ON THE PREVALENCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND BISEXUALITY, IN A RANDOM COMMUNITY SURVEY OF 750 MEN AGED 18 TO 27

A stratified random sample of 750 males aged 18 to 27 in Calgary, Cana da included questions on sexual activity and orientation. A computeriz ed response format (established as a good method for eliciting sensiti ve personal data) ensured anonymity. Three measures of homosexuality w ere employed: (1) voluntary, same-gender sexual contact from age 12 to 27: 14.0%; (2) overlapping homosexual (5.9%) and/or bisexual (6.1%) s elf-identification: 11.1%; and (3) exclusive (4.3%) and non-exclusive (4.9%) same-gender sexual relationships in past 6 months: 9.2%. On the basis of one or more of the three often overlapping measures, 15.3% o f males reported being homosexual to some degree. CES-D depression sco res did not differ significantly for sexually active homosexual (mean 14.6), bisexual (mean 15.7), and heterosexual (mean 13.7) males. The e levated depression scores for celibate homosexual (mean 27.1) and hete rosexual (mean 23.6) males permit various Interpretations, but are not supportive of beliefs and related institutional policies recommending or requiring that young adult homosexual males be celibate.