Exploring differences in Black heterosexual and queer women’s sexual experiences through a Black queer feminist lens

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to expand the empirical research on Black women’s sexualities by exploring differences in heterosexual and queer Black women’s sexual experiences including sexual pleasure, orgasms, masturbation, number of sex partners, and sexual desire through a Black queer feminist lens. This study used survey data from n = 295 Black cisgender women from phase one of the triphasic Big Sex Study. Results showed that Black queer women had more sexual partners and reported masturbating at earlier ages compared to heterosexual women. Black queer women also reported higher pleasure ratings in sexual activities, sexual intimacy, and sexual intercourse. Finally, there were differences in correlates of sexual desire between heterosexual and queer women; however, no factors were correlated with desire to engage in sexual intercourse for power and control for both groups of women. Implications for advancing sex positive research on sexually diverse Black women are included.

LAY SUMMARY

Black women’s sexology has often focused on sexual risks and heterosexual women. This study focuses on sex positive aspects including sexual pleasure, orgasms, and desire among Black heterosexual and queer women. Results showed that queer women were more likely to have higher pleasure rankings and had different correlates of desire.

Keywords:

• Black women
• Black queer feminism
• orgasm
• sexual pleasure
• desire

Acknowledgements

The RISE² Research team would like to acknowledge our community partners for all of their hard work and assistance during Phase 1 of the Big Sex Study: Tanya Bass, MEd, PhD, CHES, CSE, Robin Wilson Beattie, M. Nicole Coleman, PhD, Yarneccia Dyson, PhD, MSW, Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD, Jasmine Johnson, MSW, MA, LCSW, & Omisade Burney-Scott, & Marla Renee Stewart, MSW.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Notes

1 For the purposes of this study, queer is used as an umbrella term to capture Black women that do not identify as heterosexual and can include pansexual, bisexual, demisexual, lesbian, or gay, among other non-heterosexual orientations.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shemeka Thorpe

Shemeka Thorpe, PhD is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on the sexual well-being of Black women using sex-positive and intimate justice frameworks.

Natalie Malone

Natalie Malone, MS is a counseling psychology doctoral student at the University of Kentucky, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. Her research interests include social justice topics and love, sex, and spirituality among Black folk.

Jardin N. Dogan

Jardin N. Dogan, MEd, EdS, is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her research interests connect to race-related trauma, and drug and sexual health-related disparities. Jardin hopes to explore coping strategies to combat the impact of racism, substance use, and incarceration on the functioning of Black couples and families.

Marla R. Cineas

Marla R. Cineas is a Lecturer in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Clayton State University teaching Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology. Her research interests include Black sexualities with regards to alternative relationship and sexual modalities, as well as providing research analysis for policing in Black communities. As a certified sexologist, her current work revolves around educating and empowering young and older adults with workshops and coaching through her company Velvet Lips and the Sex Down South Conference.

Kasey Vigil

Kasey Vigil, MA is a first-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her broad research interests include sexual pleasure and the impact of shame on the sexual experiences of women and individuals that identify as LGBTQ+.

Candice N. Hargons

Candice N. Hargons, PhD is an award-winning associate professor in the counseling psychology program at the University of Kentucky, where she studies sexual wellness and healing racial trauma – all with a love ethic.