TURNING UP THE HEAT

Who Says Lesbians In Relationships Stop Having Sex?

In her 1983 book American Couples, sociologist Pepper Schwartz wrote the sex drives of lesbian couples decline the fastest, branding the phenomenon the “lesbian bed death.” And while that’s a catchy phrase, it’s also a negative sexual stereotype. Also, maybe it’s wrong?

A slew of factors perpetuate the myth of lesbian bed death. German researchers say women feel horny in pursuit of a mate, but that once they find a mate their sex drives decline. Sex educator and author Tristan Taormino says all couples cool off over time no matter their orientation, and adds that just because lesbians don’t have as many advertised sexual outlets as gay men it doesn’t mean they’re any less sexual.

Dana Heller at Old Dominion University agrees. She calls lesbian bed death a heteronormative myth meant to relegate lezzies into an abnormal sexual stereotype alongside gay male promiscuity. She also notes that lesbians lack sexual role models in the media, making lesbian sex even more strange and infrequent, even to lesbians.

So, less Megan Fox, more Wanda Sykes?

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