Interesting Medical Question

[Becket]

I went to a doctor I had never seen before and began filling out the necessary paperwork. On the first information page, right after name and address was this question:

Do you describe yourself as:

• Straight
• Gay
• Bisexual
• It was the first time I have ever seen such a question on a medical form. This was just a regular stomach doctor, not one who focused on any sort of sexually related health. Anyone else ever seen such a thing?  Not a big deal, just curious.

Edited May 1 by Becket
grammar

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

4 hours ago, Becket said:

I was filling out paperwork for a doctor I had never seen before and began filling out the necessary paperwork. On the first information page, right after name and address was this question:

Do you describe yourself as:

• Straight
• Gay
• Bisexual
• It was the first time I have ever seen such a question on a medical form. This was just a regular stomach doctor, not one who focused on any sort of sexually related health. Anyone else ever seen such a thing?  Not a big deal, just curious.

I first saw that question asked on a form at my local public health office circa 2006.  My employer started asking that question on its job application forms "for statistical purposes only" circa 2013.

[Nightowl]

I’ve never seen it on a medical form but I probably wouldn’t answer it.  They always ask for my SSN and I don’t give that either.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

8 hours ago, Nightowl said:

They always ask for my SSN and I don’t give that either.

Same here

[maninsoma]

I'd suggest that asking in that manner is probably not the best anyway.  A lot of men who have sex with other men on the "down low" would likely still check the "straight" box.  That being said, I do think it's helpful for health care providers to know about their patients' sexual practices since different screenings/tests might be indicated.  I specifically chose a gay doctor decades ago because I wanted someone with personal familiarity of health risks for men who have sex with men.  My previous doctor was okay, but he basically acted like my sex life didn't exist.

What I find interesting is that every time I see any provider at Kaiser Permanente (apart from maybe eye doctors) I am asked questions regarding alcohol use and domestic violence.

[+ Charlie]

I recently received a questionnaire from UCLA for a "California Health Survey," and one of the questions was whether the respondent considered himself straight, gay or bisexual.

[la_connor]

Identity is irrelevant. But your primary care needs to know about intimate contact.

[+ nycman]

The better question is "do men put their penises inside you", and "if yes, which orifice", and "when was the last time a penis was inside you?".

It cuts through all the "gay, straight, bi, side, abstinent, slut" bullshit and gets straight to the point of the matter.

Many, many men who had a dick in the their ass last night consider themselves "straight". Trust me. 

[CuriousByNature]

Was that question in the doctor's own handwriting?  Maybe he was interested...  

[+ PhileasFogg]

I have just moved.  My last PCP sent out a questionnaire asking this and my new one did as well.

frankly, to note my bisexuality in by writing is welcomed manner to me since I’d probably not have reason to discuss otherwise except for requesting my prep and regular STD testing. 

[JayinHKNYC]

On 5/4/2025 at 6:48 PM, nycman said:

The better question is "do men put their penises inside you", and "if yes, which orifice", and "when was the last time a penis was inside you?".

It cuts through all the "gay, straight, bi, side, abstinent, slut" bullshit and gets straight to the point of the matter.

Many, many men who had a dick in the their ass last night consider themselves "straight". Trust me. 

Agreed that behavior is more important than identity. My doctor's nurse assistant sometimes used to enter the room saying, suck any dick lately?"

[LookingAround]

I have that all the time on my doctors forms. Not an unusual question in 2025. 

[Twinkslover]

On 5/1/2025 at 1:00 AM, Becket said:

I went to a doctor I had never seen before and began filling out the necessary paperwork. On the first information page, right after name and address was this question:

Do you describe yourself as:

• Straight
• Gay
• Bisexual
• It was the first time I have ever seen such a question on a medical form. This was just a regular stomach doctor, not one who focused on any sort of sexually related health. Anyone else ever seen such a thing?  Not a big deal, just curious.

I had same form first visit and I was honest 

[Twinkslover]

He also  asked  me all gay sex related  questions, I was very reluctant but he said  I need to know your status. dM  me if you need my doctor info. 

[ericwinters]

On 5/1/2025 at 6:41 AM, Nightowl said:

I’ve never seen it on a medical form but I probably wouldn’t answer it.  They always ask for my SSN and I don’t give that either.

I don't let them scan my ID/DL either. I recall when, in Las Vegas, the local news reported how paper documents, medical history, and personal information like SSN and DL were flying all over the streets from a doc who was closing up shop. With all this stuff digitized, who knows what entities will have it from the doctor, medical healthsystems, third party billing and claims people, insurance carriers, and god knows who else... all at risk from hostile entities.

[KeepItReal]

On 5/1/2025 at 1:00 AM, Becket said:

I went to a doctor I had never seen before and began filling out the necessary paperwork. On the first information page, right after name and address was this question:

Do you describe yourself as:

• Straight
• Gay
• Bisexual
• It was the first time I have ever seen such a question on a medical form. This was just a regular stomach doctor, not one who focused on any sort of sexually related health. Anyone else ever seen such a thing?  Not a big deal, just curious.

To keep 'em guessing I plan to make a different choice every time! 😆

[Becket]

Since is was a stomach doctor I wonder if he wanted to know how much, if any, jizz was in my tummy. 

[SirBillybob]

The form is designed poorly. If Bisexual is the third answer option then it should be called Straighty-Gaybe unless the other two options are stated as Heterosexual, Homosexual. 

[Rudynate]

My evolution has proceeded such that I'm no longer comfortable with the label "gay."  Nothing has changed WRT my sexual behavior - I'm still exclusively a man who has sex with other men only, but "gay" just doesn't fit anymore.  If the subject comes up, I just say that I'm into men, which feels a lot more acccurate.

[+ nycman]

I hand write in “Fa**ot".

That usually stops the unnecessary "form questioning" right there.

Lord, the childish lengths we go to to censor others.
Free Speech advocates, please excuse the silly ** above.
The rest of you can suck it. 

[Redwine56]

On 5/13/2025 at 7:43 PM, JayinHKNYC said:

Agreed that behavior is more important than identity. My doctor's nurse assistant sometimes used to enter the room saying, suck any dick lately?"

If it were a male nurse, that could have been an invitation right there!  

[Redwine56]

On 6/11/2025 at 3:59 PM, Becket said:

Since is was a stomach doctor I wonder if he wanted to know how much, if any, jizz was in my tummy. 

Then they should have included the question:  "Do you swallow?"  😁

[Jakeenct]

HSS asks that question.

[+ purplekow]

I see no reason to ask that question on a form and every reason to ask that question as part of the. history taking.  I would usually ask the question in this manner.  Are you sexually active.  Most adults reply yes, many with the same old tired jokes. Not as much as I want to or some variation thereof.  After the oh you're so witty moment has passed, the next question assuming a yes to the first is:  Do have sex with men, women or both.  Which is your preferred partner?   This may lead to follow up questions such as when was the last time, how many partners etc.  Other questions such as have you knowingly had unprotected sex with Iv drug users.  Gay men.  Those questions go to both sexes.  If I sense any hesitance in the patient or I see that they are uncomfortable, I explain the need for an accurate sexual history related to possible exposure to sexually transmitted disease.  Unfortunately, I have had more than several patients come in for a routine physical who say that they have never been asked those questions by other doctors.  I explain that this is an essential part of the history but if they do not want to proceed, it would be best to find another practitioner though I will perform the rest of the exam at this time and note the request to not ask sexually related questions.   I can think of at least 5 occasions in which the answers to the questions led to HIV testing and a positive test.  I did not routinely order the test, but I always asked if they wanted to have the test done.    Of those five occasion  one was a pregnant woman who would have had the test done as part of the prenatal evaluation in any case, but she was very surprised at the result.  Another was a man in his 70s who said he had not had sex in 10 years and he had not had sex with a man for slightly longer than that.  His chief complain was fatigue.   

So while I think the question is clumbsily phrased and the whole situation could be handled more personally, I am pleased that at least the questions are being asked.  

[+ APPLE1]

I've found it to be a double edged sword. @purplekow I am by no means accusing you of this, but I think the ideal would be to find a doctor who doesn't assume my sexual orientation is the most likely cause of any complaint. If I present with stomach issues, "giardia" may belong on the possible list of causes, but it's not quite an Occam's razor simply because I am gay. 

I really wish the doctor's online profile told me THEIR sexual orientation. It might give me the best prediction for a doctor who is more "aware" of the possibilities, but not so prejudiced as to assume it was the root cause of every ailment. 

Edited July 1 by APPLE1
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