Consent Across the Spectrum: Comparing Queer and Cis-Heterosexual Approaches to Sexual Agreement

Abstract

This study explores how sexual consent attitudes differ across gender identities and sexual orientations in Germany. Using a German version of two scales from the Sexual Consent Questionnaire by Humphreys and Herold (2007) and a third newly developed scale on consent negotiation tactics, data from 399 diverse online participants were collected. Results show that cisgender men find asking for consent less important (scale 1), are more likely to believe that the length of a relationship reduces the obligation to obtain consent (scale 2), and tend to normalize persuasion tactics (scale 3), compared to transgender, intersex, non-binary, and other (TIN) individuals and cisgender women. Between heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants, differences were only found on scales 1 and 3, but not on scale 2, suggesting that the attitude related to relationship length may be generally accepted across all sexual orientations, but not across all gender identities. These findings highlight how consent norms are reinterpreted across different identity groups and emphasize the need for inclusive sexual health education. Extending Humphreys’ work beyond North American heterosexual samples, this research contributes culturally and intersectionally nuanced insights to the global understanding of sexual ethics.