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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Studies have found that masturbation is frequent in humans of both sexes and all ages, although there is variation. Various medical and psychological benefits have been attributed to a healthy attitude toward sexual activity in general and to masturbation in particular. No causal relationship is known between masturbation and any form of mental or physical disorder. (Full article...)
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Did you know
- ... that sex therapy pioneer Helen Singer Kaplan advocated for people to enjoy sexual intercourse as much as possible as opposed to seeing it as something dirty or harmful?
- ... that the five victims of the Ipswich serial murders (one site bodies were discovered, pictured) are the subject of the 2010 BBC One drama serial Five Daughters?
- ... that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, deer penis is said to enhance virility in men, and was added to the list of banned substances during the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
- ... that a drawing resembling a penis by Andy Warhol may be on the moon?
- ... that the Church of La Soledad (pictured) in Mexico City has been the site for an annual commemoration for sex workers?
March - August 2010
Human sexuality in the news
- 16 May 2025 –
- International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan temporarily steps aside from his role while the United Nations investigates the sexual misconduct allegations against him. (The Washington Post)
- 15 May 2025 – LGBT rights in Russia, Russian anti-LGBTQ law
- Russian media reports that police raided the publisher office of Eksmo Publishing House yesterday and arrested several of its employees, accusing them of spreading "LGBTQ+ extremism". (The Moscow Times)
- 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)
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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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