Smith, Anthony M A, Rissel, Chris E, Richters, Juliet, Grulich, Andrew E and de Visser, Richard O (2003) Sex in Australia: Sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual experience among a representative sample of adults. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 27 (2). pp. 138-145. ISSN 1326-0200

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Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of same-sex and opposite-sex attraction and experience in Australia and the prevalence of different sexual identities.

Method: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 10,173 men and 9,134 women aged 16–59 years from all States and Territories of Australia. The overall response rate was 73.1% (men, 69.4%; women, 77.6%). Men and women were asked about their experience of same-sex and opposite-sex attraction and experience along with their sexual identity. The agreement and disagreement between sexual attraction and sexual experience were explored.

Results: Among men, 97.4% identified as heterosexual, 1.6% as gay or homosexual and 0.9% as bisexual. Among women, 97.7% identified as heterosexual, 0.8% as lesbian or homosexual and 1.4% as bisexual. Among men, 91.4% reported only opposite-sex attraction and experience, as did 84.9% of women. Thus, some same-sex attraction or experience was reported by 8.6% of men and 15.1% of women. Of men, 4.2% reported sexual attraction and sexual experience that was inconsistent, as did 8.2% of women. Factors associated with this agreement or disagreement included age group, non-English-speaking background, education and socio-economic status.

Conclusion: Relatively few Australians reported a sexual identity other than heterosexual. However, both same-sex attraction and homosexual experience are more common than homosexual or bisexual identity would suggest. Reporting same-sex attraction or experience was associated with poorer mental health and is likely to reflect responses to homophobia in Australian society.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
Depositing User:	Richard De Visser
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 15:40
Last Modified:	22 Jun 2012 09:43
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/13806

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