Introduction: This research explores the identification of homosexual and heterosexual men and women receivers with lesbian protagonists of audiovisual fictions, in Spain. Methodology: The study uses a mixed method, consisting of two independent investigations whose results are interpreted together: a quantitative investigation determines the magnitudes of the effects, and a qualitative one explains the reasons for them. Results: The results show that the sex of the receivers does not affect the magnitudes of identification, but the reasons for identification. However, results show that the sexual orientation of the receiver does affect identification. Finally, they show that the reactions of heterosexual men are significantly more indifferent to lesbian characters and the stories set in lesbian communities. Furthermore, the investigation finds that the principal weight on identification derives from the affective empathy with characters. Discussion and Conclusions: The application of a mixed methodology provides depth. The use of scales in the identification of quantitative data collection requires the participant to take a position within the range of values available, but interviews of a qualitative method can reveal the extent of meanings attached to these values. As expected (H1), the content of fiction affects lesbian identification characters. The morally virtuous protagonist induces greater identification, and it is produced by similar reasonsamong populations of different sex or sexual orientation. In addition, there are reasons to refute the gender of the receiver"s affected identification with lesbian characters (H2). It also confirms that there are differences in the identification based on the general sexual orientation (H3). These differences, however, do not happen only in the general magnitudes, but in the motivations for identification. The personal resonance evoked by stories and the similarity of the stories with their own experiences, are the two important factors for homosexuals´ identification. In addition, we find that homosexuals and Revista Latina de Comunicación Social # 069-Pages 275 to 306 Funded research |

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We explore the effect of manifest sexual orientation and gender on the appreciation of lesbian narratives using a mixed-methods approach. Appreciation is a psychological response to narratives that prompts a profound perception of meaning or a motivation to create reflections or thoughts among audiences. We conducted a quantitative study that offered magnitudes of the effects of consumption, and a qualitative study to find explanations for them. Results from both studies were interpreted in a complementary, concurrent fashion. The investigation shows that sexual orientation affects magnitudes of appreciation while gender does not. Homosexuals appreciate these narratives more than heterosexuals. The study also revealed the key role played by personal relevance in the appreciation of these narratives. Our investigation provides further proof of the complementariness of both methods and the appropriateness of their combined use.

We explore factors affecting audience engagement in mainstream movies showing explicit lesbian sex. A total of 236 participants of different genders and sexual orientations completed a questionnaire measuring factors related to enjoyment immediately after watching La vie d'Adèle in commercial cinemas. Statistical analysis confirmed that positive audience engagement is explained by several factors: viewers considering that the sexual intercourse portrayed is not excessive, the artistic-dramatic justification of the scenes, the inspired appreciation, the perceived realism of the sex scenes and the sexual arousal experienced. Results also show that the use of lesbian sex as a lure is a crucial factor for eliciting enjoyment and appreciation of movies featuring images of explicit sex.