Building trust seems to be uppermost even in a gay relationship, as many gay couples set 'sexual agreements' about whether sex with outside partners is okay, moreso to strengthen their bond rather than for protection against HIV. The study explores how sexual agreements affect both HIV risk and a relationship's satisfaction and quality, and contains insights for HIV prevention.
Gay couples' top reasons for establishing sexual agreements were to build trust in the relationship, promote honesty between partners and to protect the relationship, said lead author Colleen Hoff, professor of sexuality studies at San Francisco State University.
"We found that gay couples are interested in building healthy, satisfying and loving relationships. These desires, when nurtured, can lead to strong relationships. Yet the reality is that a broken sexual agreement, or one that isn't clear to either partner, can make both partners vulnerable to HIV," said Hoff.
Widespread among gay couples, sexual agreements can include conditions limiting when, where, how often and with whom outside sex is permitted and whether safe sex is practiced.
The researchers surveyed 566 gay male couples in the San Francisco Bay Area and found that 99 percent had sexual agreements.
Specifically, 45 percent had monogamous agreements, 47 percent had open agreements and 8 percent of couples had discrepant agreements where partners reported a different understanding of whether they have an open or monogamous agreement.
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The study suggests that knowing what motivates gay couples to make sexual agreements could help HIV prevention programs tailor their efforts to be relevant to the whole relationship.
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The study found no significant difference in relationship satisfaction between men in open or discrepant relationships and those in monogamous relationships.
For relationship characteristics, participants' responses did vary significantly depending on the type of sexual agreement they had (open, discrepant or monogamous).
Men in monogamous relationships reported greater levels of intimacy with their partner, more trust, commitment and attachment toward their partner and greater equality in the relationship.
The study is published in the journal AIDS Care.
Source-ANI