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Gay Male Fantasies and Realities
Author(s) -
Lehne Gregory K.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1978.tb02612.x
Subject(s) - fantasy , psychology , preference , interpersonal communication , developmental psychology , identity (music) , sexual identity , interpersonal relationship , human sexuality , social psychology , gender studies , sociology , art , literature , economics , microeconomics , aesthetics
The sexual fantasies of 47 gay men were studied using an open‐ended questionnaire to determine the influences of fantasy on developing a gay identity and lifestyle. Early fantasies, occurring around age 12, preceded interpersonal sexual experience by an average of four years. They functioned as a source of self‐knowledge about respondents' affectional preference and influenced early homosexual experiences. Current affectional and sexual fantasy themes were related to respondents' lifestyles or desire for a male affectional relationship.