Pandemic leads to drop in casual gay sex

A survey suggests adherence to physical distancing may have a spin-off benefit of reducing STIs

Gay and bisexual men are having far less casual sex because of COVID-19 physical distancing measures, which will likely lead to a period of fewer HIV and STI diagnoses, Australian researchers say.

A marked drop in sexual contact among men who have sex with men (MSM) presents a “novel opportunity” to disrupt STI transmission chains, they say.