Being gay or homosexual are common English terms used to describe this sexual orientation. Although some gay men may also be identified as bisexual or homosexual romantically oriented (homoromantic), but their desire for their masculinity makes them a gender-identified group. The gay male population is inherently diverse, with each subgroup having unique circumstances and experiences that have different physical and mental health implications for each subgroup. They have higher rates of depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder than other men. Gay men also have about twice the smoking rate of the total population, which increases their risk of lung cancer.
Demographic Structure
According to this survey conducted by Academia Sinica, at least 5% people in Taiwan identify themselves as homosexuals. In the above statistics, 2.85% participants identified themselves as homosexuals.
In a 2020 report, 4.9% of male respondents in the U.S. said they identified as LGBT.
Health of Gay Men
All men are subject to some common health hazards, but there are specific health issues that gay men need to be aware of. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as some of the most common health problems experienced by gay and bisexual men.
- HIV/AIDS
- Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
- Anxiety and depression
- Drug Abuse
- Diseases caused by smoking
- Cancer
Gay men and lesbians should prioritize their physical and emotional health, undergo routine checkups, engage in safe sex, get help when needed, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
If you are in Taiwan and have any questions about the health of LGBTQ+ community members, please use the Taiwan LGBTQ+ Hotline at 02-2392-1970.
Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay men
https://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/index.htm https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/health-issues-for-gay- men/art-20047107