Gay and lesbian young people have an increased risk of school problems, social isolation, substance abuse, and suicide. There tends to be a more hostile environment with more bullying, hostile behavior toward them, and verbal or physical abuse experienced by gay and lesbian youth. They also are at an increased risk for sexual abuse, sex with multiple partners, and running away from home. Depression and STDs are more common in LGBT youth. Gay people in general face a wide range of legal repercussions, depending on where they live in the world. There are parts of the world where being gay is not illegal and gay marriage is accepted as being legal. There are other parts of the world where homosexual activities are not only illegal but such activities are punishable with the death penalty. In parts of the world where homosexual activity is illegal, these laws are not always enforced. The illegality of homosexual behavior is the greatest in Islamic countries, particularly in the Middle East.
SAME-SEX SEXUAL BEHAVIORS Gay sexual practices involve any sexual activity in which a man has sex with another man. As you have learned, such practices can occur with any type of self-proclaimed sexual identity or sexual orientation. In the Kinsey Reports, which were published in 1948, about 37 percent of men indicated they’d had at least one sexual encounter with another man. Even so, this number may have been underreported because there is social bias against these types of behaviors. As mentioned, while anal sex is most associated with MSM or men having sex with men, most do not engage in this sexual activity. Oral sex, frottage or rubbing penises together, and mutual masturbation are more popular than anal sex in this population. Oral sex is the most popular behavior in men who have sex with men. Recent self-report surveys indicate about five to nine separate sexual behaviors practiced by men who have sex with men. The insertive partner in anal sex is often called the top, while the receptive partner is called the bottom. Men who are versatile are comfortable with either position. Pain and pleasure together are often a part of anal sex. Receptive men who have an orgasm often
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