Straight-Identified Men Attracted to Men: What’s Happening?

Posted For: Emailed to TNBD

Recent studies show that many straight-identified men feel attraction toward other guys.

A recent study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior showed that 13.2% of self-identified heterosexual men feel attracted to other men. These men are 55 times more likely than straight women to feel discomfort about their same-sex attraction. These attractions create discordant experiences, uncertainty, and ambiguity about a heterosexual person’s self-concept. Additionally, heterosexual people may fear social backlash if they identify or act in any way other than heterosexually.

Sociologists and sexologists have created different terms for straight guys who occasionally have sexual relations with men. There are “androphiles,” “g0ys,” “mostly straight” men, and straight guys who enjoy “buddy baiting” or “just helping out a friend” without risking social stigma or relationship attachments around gay romance.