Why Affirming Bisexual and Pansexual Identities is Important

November 2, 2022 by Olivia Adams

“I’m not even sure bisexuality exists. I think it’s just a layover on the way to Gaytown.”  “You know, I think it’s great. He’s open to all sexual experiences. He’s...

LGBTQIA+, Psychology

Everything You Think You Know About Stonewall…Is Probably False

June 15, 2022 by Justin Lehmiller

It’s June, and that means it’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month. At this time of year, we often hear a lot about Stonewall and the night of June 27, 1969. The stories...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

A New Way of Thinking About Sexual Orientation

May 9, 2022 by Justin Lehmiller

Sexual fantasy, pornography use, and in-person sexual behavior each tell us something unique about our sexuality, which means we can’t just assume that sexual interests in one context, transcend other...

Interviews, LGBTQIA+, Psychology

The Number of Americans Identifying as LGBTQ Has Doubled in a Decade

March 14, 2022 by Justin Lehmiller

I have been studying and writing about sexual orientation and sexual identity for the better part of the last two decades. One of the most interesting things I have seen...

LGBTQIA+

The Relationship Status of LGBTQ Americans

February 28, 2022 by Justin Lehmiller

Same-sex marriage has been legal throughout the United States since 2015. So what percentage of the LGBT population is currently married now that marriage is no longer restricted based on...

Dating & Relationships, LGBTQIA+

LGBTQ Identification has Increased 41% Among US Teenagers

July 5, 2021 by Justin Lehmiller

The number of American adults identifying as LGBTQ+ is growing. As I reported earlier this year, LGBTQ+ identification in national polls has increased by about 60% from 2012 to 2020, going...

LGBTQIA+

How Similar or Different are the Sex Lives of Gay and Straight Men?

June 28, 2021 by Justin Lehmiller

Do the sex lives of men in relationships differ based on their sexual orientation? This question is difficult to answer because there’s not a lot of research out there on...

LGBTQIA+

7 Things To Know About Bisexuality For LGBT Pride Month

June 9, 2021 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexuality is one of the most misunderstood sexual orientations. So for LGBT Pride Month, let’s take a look at some of the key things scientists have discovered about bisexuality that...

LGBTQIA+

How Gay Men and Lesbians Respond to Offers of Casual Sex

May 19, 2021 by Justin Lehmiller

A lot of research has examined how men and women respond to proposals for casual sex; however, the bulk of this research has focused on people who are heterosexual. This...

Gender, LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

The Number of Americans Identifying as LGBT is Growing

March 1, 2021 by Justin Lehmiller

I’ve been studying and writing about sexual orientation and sexual identity for the better part of the last two decades, and one of the most interesting things I’ve seen in...

LGBTQIA+

The Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ Community

November 2, 2020 by Justin Lehmiller

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a powerful impact on people’s sexual and romantic lives. At the Kinsey Institute, we conducted a study to explore how people’s intimate lives have fared...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

I’m a Straight Man Who Fantasizes About Other Men: Is That Normal?

May 15, 2020 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“I am a straight and happily married man, but lately I have had fantasies about other men. Some of them are just about me and...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Five Things Science Has Taught Us About Asexuality

May 8, 2020 by Justin Lehmiller

Research has found that around 1% of the population is asexual, a term usually defined as either a lack of sexual attraction or a lack of desire for partnered sexual...

LGBTQIA+

Rates of Consensual and Nonconsensual Nonmonogamy Among Heterosexual, Gay, and Bisexual Adults

May 1, 2020 by Justin Lehmiller

I was recently invited to write a book chapter on nonmonogamy in LGBTQ+ relationships, and one of the things I wanted to do in it was compare the prevalence of...

Dating & Relationships, LGBTQIA+

Bisexual Versus Pansexual: What’s the Difference?

February 28, 2020 by Justin Lehmiller

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the difference between being bisexual versus being pansexual. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what these terms really...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Sexual Orientation Statistics For LGBT Pride Month

June 21, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

What percentage of Americans today identify as LGBT? And does this percentage differ across age groups? Also, how many Americans currently support same-sex marriage? And just how much does support...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

Seven Things You Should Know About Bisexuality For LGBT Pride Month

June 19, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexuality continues to be a widely misunderstood sexual orientation. Given that this is LGBT Pride Month, I thought it would be useful to put together an article that explores some...

LGBTQIA+

Ten Myths About Sexual Orientation Debunked By Science

June 3, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

June is LGBT Pride Month, so I'll be running several posts on LGBTQ+ issues on the blog over the next few weeks. To get us started, let's begin by debunking...

LGBTQIA+, Myth vs Fact

Is Kink a Sexual Orientation?

May 13, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

What does it say about you if you’re into kinky or BDSM sex? Is it a serious leisure activity, or is it an innate aspect of your sexuality? Could the...

Kink & BDSM, LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

The Number of Americans Identifying as Bisexual has Tripled in the Last Decade

May 6, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

The percentage of Americans who identify as LGBT is on the rise. Data from Gallup and other national surveys suggest that, as attitudes toward sexual minorities have become more positive,...

LGBTQIA+

The Sexual Fantasies of People With Non-Binary Gender Identities

April 8, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

I have written quite a bit about similarities and differences in the sexual fantasies of self-identified men and women (see here for a summary). Of course, however, not everyone identifies...

LGBTQIA+

Children of Lesbian Parents are More Likely to Identify as Gay or Bisexual

April 1, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

The idea that gay parents are more likely to have gay children has long been thought to be a myth among sexual orientation researchers. For example, a review of the...

LGBTQIA+

Why Different Sexual Orientations Exist (Video)

March 15, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense that males of a given species tend to be attracted to females and vice versa because this will encourage frequent reproduction and survival...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

Why A Lot Of Gay Men Are Attracted To Straight Men

February 27, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

Pornhub’s annual year-in-review always offers tantalizing insights into what it is that turns people on—and last year’s review was no exception. I recently wrote about some of the top search...

LGBTQIA+

The Man Who Said a Vasectomy Made Him Gay

February 22, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

I spend a lot of time reading scientific journal articles as part of my job and, every now and then, I come across a paper that makes me say “WTF?”...

LGBTQIA+

The Problem With The “Born This Way” Argument (Video)

January 11, 2019 by Justin Lehmiller

Sexual orientation is something that many people consider to be an innate characteristic—it’s something you’re born with. This idea is popular within the LGBTQ community, and it’s something that has...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

Sharing and Acting on Group Sex Fantasies: Gender and Sexual Orientation Differences

November 23, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

I surveyed more than 4,000 Americans about their sexual fantasies for my book Tell Me What You Want and I found that group sex was one of the most common...

Gender, LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Video: The Science of Being Transgender

October 5, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

Most people are cisgender, meaning that their gender identity corresponds with their birth sex; however, some people are transgender, meaning their gender identity and birth sex are different. Increasingly, scientists...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

The Stereotypes Gay Men and Lesbians Hold About Bisexual Persons

August 22, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

Sexual orientation is all too commonly viewed as an either/or proposition, meaning you’re either gay or you’re straight, and nothing in between. This view is widely held, even by many...

LGBTQIA+

5 Things You Should Know About Bisexuality For LGBT Pride Month

June 13, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexuality continues to be a widely misunderstood sexual orientation. Given that this is LGBT Pride Month, I thought it would be useful to put together an article that explores some...

LGBTQIA+

Americans’ Support for Same-Sex Marriage is at an All-Time High

June 8, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic change in support for same-sex marriage in the United States. Consider this: in 2007, the Pew Research Center conducted a national...

LGBTQIA+

10 Myths About Sexual Orientation Debunked By Science

June 1, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

In recognition of June being LGBT Pride Month, I'll be running several LGBT-themed posts on the blog over the next few weeks. To start us off, let's debunk some of...

LGBTQIA+

Why Our Sexual Identities and Sexual Behaviors Don’t Always Line Up

May 30, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

What percentage of the population is gay or bisexual? This is a surprisingly difficult question to answer because depending on the definition of sexual orientation you use—sexual identity, sexual attraction,...

LGBTQIA+

In the Netherlands, Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Are More Mixed Than You Might Think

May 16, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

The Netherlands is often seen as a utopia for people who are attracted to the same sex—and this view is perfectly understandable when you look at how homosexuality has historically...

LGBTQIA+

The Link Between Homophobia and Insomnia and Why It Matters For LGB Health

April 30, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

Sexual minority individuals—that is, people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, or who otherwise report same-sex attraction or behavior—are at increased risk for developing a number of physical health...

LGBTQIA+

How Many Gay Men Say They Are Bisexual When They’re Coming Out?

April 16, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

In an episode of the classic television series Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw discovers that a guy she's seeing has dated both men and women. Uncomfortable with the thought...

LGBTQIA+

Shades of Gay: Is There a Real Difference Between a Kinsey 5 and a Kinsey 6?

March 26, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

People tend to think about sexual orientation in terms of a small number of distinct categories—most commonly, straight, bisexual, and gay. Those who subscribe to this view expect that everyone...

LGBTQIA+

What Percentage of the Population is Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual? (Infographic)

January 19, 2018 by Justin Lehmiller

How many people are lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB)? For one answer, check out the infographic below, which summarizes recent data from Britain's National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles....

LGBTQIA+

What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Sexual Orientation

November 24, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Sex scientists have a lot of tools to choose from when it comes to measuring people’s sexual orientation. However, every tool poses a unique set of challenges.The most straightforward way...

LGBTQIA+

Sexual Orientation and Mental Health: Are Bisexuals at Greater Risk for Depression and Anxiety?

November 15, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Psychologists have long known that gays and lesbians have an elevated risk of depression and anxiety compared to heterosexual individuals. This health disparity is thought to be due in large...

LGBTQIA+

The Ethics of Sexual Orientation Research: When Is Sexuality Too Risky To Study?

September 15, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

A new paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggesting that computers have better “gaydar” than humans made quite a media splash this week. Specifically,...

LGBTQIA+, Psychology

Does Everybody Have a Gay Gene?

August 9, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Where does our sexual orientation come from? That's a question that we don't yet fully understand. However, a growing body of research suggests that it may be determined, at least...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

People Are More Willing To Have Sex With Bisexuals Than Have Relationships With Them

July 12, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexual people, both male and female, tend to be stereotyped negatively. For example, they are often seen as sexually confused, secretly gay, highly promiscuous, and incapable of monogamy. These negative...

LGBTQIA+

Americans’ Support for Same-Sex Marriage is at an All-Time High—Even Among Republicans

July 5, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic change in support for same-sex marriage in the United States. Consider this: in 2007, the Pew Research Center conducted a national...

LGBTQIA+

What “Counts” As Sex To Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Adults?

July 3, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Research has found that there’s a lot of variability when it comes to what people define as “sex.” Perhaps not surprisingly, this means there’s a lot of variability when it...

LGBTQIA+

Are You Asexual? Here’s How Scientists Measure Asexuality

June 26, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Sex scientists have become increasingly interested in the topic of asexuality in the last few years. For example, they’ve published studies on everything from the genital arousal patterns of asexual...

LGBTQIA+

How Many American Adults Have Had a Same-Sex Experience?

June 14, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Since becoming an adult, how many Americans have ever had a sexual experience with someone of the same sex? And how has this number changed over time? According to a...

LGBTQIA+

What Percentage of Americans Identify as LGBT?

June 9, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

What percentage of the United States population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)? A large, nationally representative survey conducted by Gallup in 2017 put the overall number at...

LGBTQIA+

How Many Americans Identify as LGBT?

June 9, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

How many people in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)? A large, nationally representative survey conducted by Gallup last year put the overall number at...

LGBTQIA+

10 Sexual Orientation Myths Debunked By Science

June 2, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

In recognition of June being LGBT Pride Month, I'll be running several LGBT-themed posts on the blog in the coming weeks. Let's kick things off today by debunking some of...

LGBTQIA+

“Beer Goggles” Can Increase Straight People’s Attraction to the Same Sex

May 8, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Alcohol has the power to change not only the way we see ourselves, but also the way we see other people. Indeed, research has found that when we drink, we...

LGBTQIA+

How Many Straight Men Watch Gay Porn? And How Many Gay Guys Watch Straight Porn?

April 5, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

A lot of people assume that men only watch porn that is consistent with their sexual identity—in other words, that straight guys only watch straight porn, while gay guys only...

LGBTQIA+

Women’s Most (And Least) Common Reasons For Having Sex

March 20, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Both men and women report a wide range of reasons for having sex. In fact, one previous study identified as many as 237 distinct sexual motivations! But how do our...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Same-Sex Marriage May Be Good For Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Health

March 8, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Several studies have found that when laws permitting same-sex marriage are passed, the health outcomes of sexual minorities in the local area seem to improve. This holds true for indicators...

LGBTQIA+

Infographic: Rates of Orgasm by Sexual Orientation and Gender

February 27, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Much has been said and written about the "orgasm gap," or the idea that men tend to have far more consistent experiences with orgasm than women. However, the vast majority...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

Gender and Sexual Orientation Differences in Preferred Sexual Partner Age

February 15, 2017 by Justin Lehmiller

Several studies have found that men and women have different age preferences when it comes to selecting romantic and sexual partners. Generally speaking, it appears that men tend to prefer...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

Americans’ Attitudes Toward Bisexuals: Results From a National Survey

December 7, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Researchers and public polling firms alike have extensively surveyed Americans about their attitudes toward gays and lesbians in recent years. The results of their work have shown that attitudes toward...

LGBTQIA+

Infographic: Gender and Sexual Orientation Differences in Preferred Romantic Partner Age

November 24, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Several studies have found that men and women have different age preferences when it comes to selecting romantic and sexual partners, with men preferring partners who are somewhat younger and...

Dating & Relationships, Gender, LGBTQIA+

No, Homosexuality Isn’t Contagious. You Can’t “Catch the Gay”

October 21, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

A lot of people seem to believe that homosexuality is contagious--that it can spread from one person to the next through simple social contact. For example, Pat Robertson of the...

LGBTQIA+

Can Men Who Identify as Gay Still be Aroused by Women?

October 5, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Many people think about sexual orientation in terms of just three distinct categories: straight, bisexual, and gay. Those who subscribe to this view usually don’t allow for anything in between—they...

LGBTQIA+

“Transitional Bisexuality”: Why Some Gay Men First Come Out As Bisexual

September 21, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

On one episode of the popular television series Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw discovers that the guy she's currently seeing had dated both men and women in the past....

LGBTQIA+

Does “Gaydar” Really Exist? Here’s What the Science Says

September 16, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

The intuitive ability to determine whether or not someone is gay is known colloquially as “gaydar.” When people use their gaydar, they attempt to make inferences about someone else’s sexual...

LGBTQIA+

Is Asexuality a Sexual Orientation?

September 7, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

In a forthcoming issue of the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a special section will be devoted to articles that address “the puzzle of sexual orientation.” I’ve been able to read...

LGBTQIA+

Scientists Find More Evidence That Gay Men, On Average, Are Shorter Than Straight Men

August 29, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Earlier this year, a study published in the Journal of Sex Research reported that gay men, on average, tend to be shorter than their heterosexual counterparts (click here to read...

LGBTQIA+

Why Was There So Much Gay Sex At The RNC? A Social Psychologist Explains

July 27, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

At last week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, reports are that a lot of sex was going on behind the scenes—a lot of gay sex to be precise. For...

LGBTQIA+

Why Do So Many Conservative Men Wind Up In Sex Scandals With Other Men?

July 27, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

If you follow the news closely, you've probably noticed that, month after month, reports emerge about politically or religiously conservative men who find themselves embroiled in scandals in which they...

LGBTQIA+

Who’s More Well-Endowed: Gay Men or Straight Men?

July 8, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“Is it true that gay men have bigger penises than straight men?”While some research suggests that there might indeed be some truth to this idea,...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Ten Myths About Sexual Orientation, Debunked By Science

June 10, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Despite all of the social progress made by sexual minorities in recent years, numerous stereotypes and misconceptions about sexual orientation persist. Below, I correct ten of the most common false...

LGBTQIA+

Homophobia Is Bad For Public Health

June 8, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

The targets of anti-gay prejudice and discrimination tend to experience worse health outcomes. Not only does the stress of victimization put wear and tear on the body, but victims of...

LGBTQIA+

Infographic: How Americans Feel About Homosexuality Today

June 6, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Each year that he has been in office, U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month (see...

LGBTQIA+

Infographic: How A Man’s Body Image Affects His Sex Life

April 24, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

How do guys feel about their own bodies? And does a man's body image have any implications for his sex life? A new study published in the journal Psychology of...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

In Animals, Female Scarcity May Stimulate Male Same-Sex Behavior

April 15, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Sexual contact between members of the same sex has been documented in numerous animal species. Several scientific explanations for this phenomenon have been proposed over the years, many of which...

LGBTQIA+

John Oliver on the Challenges of Being Transgender (Video)

March 13, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

In the last few years, LGBT rights have advanced greatly in America; however, most of the benefits have gone to the Ls, Gs, and Bs. Far fewer have gone to...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

Study: Gay Men are Shorter on Average Compared to Straight Men

February 18, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

In recent years, scientists have found that sexual orientation is related to a wide range of physical features. Among other things, studies have reported that sexual orientation is linked to...

LGBTQIA+

Millennials Are Almost Twice As Likely To Identify As LGB Than Generation X

January 20, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Results from a new national survey reveal stark generational differences in sexual identity, attraction, and behavior in the United States today. Specifically, millennial men and women appear to be almost...

LGBTQIA+

Nearly 9 in 10 Studies of Relationships Exclude Sexual Minorities

January 14, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

If I were to tell you that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are often excluded from scientific studies of romantic relationships, I doubt you would be surprised. However, the...

Dating & Relationships, LGBTQIA+

5 Things You Should Know About Asexuality

January 13, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

A small percentage of the population is asexual. This term is often defined as either a lack of sexual attraction or a lack of desire for partnered sexual activity. Asexuality...

LGBTQIA+

Why So Many Women Are Drawn To Gay Male Porn

January 7, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

Many women find man-on-man pornography to be sexually arousing. In fact, gay male porn is the second most popular category among female visitors on some of the most popular porn...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Why So Many Women Watch Gay Male Porn

January 7, 2016 by Justin Lehmiller

There are a lot of women out there who find man-on-man pornography to be highly arousing. As some evidence of this, one of the biggest porn websites in the world,...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

5 Scientific Facts About Bisexuality

December 31, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexuality is a widely misunderstood sexual orientation that is the target of numerous myths and stereotypes. In light of this, I thought it would be useful to put together an...

LGBTQIA+

Video: This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around The World

December 7, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

The United States has made great strides toward equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans over the past 15 years. For example, same-sex marriage is now legal nationwide,...

LGBTQIA+, Videos

Bisexuality And Jealousy: Bi Men’s Jealous Feelings Depend Upon Their Partner’s Sex

November 4, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Evolutionary psychologists argue that men and women have evolved different jealousy patterns. They claim that men are more worried about their partners becoming sexually unfaithful, while women are more concerned...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: I’m A Man Married To A Woman And I Masturbate To Gay Porn. Is That Common?

November 3, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“I'm a married guy in my mid-40s. I'm happily married and travel a lot for work. Since my teens I've been an avid masturbator. I...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Interest In Consensual Nonmonogamy Among Sexual Minority Men and Women

October 17, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Open relationships are widely believed to be more common in the gay community than they are in the rest of the population—and scientific research seems to back this up. For...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: How Many Straight People Have Had Same-Sex Partners?

August 3, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“How common is it for straight guys to experiment with other guys?”Good question! Although there is a common tendency to think that anyone can be...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Infographic: Same-Sex Marriage Around The World

July 23, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

People and governments across the globe have been working to legalize same-sex marriage for the last 15 years. At first, the rate of legalization was best described as a slow...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Is It Common To Not Know Your Sexual Orientation?

July 22, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“Is it normal to not know your sexual orientation?”This is a really interesting question, so thanks for asking it! I’m going to assume that by...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Video: Transforming Gender

June 3, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

In the last few weeks, Caitlyn Jenner has become the public face of transgenderism around the world. Jenner's courageous decision to undergo her transition in the public eye has undoubtedly...

LGBTQIA+

Setting The Record Straight On Sexual Orientation: 8 Myths Debunked By Science

June 3, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Each year that he has been in office, U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month (see...

LGBTQIA+

Is Same-Sex Attraction “Contagious” Within Adolescent Social Networks?

April 24, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Many parents believe that homosexuality is contagious, being transmitted through social contact. In fact, some of them endeavor to keep their children away from gay and lesbian peers out of...

LGBTQIA+

Willingness To Date Bisexuals Among Gay And Straight Men And Women

April 17, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexual persons are frequently stereotyped as being sexually confused, secretly gay, highly promiscuous, and incapable of maintaining a monogamous relationship. These negative views of bisexuals are held by many heterosexuals,...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Is “Lesbian Bed Death” A Real Thing?

March 20, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

A reader submitted the following question:“Is there any truth to the concept of lesbian bed death, or is this just an urban legend?”Thanks for this great question. “Lesbian bed death”...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Do Asexual People Masturbate And Have Sexual Fantasies?

January 31, 2015 by Justin Lehmiller

Asexuality is a sexual orientation that is often characterized as a lack of sexual attraction. Research suggests that up to 1% of the population may be asexual and, further, that...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

More Scientific Evidence That Bisexuality Is A Distinct Sexual Orientation

October 31, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Bisexuality is a controversial sexual orientation among both scientists and laypersons alike. Indeed, there is a popular stereotype that bisexuality “is just a layover on the way to gaytown” (if...

LGBTQIA+

10 Scientific Facts About Sexual Orientation

September 19, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about sexual orientation concerning everything from the origin of homosexuality to the sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals....

LGBTQIA+

Lesbians May Have Sex Less Often, But When They Do It, They Make It Count

September 12, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the past 30 years, much has been said and written about “lesbian bed death,” or the idea that long-term romantic relationships between women tend to be characterized by rather...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: If A Guy Likes Bisexual And Transsexual Porn, Is He Gay?

September 11, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a heterosexually-identified male reader who wanted to know the following:“How common...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Rates Of Orgasm By Sexual Orientation And Gender (Infographic)

August 29, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

The orgasm gap (which refers to the idea that men have more consistent experiences with orgasm than women) has been widely publicized. To date, however, research on this topic has...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

Sexual Orientation Stats In The United States (Infographic)

August 13, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

One of the most common questions I receive about sexual orientation concerns the percentage of the population that is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. People seem to have wildly different ideas...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Is Bisexuality More Common In Women Or Men?

July 31, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a reader who wanted to know more about the topic of...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Bug Chasing and Gift Giving: The Underground Culture Where HIV Is Fetishized

April 25, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

A new porn film entitled Viral Loads has earned quite a bit of attention for its graphic depictions of guys who are eager to give and receive HIV through man-on-man...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Are Religiously Motivated People Able To Change Their Sexual Orientation?

March 31, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Historically and even today, many religious groups and organizations have promoted the view that any sexual activity outside the context of heterosexual marriage is immoral and harmful. One of the...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: How Does Female-To-Male Sex Reassignment Surgery Work?

March 7, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a reader who wanted to know the following:For female-to-male transsexual individuals,...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

How Is Michigan Defending Its Gay Marriage Ban? With Pseudoscience Aplenty

March 5, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

There are currently more than two dozen legal challenges to gaymarriage bans working their way through the U.S. court system. In several of those cases, state attorneys have refused to...

LGBTQIA+

Could Homophobia Be Hazardous To Your Health?

February 26, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Several studies have found that people who are frequent victims of anti-gay prejudice and discrimination report worse health. Not only does the stress of victimization put wear and tear on...

LGBTQIA+

Women Aren’t The Only Ones Who Are Sexually Fluid—Men Have A Pretty “Flexible” Sexuality Too

February 24, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the last decade, the concept of sexual fluidity has drawn great attention from both scientists and the general public alike. In case you aren’t familiar with it, the basic...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

Dear President Putin: Homosexuality And Pedophilia Are Not The Same Thing

January 17, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

In a recent media interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to reassure the world that gay and lesbian visitors should not be afraid of attending this year's Olympics in Sochi....

LGBTQIA+

Myths About Lesbian Sex Debunked By Science

January 1, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

When it comes to lesbian sex, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions. On the one hand, many people think lesbians are constantly “scissoring,” and on the other hand,...

LGBTQIA+

Can Science Help Reduce GLBT Hate Crimes?

September 6, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Hate crimes are an all too common reality in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. There have been countless instances in recent years in which GLBT persons have...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Can A Man Fantasize About Another Man And Still Be “Straight?”

September 6, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a reader who wanted to know whether a guy can still...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Men’s And Women’s Attitudes Toward Male And Female Bisexuals

August 7, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the past two decades, psychologists have devoted significant research attention to understanding the origin and nature of prejudice against gays and lesbians. At the same time, prejudice against bisexuals...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

Sexual Behaviors Of Bisexual Men (Infographic)

July 3, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Most research on men's sexual behaviors describes guys as either men who have sex with women (MSW) or men who have sex with men (MSM). Rather than treating bisexual men...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Sex Question Friday: What Do We Know About Asexuality?

June 14, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a reader who wanted to know more about asexuals, or persons...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Americans’ Views On Sexual Morality Are Changing

June 7, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Gallup recently conducted their annual Values and Beliefs survey and discovered that Americans’ views on sexual morality have shifted significantly in the last dozen years, with particularly notable changes in...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Born Both Ways: Is It Evolutionarily Adaptive For Women To Have A Fluid Sexuality?

May 15, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Same-sex behavior has long been a conundrum for evolutionary psychologists. From an evolutionary standpoint, a trait cannot evolve unless it is linked to reproductive success (i.e., it has to help...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Are Bisexuals Usually More Attracted To One Sex?

May 10, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer people’s questions about sex, love, and relationships. This week’s question comes from a reader who wanted to know whether it is common for...

LGBTQIA+

Are Bisexual Guys More Sexually Jealous When They’re Dating Men Or Women?

April 29, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Many psychologists believe that jealousy has evolutionary roots. The theory is that heterosexual men evolved a tendency to worry about their partner being sexually unfaithful because they want to avoid...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

What Percentage Of The Population Is LGBT?

April 22, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

How many people in the United States identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered (LGBT)? A recent Gallup poll that received a lot of media attention put the overall number...

LGBTQIA+

Same-Sex Marriage Is Good For Gay and Lesbian Health

March 18, 2013 by Justin Lehmiller

Relationship scientists have known for decades that married people are healthier and live longer lives than their single counterparts.1 However, virtually all of the research conducted to date has focused...

LGBTQIA+

Adopted Children Do Just As Well Regardless Of Their Parents’ Sexual Orientation

December 26, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Earlier this year, a study was released suggesting that children are better off when raised by heterosexual couples than by same-sex couples [1]. That study received widespread media attention, despite...

LGBTQIA+, Media & Culture

How Accurate Is “Gaydar?”

November 21, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Gaydar refers to the ability to categorize people as gay or straight on the basis of indirect information (e.g., a person’s speech patterns or movement). Gaydar is used by people...

LGBTQIA+

5 Myths About Homosexuality Debunked By Science

September 28, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

There are countless myths and stereotypes about gays and lesbians spanning everything from their mannerisms to their sex lives to the nature of their relationships. In this article, I will...

LGBTQIA+, Myth vs Fact

Do Gay Men’s Sex Lives Match Up With The Stereotypes?

September 12, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

There are several common stereotypes about the sex lives of gay men. One of the most prevalent is that anal sex is the primary (if not only) sexual activity that...

LGBTQIA+, Myth vs Fact

Is Having A High Sex Drive Linked To Increased Attraction To Both Men And Women?

August 13, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

According to classic psychological learning theory, having a higher drive increases the probability of engaging in dominant (i.e., well-learned) behaviors; at the same time, the likelihood of engaging in non-dominant...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

The Eyes Are The Window To Our Sexual Orientation?

August 6, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Scientists who want to study what people find sexually arousing usually face a few major challenges. For one thing, simply asking people how aroused they feel in response to a...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Are Women Really More Likely To Be Bisexual Than Men?

July 30, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

I recently posted an article in which I concluded that “while it is indeed possible for both men and women to be bisexual, evidence from a variety of sources suggests...

Gender, LGBTQIA+

How Does Parenthood Affect The Sex Lives And Relationships Of Gay Men?

July 18, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Researchers have known for years that parenthood has some predictable effects on heterosexual couples. Specifically, relationship satisfaction typically decreases [1] and sexual activity usually drops off markedly once kids enter...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Ed

Do Straight Couples Really Make Better Parents Than Gay Couples?

June 13, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Every time a new study comes out comparing the outcomes of children raised by same-sex and heterosexual couples, it garners a huge amount of media attention. It doesn’t matter what...

LGBTQIA+, Media & Culture

Why Are Some People Against Same-Sex Marriage?

May 14, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Everyone was talking about same-sex marriage last week. First, voters in North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment banning legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Just a day later, even bigger news...

LGBTQIA+

Sex Question Friday: Are Women More Likely To Be Bisexual Than Men?

May 4, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer sex questions submitted to me by actual college students. This week, we’re talking about bisexuality. Many students have asked me whether it is...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Sex Question Friday: What Does a Gay Brain Look Like?

April 20, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Every Friday on the blog, I answer sex questions submitted to me by actual college students. This week’s question hits on a topic many people are curious about: the origin...

LGBTQIA+, Sex Q&A

Are Homophobic People Repressing Their Own Same-Sex Desires?

April 9, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

The idea that homophobia stems from fears of one’s own homosexuality has received a lot of public validation in recent years. From evangelical preacher Ted Haggard to former U.S. Senator...

LGBTQIA+

What Role Do Investments Play in Gay Relationships?

January 27, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

There is a large amount of research showing that commitment to a romantic partner depends upon how many investments have been put into that relationship [1]. Investments is very broad...

Dating & Relationships, LGBTQIA+

What Percentage of the Population is Gay?

January 16, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

Every semester, students in my Human Sexuality course ask me what percentage of the population is gay or lesbian. Before answering this question, I usually give the class an opportunity...

LGBTQIA+

Are Bisexual People Equally Aroused By Men And Women?

January 2, 2012 by Justin Lehmiller

“I’m not even sure bisexuality exists. I think it’s just a layover on the way to gaytown.”– Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City)Many of you are probably familiar with the...

LGBTQIA+, Myth vs Fact, Sex Ed

We Know Marriage Is Good For Straight Men’s Health, But What About Gay Men?

December 27, 2011 by Justin Lehmiller

Researchers have known for years that marriage seems to give straight men a long-term health boost. For example, just consider that unmarried heterosexual men have a 250% greater mortality risk...

LGBTQIA+