Can Gay and Straight Men Really Be Friends? | Psychology Today Canada

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• CAN GAY AND STRAIGHT MEN REALLY BE FRIENDS?
• 5 REASONS QUEER PEOPLE ARE BETTER AT BEG FRIENDS WH BENEFSTAK {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY JEFF TAYLORFEBARY 19, 2020/3:55 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3712PX;WIDTH:5568PX;}FATCAMERA/GETTY IMAGA MULTI-RACIAL GROUP OF UNIVERSY STUNTS CHEERFULLY WALK DOWN A SIWALK TOGETHER. ONE STUNT IS RRYG HIS BOYIEND ON HIS BACK.BY JEFF TAYLORFEBARY 19, 2020 / 3:55 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"5 REASONS QUEER PEOPLE ARE BETTER AT BEG FRIENDS WH BENEFS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-02-19T20:55:30.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-02-19T20:55:30.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JEFF TAYLOR","KEYWORDS":"LOVE AND SEX","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MAKG A IENDS-WH-BENEFS SUATN WORK WELL FOR EVERYONE VOLVED N BE TRICKY, BUT REWARDG WHEN DONE WELL. SO, HOW DO ONE DO WELL? FOR ONE THG, TURNS OUT CISHETS ULD LEARN A THG OR TWO, OR FIVE, OM LGBTQ PEOPLE, WHO DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT IS, ACRDG TO MICHAEL IAN ROTHENBERG, PH.D., LCSW, A PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND SEX AND RELATNSHIP UNSELOR. HE SPOKE WH NEWNOWNEXT TO GIVE SIGHTS TO HOW TO MAKE THIS KD OF PAIRG SUCCSFUL, AS WELL AS SOME CLU TO WHY QUEER PEOPLE SEEM TO PULL OFF MORE EASILY THAN THEIR STRAIGHT, CISGENR UNTERPARTS.GETTY IMAGGAY UPLE EMBRACG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HANDFUL OF STUDI THAT EXIST LOOKG AT THE TOPIC PRIMARILY FOC ON HETEROSEXUAL UPL, AND SHOW THAT WHILE MANY REPORT A GOOD EXPERIENCE, A NOT-SIGNIFINT PORTN ALSO WALK AWAY OM THE EXPERIENCE FEELG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, A STUDY OM 2012 FOUND 40% OF RPONNTS SAID THEY DID NOT WISH TO ENTER ANOTHER IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP. A YEARLONG STUDY PRENTED 2014, WHICH WAS ALSO PREDOMANTLY HETEROSEXUALLY FOCED, FOUND 31% HAD CUT OFF ALL NTACT WH THEIR FORMER IEND WH BENEFS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO, OBVLY THE STAK ARE HIGH, AND THERE REMAS ROOM FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE IMPACTS OF A SMALLER DATG POOL THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGGROUP OF IENDS HAVG BARBECUE TOASTG AT TABLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OKAY, SO NOT ALL OF THE ARE NECSARILY GOG TO BE ACTNABLE FOR NON-LGBTQ PEOPLE, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS QUEER FOLKS ARE BETTER AT MAKG IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIPS WORK APPEARS TO BE DOWN TO EXISTG A SMALLER DATG POOL. THAT RULTS MANY NEEDG TO FD A WAY TO CULTIVATE A HIGHER EMOTNAL TELLIGENCE ORR TO AVOID UNPLEASANT FEELGS LIKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BEE [LGBTQ PEOPLE] HAVE A SMALLER DATG POOL, CHANC ARE THAT THEY'VE ALREADY DATED IENDS, OR DATED THE EX OF IENDS, OR IENDS OF IENDS," ROTHENBERG NOT. "SO, THERE'S SOME EXPOSURE TO TO START WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNRSTANDG SEX =/= LOVEBDLM/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEX AND LOVE ARE A GREAT BATN, BUT THEY ARE CERTALY NOT THE SAME THG. ACRDG TO ROTHENBERG, LGBTQ PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE A BETTER GRASP OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE REPORTS HIS LGBTQ CLIENTELE SEEM TO HAVE A GREATER ABILY TO NOT NFLATE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOG SO ERRONEOLY "CREAT CHALLENG DOWN THE ROAD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONE OF THE L OF THUMBS IS YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T GET TO A IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP WH SOMEONE YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO HAVE A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COMMUNITN IS KEY CAREY KIRKELLA/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE LGBTQ MUNY IS FULL OF TALKERS. TURNS OUT, ALL THAT SHARG AND RG IS PECIALLY EFUL WHEN MUNITG WANTS, NEEDS, EXPECTATNS, AND BOUNDARI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT SEEMS THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO TALK ABOUT SEX. WHERE SOME OF MY CIS, HETERO CLIENTELE, THEY STGGLE WH , THEY STGGLE TALKG ABOUT SEX AND SEXUALY, AND THEY KD OF THK 'S ONE OF THE THGS THAT'S JT GONNA WORK SELF OUT DOWN THE ROAD," SAYS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BUT REALY, SEX A FORM OF MUNITN, AND 'S THE TYPE OF MUNITN THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE STGGLE WH. WH THE LGBTQ POPULATN, THGS HAVE TO BE TALKED ABOUT, AND PEOPLE ARE MORE FORTABLE TALKG ABOUT ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK SENSE, PECIALLY A WORLD WHERE WE HAVE E TO ASK QUTNS LIKE, "TOP, BOTTOM, OR VERS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROTHENBERG NOT THAT "HONTY, TST, AND MUNITN" ARE THE BUILDG BLOCKS OF ANY GOOD RELATNSHIP, AND ENURAG THOSE THKG ABOUT BEG IENDS WH BENEFS TO ASK THEMSELV QUTNS LIKE: "WHAT HAPPENS IF WE MOVE ON?" AND, "IF WE MEET OTHER PEOPLE, N THE IENDSHIP SURVIVE?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}APPS, APPS, AND MORE APPSLEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: THE "GRDR" APP LOGO IS SEEN AMONGST OTHER DATG APPS ON A MOBILE PHONE SCREEN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2016 LONDON, ENGLAND. FOLLOWG A NUMBER OF ATHS LKED TO THE E OF ANONYMO ONLE DATG APPS, THE POLICE HAVE WARNED ERS TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS VOLVED, FOLLOWG THE GROWTH THE SLE OF VLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSLTS LKED TO THEIR E. (PHOTO BY LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF URSE, STRAIGHT PEOPLE HAVE APPS TOO, BUT NOBODY DO DATG AND HOOKUP APPS LIKE QUEER FOLKS; PECIALLY HOOKUP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THK THE ADVENT OF THE APPS HAS MA EASIER TO FD IENDS WH BENEFS," ROTHENBERG SAYS. "IT JT FACILAT NTACT A WHOLE DIFFERENT WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ADDS THAT HE THKS "GRDR RMED TR," BEE TR WAS PRENTED MORE AS A DATG SE, WHEREAS GRDR "HAS ALWAYS KD OF HAD THE REP OF BEG A HOOKUP SE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"TR HAS KD OF MOVED MORE THAT DIRECTN," HE NTU. AS A RULT, HE FEELS CISHETS ARE BEGNG TO FEEL LS SHAME AROUND G APPS TO FD HOOKUPS, BE THEY ONE-OFFS OR A MORE NSISTENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MAYBE THERE IS A LTLE LS STIGMA THE LAST UPLE OF YEARS. I WOULD SAY I'M SEEG THAT ACTUALLY REFLECTED THE OFFICE," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU'RE WELE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LS SHAMEEMMANUELE CONTI/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGPEOPLE ATTEND THE 'FOLSOM EUROPE' ANNUAL STREET FETISH FTIVAL BERL, GERMANY ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2019. (PHOTO BY EMMANUELE CONTI/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE FEELGS OF SHAME AND GUILT AROUND SEXUALY ARE NO ONE MOGRAPHIC'S EXCLIVE DOMA, WHEN YOU EXIST A SUBCULTURE THAT HAS BEEN HISTORILLY LOOKED DOWN UPON BY THE MASS AROUND THE TOPIC, WHERE EVEN THE MOST VANILLA OF SAME-SEX ACTS IS SEEN BY MANY AS ABERRANT BEHAVR, THE OUTLOOK IS A B {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE STRAIGHT UPL AND DIVIDUALS THAT I WORK WH, WHEN THEY'RE A IENDS-WH-BENEFS SUATN, THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT WH PEOPLE. THEY KEEP A SECRET," ROTHENBERG OBSERVERS. "THERE'S A LOT OF GUILT AND SHAME ATTACHED TO FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SAYS FEELG LIKE THEY MT KEEP THE RELATNSHIP TO THEMSELV MAK HARR TO NAVIGATE, AND ALSO MORE DIFFICULT WHEN TO AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'M GOG TO SEE MORE SECRECY, MORE GUILT, MORE SHAME, AND MORE DIFFICULTY AFTER THE END OF THE IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP WH THE STRAIGHT UPL AND DIVIDUALS. BEE THEY HAVE MORE EMOTN ATTACHED TO ," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND NOT BEG ABLE TO EXPRS THOSE EMOTNS TO THOSE CLOST TO THEM N ONLY MAKE THE NEGATIVE EMOTNS MORE TENSE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE SENSE OF AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS JT ONE OF MANY REASONS PAYS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE GAY IEND YOUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}LOVE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• WHY STRAIGHT WOMEN AND GAY MEN MAKE THE BT OF FRIENDS
• GAY MEN AND STRAIGHT MEN AS FRIENDS

CAN GAY AND STRAIGHT MEN REALLY BE FRIENDS?

McKellan is a gay man who me out 1988, and although 33 years have passed sce he me out, n still be shockg to the world to see such a close same-sex iendship that cross sexual inti.

Along wh his supervisor, Robb Travers, he lnched a study that surveyed 350 straight men and 275 gay or bisexual men om across North Ameri. Siar to qutns that loom about whether straight men and women n ever tly be platonic iends, the same qutn lgers over the iendships between gay and straight men.

A bromosexual iendship is a nonsexual iendship between two men, where typilly one iend is gay (or bisexual), and the other is straight. In days past, this may have seemed as unlikely as a iendship between a ln and a moe, given the tradnally high levels of homophobia among straight men. McKie’s rearch reported that straight participants felt that a gay iend ma for the ultimate wgman bee the gay iend uld help to attract prospective partners for the straight iend.

5 REASONS QUEER PEOPLE ARE BETTER AT BEG FRIENDS WH BENEFSTAK {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY JEFF TAYLORFEBARY 19, 2020/3:55 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3712PX;WIDTH:5568PX;}FATCAMERA/GETTY IMAGA MULTI-RACIAL GROUP OF UNIVERSY STUNTS CHEERFULLY WALK DOWN A SIWALK TOGETHER. ONE STUNT IS RRYG HIS BOYIEND ON HIS BACK.BY JEFF TAYLORFEBARY 19, 2020 / 3:55 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"5 REASONS QUEER PEOPLE ARE BETTER AT BEG FRIENDS WH BENEFS","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-02-19T20:55:30.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-02-19T20:55:30.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JEFF TAYLOR","KEYWORDS":"LOVE AND SEX","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MAKG A IENDS-WH-BENEFS SUATN WORK WELL FOR EVERYONE VOLVED N BE TRICKY, BUT REWARDG WHEN DONE WELL. SO, HOW DO ONE DO WELL? FOR ONE THG, TURNS OUT CISHETS ULD LEARN A THG OR TWO, OR FIVE, OM LGBTQ PEOPLE, WHO DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT IS, ACRDG TO MICHAEL IAN ROTHENBERG, PH.D., LCSW, A PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND SEX AND RELATNSHIP UNSELOR. HE SPOKE WH NEWNOWNEXT TO GIVE SIGHTS TO HOW TO MAKE THIS KD OF PAIRG SUCCSFUL, AS WELL AS SOME CLU TO WHY QUEER PEOPLE SEEM TO PULL OFF MORE EASILY THAN THEIR STRAIGHT, CISGENR UNTERPARTS.GETTY IMAGGAY UPLE EMBRACG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE HANDFUL OF STUDI THAT EXIST LOOKG AT THE TOPIC PRIMARILY FOC ON HETEROSEXUAL UPL, AND SHOW THAT WHILE MANY REPORT A GOOD EXPERIENCE, A NOT-SIGNIFINT PORTN ALSO WALK AWAY OM THE EXPERIENCE FEELG THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN FACT, A STUDY OM 2012 FOUND 40% OF RPONNTS SAID THEY DID NOT WISH TO ENTER ANOTHER IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP. A YEARLONG STUDY PRENTED 2014, WHICH WAS ALSO PREDOMANTLY HETEROSEXUALLY FOCED, FOUND 31% HAD CUT OFF ALL NTACT WH THEIR FORMER IEND WH BENEFS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO, OBVLY THE STAK ARE HIGH, AND THERE REMAS ROOM FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE IMPACTS OF A SMALLER DATG POOL THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGGROUP OF IENDS HAVG BARBECUE TOASTG AT TABLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OKAY, SO NOT ALL OF THE ARE NECSARILY GOG TO BE ACTNABLE FOR NON-LGBTQ PEOPLE, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS QUEER FOLKS ARE BETTER AT MAKG IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIPS WORK APPEARS TO BE DOWN TO EXISTG A SMALLER DATG POOL. THAT RULTS MANY NEEDG TO FD A WAY TO CULTIVATE A HIGHER EMOTNAL TELLIGENCE ORR TO AVOID UNPLEASANT FEELGS LIKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BEE [LGBTQ PEOPLE] HAVE A SMALLER DATG POOL, CHANC ARE THAT THEY'VE ALREADY DATED IENDS, OR DATED THE EX OF IENDS, OR IENDS OF IENDS," ROTHENBERG NOT. "SO, THERE'S SOME EXPOSURE TO TO START WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}UNRSTANDG SEX =/= LOVEBDLM/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEX AND LOVE ARE A GREAT BATN, BUT THEY ARE CERTALY NOT THE SAME THG. ACRDG TO ROTHENBERG, LGBTQ PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE A BETTER GRASP OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE REPORTS HIS LGBTQ CLIENTELE SEEM TO HAVE A GREATER ABILY TO NOT NFLATE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOG SO ERRONEOLY "CREAT CHALLENG DOWN THE ROAD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ONE OF THE L OF THUMBS IS YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T GET TO A IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP WH SOMEONE YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO HAVE A LONG-TERM RELATNSHIP WH."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COMMUNITN IS KEY CAREY KIRKELLA/GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE LGBTQ MUNY IS FULL OF TALKERS. TURNS OUT, ALL THAT SHARG AND RG IS PECIALLY EFUL WHEN MUNITG WANTS, NEEDS, EXPECTATNS, AND BOUNDARI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IT SEEMS THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO TALK ABOUT SEX. WHERE SOME OF MY CIS, HETERO CLIENTELE, THEY STGGLE WH , THEY STGGLE TALKG ABOUT SEX AND SEXUALY, AND THEY KD OF THK 'S ONE OF THE THGS THAT'S JT GONNA WORK SELF OUT DOWN THE ROAD," SAYS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"BUT REALY, SEX A FORM OF MUNITN, AND 'S THE TYPE OF MUNITN THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE STGGLE WH. WH THE LGBTQ POPULATN, THGS HAVE TO BE TALKED ABOUT, AND PEOPLE ARE MORE FORTABLE TALKG ABOUT ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK SENSE, PECIALLY A WORLD WHERE WE HAVE E TO ASK QUTNS LIKE, "TOP, BOTTOM, OR VERS?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ROTHENBERG NOT THAT "HONTY, TST, AND MUNITN" ARE THE BUILDG BLOCKS OF ANY GOOD RELATNSHIP, AND ENURAG THOSE THKG ABOUT BEG IENDS WH BENEFS TO ASK THEMSELV QUTNS LIKE: "WHAT HAPPENS IF WE MOVE ON?" AND, "IF WE MEET OTHER PEOPLE, N THE IENDSHIP SURVIVE?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}APPS, APPS, AND MORE APPSLEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGLONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: THE "GRDR" APP LOGO IS SEEN AMONGST OTHER DATG APPS ON A MOBILE PHONE SCREEN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2016 LONDON, ENGLAND. FOLLOWG A NUMBER OF ATHS LKED TO THE E OF ANONYMO ONLE DATG APPS, THE POLICE HAVE WARNED ERS TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS VOLVED, FOLLOWG THE GROWTH THE SLE OF VLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSLTS LKED TO THEIR E. (PHOTO BY LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OF URSE, STRAIGHT PEOPLE HAVE APPS TOO, BUT NOBODY DO DATG AND HOOKUP APPS LIKE QUEER FOLKS; PECIALLY HOOKUP {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THK THE ADVENT OF THE APPS HAS MA EASIER TO FD IENDS WH BENEFS," ROTHENBERG SAYS. "IT JT FACILAT NTACT A WHOLE DIFFERENT WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ADDS THAT HE THKS "GRDR RMED TR," BEE TR WAS PRENTED MORE AS A DATG SE, WHEREAS GRDR "HAS ALWAYS KD OF HAD THE REP OF BEG A HOOKUP SE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"TR HAS KD OF MOVED MORE THAT DIRECTN," HE NTU. AS A RULT, HE FEELS CISHETS ARE BEGNG TO FEEL LS SHAME AROUND G APPS TO FD HOOKUPS, BE THEY ONE-OFFS OR A MORE NSISTENT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MAYBE THERE IS A LTLE LS STIGMA THE LAST UPLE OF YEARS. I WOULD SAY I'M SEEG THAT ACTUALLY REFLECTED THE OFFICE," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOU'RE WELE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LS SHAMEEMMANUELE CONTI/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGPEOPLE ATTEND THE 'FOLSOM EUROPE' ANNUAL STREET FETISH FTIVAL BERL, GERMANY ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2019. (PHOTO BY EMMANUELE CONTI/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE FEELGS OF SHAME AND GUILT AROUND SEXUALY ARE NO ONE MOGRAPHIC'S EXCLIVE DOMA, WHEN YOU EXIST A SUBCULTURE THAT HAS BEEN HISTORILLY LOOKED DOWN UPON BY THE MASS AROUND THE TOPIC, WHERE EVEN THE MOST VANILLA OF SAME-SEX ACTS IS SEEN BY MANY AS ABERRANT BEHAVR, THE OUTLOOK IS A B {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE STRAIGHT UPL AND DIVIDUALS THAT I WORK WH, WHEN THEY'RE A IENDS-WH-BENEFS SUATN, THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT WH PEOPLE. THEY KEEP A SECRET," ROTHENBERG OBSERVERS. "THERE'S A LOT OF GUILT AND SHAME ATTACHED TO FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE SAYS FEELG LIKE THEY MT KEEP THE RELATNSHIP TO THEMSELV MAK HARR TO NAVIGATE, AND ALSO MORE DIFFICULT WHEN TO AN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'M GOG TO SEE MORE SECRECY, MORE GUILT, MORE SHAME, AND MORE DIFFICULTY AFTER THE END OF THE IENDS-WH-BENEFS RELATNSHIP WH THE STRAIGHT UPL AND DIVIDUALS. BEE THEY HAVE MORE EMOTN ATTACHED TO ," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND NOT BEG ABLE TO EXPRS THOSE EMOTNS TO THOSE CLOST TO THEM N ONLY MAKE THE NEGATIVE EMOTNS MORE TENSE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE SENSE OF AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT IS JT ONE OF MANY REASONS PAYS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE GAY IEND YOUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}LOVE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Other rearch has shown that women prefer iendships wh gay vers straight men, partly bee the threat or loomg qutn of sexual attractn is renred moot. However, straight men bromosexual iendships have perhaps learned how to harns this ease of iendship between straight women and gay men for their own advantage.

McKie noted that the straight men felt their gay iend was able to make succsful troductns to straight women bee the women tsted their gay male iends to troduce them to a good person. Gay men also reported unique advantag to havg a straight wgman when pursug their own datg goals. Gay men McKie’s rearch reported that their straight male iends often play the role of ‘matchmaker’ and troduce them to another of their gay iends.

The lack of petn for the same prospective partners allows the iendship to flourish a way that may be hred to some gree for gay or straight men iendships wh men who share the same sexual orientatn. For gay men, iendship qualy wh a straight male iend was particularly high when the iendship pre-dated the gay man g out. Havg a gay iend n open straight men up to thkg differently about LGBTQ people general.

WHY STRAIGHT WOMEN AND GAY MEN MAKE THE BT OF FRIENDS

Straight men also reported havg more emotnally vulnerable nversatns wh their gay iends bee they felt safer to do so, relative to attemptg to discs siar topics wh other straight men.

GAY MEN AND STRAIGHT MEN AS FRIENDS

McKie’s rearch found that straight men livg the more central parts of Canada and the Uned Stat were ls likely to report a willgns or tert havg a gay man as a iend.

But tim are changg quickly, and McKie’s rearch unrsr the special bond that n velop between gay and straight iends to the benef of both. For a long time, iendships between gay men and straight men – what some now ll “bromosexual” iendships – were unmon. Homophobia was likely one reason; another was that straight men probably assumed they didn’t have much mon wh gay men.