interesting, nonetheless. the numbers on women also gibe with anecdotal evidence of my own and makes me wonder whether generalizations can be made about women's openness to alternative views of sexual orientation (even if that openness applies only to women and not to men).
j
On Friday, November 1, 2002, at 11:29 AM, Doug Henwood wrote:
> Gay.com U.K., October 31, 2002
> http://uk.gay.com/news/7240
> 80% Of Straight Men Have Faked Being Gay At Some Point, Says Survey
> Apparently 80 per cent of heterosexual men have admitted to
> pretending to be gay at some point in their lives in order to achieve
> something of benefit, according to a survey.
> When respondents were asked to explain situations where a
> "benefit"
> may occur from pretending to be gay, popular answers included gaining
> preferable seats or upgrades when checking in for a flight, gaining
> entry to
> a fashionable club or when negotiating discounts in shops.
> The Dating Channel's panel of relationship experts, including
> Text
> Jockey's & viewers, were surveyed on the subject of sexuality and
> dating as
> part of the research required for the launch of the new gay channel
> TDC 2.
> Over 70% of straight male respondents also admitted to having
> visited
> a gay club in order to pull single women.
> Unsurprisingly the survey found that many gay people find that
> revealing their true sexuality in the work place would hinder their
> careers.
> But surprisingly the survey also found that nearly 50% of straight men
> that
> work in a media environment have felt under pressure at some point in
> their
> career to not reveal their sexuality. This shows an increasing trend
> in
> negative discrimination, claims the survey.
> The survey also found that 90% of straight women have had a one
> off
> gay sexual experience. However in most cases, the experience happened
> over
> 3 years ago.
> The survey also showed that 70% of gay people who choose to use
> alternative dating methods prefer to have their dating requirements
> dealt
> with by an agency that specialises in their own sexuality.
> Respondents felt
> that people of their own sexuality would best understand their
> requirements,
> and that issues of confidentiality and discrimination would not arise.
>