Gay men's stereotypes about who is HIV infected: a further study

Gay men's stereotypes about who is HIV-infected were investigated. Young un infected (n=62), older uninfected (n=61), and infected (n=65) gay men read brief descriptions of men they did not know and estimated the likelihood th at they were infected. Each description highlighted one characteristic of t he man described. There were 3 versions of each sketch; the versions highli ghting preferred sexual practice, for example, described the man as either preferring insertive anal intercourse, preferring receptive anal intercours e, or liking both equally. Results were largely the same for the 3 sample g roups. For 6 of the 9 characteristics investigated-preferred haunts, prefer red sexual practice, dress code, access to gay venues, occupation, and sexu al orientation-significantly different estimates were given for the differe nt versions. Results are discussed in relation to how AIDS education might counter the use by gay men of stereotypes to infer whether a given sex part ner is infected. It is suggested that these stereotypes are likely to be pr esent 'on line' (during actual sexual encounters), rather than 'off line' t in the cold light of day), thereby complicating the task of AIDS educators.