Intersubjectivity in the intrapsychic sexual scripting of gay men

D. Whittier, R. Melendez

Sexual scripting theory was utilized as a framework for conducting sexual history and multiple follow-up diary interviews with 23 gay-identified men in Houston, Texas. Longitudinal interviews were conducted concerning their sexual lives, behaviours, desires and fantasies. Analysis revealed that intersubjectivity, or what individuals thought others thought of them, is a common process in participants' intrapsychic sexual scripting. Respondents utilized social structures of gender, race, class and age to make sense of their sexual lives. Importantly, gay men do not use these categories as strict 'scripts' handed to them, but rather, are active in the process of creating and employing such structures in their sexual lives.