Ask the Sexpert: Why would lesbians watch gay porn?

Shanna Katz, M.Ed, ACS is a queer, kinky, board certified…

Dear Shanna,

Is it typical for lesbians to not be turned on by watching lesbian sex, but instead by watching gay (male) porn?
– Confused in Centennial

Confused –

You’d be surprised how many times I have been asked this question before. The very base level answer is that there is no “typical” in sexuality; different people are turned on by a whole variety of things, and while some lesbians may love watching porn featuring other lesbians or queer couples, others might get really turned on by watching gay men having sex with each other.

There is a joke that all lesbians love gay porn (this is played on in the movie The Kids Are Alright), but that isn’t quite true, either. As far as I know, there is no magical type of porn that all lesbians or people of any sexual identity enjoy. If you like gay porn, then stock up on it, and enjoy it; no judgment!

If your partner is worried that it means you like men, tell them not to worry; studies have shown that the types of naked bodies in photos and videos that turn us on are not always connected to the type of bodies that turn us on in current or potential partners. If you feel attracted to/turned on by your partner, that’s the best way of judging if you like them specifically.

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Shanna Katz, M.Ed, ACS

Shanna Katz, M.Ed, ACS is a queer, kinky, board certified sexologist, sexuality educator and author. From topics like vaginal fisting to non-monogamy, and oral sex to how sexuality and dis/ability intersect, she talks, writes and teaches about the huge spectrum of sexuality, both from personal and professional perspectives. She’s using her Master’s of Sexuality Education to provide accessible, open-source sex education to people around the country. For more info, please visit her sexuality education site, ShannaKatz.com.