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Local researchers look into 'Lesbian Bed Death'

Lesbian Bed Death: a concept in which lesbian couples in committed relationships have less sex than any other type of couple, and generally experience less sexual intimacy the longer the relationship lasts.

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It was back in 1983 that researchers Pepper Scwartz and Philip Blumstei published a report that concluded that lesbians have less sex in committed relationships than other couples.

While the research has been questioned, criticised and challenged over the years, the concept has stuck in queer culture.

Cheryl McKay, a researcher at Curtin University, is conducting an anonymous survey looking into the sexual activity of women in same-sex relationships and women in heterosexual relationships and she’s after people to take part.

The researchers are after: Cisgendered females (gender matches the sex assigned at birth), who are over 18 years old, Identify as exclusively heterosexual or exclusively lesbian, in a monogamous romantic relationship 
 and reside within Australia.

If this sounds like you, you can take part in the 20-30 minute survey online. The survey is anonymous and voluntary. For taking part you’ll also have the option to enter a draw to win a Coles Myer gift voucher.

If you’d like to know more about the survey you can contact Matt Tilley (08 9266 4579, m.tilley@curtin.edu.au) or Cheryl McKay (cheryl.mckay@postgrad.curtin.edu.au).

Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has approved this study (HRE2018-0271)

OIP Staff


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