Online Dating Success of Male Sex Partners

Researchers conducted a study that includes reviewing men’s success in seeking a same sex partner through online dating sites.  The purpose of the study was to learn whether or not such dating sites for same sex partners were successful at matching people seeking a date or companion.  The study included reviewing how men seek a sex partner through sites known as “cruising websites.”    The study involved men of different age ranges, some who are HIV positive, with many admitting they utilize more than one website at a time to find a sex partner.

The concept of the study is something researchers wanted to explore in more detail since it is something rarely reviewed. Because more men are using online sites to seek a sex partner, researchers wanted to learn more about related activity. Data collected seeks to learn how efforts behind their attempts were successful (and to what degree).  Is success considered a long term relationship developing after meeting in person?

Men were invited to participate in an online survey that was designed for this purpose.  Men were invited through an advertisement that talked about learning more about cruising on the internet.  Over 100 men participated and provided data.  Men from 18 states from different ethnic backgrounds completed the survey and were between the ages of 18 to 68.  Most of the men were either bisexual or gay.  The survey collected data on a variety of topics including advertising data used in their ads, how many websites they have ads posted on, how often they have sex with those they meet, relationship status and other demographic details.

Over 50 percent of the men who submitted data were not in a committed relationship.  Close to 24 percent claim they were in a relationship. About 80 percent of the men claimed to be HIV negative.  Men who say they use cruising websites often to find a male sex partner were on average 35 years old.  Most men who claimed to use such sites were white (52 percent).  About 14 percent say they have ads on more than 5 different websites.  Many say they keep their ads posted for 6 months or more. When asked how often they log onto to websites with ads, over 60 percent say they log on to their website of choice at least once a day.

When asked about the accuracy of information included in the ad, about 95 percent say details are completely accurate.  About 40 percent say they include a face and explicit body pictures when they post their ad.  Men were asked about whether they would respond to an ad with a photo’ about 40 percent say they would respond to an ad with no picture.  Yet, almost 50 percent claim they were unsure they would if the ad didn’t display a face.  Overall, most men claimed to be successful in using cruising sites, with some meeting at least 10 different men within a year.  Men who were HIV positive met at least 20 on average.

Demographic Characteristics of Men Using Websites to Locate Male Sex Partners

AgeMean Median Range	43.2 35.0 18 to 68
RaceWhite African-American/Black Hispanic/Latino Asian Mixed Race Other	51.8% 19.6% 12.5% 3.6% 10.7% 1.8%
Sexual OrientationGay Bisexual Straight	80.2% 19.8% 0%
Relationship StatusMarried/Partnered Dating, not seriously Single, not dating	23.9% 20.4% 55.8%
HIV StatusPositive Negative Unsure/Unknown	13.5% 79.3% 7.2%
Stated Preferred Sexual RoleTop Bottom Versatile No preference	16.5% 26.6% 50.5% 6.4%

Characteristics of Ads on Men Seeking Male Sex Partner Websites

Number of Websites Where Men Have AdsMean One More than 5	2.3 12.8% 13.8%
How Long Ad Has Been PostedLess than one month More than 1, but less than 6 months More than 6, but less than 12 months More than 12 months	5.5% 19.3% 22.0% 53.2%
How Often Men Log-in to Websites with Ad(s)At least once a day 2 or more days per week About once per week A couple of times per month Once a month or less often	62.7% 31.8% 3.6% 1.8% 0%
Accuracy of Information Posted in AdAll information is accurate Some information is inaccurate	95.5% 4.6%
Pictures Included in AdFace picture only Non-explicit body picture only Explicit body picture only Face and non-explicit body pictures Face and explicit body pictures No pictures in ad	14.6% 8.2% 6.4% 26.4% 38.2% 6.4%

Advertisement Pictures and Likelihood of Responding

How willing/likely are you to respond to an ad that …..	Definitely would respond	Probably would respond	Might or might not respond	Probably would not respond	Definitely would not respond
Does NOT include ANY pictures in it	6.3%	9.4%	29.2%	38.5%	16.7%
Does NOT have a FACE picture in it	7.3%	19.8%	47.9%	14.6%	10.4%
Does NOT have an X-rated picture in it	22.9%	39.6%	33.3%	1.0%	3.1%