Homosexual mate preferences: Does sexual orientation matter?

Given that homosexuals are attracted to same-sex mates, it is not clear to what extent their mate choice patterns mirror heterosexuals'. We asked 329 heterosexual and homosexual participants to rate themselves and photographs of models for perceived levels of symmetry, sex typicality, and physical attractiveness. Data for heterosexuals' reflected patterns predicted by Triver's parental investment hypothesis, with males prioritizing physical attractiveness more than females. As well, individuals' self-perceived quality influenced how critical they were when assessing models. Symmetry and sex typicality, biological markers linked to perceived physical attractiveness, were assessed similarly by homosexual and heterosexual participants, supporting the hypothesis that mate choice decisions are based on the sex of the individual rater. In contrast, assessment of physical attractiveness was influenced by the sex of the potential mate indicating that additional traits influence individuals' overall physical attractiveness, some of which are influenced by raters' sexual orientation as well as their biological sex.