I'm The Only Gay In The Village

54% of Gay And Bisexual Men Reject The 'Gay' Label

Modern society seems intent on labelling and defining everything and everyone. Whether it be chavs and emos, metrosexuals and fag-hags, scene queens and bears there seems to be a term to describe everyone. However, a new study reveals that 54% of gay and bisexual men don't like to be labelled as 'Gay' at all.

Free gay chat website, ManCentral.com surveyed over 3,500 members to find out how they chose to identify themselves in terms of their sexuality. 20% of the members opted for the rather clinical term of 'homosexual', whilst 15% preferred to consider themselves as a man who happened to have sex with men. A further 18% rejected any form of label, reporting that they did not define themselves by their sexuality. Nevertheless, 1% embraced the labelling culture by identifying themselves as twinks, bears, scene-queens and so forth.

The identifying terms 'Gay' and 'Bisexual' are most widely accepted by younger men, with 51% of 18-24 year olds identifying with these labels. However, this steadily decreased to just 41% of those aged 51-60. The reverse trend appears with the label 'man who has sex with men'. Men aged 61 and above were the most likely (17%) to describe themselves as 'men who have sex with men' whilst those aged 18-24 were the least likely to identify with this term.

Interestingly, though the younger respondents were the most likely to label themselves as Gay or Bisexual, they were also the most likely (20%) to refuse any label at all.

Arguably, labels are often attached to a stereotype, but it appears that if the shoe fits - we'll wear it:

• Bi-curious men were almost 3 times more likely than gay men to define themselves as a man who has sex with men.

• Closet men were the most likely (22%) to describe themselves as men who have sex with men, however they were also the most likely (51%) to opt for the label of gay or bisexual.

• Very slim lads were the most likely (8%) to describe themselves as Twinks. While hairy men were the most likely (3%) to be described as bears.

• Ginger guys are the most likely (3%) to describe themselves as twinks, bears and scene-queens – surely any label is better than the playground jibes of carrot top and ginger pubes.

Whilst the majority of members chose to define themselves with a label other than gay or bisexual, 46% openly accepted the common place terms. Nevertheless, there are currently no plans to open the “Man Who Has Sex With Men Bar” in Soho, nor are there rumours of adding more letters to the LGBT acronym.

Research:

ManCentral.com polled 3,628 members over a three day period. Detailed statistics & breakdowns available on request. Members who answered the surveys remained anonymous to ensure an honest and accurate response.

Brains vs. Beauty, Which Wins?

When it comes to the dating game there is always a battle between brains and beauty, but 67% of gay men would choose a partner with personality over appearance and intelligence.

Wash-board abs, perfect smile, hair meticulously styled, impeccable sense of style, and not a stray hair in sight – but gay and bisexual men have learnt never to judge a book by it’s cover. Though the average gay man is often thought to be as deep as a puddle results from a new survey reveal that for the majority of gay and bisexual men personality is paramount when dating.

Free gay dating and chat website ManCentral.com asked its members what was most important to them when looking for a date or relationship. 67% of those survey ed said that personality was the most important attribute in a potential partner.

In contrast, only 28% relied solely on appearance, whilst intelligence would impress only 6% of those surveyed.

However, personal preferences were significantly affected by age. Those aged 18-24 were the most likely to value appearance above intelligence and personality. 34% of 18 to 24 year olds said appearance was the most important factor, far higher than the 28% average. The importance of appearance steadily declined until it reached just 11% for those aged 61 and above.

Similarly, those aged 61 and above were most likely to rate personality as the most important factor in a new partner. 77% of those aged 61 and above said that personality was the most important attribute, 10% higher than the average. This gradually declined to 61% of those aged 18-24.

Predictably, those looking for sex were the most likely to place emphasis on appearance, whilst those looking for friendship were most likely to look for a partner with personality. Strangely, intelligence was also most highly regarded by those looking for sex – presumably Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is some form of foreplay.

So if you’re struggling to find a date for Valentine’s Day, chances are you are as dull as dishwater.

Additional information:
Man Central surveys are extremely detailed, incorporating information about its respondents as detailed as facial hair and weight, allowing us to unearth the following strange facts:

• Closet men (34%) were more likely than out (24%) men to choose appearance over intelligence and personality.

• Gay men (69%) were more likely than Bi-curious men (57%) to choose personality over looks.

• Men with small tools were the most likely choose intelligence and personality rather than appearance.

• Men lacking in the looks department should venture into Bristol where only 12% of respondents thought appearance was most important. Whilst Harrow is a haven for those who fall short in the personality stakes where only a quarter of men would choose personality over all else.

Research:
ManCentral.com polled 2,879 members over a three day period. Detailed statistics & breakdowns available on request. Members who answered the surveys remained anonymous to ensure an honest and accurate response.

If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed?
3 out of 4 Gay and Bisexual Men Would Donate Blood If They Were ‘Allowed’

According to The National Blood Service, last year they received 2.1 million donations from about 1.6 million donors. Although that sounds a lot, it reflects only 4% of the population, giving two or three times a year.

The NHS needs a constant supply of 7,000 units of blood each day for hospitals across the UK, this equates to at least 2.5 million donations every year, leading to a deficit of 400,000 units of blood each year.

Members of the free gay chat website ManCentral.com were asked if they would donate blood if they were not restricted by the policies of the National Blood Service. An overwhelming 77% of respondents said they would donate blood if they were permitted to do so. Of the 23% who said no, various reasons were provided such as a fear of needles, previous blood transfusions or other family medical conditions such as CJD.

According to the National Blood Service any man who has had sex with another man is unable to give blood due to the risk of transmitting viruses such as HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis during the 3 month 'window period' when tests can’t detect these viruses in the blood. However this ‘window period’ is the same for everyone regardless of gender and sexuality.

In 1999 heterosexual sex overtook homosexual sex as the most common route of transmission among new HIV cases overall; whilst in 2007, heterosexual transmission accounted for 55% of those diagnosed in the UK. Nevertheless in terms of transmission of the virus within the UK, men who have sex with men are still the group at highest risk of getting a new infection.

Interestingly, members of Man Central who admit to only sometimes practising safe sex were the least likely to agree to donate blood. This suggests that gay and bisexual men are intelligent enough to judge for themselves if they can safely donate blood.

Conservative estimates suggest that there are over 3 million Gay and Bisexual men within the UK. If the results from the research are taken as a reflection of the gay and bisexual population as a whole, gay and bisexual donors could potentially equate to 2.3 million donors compared to the 1.6 million donors of last year.

Whilst the need to protect public health by minimising the risk of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses is undeniable, the life-long ban for gay and bisexual men is unnecessarily stringent and in turn detrimental to public health through the shortage of blood. As with promiscuous heterosexual donors, a 3 or even 6 month exclusion period could be applied to men who have had sex with men, after which time the threat of undetected viruses would be dramatically reduced if not removed.

Additional Statistics

• Those aged 31-35 are most likely to donate blood with 83% saying they would give blood if they could.

• Members looking for sex online were the most likely to avoid giving blood.

• 80% of Gay men said they would donate blood compared to 71% of Bisexual men.

• 78% of members who always practise safe sex would donate blood.

Research:
ManCentral.com polled 3,667 members over a three day period. Detailed statistics & breakdowns available on request. Members who answered the surveys remained anonymous to ensure an honest and accurate response.

For more information please visit:

http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/exclusion/

http://www.tht.org.uk/informationresources/policy/healthpolicy/blooddonations

http://www.tht.org.uk/informationresources/factsandstatistics/uk/heterosexual/