Lesbian Immunity from HIV/AIDS: Fact or Fiction?

ABSTRACT

The number of HIV positive lesbians is on the rise. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has no statistical category by which to classify female-to-female transmitted AIDS cases. Women who have sex with women have been dismissed as a “low risk” group without the benefit of empirical data. This study used data collected from subscribers of an international lesbian magazine (n = 248) to examine how beliefs held by lesbians may be influencing their risk for contracting HIV. Using the Health Belief Model, it was anticipated that perceived personal risk, knowledge regarding HIV transmission mechanisms, knowing a lesbian with HIV, or having been diagnosed HIV positive would increase the use of safer sex practices. Regression analysis found perceived personal risk, knowing a lesbian with HIV, and educational level significant predictors of barrier use.

Key Words:

• Lesbians
• HIV
• AIDS
• safer sex
• health beliefs