Portal:Human sexuality
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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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Asexuality (or nonsexuality) is the lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or low or absent interest in sexual activity. It may be considered the lack of a sexual orientation, or one of the four variations thereof, alongside heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. A study in 2004 placed the prevalence of asexuality at 1% in the British population.
Asexuality is distinct from abstention from sexual activity and from celibacy, which are behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal or religious beliefs; sexual orientation, unlike sexual behavior, is believed to be "enduring." Some asexual people engage in sexual activity despite lacking a desire for sex or sexual attraction, due to a variety of reasons, such as a desire to please romantic partners or a desire to have children.
Acceptance of asexuality as a sexual orientation and field of scientific research is still relatively new, as a growing body of research from both sociological and psychological perspectives has begun to develop. While some researchers assert that asexuality is a sexual orientation, other researchers disagree. (Full article...)
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Did you know
- ... that in the United States, sex in public bathrooms is more frequent in bars than in restaurants?
- ... that the brothel Bon Ton is described by the BBC as "an ideal showcase for New Zealand-style liberalisation"?
- ... that She Has a Name is a Canadian play about child prostitution in Thailand?
- ... that Haesindang Park (pictured), on the eastern coast of South Korea, is also known as "Penis Park", due to its statues representative of phallic architecture ?
- ... that the Chonga (Chonga style pictured) has become a Miami icon, influencing fashion in South Florida and beyond?
- ... that North Preston's Finest is a gang of pimps based just northeast of Metropolitan Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada?
May - December 2012
Human sexuality in the news
- 4 May 2025 –
- Two people are arrested after planning to carry out attacks with improvised explosive devices at Lady Gaga's concert with more than two million attendees on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to gain notoriety on social media. The suspects spread hate speech, mainly against children, adolescents and the LGBTQIA+ community. (BBC News)
- 3 May 2025 –
- Over 20,000 Hefazat-e-Islam protesters rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to denounce proposed legislation that would provide equal rights for Muslim women such as inheritance law, a ban on polygamy, and recognition of sex workers as laborers, which they allege oppose Sharia law. (AP) (DW)
- 27 April 2025 –
- At least 114 people suspected of entering the United States illegally are detained in a raid by the DEA and ICE at a nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, which had been investigated for drug trafficking and prostitution. (AP) (NPR)
- 16 April 2025 – Transgender rights in the United Kingdom, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers
- The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom rules that legal gender is based upon biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. (BBC News)
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For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Human sexuality-related articles, see WikiProject Sexology and sexuality.
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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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