Published ahead of print 21 June 2022

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/149514

 

Bartosz Grabski, Krzysztof Kasparek, Karolina Koziara, Zofia Kania, Magdalena Mijas

 

 

The diverse joys of sex and relationships in straight, gay, and bisexual Polish men

 

Aim. The purpose of this study was to describe sexual orientations, intimate relationships, sexual behaviours, and pleasure in self-identified straight, gay, and bisexual men.
Method. The analysis drew on a database obtained from a cross-sectional online study of the sexuality of Polish straight (SM; N = 1,079), gay (GM; N = 1,704) and bisexual (BM; N = 713) men. This data was utilised to compare men from these three groups across their sexual orientations, intimate relationships and sexual behaviours, including the most pleasurable sexual activities.
Results. In general, the sexualities of GM and BM seem to be more diverse and less oriented to particular sexual activities. Sexual minority men (SMM) tended to be more often in open (nonexclusive) relationships, had more diverse sexual experiences, and enjoyed a greater variety of sexual activities. This particularly concerned BM.
Conclusions. Present analysis revealed patterns and significant differences in sexual orientations, intimate relationships, sexual behaviours, and pleasure of SM, GM and BM. The results, pointing to a greater diversity of sexual expression and preferences in SMM, may both trigger reshaping of some of the stereotypical beliefs, as well as positively influence educational (sexual education, specialized teaching) and clinical practice (more accurate assessment of patients’ needs and problems).