Demystifying Veiled Narratives of Transactional Same-Sex Sexual Engagement Among Young Adults: Textural and Structural Dimensions

Abstract

A limited corpus of phenomenological studies has explicitly examined both the textural and structural dimensions of transactional same-sex sexual engagement among young adults. The absence of in-depth qualitative inquiry creates a gap in understanding the essence of participants’ lived experiences, particularly in relation to the formation of meanings, internal processes, and contextual influences that shape their involvement. Thus, this study sought to address this gap by demystifying the veiled narratives surrounding transactional same-sex sexual engagement among young adults with the aim of uncovering the essential structures and textures of their lived experiences. Twenty five participants within the age of 18-24 from the southern part of Negros Island Region were selected through snowball for individual in-depth interview. Results and findings belied poverty as the initial force influencing young adults’ engagement in same-sex sexual activities. Rather, participation in transactional same-sex sexual engagement was found to be developed as a gradual process initiated by a combination of epistemic curiosity and peer influence, which subsequently became internalized as a compulsive tendency for a financially motivated behavior rooted in transactional sexual interactions. Participants articulated cognitive dissonance or conflicting perceptions, recognizing both the benefits and the emotional or social costs associated with their involvement. These included feelings of internal tension, concealment, and occasional stigma, juxtaposed with the perceived autonomy and financial gain derived from such activities. However, feelings of guilt associated with engagement in sexual encounters were gradually diminished through continued participation and repeated exposure. Overall, the participants’ transactional sex encounters reflected a complex interplay of necessity, adaptation, self-perception, and meaning-making within their lived experiences.