Linking Social Context to Situational Context in the Study of Non-heterosexual Sexual Experience

This chapter focuses on two key methodological approaches that have proven especially useful in the course of the past two decades: ethnographic approaches that have been at the forefront of exploring the social context of non-heterosexual sexualities. And sexual diaries that have been used as a key tool for examining the situational context of non-heterosexual sexual interactions. Social networks influence the flow of information and patterns of partnership formation within sexual markets. Sexual scripts are essential elements to these “sex markets” because they are what we observe as the cultural norms by which sexual courtship occurs. Institutional spheres through which bisexual men may navigate further shape possibilities for sexual partnering. To examine the sex markets of non-heterosexual men in both Rio de Janeiro and New York City we have used ethnographic mapping as the foundational data collection method. Sexuality researchers have long posited a relationship between the related constructs of mood, emotion and mental health, and sexual behavior.