Gay men who have come out are more satisfied with their sex life, according to the study
Keystone
Being open about one’s homosexuality is an important step in preventing HIV. Openly gay men are more concerned with the risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and are more likely to seek counselling, according to a Swiss study.
Researchers from the School of Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland interviewed 3,066 men in Switzerland who have sex with men.
The study, carried out on behalf of the Federal Office of Public Health, found that those who have come out are more satisfied with their sex life. They are also more concerned about sexually transmitted diseases and seek more frequent advice from specialist agencies, the authors said in a statementExternal link on Thursday.
“That could be down to the fact that openly gay men are better connected in the community and have better access to information,” said Patrick Weber, co-author of the report.
However, Weber said coming out was not enough. “Equally important is social acceptance of sexual and gender minorities and a positive reaction when someone comes out,” he said.
More than half of the respondents reported negative experiences due to their sexual orientation, such as insults or threats.
More
More
Homosexuality is no longer taboo in classrooms
This content was published on
The ABQ association has been criss-crossing schools in cantons Bern and Fribourg for 20 years, talking about sexual orientation.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
This content was published on
Swiss announce a CHF7 million ($7 million) increase in funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at Lyon donor conference.
This content was published on
An information platform has been launched to encourage schools in Switzerland to take a more complete approach to sex education.
‘First time’ at 16 for most Swiss, sex survey finds
This content was published on
A survey has found that 16 was the average age for the first sexual encounter – typically with a condom. One in ten reported having an STD.
This content was published on
The first officially approved HIV home tests will go on sale on Tuesday, the Federal Office of Public Health announced on Monday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.