Mary Beth

Sexual Dynamics Within Gay Male Couples: Sex, Power, Intimacy, and Everything in Between Mary Beth

This study investigated the interplay of genitoerotic role preference (top, versatile, bottom), sexual satisfaction, sexual fantasy-reality discrepancy, personality trait of dominance, self-perceived and relative masculinity and femininity, and sex- motives, in the sample of 301 coupled gay men, who volunteered to complete an on-line survey. Findings support the presence of cultural stereotypes that associate receptivity with femininity and submission, and insertivity with masculinity and domination, when the judgments are made regarding one?s partner, but not regarding oneself. Results also supported the notion of femininity being socially construed as the opposite of masculinity. Furthermore, the study showed the qualitative difference of the incentives sought by men in sexual interaction with one?s primary and non-primary partners, and clarified the impact of sexual practices among men on their perception of their partner, with possible implications for couple?s therapy.