Sex in Australia: Sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual experience among a representative sample of adults

• Main Authors: Anthony M.A. Smith, Chris E. Rissel, Juliet Richters, Andrew E. Grulich, Richard O. deVisser
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2003-04-01
• Series: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2003.tb00801.x

Abstract Objective To describe the prevalence of same‐sex and opposite‐sex attraction and experience in Australia and the prevalence of different sexual identities. Method Computer‐assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 10,173 men and 9,134 women aged 16–59 years from all States and Territories of Australia. The overall response rate was 73.1% (men, 69.4%; women, 77.6%). Men and women were asked about their experience of same‐sex and opposite‐sex attraction and experience along with their sexual identity. The agreement and disagreement between sexual attraction and sexual experience were explored. Results : Among men, 97.4% identified as heterosexual, 1.6% as gay or homosexual and 0.9% as bisexual. Among women, 97.7% identified as heterosexual, 0.8% as lesbian or homosexual and 1.4% as bisexual. Among men, 91.4% reported only opposite‐sex attraction and experience, as did 84.9% of women. Thus, some same‐sex attraction or experience was reported by 8.6% of men and 15.1% of women. Of men, 4.2% reported sexual attraction and sexual experience that was inconsistent, as did 8.2% of women. Factors associated with this agreement or disagreement included age group, non‐English‐speaking background, education and socio‐economic status. Conclusion Relatively few Australians reported a sexual identity other than heterosexual. However, both same‐sex attraction and homosexual experience are more common than homosexual or bisexual identity would suggest. Reporting same‐sex attraction or experience was associated with poorer mental health and is likely to reflect responses to homophobia in Australian society.