Binegative Myths in Pornography: An Examination of Sexual Behaviors and Aggression by Sexual Identity Categories

Abstract

Research suggests individuals may learn sexual attitudes and behaviors from consuming pornography. Sexual minoritized individuals (e.g. gay, lesbian, bisexual) are more likely to use online sources to learn about their identity. Therefore, the content of free online pornographic videos is important to examine. Yet there is limited research on the depiction of sexual minoritized women in pornography. This study compared the frequencies of sexual behaviors and aggression in Heterosexual (n = 594), Lesbian (n = 108), and Bisexual (n = 105) pornographic scenes. Compared to Heterosexual scenes, Bisexual scenes contained higher frequencies of sexual behaviors including fellatio, penile-vaginal sex, and anal sex. Lesbian scenes had the most depictions of female orgasm when compared to Bisexual and Heterosexual scenes, while Bisexual scenes had more depictions of male orgasm when compared to Heterosexual. There was no statistical difference in aggression toward women among categories; Bisexual scenes, however, had more depictions of aggression against men than Heterosexual scenes. These findings suggest binegative myths like hypersexuality are present in pornography.

Keywords:

• LBGT
• pornography
• lesbian
• bisexual
• sexual aggression
• sexual behaviors

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Bryant Paul and Yanyan Zhou for their contributions and assistance creating the initial coding tool for this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Notes

1 Because of the content of pornography containing behaviors between same-gender/sex individuals as well as using categories or tags with labels such as lesbian or bisexual, we are utilizing a definition of sexual minoritized that includes both behaviors as well as identity labels.

2 Categories within the heterosexual sample listed highest frequency to lowest: Pornstar, Amateur, Big Tits, Hardcore, Teen, Anal, Toys, Blonde, Brunette, Babe, Reality, Big Ass, Asian, Interracial, Ebony, Big Dick, Cumshot, Latino, Euro, Small Tit.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessamyn Bowling

Jessamyn Bowling is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She obtained her PhD in Public Health from Indiana University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona where she was a U.S. Peace Corps Fellow. Her research focuses on the subjective experience of sexual health for sexual and gender minority (such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender non-binary) individuals. Jessamyn’s interest in positive health promotion drives her focus on resilience among sexual and gender minority populations.

Niki Fritz

Niki Fritz studies health communication and sexual socialization through the media. Her recent work focuses on sexual consent and improving sexual assault prevention education. Niki is currently a doctoral candidate at the Media School at Indiana University - Bloomington planning to graduate in May 2022. Additionally, her PhD minor is in human sexuality from the Kinsey Institute and she has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Niki is a sexual, reproductive, and birth rights advocate, who hopes to use her research to create safer and more just systems for marginalized groups.