Your comment manages to be grosser than the idea of millions relying on virtual girlfriends. Kudos.

Bodies are gross? Or sexual desire is gross? I don't understand what you find gross about that statement.

Humans desiring physical connection is just about the single most natural part of the human experience - i.e: from warm snuggling to how babies are made.

That is gross to you?

Perhaps parent finds the physical manifestation of virtual girlfriends gross - i.e. sexbots. The confusion may be some people reading "a body" as referring to a human being vs a smart sex doll controlled by an AI.

The single most natural part? Doubt

I don’t doubt it. What can be more directive and natural than sex?

Gross doesn’t mean it’s not real. It’s offending sensibilities but a lot of people seem to agree with it atleast based on upvotes.

Sexual fulfillment and reproduction is at the core of every species that's ever lived. There's no need to be prude about it.

See people scammed by supposed love interests operating purely by text, and not even voice.

There is a promise of a “body” in the future in that scenario.