Why study human sexuality?
Expand knowledge of genitals
Learn how others communicate about sex
Become comfy with sexual diversity
Meaning of “€Sex”€™ has broadened over time
Categories of male or female anatomy & physiology
Intersex
Ambiguous or intermediate
Genitalia and chromosomes
Evolved into sexual behaviors”€¦ “To have sex”€
Collective understandings i.e. sexy”€ or sexual”€
Personal meanings i.e. sex-ish”€
“Gender”€ came to replace anatomical sex”€ on forms
Started to become offensive
Gender is more psychological and emotional
Sex is physical
Collection of cognitive, behavioral, and personality traits that differ between the sexes
Feministstystructive: Society basically “constructs”€ a gender
Fluid: not set or define; can change
Performative: perform a gender role
Sexuality is sometimes used as a euphemism for sex”€
It sounds better
Sexuality includes sexual relationships, gender, and sexual identities
Sex is about Relationships
Range from sex with self (masturbation) to sex with other(s)
Often includes fantasy
Sexual Relationships are diverse:
May last a few minutes or several decades
May be motivated by physical attraction
Emotional bonding
A sense of duty
A desire to parent
A desire to conform or rebel
Economic factors
May be mutually fulfilling
One-sided
Abusive
May involve similar or dissimilar partners
May involve two or more individuals
May be centered on objects, animals, or scenes
May be centered on sex or include sex as a mere incidental feature
May be recognized & approved by society or may be hidden
Disapproved of, or criminalized
Homosexuality vs. Heterosexuality
Exclusive vs. Open
Are not always ideal
Varying degrees of success negotiating mismatch and conflict
Take place in a moral context
Based on beliefs & personal sense of what is right & wrong
Sex is about Identity
A sense of who you are
Gender identity
What gender you indentify as
A persons physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sense of being male or female, or
something altogether unique from those categories.
Transgendered or transsexual people may change their anatomical sex to match their
gender identity
Sexual orientation
The direction of a persons sexual attraction
Homosexuality, Bisexuality, Heterosexuality
A-sexuality, Pan-Sexuality
Pan-Sexuality
Attracted to transgendered, trans-sexual, drag, etc.
Other aspects of sexuality may also influence a persons identity
Sexual Assault
Group Sex
Polyamorists
Have group sexual relationships
Strict Family Values and Morals
Physically Able to have sex
Disabled
Cant get an erection
Swingers
Celibacy
What fuels the engine driving human sexuality?
Desire
A want and/or need; attraction
What do you desire that has nothing to do with sex?
How do your “non-sexual”€ desires interact with your sexual desires?
What does it feel like to recognize a new desire you have never before experienced?
What does it feel like to desire and know you will love your desire?
What does it feel like to desire and NOT know you will live your desire?
Amber L. Hollibaugh
Is a self-described lesbian sex radical, ex-hooker, incest survivor, gypsy child,
poor-white-trash, high femme dyke.
She is also an award-winning filmmaker, political organizer, public speaker, and journalist.
