ABSTRACT

This mixed-method research is the first examination of the frequency and context between straight male kisses in the United States. We utilize 442 quantitative surveys and 75 in-depth interviews among a racially diverse group of participants from 11 universities in order to understand the extend and purpose of this behavior. Overall, we found that 40% of participants had kissed another man on the cheek and 10% on the lips. Both types of kisses were generally described as non-sexual expressions of affection, occurred between friends in a range of contexts, and were predicted by positive attitudes toward gay men. Thus, we contend that same-sex kissing occurred in a greater range of contexts than previously found. We situate these findings within broader theoretical debates about masculinities and the meanings associated with heterosexual masculinity in US culture.