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A convenience sample of young adults (ages 18-25) in New York City was recruited to complete anonymous surveys in social venues (either dance clubs or other social settings, such as coffee shops and university "hangouts") regarding their use of "club drugs" (e.g., MDMA/Ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and LSD). Participants indicated their frequency of use for each drug and whether or not they had used each drug for the first time in the past six months. A total of 566 surveys were collected and 38.9% of participants reported the use of at least one club drug. Overall, males were significantly more likely than females to report club drug use. There were some differences in club drug use based on sexual orientation, comparing heterosexually identified youth to gay/bisexually identified youth. There were no differences in use among those recruited at dance clubs compared with those recruited from other social venues. The use of club drugs is a growing problem among young adults, as evidenced by the number of participants reporting having tried club drugs for the first time in the past six months. Educational interventions, particularly those designed to reach young adults who are just initiating the use of club drugs, are needed.

Crystal methamphetamine (aka "crystal meth") use with high-risk sex has become an emerging health problem for gay and bisexual men in New York City since the late 1990s. Public health campaigns were eventually developed to encourage gay and bisexual men to avoid or reconsider using crystal meth. Reactions to three campaigns were measured with a cross-sectional survey administered in 2004. Among an ethnically-diverse sample of 971 gay and bisexual men, 61.8% reported seeing the campaigns. Those who reported ever using crystal meth, recent use, and recent use with sex were significantly more likely to have seen the campaigns. In general, white men, HIV-negative men, and men not currently using crystal meth responded more positively to the campaigns than their counterparts; yet, more men of color reported having discussions with partners and friends about their crystal use as a result of these campaigns. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)

Reported rates of recreational drug use among gay and bisexual men are currently rising. Although there has been much empirical research documenting current trends in drug use among gay and bisexual men, little research has empirically contrasted differential rates across urban epicenters, while even less has addressed racial or ethnic variation (between and within cities). This knowledge is essential both for the development of effective culturally-sensitive health education prevention/services and for understanding drug use prevalence among urban epicenters. Using the men's data gathered from large-scale gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) community events in New York and Los Angeles in the fall of 2003 and spring of 2004 (N = 2,335), this study explored racial and ethnic variance in the use of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), ketamine, GHB (gamma-hydroxy-butyrate), marijuana, and nitrate inhalants (poppers) among gay and bisexual men both "between" and "within" cities (NYC and LA). Levels of recent drug use were fairly consistent between New York City and Los Angeles; however there was some "between" and "within" city racial and ethnic variance. In particular, Asian/Pacific Islander men were among those least likely to report use of some drugs. Findings suggest substance use in the gay community permeates geographic boundaries in addition to some racial and ethnic boundaries such that interventions targeting drug-using gay and bisexual men should appropriately attend to racial and ethnic diversity within communities. (Contains 4 tables.)

This exploratory investigation examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and related psychosocial characteristics and sexual behaviors among 46 gay/bisexual male escorts who advertise via the Internet. More than a quarter of men (28.3%) reported some history of CSA. Men reporting CSA were more likely to be from an ethnic minority group, identify as bisexual, have a primary male partner, and were less likely to identify an anal receptive ("bottom") sexual role preference. Men with a history of CSA were more likely to report unprotected sex with work-related partners, increased internalized homophobia, and decreased adolescent isolation. Interventions designed for male escorts with a history of CSA should emphasize safer sex strategies with work partners and reducing internalized homophobia. (Contains 4 tables.)

We used repeated cross-sectional data from intercept surveys conducted annually at lesbian, gay, and bisexual community events to investigate trends in club drug use in sexual minority men (N = 6489) in New York City from 2002 to 2007. Recent use of ecstasy, ketamine, and [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate decreased significantly. Crystal metethamphetamine use initially increased but then decreased. Use of cocaine and amyl nitrates remained consistent. A greater number of HIV-positive (vs HIV-negative) men reported recent drug use across years. Downward trends in drug use in this population mirror trends in other groups. (Am J Public Health. 2010;100:1892-1895. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.175232)

In evaluating the needs of male sex workers (MSWs), past research and community-based outreach efforts have assumed they should receive counseling and be educated regarding drug abuse and HIV/STI prevention. These assumptions have been based upon studies that predominantly sampled heterosexually identified men who work on the street as 'hustlers.' The purpose of this study was to set aside previous assumptions, and elicit directly from MSWs their perceived needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 gay and bisexual male escorts who advertise on the Internet, an understudied group that is expected to differ greatly from street-based MSWs. The men identified several areas where attention should be directed beyond safer sex, such as business advice (e.g., taxes, income investment) and assistance with navigating legal issues. These findings have direct implications for community-based organizations, advocates for MSWs, and men in the commercial sex industry. doi: 10. 1300/J082v53n01_10 KEYWORDS. Male escorts, gay men, sex work, advice, education

The body of research on male sex workers (MSWs) in the social science literature has evolved concurrently with the research that de-pathologized homosexuality. Unfortunately, the majority of studies focusing on MSWs have been dominated by paradigms that dehumanize the researched. Psychopathology. social deviance and, with the advent of HIV, MSWs as 'vectors of disease,' framed research questions. Further, many researchers have focused on typologies of MSWs, reporting respective associated characteristics. However, the knowledge gained by past research was often a product of the places MSWs were sampled; social scientists relied heavily on street MSWs, although other places and venues for sex work existed. What has been learned through this narrow focus has often been generalized to all men engaged in sex work resulting in stigmatization, stereotyping, and demonization. In the past decade, two important developments related to the field of sex work have been introduced. First, researchers have embraced a new paradigm that respects MSWs' personal motivations for sex work. Dominant among these motivations is the view of sex work as a job and, hence, a valid source of income. Second, the Internet has emerged as a new venue for sex work; a venue to which researchers are .just beginning to turn their gaze. doi: 10.1300/J082v53n01_02 KEYWORDS. Male sex work, research, psychopathology, deviance, Internet

The current research aimed to better understand the preventive health behaviors of lesbian and bisexually identified women. We recruited lesbian and bisexual women at a large-scale Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (GLB) event in New York City. An ethnically diverse sample of 102 lesbian and 23 bisexually identified women who had sex with women form the New York City metropolitan area completed a quantitative survey. Lesbians, compared to bisexual women, were significantly older and significantly more likely to report being in partnered relationships. Lesbians were also more likely than bisexual women to report having performed recent breast self-examinations. Because of previously inconsistent findings and methodologies, further research is needed to determine the specific effects of lesbian or bisexual identity on preventive health behaviors. doi:10.1300/J013v44n02_01 KEYWORDS. Lesbian, bisexual, health behavior

Some have raised concern that male sex workers (MSWs) serve as 'vectors of transmission' of HIV into the heterosexual community. Research on MSWs, however, has found that these men report unsafe sex more often with casual partners than with clients. In the mid-1990s, two new phenomena emerged: the Internet, providing a new way for MSWs to meet clients, and barebacking or intentional anal sex without condoms. Using qualitative and quantitative methods in an effort to understand the impact of these phenomena, this study sought to explore intentions for unsafe sex among MSWs who reach clients through the Internet. Findings suggest that most MSWs do not intentionally seek out sex without condoms or engage in barebacking. This does not denote the complete absence of sexual risk behaviors, particularly with casual partners as found in previous research. Interview data suggest that these men may be employing harm reduction strategies such as partner characteristics and sex role positioning in their decision making processes. These findings can be helpful to service providers who currently or plan to provide intervention services to members of this population. KEYWORDS. AIDS, anal sex, barebacking, condoms, gay men, harm reduction, HIV, homosexuality, male sex workers, MSW, prostitution, safer sex, sex workers, STI

The growing research on male commercial sex work has primarily concentrated on adolescent hustlers and street-based workers. Few studies have addressed the specific characteristics of adult male gay or bisexually [...]