More Than Just Toys: LGBTQ+ People's Perceptions, Uses, and Purchase Motivations for Sex Toys

This study investigates the perceptions, attitudes, and purchasing behaviors of LGBTQ+ people toward sex toys in Türkiye, using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. A total of 590 participants completed the survey, selected from seven metropolitan cities across Türkiye, representing all geographical regions. In the qualitative phase, 21 participants were chosen from the survey respondents using purposeful sampling to capture diversity in gender identity, sexual orientation, and perceptions of sex toys. The quantitative findings revealed that trans women had the highest perception scores of sex toys, while trans men had the lowest. Queer and pansexual participants showed more positive perceptions of sex toys compared to gay participants, who had the lowest scores. Higher education was associated with more favorable perceptions. Qualitative interviews highlighted motivations, emotional processes, and personal experiences, with key themes including curiosity, consumer autonomy, and the role of sex toys in sexual subjectivity. This study emphasizes the need for inclusive and accessible sex toys that better reflect the diverse experiences of LGBTQ+ people.