Portal:Human sexuality

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Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied with historical contexts over time, it lacks a precise definition. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual response cycle.

Someone's sexual orientation is their pattern of sexual interest in the opposite or same sex. Physical and emotional aspects of sexuality include bonds between individuals that are expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of love, trust, and care. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one's sexuality, while spirituality concerns an individual's spiritual connection with others. Sexuality also affects and is affected by cultural, political, legal, philosophical, moral, ethical, and religious aspects of life.

Interest in sexual activity typically increases when an individual reaches puberty. Although no single theory on the cause of sexual orientation has yet gained widespread support, there is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males. Hypothesized social causes are supported by only weak evidence, distorted by numerous confounding factors. This is further supported by cross-cultural evidence, because cultures that are tolerant of homosexuality do not have significantly higher rates of it.

Evolutionary perspectives on human coupling, reproduction and reproduction strategies, and social learning theory provide further views of sexuality. Sociocultural aspects of sexuality include historical developments and religious beliefs. Some cultures have been described as sexually repressive. The study of sexuality also includes human identity within social groups, sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs), and birth control methods. (Full article...)

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Sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal or orgasm. According to the DSM-5, sexual dysfunction requires a person to feel extreme distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of 6 months (excluding substance or medication-induced sexual dysfunction). Sexual dysfunctions can have a profound impact on an individual's perceived quality of sexual life.

A thorough sexual history and assessment of general health and other sexual problems (if any) are very important. Assessing (performance) anxiety, guilt, stress and worry are integral to the optimal management of sexual dysfunction. Many of the sexual dysfunctions that are defined are based on the human sexual response cycle, proposed by William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson, and then modified by Helen Singer Kaplan. (Full article...)

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Carol Queen
Carol Queen
Carol Queen
Carol Queen, author, editor, sociologist and sexologist active in sex-positive feminism

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Luigi Ponelato, Il cicisbeo, etching, 1790
Luigi Ponelato, Il cicisbeo, etching, 1790
Rosemarie Nitribitt grave
Rosemarie Nitribitt grave

January-June 2006

Human sexuality in the news

16 May 2023 – LGBT rights in Namibia
The Supreme Court of Namibia recognises foreign same-sex marriages between citizens. However, homosexual acts remain illegal in Namibia under a rarely enforced colonial-era law from 1927. (AFP via Macau Business)
9 May 2023 – E. Jean Carroll vs. Donald J. Trump
A nine-member jury in Manhattan federal court finds former U.S. President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing magazine writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s, and also finds him liable for defaming her. Trump is ordered to pay Carroll $5 million. (Reuters)
2 May 2023 – LGBT rights in Uganda, Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023
The parliament of Uganda passes new anti-LGBTQ+ laws after president Yoweri Museveni requested reforms. The bill maintains the death penalty as a punishment for "aggravated homosexuality". (Reuters)
21 April 2023 – Anglican realignment
Leaders of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, a communion of conservative Anglican churches representing approximately 85% of the global Anglican population, reject the leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as the head of global Anglicanism over his stance on same-sex marriage. (ChurchTimes)

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