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Sex and relationship research tends to focus on heterosexual and monogamous relationships. Population studies cannot clarify understanding or capture the nuance of relationships in the way qualitative research does. Using queer theory to plan and conduct qualitative sex and relationship research allows for inclusion, acknowledgement and documentation of diversity: gender, sex, sexuality, relationship type, social and sexual behaviour. The inclusion of diverse populations and behaviours in research means there will be a greater understanding of the range of social and sexual experiences, which can be used in writing health policy and planning services.

This paper outlines uee theo y and dis uss how it has een applied to the autho s’ Aust alian research project exploring the experiences of rural baby boomers in friends-with-benefits relationships. This qualitative, interpretive-descriptive study included semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 women and 7 men, born between 1946-1965, living in a rural area, who had had a friends-with-benefits relationship in the previous five years. A queer theory research lens has many advantages, including enhancing understanding of midlife sexuality and informing public health decision-making. These advantages are discussed; making a case for using queer theory in sex and relationship research.