Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1984. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - November 23, 1984
The survey by the Research and Decisions Corporation, commissioned by the city-financed San Francisco AIDS Foundation, was designed to produce the first reliable statistics on the city's homosexuals.
Of San Francisco's population of 706,900, the survey said, homosexual men total 69,690. The survey, based on 500 half-hour interviews drawn from computer-selected households, also found that 32 percent of the homosexual men in San Francisco earned more than $30,000 a year, and 31 percent earned from $20,000 to $30,000.
Fifty-seven percent graduated from college, including 21 percent who continued in postgraduate education, the survey found.
Howard Wallace, co-chairman of the Lesbian-Gay Labor Alliance, questioned the reliability of the survey, saying homosexuals "have a lot of economic avenues closed off to them because they're gay." However, he also noted that many affluent homosexuals were moving into San Francisco. Other Findings of Survey
The researchers also reported these findings:
- Forty-two percent of homosexual men report they are in monogamous relationships. Thirteen percent have one primary relationship that includes outside sexual activity.
- Seventy-eight percent have all- male sexual partners; 14 percent are bisexual and have mostly male partners and 7 percent are bisexual and have mostly female partners.
- More than half the homosexual men are in professional-managerial positions or operate their own businesses. Another 27 percent work in sales and clerical jobs.
- About half those surveyed said they were "completely out of the closet" and 34 percent said they were "mostly out of the closet." Only 3 percent said they kept their homosexuality secret.
Almost all said they were aware certain sexual activity could result in AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Homosexual men are among those most at risk, but about one-third said they continued to engage in high-risk sex even though they were aware of the dangers of contracting the deadly disease.
841123
NYT841107
Copyright © 1984 - The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved. All New York Times articles contained on the AEGiS web site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of The New York Times Company. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. However, you may download articles (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal, noncommercial use only.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1984. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1984. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .