Queer Voicesgay sexgeorge mason universitysex survey

Gay Sex Study Conducted By George Mason University, Indiana University, And Online Buddies, Inc. Reveals Surprising Results

Gay Sex Study Reveals Surprising Results
|

A new study conducted by George Mason University, Indiana University, and Online Buddies, Inc. polled 24,787 gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 87 in the US.

The study aimed to "document the sexual behaviors that gay and bisexually identified men report during their most recent male-partnered sexual event and to describe the situational characteristics and participants' evaluation of these events."

The majority of the participants were white (84.6%) and identified as gay (85.9%). 57.4% received a bachelor's degree or higher.

So what did researchers find? Check out the slideshow below. To purchase the full study, go here.

Correction: An earlier version of this story mistakenly did not list Indiana University or Online Buddies, Inc. as involved in the study.

Editor's Note: The following slideshow discusses sexual activities.

2011 George Mason University Gay And Bisexual Men Sex Survey
Home Is Where The Sex Is(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
49.1% of respondents said they had had their last "sexual event" in their home and 28.6% had sex in their partner's home. 7.2% had sex in a hotel or motel, 3.7% in a public space, and 1.6% in a vehicle. Younger participants were more likely to have had sex in a vehicle and those over 40 and/or bisexual were more likely to have had sex in a hotel.
Partner Activities(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
18% said they had sex with a boyfriend/partner, 19% with a casual/dating partner, and 17.3% with a friend.
Pleasure Principle(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
Gay and bisexual men over the age of 60 reported the highest rates of arousal (80.8% and 84% respectively), while men 18 to 24 were most likely to report "little or no pleasure during the event" (11.9%).
Makes Mouths Happy(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
The most common "sexual behavior" reported during the most recent "sexual event" was giving oral sex (75%), followed by kissing on the mouth (74.8%) and receiving oral sex (73.4%).
Anal Sex Not As Popular As You Might Think(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
35.5% and 33.8% of participants engaged in receptive or insertive anal intercourse respectively. Receptive anal sex was most common among 18-24 year olds and insertive was most popular among 30-39 year olds.
The Pain Game(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
5.9% of men reported "penile" pain when engaged in insertive anal sex (and of those who reported pain 82.3% said they only felt a "little") while 85.8% of those who had receptive anal sex said they felt little or no pain.Researchers also noted "The proportion of men reporting anal/rectal pain was less common among older age cohorts and pain was significantly more likely among men who self-identified as bisexual."
Condom Use(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
32.9% of participants used a condom during their last "sexual event" and 45.5% who said they had anal sex reported using a condom.
Daddy's Little Helper(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
11.2% of men said they had used an erectile medication while 3.6% said their partner did.Only 0.08% of men between 18 and 24 used the drugs while 23.6% of men above the age of 50 and 35.7% of men above the age of 60 said they had.
O Really?(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
83.5% of respondents said they experienced an orgasm with those over 60 reporting the lowest percentages for achieving orgasm (72.9%). The study showed that men were "significantly more likely to report orgasm if their sexual partner was a relationship partner."
Combo Platter(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
Most "sexual events" involved between five and nine different sexual behaviors. The most frequent combo (16.2%) included "holding their partner romantically, kissing partner on mouth, solo masturbation, masturbating partner, masturbation by partner, and genital-genital contact." 13.4% liked this version: "holding their partner romantically, kissing partner on mouth, masturbating partner, masturbation by partner, genital-genital contacting, giving oral sex, and receiving oral sex."

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip