Mating Strategy Variation by Sexual Orientation

Abstract

Abstract There is tremendous variety in the sexual behaviors and mating strategies observable across individuals, genders, cultures, populations, and ecologies. One critically important variation in mating strategies among human and nonhuman animals is the extent to which they are interested in engaging in same-sex sexual behaviors and relationships. Same-sex sexual behavior has been observed in many species of mammals, including primates. Here, we focus primarily on sexual orientation and mating in humans. Specifically, we review different ways to conceptualize sex, gender, and sexual orientation and the widespread examples of same-sex sexual orientations and behaviors seen across cultures and across history. We then turn to the associations of sexual orientation to different mating behaviors and preferences, including sociosexuality and consensual nonmonogamy and preferences for physical characteristics, age, and other traits such as status and income. We also highlight mating preferences often considered by LGBTQ people when seeking mates, such as masculinity or femininity of potential partners and behavioral repertoire preferences (e.g., insertive or receptive sexual partners). Finally, we examine some of the evolutionary perspectives that have been offered to explain same-sex sexual behavior from an adaptationist or a by-product perspective. Overall, this review highlights the importance of considering the environmental, social, ecological, and evolutionary factors that concomitantly impact sexual orientation and the mating strategies of people across diverse LGBTQ identities.