Heterosexual relationships among LGBT people explained

While LGBT people are often defined by society for their lack of heterosexual relationships, heterosexual relationships among them are fairly common (e.g., an estimated 80% of bisexuals are in opposite-sex relationships).^[1]

Transgender people can be any sexual orientation, including heterosexual. This makes a large portion of LGBT people who are in heterosexual relationships.

Statistics

A 2013 survey of LGBT Americans by the Pew Research Center found that 40% of all LGB Americans in committed relationships are in a heterosexual relationship. This includes 84% of bisexuals, 2% of gay men, and 1% of lesbians.^[2]

Differences with non-LGBT heterosexual relationships

LGBT people in heterosexual relationships will often take customs from gay or lesbian relationships they have been in the past. For example, LGBTQ people in opposite-sex relationships may continue to use terms like top and bottom. Heterosexual relationships should not to be confused with queer heterosexuality; an identity heterosexual people sometimes claim that may reflect cultural appropriation of queer in-group language.

Types

The following elements are included in such relationships

• Beards and mixed-orientation marriages
  • Lavender marriages
• Male-female bisexual couples
• Cis-trans heterosexual couples^{[3] [4] [5]}
  • Trans "chasers" often identify as heterosexual and may therefore represent queer heterosexuality^[6] 51% of men attracted to trans women identify as heterosexual.^[7] Ciswomen who pursue specifically FTMs can also be called trans-chasers. Female trans-chasers are thought to be less common than male trans-chasers because of women face a different degree of homophobia; such relationships may face less social scrutiny and stigma.
• A trans man and trans woman together.
• Queer-identifying individuals in heterosexual relationships^[8]

See also

• Mixed-orientation marriage
• Bisexuality
• Transgender sexuality

Notes and References

1. Web site: Marusic . Kristina . 2016-05-04 . Why Do So Many Bisexuals End Up In "Straight" Relationships? . 2022-03-11 . Slate Magazine.
2. Web site: Chapter 5: Identity and Community . 13 June 2013 . Pew Research Center . 2023-06-28.
3. Book: Michael Shankle . The Handbook of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Public Health: A Practitioner's Guide to Service . . 2013 . 978-1-136-57355-2 . 175 . January 10, 2016.
4. Book: Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy, Fifth Edition . . 2014 . 978-1-4625-1389-5 . 252 . January 10, 2016 . Yitzchak M. . Binik . Kathryn S. K. . Hall.
5. Web site: James . S. E. . Herman . J. L. . Rankin . S. . Keisling . M. . Mottet . L. . Anafi . M. . 2016 . The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey . National Center for Transgender Equality.
6. Weinberg . Martin S. . Williams . Colin J. . 13 July 2010 . Men Sexually Interested in Transwomen (MSTW): Gendered Embodiment and the Construction of Sexual Desire . The Journal of Sex Research . 47 . 4 . 374–383 . 10.1080/00224490903050568 . 19544216 . 24525426.
7. Rosenthal . A. M. . Hsu . Kevin J. . Bailey . J. Michael . January 2017 . Who Are Gynandromorphophilic Men? An Internet Survey of Men with Sexual Interest in Transgender Women . Archives of Sexual Behavior . 46 . 1 . 255–264 . 10.1007/s10508-016-0872-6 . 27858199 . GAMP is best considered an unusual form of heterosexuality rather than a separate sexual orientation. ... By this understanding of 'sexual orientation,' GAMP does not qualify. GAMP men in this study were indifferent between their self-reported sexual arousal by women and by GAMs; both were highly arousing to them. . 27994757.
8. Web site: February 21, 2019 . Dave . Quinn . Miley Cyrus on Being a 'Queer Person' in a 'Hetero Relationship' with Husband Liam Hemsworth . 2022-03-13 . PEOPLE.com.