Gay sex rates increase in America, claims new study

A recent research study has claimed more prevalent incidences of same-sex hookups among Americans more than 18 years old.

The study, titled "Changes in American Adults' Reported Same-Sex Sexual Experiences and Attitudes, 1973–2014," was published Wednesday, June 1 on the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Conducted by the General Social Survey and involving almost 34,000 respondents, the study analyzed the rate of incidences and trend of social acceptance towards men having sex with men, women having sex with women, and even bisexual intercourse.

The study indicated a risen rate of same-sex hookups among women that almost tripled at 8.7 percent in 2014 from only 3.6 percent in early 1990s, while the rate for same-sex hookups among men almost doubled from 4.5 percent to 8.2 percent.

The number of individuals who had intercourse with both male and female partners also increased from 3.1 to 7.7 percent.

American adults have also become generally more accepting of homosexual behavior — from only 13 percent in 1990 who considered same-sex behavior as "not wrong at all," the number rose to 49 percent in 2014, of which 63 percent consisted of millennials.

"What we're seeing is this movement toward more sexual freedom," said Jean M. Twenge, psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of the book "Generation Me," as quoted by Time.

"There's more freedom for people to do what they want without following the traditional, often now seen as outdated, social rules about who you're supposed to have sex with and when," Twenge analyzed.

The study concluded that a cultural change grew from mere tolerance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and their civil rights to acceptance of homosexual behavior to sexual freedom, where Americans have shown their willingness to engage in.

"Overall, it suggests that our sexuality has become much more free and open, that Americans feel much more freedom to express themselves sexually in a way that they see fit," explained Twenge. "That's why it comes down to this individualistic viewpoint: do what's right for you."