Homosexual behaviors among male migrants in Xi’an: perspectives from female deficit and internal migration

Yang Xueyan, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Isabelle Attané, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Shuzhuo Li, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Using the data from “the Survey on Reproductive Health and Family Living of Migrant Forced Male Bachelors in Urban Area” conducted in Xi’an City of Shaanxi Province during Dec. 2009-Jan.2010, this study explores the homosexual behaviors among unmarried male migrants in comparison to married ones. It is found that the prevalence of homosexual behaviors among unmarried males reaches 11%, more than twice the level reported by married but separated married men (who migrate without their spouses): 5.1%, and thrice that of cohabitating married men (who migrate with their spouses): 3.8%. It also appears that the prevalence of homosexual behaviors is significantly correlated with their attitudes toward homosexual behaviors and marriage, their marital status; the frequency of condom use among unmarried men is significantly higher than that among separated married and cohabitating married men; and the condom use frequency was proved to significantly correlate with scores on knowledge of Acquired Immure Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Sexual Transmitted Disease (STDs), homosexual behaviors and marital status. It was suggested in this study that, due to the sex imbalance followed by “marriage squeeze”, among the unmarried male migrants who are forced to stay single and in short of stable sexual partners, there might be a possibility of an increase in male homosexual behaviors; the male homosexual behaviors among unmarried male migrants have characteristics of high risks, which is mainly determined by the shortage of related knowledge.