Sexual Restrictions Beyond Anti-Gay Prejudice: Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Masculinity and Sexual Prejudice in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

Objective: This is the first quantitative research to investigate attitudes toward heterosexual anal and oral sex in Jamaica, compare them to anti-gay and anti-lesbian attitudes, and frame them within a broader understanding of sexual prejudice based on gender norms. Methods: Fifty Jamaican participants' attitudes toward heterosexual anal sex were as negative as attitudes toward gay male sex, and more negative than attitudes toward lesbian sex. Results and Conclusion: Negative attitudes toward male sexual behaviors were predicted by male role norms, but attitudes toward lesbian sex were not, suggesting that Jamaican anti-gay prejudice may be part of a larger set of norms that police gender-appropriate behavior.

KEYWORDS:

• Jamaica
• oral sex
• anal sex
• anti-gay prejudice
• masculinity
• male role norms