Preventing sexual risk behaviors among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: The benefits of gay-sensitive HIV instruction in schools

Objectives. This study compared sexual risk behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) and heterosexual adolescents and evaluated associations betw een gay-sensitive HIV instruction and risk behaviors of GLB youths. Methods. A random sample of high school students and HIV education teachers completed surveys. Self-reported risk behaviors of heterosexual and GLB ad olescents were compared, with control for student and community demographic characteristics. Sexual risk behaviors of GLB youths in schools with and w ithout gay-sensitive instruction were compared. Results. GLB youths reported more substance use, high-risk sexual behaviors , suicidal thoughts or attempts, and personal safety issues than did hetero sexual youths (P < .001). Among those who were sexually active, GLB youths reported more lifetime and recent sexual partners than did heterosexuals (P < .001), and more of them reported alcohol use before last sex (P < .01) a nd a history of pregnancy (P < .001). GLB youths in schools with gay-sensit ive instruction reported fewer sexual partners, less recent sex, and less s ubstance use before last sex than did GLB youths in other schools (P < .05) . Conclusions. The findings document increased risk behaviors among GLB youth s and demonstrate the potential benefits of providing gay-sensitive HIV ins truction in schools.