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From a health perspective, group sex parties represent risk environments, as multiple sexual partners and polysubstance use associated with these parties may present risk practices for sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission. At the same time, group sex parties exemplify sex as recreation, expressed in contemporary sociological theory as sex as leisure or play. In this paper, we report on the findings of an exploratory qualitative study conducted with group sex party attendees and hosts/organisers in a mid-sized Canadian city. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with thirteen individuals identified several sexual communities based on gender composition, sexual orientation, and sexual practice, with variation among and within groups in terms of sexual consent and STI disclosure. All the interviewees discussed at length issues of harm reduction and consent, suggesting that these factors contribute to participants' group sex party experiences regardless of their sexual community. These insights highlight the potential use of group sex parties as avenues to understanding the integration of harm reduction practices with the pursuit of sexual pleasure, information applicable in the context of a wide range of sexuality education programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group sex events are an epidemiologically important part of some gay and bisexual men’s sexual culture in Canada. Associated with condomless anal intercourse and polysubstance use, such events have been cited as disproportionally contributing to HIV infection rates. We analysed questionnaire data from the Momentum Health Study in Vancouver, Canada, to understand substance use, sexual behaviour, psychosocial variables (Sexual Sensation Seeking, Sexual Escape Motivation, Treatment Optimism) and HIV prevention strategies (sero-sorting, strategic positioning, avoiding anal sex, disclosure, treatment as prevention) of men attending such events, which were defined as group (n ≥ 4 partners) sex parties, blackout events and darkrooms. Analysis by multivariable logistic regression compared men attending group sex events within the past six months (n= 180) with non-attendees (n= 539). Results showed that attendees reported: (1) significantly higher use of sex drugs and alcohol consumption, (2) higher scores on the Sexual Sensation Scale, more anal sex partners, greater odds of any condomless anal sex with sero-discordant partners and greater odds of reporting fisting and sex toy use and (3) different prevention practices that varied by HIV-serostatus. Findings are interpreted in light of the importance of pleasure, sociality and HIV/STI prevention strategies associated with group sex events. Findings contribute to the development of appropriate education and intervention for attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 1969, the Trudeau Liberals partially decriminalized homosexuality by allowing homosexual acts to take place provided that only two people were present. The idea that only two people could be present stems from the concept of mononormativity, or in other words, the idea that sexual relations are acceptable when only two people take part, preferably within the confines of a monogamous relationship. This essay examines the role of mononormativity in shaping the debate over Bill C-53, a proposed reform to the Criminal Code in 1982, which would have removed the "only two person" requirement of the code's exception clause that regulated homosexual sex. Fully galvanized in the wake of the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids, members of the Right to Privacy Committee carried the message of "We Demand" gay activists from 1971: that these provisions of the Criminal Code needed to be repealed. C-53 failed to pass because while Canadian society was willing to accept a limited decriminalization of homosexuality, it was not willing to accept any further breaches to heteronormative, monogamous sexual behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]