2 the difference was significant but the OR not high. Gay men scored significantly higher on question 3 with an odds ratio of 1.427 (1.288 - 1.581)
In thinking about what I wanted to look at in the SexNow survey, I really wanted to take an assets based approach, focusing on something positive, something we could be proud of, something meaningful both statistically and personally. After a bit of digging, I found myself nestled in the variable of social support. Social support can take many different forms such as…
The support of a close friend
The support of family whether biological or chosen
the support of a community. How ever it manifests, having social support is something that we can all understand and appreciate as a place of growth, as a place of friendship, and as a place of acceptance and belonging.
Its importance is recognized by the Public Health Agency of Canada and is listed as a key determinant of health, citing evidence that social contacts, social participation and emotional support relate to lower premature death rates and mortality. Given this information, the question that I settled on was how does social support relate to men in the SexNow survey?
In looking at social support I looked at the question “Who can you count on or talk to for support?”
When we looked at those personal sources of social support, we saw that gay men were the most likely to report having at least one group that they could count on for support at almost 90%.
When we separated social support into the different groups, what we can see is that gay men are the highest sources of social support among gay men and surprisingly among bisexual and straight identified men as well. What we can also see is that gay men tend to report having more support across the different social support groups.
Even when we look at it across different age groups, gay men remain a central source of support. Knowing this, I went on to look at the benefits of these social support networks.
I first looked at personal sources of support and how they were related to health behaviours. When we compared those gay men who did to those who did not have the various types of support as represented by the no and yes columns, we can see that having the support of a professional was related to an increased likelihood of testing for STIs in the past 12 months (50.5% versus 64.6%). And among the non-professional sources of support, having gay friends was the most highly related to an increased likelihood of testing as well.With regard to the “not significant” section, that means that there was no difference in rates of testing between those who did versus those who did not have that type of support, in this case the support of a partner. It should also be noted that although testing tends to be at around the area of 50%, it is useful to know that support can increase this number.
Very similar findings were found in relation to support and HIV testing as well. With professionals having the highest relation to testing for HIV followed by gay friends.
I also looked at how support related to those who accessed medical services in the last 12 months. Here, we saw that having a professional that you could count on or talk to was very highly related to testing. Gay friends again came in the highest when it came to non-professional sources of support.The positive influences of support extend beyond promoting health seeking behaviours, which brings me to...
Support and how it related to more subjective experiences. As we can we here, the highest probably of happy guys have the support of a partner. Also interesting to note though is that the greatest difference in percentages is found between having and not having gay friends for support with those reporting not having gay friends being substantially less likely to be happy than compared to the other support groups.
When asked if they were satisfied with how their body looked in the past 12 months, having a partner was the most highly related to body satisfaction, followed surprisingly by gay friends.
Which brings me to creme de la creme of support. How it relates it feeling that gay and bi men are accepted within one’s respective communities. Here all types of support had a role to play. With the greatest difference occurring in men who had and did not have the support of gay friends.
In fact, the more support men had, the more likely they were to report feeling accepted. Those who had all 5 types of support had the highest percentage of men reporting feeling accepted.
*Read the messages*
They are the people we go to when we need a helping hand
