The researchers collected the participant’s saliva samples, which tested their stress and disgust levels. They were also shown other basic images, such as paper clips, and disgusting images such as a bucket of maggots. When straight men look at two men kissing each other, their physiological response is the same as when they look at pictures of rotting flesh, maggots and spoiled food, according to new research.Ī group of 120 men watched a series of slideshows of straight and same-sex male couples displaying personal displays of affenction including holding hands and kissing.