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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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In 1916, Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, which led to her arrest for distributing information on contraception. Her subsequent trial and appeal generated enormous support for her cause. Sanger felt that in order for women to have a more equal footing in society and to lead healthier lives, they needed to be able to determine when to bear children. She also wanted to prevent unsafe abortions, so-called back-alley abortions, which were common at the time because abortions were usually illegal.
In 1921, Sanger founded the American Birth Control League, which later became the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In New York City, she organized the first birth control clinic staffed by all-female doctors, as well as a clinic in Harlem with an entirely African-American staff. In 1929, she formed the National Committee on Federal Legislation for Birth Control, which served as the focal point of her lobbying efforts to legalize contraception in the United States. From 1952 to 1959, Sanger served as president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. She died in 1966, and is widely regarded as a founder of the modern birth control movement. (Full article...)
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Did you know
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Sallysalisbury.jpg/70px-Sallysalisbury.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/William_Hogarth_008.jpg/70px-William_Hogarth_008.jpg)
- ...that 18th century prostitute Sally Salisbury (pictured) was sent to prison after a riot but was released by a judge who was infatuated with her?
- ...that Marthe Richard was a former prostitute and spy who worked to make brothels illegal in France?
- ...that Amsterdam's Prostitution Information Center provides the city's visitors with information and advice about prostitution?
- ...that 18th century brothel-keeper Jane Douglas (pictured, bottom window, praying) sold condoms in silken bags to her customers?
- ...that madame Anna Wilson, the "Queen of the Underworld" in early Omaha, Nebraska, bequeathed her 25-room brothel mansion to the city to use as an emergency hospital upon her death?
- ...that sexual relations between a man and his daughter-in-law were fairly common in pre-revolutionary rural Russia?
April - July 2007
Human sexuality in the news
- 12 July 2024 – Same-sex marriage in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten
- The Supreme Court of the Netherlands rules that same-sex marriage is legal in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. (De Telegraaf)
- 12 July 2024 – LGBT rights in Burkina Faso
- Burkinabe Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announces a ban on homosexuality in the country. (BBC)
- 4 July 2024 –
- French film director Benoît Jacquot is charged with the rapes of actresses Julia Roy and Isild Le Besco between 1998 and 2000, and "rape, sexual assault and violence" committed between 2013 and 2018. (AP) (Le Monde)
- 1 July 2024 –
- A Nepali court sentences Ram Bahadur Bomjon a man who thousands believed was a reincarnation of the Buddha to 10 years in jail for child sexual abuse. (CNN)
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