59% OF WOMEN HAVE THIS SEXUAL FANTASY
And it might not be what you think! Picture this: In a world where the internet serves as a gateway to an endless variety of fantasies and communities, what juicy tidbits come to mind when you think about women's sexual fantasies? Perhaps images of steamy BDSM encounters, kinky role-playing, or maybe even a little naughty voyeurism come to mind. But, according to a study conducted by psychologist and sex researcher Justin Lehmiller, the real shocker lies elsewhere: A whopping 59 percent of women are getting turned on by fantasizing about... drumroll, please... sex with other women!
Embracing Fantasy
59% may be a conservative estimate because this was the number of women in the study who admitted to the fantasy. Millennials are more than twice as likely (20% vs. 7%) to identify as LGBTQ+ than the Boomer generation. Additionally, Gen Z is entering the scene, with 1 in 4 Gen Z adults in the U.S. identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; this generation is all about embracing the full spectrum of love and desire made possible by the groundwork of previous generations of queer activists.
In a world where love and desire come in countless forms, it's no surprise that many women find themselves exploring fantasies that go beyond the heteronormative. Among these fantasies, one intriguing aspect is the idea of having a romantic or sexual relationship with another woman, even if they never actually act on it.
Let's break this down a bit. Fifty-nine percent sounds like a lot, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Think of it as the number of people who admitted to checking out their favorite guilty-pleasure reality show; you just know there are plenty more doing it in secret! But why are so many women drawn to the allure of same-sex fantasies? Well, for one thing, it's a bit like dipping your toes in a pool of curiosity. Fantasies don't always translate into behavior.
Sexuality exists on a spectrum
Just because someone has a sexual fantasy about women having sex with other women doesn't necessarily mean they identify as bisexual, lesbian, queer, etc. As early as 1948, Dr. Alfred Kinsey, a renowned sex researcher, proposed that sexual orientation is not simply binary but operates on a spectrum.
The overall percentage of adults who identify as LGBTQ+ in the United States hovers around 7.1%, which doesn't come close to the 59% of women who fantasize. Many women may fantasize or have "girl crushes " without ever acting on that fantasy or even having a real desire to do so.
There's also room in this for people who identify as sexually fluid. Society imposes a rigid structure with implicit pressures to choose a label or box to fit into: straight, gay, or bisexual. However, this framework overlooks the complexities of human sexuality, blurring the lines where one can identify as heterosexual at one point in their life and then experience attraction or intimate connections with people of the same gender. Sexual attraction and fantasies are nuanced and constantly changing , and that's a beautiful thing!
Pop culture and representation matter!
Let's remember the important role of pop culture in all of this! Positive representation is helpful for marginalized people's self-esteem and validates their feelings. From TV shows to movies, books, and more, examples of women loving women are more represented now than ever. Artists like Chappell Roan, Renee Rapp, and Boygenius bring Sapphic love to the forefront of popular music, and "Bottoms," a GLAAD Award-winning film starring Ayo Edebri and Rachel Sennott, is one of the best independent films of 2023 and paves the way for more diverse narratives in pop culture.
What is your fantasy?
So what's the bottom line? Whether you're indulging in a passionate daydream or letting your imagination run wild, exploring fantasies that push the boundaries of heteronormativity can be a liberating and empowering experience. After all, who says fantasies have to follow rules? So let your imagination run wild: the only limit is the depth of your desires!