April 27, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

6 in 10 Queer Men With COVID Symptoms Hide Them From Partners

COVID 19 is affecting everything from businesses to government and now it is taking a toll on people’s sex lives. Gay and bi men are reporting “significant changes” in their sex lives during the health crisis. In fact, nine out of 10 had no sex or sex with only one other partner in the past month. 

The survey collected responses from 1,968 LGBTQ+ Americans over 18 from April 10 to May 10. Gay and bi men made up 750 of the respondents and were recruited via Facebook, Twitter, and Grindr.

The survey concluded that in the first month of the pandemic, more than half of queer male respondents (59 percent) had no sex at all. Of those who were sexually active, 78 percent limited their number of partners to one. To put this in context, one in five men reported usually having more than one sexual partner in a month.

Additionally, while about 35 percent engaged in masturbation, 12 percent abstained from solo sex, citing stress as inhibiting their sex drive.

The study noted that there are many reasons LGBTQ+ people may be at “greater risk of severe disease if they are infected with COVID-19,” despite the fact that “little attention has been paid to disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity” in the crisis. Factors include disparities in income, access to health care, HIV, and “different social norms around relationships and sexual contact patterns that may increase their risk of exposure.”

Nondisclosure of COVID-19 symptoms was a major concern among gay and bi respondents, the study stressed. These fears are warranted. While 11 percent reported having a flu-like illness in the prior month, only 39 percent of those with symptoms disclosed this information or a positive diagnosis to partners.

To address these concerns, the study recommended more “targeted messaging” around how to have conversations about COVID-19 symptoms and safer sex strategies. It also called for more research into the impact of the novel coronavirus on those living with HIV. 

Related Posts

Skirball Center’s Puppet Festival Promises an Afternoon of Imagination and Play

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

SoCal’s Top Puppeteers Will Perform Alongside Live Music, DIY Puppet-Making The Skirball Cultural Center is set to transform into a...

Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root...

West Hollywood Braces for Controversial Rally, Reaffirms Commitment to Equality

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

City of West Hollywood Condemns Harmful Rhetoric Ahead of Planned Assembly City officials and public safety leaders in West Hollywood...

Culver City Police Hosts DEA Drug Take Back Day on April 26

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Dispose of Expired Prescriptions Safely and Anonymously The Culver City Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back...

Former Cedars-Sinai OB-GYN Accused of Sexually Abusing Patients for Four Decades

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Ten Women Say Their Reports Were Ignored as Brock Continued to Practice for Decades. A group of 10 women has...

LAX/Metro Station is One Step Closer to Transforming the Airport Commute

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

New Multi-Modal Metro Station Connects Angelenos to the Airport Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced...

FBI Unravels Alleged Plot to Sell Stolen Andy Warhol Print in Beverly Hills

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Mid-City Pawn Shop Owner Charged in High-Stakes Art Scheme The owner of a pawn shop in Los Angeles’ Mid-City neighborhood...

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/KJ6rMHm6wj pic.twitter.com/hRl6JlLSNy — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) April 23, 2025

City Council Member John Erickson Honors Pope Francis After His Passing

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Pope of the People Remembered by West Hollywood City Council Member  West Hollywood City Council member and former Mayor John...