Intersectionality refers to how multiple systems of oppression experienced at the same time create a different experience of oppression than if experienced individually. These systems include sexism and racism, and this intersectionality can be observed in the Hyper-sexuality of Africans:

- African women have been portrayed as highly sexual and lusty
- African men have been portrayed as savage sexual predators
- African sexualities have been used to justify racism
- Since African women were portrayed as over-sexualized they were raped by slave owners; African men could be lynched because they were seen as dangerous predators

Intersectional Sexualities-TW

Social and cultural institutions exert social control over sexuality, this can be seen in many contexts:

- Women become sexually mature during puberty (which typically occurs from 12-16 years of age) but tend wait until 23 years old (on average) to have children
- Abstinence-only sex education is received at most schools
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical disorder but was initially understood as a social problem

The Social Control of Sexuality

Contains models pertaining to how people develop their sexual identities.

Models of Sexual Orientation/Identity Development

- sexual behavior
- sexual desires
- sexual identity

3 Dimensions of Sexual Orientation

Aromanticism describes a romantic orientation where an individual does not experience romantic attraction. This is distinct from asexuality, which is characterized by a lack of sexual attraction.

Aromanticism

Attraction can be categorized into different types, primarily romantic and sexual. Sexual attraction involves erotic interest, and its absence is termed asexuality. In contrast, romantic attraction involves emotional connection, and its absence is termed aromanticism. An individual's romantic and sexual orientations are not necessarily the same.

Comparison of Romantic and Sexual Attraction

Sexual orientations are not always fixed categories but often exist on a spectrum. This means that an individual's feelings of attraction may not fit neatly into a single defined term, reflecting the fluidity and diversity of human sexuality.

Sexual Orientation as a Spectrum

Sexual orientation is understood to be shaped by a combination of factors. While environmental influences like family background and socialization were once thought to be primary determinants, research has consistently refuted this idea. In contrast, a significant body of evidence points to an underlying biological component, supported by findings in genetics, brain structure, and basic physiology. This suggests that sexual orientation is, to a large extent, an innate trait with which individuals are born.

Biological and Environmental Influences on Sexual Orientation

A central finding in sexuality research is that sexual orientation is not a choice but a relatively stable personal characteristic that cannot be fundamentally changed. The scientific consensus is that attempts to alter sexual orientation, such as conversion therapy, are not only ineffective but also potentially harmful to individuals. This consensus refutes claims that sexual orientation can be changed through external interventions.

Sexual Orientation as an Unchangeable Trait

Sexual orientation and gender identity are frequently confused, but they represent different facets of a person's identity. Gender identity is one's internal sense of their own gender, whereas sexual orientation is a separate, though related, concept concerning one's attractions to others. Recognizing them as two distinct concepts is crucial to avoid common misconceptions.

Distinction Between Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Homophobia is an umbrella term for prejudice and discrimination directed at individuals based on their sexual orientation. It commonly targets non-heterosexual people, including those who are bisexual, lesbian, and gay. In the United States, homophobia is a widespread and often tolerated form of prejudice.

Homophobia

An individual identifies as a woman, is emotionally and romantically attracted to men, but does not experience sexual attraction to people of any gender. Which of the following statements best analyzes this individual's identity based on the provided information?

Some terms used to describe sexual orientations do not reference gender in their definitions. This reflects the idea that an individual's feelings of attraction can be understood and categorized without relying on gender as a defining factor.

Gender-Independent Descriptions of Sexual Orientations

Issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity are deeply influenced by sociocultural factors, meaning that the ways in which sexual orientation and gender are defined vary significantly from one culture to the next. For example, while the United States is historically a heteronormative society that views heterosexuality as the norm, other societies have different attitudes towards LGBTQ people. In some cultures, such as in parts of New Guinea, periods of exclusively same-sex sexual behavior are socially prescribed as a normal and necessary part of development and maturation for young boys to become men.

Sociocultural Influences on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Developed by Alfred Kinsey, the Kinsey scale is a continuum still widely utilized today to classify a person's sexual orientation based on their emotional, romantic, and erotic attractions.

Kinsey Scale

Sexual orientation encompasses a variety of identities based on the gender or sex a person is attracted to. Heterosexual (straight) individuals are attracted to people of a different gender or sex. Lesbian and gay individuals are attracted to people of the same gender or sex. Bisexual individuals experience attraction to their own gender as well as another gender. Pansexual individuals experience attraction regardless of sex, gender identity, or gender expression. Asexual individuals experience little or no sexual attraction.

Examples of Sexual Orientations

Research indicates that sexual orientation has a strong underlying biological component. This is supported by findings of gene-level contributions, which account for at least half of the variability in sexual orientation, as well as observed differences in brain structure, brain function, and basic body structure among individuals of different sexual orientations.

Biological Basis of Sexual Orientation

Historically, it was believed that socialization and familial experiences largely determined sexual orientation. However, research has shown that the family backgrounds and experiences of straight individuals and LGBTQ individuals are very similar, challenging this belief.

Socialization vs. Sexual Orientation

Studies have demonstrated that gene-level contributions are a significant factor in determining human sexual orientation. Research estimates that genes account for at least half of the variability observed in human sexual orientation.

Genetic Variability in Sexual Orientation

Scientific research has observed differences in brain structure and function, as well as basic body structure and function, among individuals with different sexual orientations. These findings provide additional support for a biological mechanism underlying sexual orientation.

Structural Differences Related to Sexual Orientation

A person's sexual orientation refers to their emotional, romantic, and/or erotic attraction toward other people, or the lack thereof. Sexual orientations often exist on a spectrum, and individuals may identify with various terms such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, or heterosexual, though some may find no specific term perfectly describes their feelings.

Google

Arizona State University

University of Connecticut

Georgetown University

New York University

Alma College

University of Chicago

Gender and Sexuality

- Race
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation/Sexuality
- Religion
- (Dis)ability status
- Social Class

Topics of Sexology

This can include education on sexual orientation and related terminology, gender identity and terminology, and specific disparities that the LGBTQ+ community faces.

Relevant LGBTQ+ healthcare education 

Similar to eating, sexual activity is a fundamental motivated behavior essential to many people's lives. While its primary evolutionary purpose is the perpetuation of the species, human sexual behavior is complex and extends far beyond simple reproduction. The psychological study of this domain provides an overview of research on human sexual behavior and motivation, including key topics like sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexual Behavior, Sexuality, and Gender Identity

Barian, A. et. al. (2020). A Sociology Experiment. https://www.sociologyexperiment.com/ 

A Sociology Experiment

Keuroghlian, A. S., Ard, K. L., & Makadon, H. J. (2017). Advancing health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people through sexual health education and LGBT-affirming health care environments. Sexual Health (Online), 14(1), 119-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH16145

Advancing health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people through sexual health education and LGBT-affirming health care environments

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Sex can be defined as the biological and physiological characteristics of a male or female individual. These characteristics include reproductive organs, chromosomes and hormones.

Gender can be defined as socially constructed characteristics of women, men, people outside the expected binary. Some examples being norms, roles and relationships among and between groups of women and men.



Gender is a nonexplanitory measure, meaning gender can not be counted as the cause of a difference in population statistics. Learned behaviors or differences in physicality, among other things, can be counted as explanitory information.

Gender

Sexual Orientation

Socially constructed groupings of people that are defined by shared physical or biological characteristics. 

Race (as a Social Identity)

A social class is a group of individuals that share similar economic positions based on income, occupation wealth and education.

Social Class

Disability status refers to a person’s disabilities or lack thereof. A disability status refering to a lack of disabilities may include: able bodied, temporarily able bodied, neurotypical.

Disability Status

Religious identity is one's senese of belonging to a religious community and/or culture.

Religious Identity

Gender identity is an individual's internal, personal sense of being a man, woman, both, or neither. It is a distinct concept from sexual orientation, which relates to attraction, although the two are often mistakenly conflated. While a person's gender identity often corresponds to their sex assigned at birth (based on chromosomes and phenotype), this is not always the case. Gender identity should also not be confused with gender expression, which is the outward presentation of one's gender. It is crucial for clinicians to understand these distinctions and be knowledgeable about gender-affirming care.

Gender Identity

A relationship that involves physical and/or emotional intimacy. 

Intimate Relationships

Wiederman, M. W. (2003). Paraphilia and fetishism. The Family Journal, 11(3), 315–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480703252663 

Paraphilia and fetishism

Paraphilia

Sexual Dysfunctions are characterized by clinically significant disturbances related to an individual’s ability to respond sexually or experience sexual pleasure. This requires a multidimensional approach to diagnoses by considering the biological, sociological, and psychological factors that influence the ways in which individuals experience sex. However, these disorders, do not include sexual dysfunctions that are a result of inadequate or a lack of stimulation or knowledge which may still be treated, but are not diagnosed.

Sexual Dysfunctions

Puberty is the transitional process of physical changes through which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction. While the sequence of these physical changes is predictable, the timing of onset and the pace of development can vary significantly among individuals.

Puberty

These can include (but are not limited to) increased risk of STIs (83% of new HIV diagnoses among 13-24 year olds were gay men), increased risk of negative mental health outcomes like depression (39% of LGBTQ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide), increased substance abuse issues (39.1% of sexual minority adults have used an illicit drug, compared to 17.1% of sexual majority adults), and increased risk of homelessness (20-40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ). It's important for clinicians to understand how these are related to stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, and to be aware of these disparities in order to provide proper resources.

Health disparities faced by the LGBTQ+
community

Theory that believes that individuals who are a part of non-dominant groups in society continue to experience and suffer from health disparities, even after adjusting for confounding variables, due to constant stress caused by interactions with dominant groups. LGBTQIA-POC individuals may be at a higher risk to health disparities due to this stress.

Minority Stress Theory

Much of our understanding of the physiological underpinnings of sexual behavior and motivation stems from research on animals. The hypothalamus is a key brain region for motivated behaviors, including sex. Animal studies have been instrumental in revealing that different neural systems might govern the motivation for sex versus the physical ability to engage in it, a concept demonstrated clearly in research on rats.

Physiological Mechanisms of Sexual Behavior: Lessons from Animals

The scientific study of human sex and sexuality has undergone significant development over the past century, expanding its scope and refining its methods for understanding sexual behavior and identity.

Evolution of Research in Human Sexuality

Based on their observational research, Masters and Johnson divided the human sexual response cycle into four distinct phases that are fairly similar for most people: the excitement phase, the plateau phase, the orgasm phase, and the resolution phase. These phases map the physiological progression of arousal over time.

Sexual Response Cycle

Read the following scenario. Based on the information provided, distinguish between the individual's gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior. Explain how each of these three distinct concepts is represented in the scenario.

Analyzing Components of Human Sexuality

An individual was assigned male at birth, internally identifies as a woman, is romantically attracted to men, and is currently in a long-term relationship with a woman. Based on this information, which statement provides the most accurate analysis?

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