TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexual Norms for Lesbian and Bisexual Women in a Culture Where Lesbianism Is Not Acceptable Enough
T2 - The Japanese Survey About Sexual Behaviors, STIs Preventive Behaviors, and the Value of Sexual Relations
AU - Fujii, Hiromi
N1 - Funding Information:
The notion of homosexuality or same-sex love underwent a major transformation in the latter part of the 20th century; it became increasingly recognized as a symbol of diverse and legitimate human sexuality. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) delisted homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, and the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution to remove it from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) 10th Revision in 1990. The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology supported the WHO?s move in 1995. Nonetheless, many Japanese lesbians and gay men know that LGBT people still suffer severe violations of human rights in the world (Amnesty International, 2003). In the 21st century, many developed countries have enacted laws recognizing same-sex marriage. Much health research in such countries has examined health issues in this population?specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people (Spidsberg & Sorlie, 2011; Mander & Page, 2011). LGBT studies have not closely examined lesbian health (mental, physical, and sexual health) issues; however, some health care providers have addressed lesbians? visibility in medical settings in Japan at least (Kubo, 2010, Fujii, 2010a; Yamashita & Shimizu, 2015). Some researchers have recommended the examination of sexual health in lesbians or women who have sex with women (WSW; Mizushima, 2004; Nakajo & Onodera, 2002); however, such research remains limited. I examined sexual behavior and STIs among lesbians; the findings indicated diversity among WSW (Fujii, 2010b). Schick, Hensel, et al. (2015) pointed out that lubricant use may be common among lesbian and bisexually identified women. Dolan and Davis examined lesbian sexual behavior in a sample of 162 lesbians (2003, p. 25); 49% reported performing oral sex on their partner?s genitalia, 60% received oral sex, 30% performed petting, 23% received petting, 75% used sex toys, 97% performed genital-to-genital contact, and 46% performed or received oral sex in the anal area. On the other hand, in Japan, Miyahara (2007) noted that sexual behavior among WSW consists mainly of cunnilingus and mutual masturbation; however, the majority of research examining WSW has been conducted in Western samples that did not include Eastern women. The situation regarding lesbians therefore remains unclear, including in comparison with gay men and MSM in Japan. Common STIs among women include condyloma and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection associated with cervical and other cancers. Infection makes the body susceptible to other STIs and medical conditions. Bauer and Welles (2001) found that 13% of women who have had same-sex partners have had STIs. Marrazzo and colleagues (2002) reported survey results of normal intra-vaginal flora levels in 326 women and found that women who had experienced female-to-female sexual contact had low lactobacilli levels compared with bisexual women. Although this indicates that women who have not had sex with men (women who have had sexual relationships exclusively with women) are at relatively low risk of STIs, that risk rises progressively as the lifetime number of partners increases to four or more (Marrazzo et al., 2002). Fishman and Angerson (2003) surveyed 78 lesbians regarding their perceptions of STI prevention, sexual behavior, and sources of information about safer sex. 89%?99% had basic knowledge of preventive methods; however, 35%?40% had no knowledge of less common safer-sex practices. Thirty-six percent reported ?mass media? as their source of information; 22% cited ?workshops,? and 12% cited ?friends.? Although 85% said their health care providers knew they were lesbian, only 15% received safer-sex education from health care practitioners. Drug and alcohol consumption are known to negatively affect safer-sex practices (Steven & Hall, 2001). Additionally, in this decade, many researchers examining health promotion among LGBT people have attempted to clarify risk factors affecting young LGBT people (Quinn & Ertl, 2015). In sum, although the literature shows a rudimentary understanding of sexual practices and factors affecting STIs among lesbians, data on Japanese lesbians remain inadequate. The current research therefore aimed to provide basic data toward preventing STIs in this population. Research carried out abroad indicates that caregivers and medical staff should recognize sexual orientation regarding STIs among WSW and should get a suggestion about sexual health education methods that are appropriate for a range of women in order to lower STI incidence among WSW. This study therefore aimed to identify key factors affecting STI prevention among lesbians, bisexual women, and FtMs by examining sexual behavior and the value of sex in a female relationship in this population. Data were collected from a survey and open-ended participant responses.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2019/2/23
Y1 - 2019/2/23
N2 - This study aimed to identify key factors preventing STIs among women who have sex with women in Japan. This description is based on survey and open-ended responses from participants. The questionnaire contained participants’ background, sexual behavior, STI prevention behavior, experience and knowledge of STIs, and the value of sex with women. 104 responded, and 92 (88.5 %) reported having sexual experience with women. A variety of sexual behaviors were reported. Regarding STIs, 14.4% of participants had an STI in past. Almost half of the participants cited measures to prevent STIs included hygienic activities. Participants believed that sexual relations accompany partnership with females.
AB - This study aimed to identify key factors preventing STIs among women who have sex with women in Japan. This description is based on survey and open-ended responses from participants. The questionnaire contained participants’ background, sexual behavior, STI prevention behavior, experience and knowledge of STIs, and the value of sex with women. 104 responded, and 92 (88.5 %) reported having sexual experience with women. A variety of sexual behaviors were reported. Regarding STIs, 14.4% of participants had an STI in past. Almost half of the participants cited measures to prevent STIs included hygienic activities. Participants believed that sexual relations accompany partnership with females.
KW - Lesbian
KW - STI preventive behavior
KW - WSW (women who have sex with women)
KW - bisexual women
KW - the perceived importance of sex in a female relationship
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85040970251&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/00918369.2017.1413275
DO - 10.1080/00918369.2017.1413275
M3 - Article
C2 - 29199896
AN - SCOPUS:85040970251
SN - 0091-8369
VL - 66
SP - 407
EP - 420
JO - Journal of Homosexuality
JF - Journal of Homosexuality
IS - 3
ER -