Polyamorous the new monogamy, according to Australian survey
An Australian survey has revealed that more men are in open relationships than ever before.
The Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey examined the sexual and relationship behaviour of gay and bisexual men across the state of Victoria.
Having spoken to over 2,800 men, the report found that only 30.6% of respondents claimed to be in a monogamous relationship. This compared to 31.5% who said their relationship was open.
23.3% said they were only engaging with casual partners and 14.6% said they were having no sex at all.
The survey also revealed that almost half of the men (48.2%) used mobile apps, such as Grindr, to meet sexual partners. Other popular methods were the internet, gay bars and saunas.
The number of men using apps has increased by over 10% in the last four years – from 35.2% in 2012 to 48.2% in 2016.
Worryingly, the report also found that men who are ‘hooking up’ with casual partners are much less likely to use a condom than any other time over the last four years (31.5% in 2012 compared to 42.6% in 2016).
A similar survey conducted in America found similar results.
The number of men having sex with casual partners was the highest the survey has ever recorded.
It was also noted that the number of men getting tested for sexually transmitted infections had increased from 11.9% in 2012 to 22.8% in 2016.
Victorian AIDS Council’s director of health promotion, policy, and communications, Colin Batrouney, said: “In these results we can see how testing behaviour is changing.”
“The proportion of gay men who have had at least three HIV tests in the previous 12 months has almost doubled over the past five years.
“Testing every three months is particularly important if you’re having sex with a lot of different guys, and these look like the kind of men who are testing more frequently.”
Last year, a survey in the UK found that one in three men didn’t use a condom the last time they had anal sex with a casual partner.
