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Welcome to the human sexuality portal
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 and/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 normally 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), and birth control methods. (Full article...)
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Polyamory (from Greek πολύ poly, "many, several", and Latin amor, "love") is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. It is distinct from swinging (which emphasizes sex with others as merely recreational) and may or may not include polysexuality (attraction towards multiple genders and/or sexes).
Polyamory, often abbreviated as poly, is often described as "consensual, ethical, and responsible non-monogamy." The word is sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to sexual or romantic relationships that are not sexually exclusive, though there is disagreement on how broadly it applies; an emphasis on ethics, honesty, and transparency all around is widely regarded as the crucial defining characteristic. (Full article...)
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Did you know
- ... that loans made by Seattle brothel-owner Lou Graham saved some of the city's most prestigious families from bankruptcy after the Panic of 1893? (former brothel pictured)
- ... that Monica Coghlan, at the center of the scandal surrounding Lord Jeffrey Archer, was killed in an unrelated car crash a month before the start of the trial that would convict him of perjury and vindicate her?
- ... the Śukasaptati, written originally in Sanskrit, is a collection of seventy erotic tales narrated by a parrot to prevent its mistress from committing adultery while her husband is away from home?
- ... that the fictional Document 12-571-3570 was a hoax that purported to describe sex experiments done in space?
- ... that anti-gay protests following the selection of the song Samo Ljubezen by drag-group Sestre (pictured) in the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest led to criticism of Slovenia in the European Parliament?
- ... that the monument (pictured) to Mother Featherlegs near Lusk, Wyoming has been called the only monument to a prostitute in the United States?
- ... that studies on whether nice guys finish last have been hindered by the social desirability bias?
- ... that American novelist Tracy Quan once served as spokeswoman to the sex worker advocacy group Prostitutes of New York?
July-December 2006
Human sexuality in the news
- 22 June 2024 – LGBT rights in Hungary
- Thousands of people march in a pride parade in Budapest, Hungary, to protest against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's anti-LGBTQ+ policies. (Reuters)
- 21 June 2024 – LGBT rights in Namibia
- The High court in Namibia rules that two colonial-era laws criminalizing sex between men are unconstitutional. (DW)
- 18 June 2024 – LGBT rights in Thailand, Recognition of same-sex unions in Thailand
- The Senate of Thailand passes a marriage equality bill that will legalize same-sex marriage in the country, with the bill now awaiting royal assent. (CNN)
- 16 June 2024 – LGBT rights in Ukraine
- Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Ukrainian Armed Forces troops and supporters march in central Kyiv to demand legal reforms for more same-sex partnership rights despite opposition from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as well as from counter-protesters. (AP)
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- Cleanup listing for WikiProject Sexology and sexuality — bot-generated list of articles within the scope of this WikiProject tagged as needing attention
- Cleanup listing for WikiProject LGBT studies — bot-generated list of articles within the scope of this WikiProject tagged as needing attention
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