DOI
10.34296/01011009
Abstract
Researchers have argued that masturbation contributes to sexual health, yet historically, masturbation has been stigmatized (Coleman, 2003). Only a handful of qualitative studies have investigated masturbation (e.g., Fahs & Frank, 2014), and none of these studies have specifically examined queer women’s masturbation. In the current study, ten bisexual and queer women (age 19-48; 4 Black, 6 White) were interviewed about their masturbation. Using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), six themes were identified: reasons for masturbating, politics of pornography, use of sex toys, feelings after masturbation, promoting masturbation, and silence around masturbation. Implications for sexual health and counseling are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Meiller, C., & Hargons, C. N. (2019). “It’s Happiness and Relief and Release”: Exploring Masturbation Among Bisexual and Queer Women. Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education, 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.34296/01011009