“We Have to Get over It”: Navigating Sex Talk Through the Lens of Sexual Communication Comfort and Sexual Self-disclosure in LGBTQ Intimate Partnerships

Abstract

This study examined the identity-laden processes of sexual communication for LGBTQ individuals in relationships. Specifically, this study analyzed open-ended descriptions of sexual communication comfort as well as the relationship between sexual self-disclosure, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual communication satisfaction. Findings suggest that there was a moderate, positive relationship between sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction, sexual self-disclosure and relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. There was a strong, positive relationship between sexual self-disclosure and sexual communication satisfaction, and sexual communication satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. Sexual communication comfort themes included comfort as relational, friends first, sex drive, social networks, gender identities, and vulnerability. These findings support and extend previous research on sexual self-disclosure and relational outcomes and introduce descriptions of sexual communication comfort to highlight the risky and necessary nature of sexual communication.