Researchers Examine How Love Influences Sex Among Gay and Bisexual Men

A new study conducted by researchers at George Mason University’s Department of Global and Community Health and Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion hopes to dispel some of the common myths when it comes to love and sex among gay and bisexual men. The researchers conducted an internet based survey in which more than 2,500 gay and bisexual men took part. All of the men were members of online websites facilitating social or sexual interactions with other men and were residing in the United States. On analyzing the data, the researchers found that over 92 percent of the men admitted to being in love with their partner during their most recent sexual event.

Men between 30 and 39 years of age were more likely to being in love with their partner during their most recent sexual event while those older were less uncertain of being in love or whether their partners loved them, compared to younger men. The study has been published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

“We found it particularly interesting that the vast majority of men reported sex with someone they felt ‘matched’ with in terms of love, meaning that most people who were in love had sex with the person they loved, but that there were also a number of men who had sex in the absence of love. Very few people had sex with someone they loved if that person didn’t love them back. This ‘matching’ aspect of love has not been well explored in previous research, regardless of sexual orientation”, IU School of Public Health’s Debby Herbenick said.

Source-Medindia