Portal:Human sexuality

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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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Campaign against female genital mutilation – a road sign near Kapchorwa, Uganda
Campaign against female genital mutilation – a road sign near Kapchorwa, Uganda
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. Typically carried out by a traditional circumciser with a blade or razor, with or without anaesthesia, FGM is practised by ethnic groups in 27 countries in sub-Saharan and north-east Africa, in Yemen and Iraqi Kurdistan, and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Asia and within immigrant communities around the world.

For the 29 countries in which it is concentrated, The age at which it is conducted varies from days after birth to puberty; in half the countries for which national figures were available in 2000–2010, most girls were cut before the age of five. (Full article...)

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December 22, 2012: a protest centered on the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Raisina Hill / Rajpath, India
December 22, 2012: a protest centered on the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Raisina Hill / Rajpath, India
December 22, 2012: a protest centered on the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Raisina Hill / Rajpath, India
December 22, 2012: a protest centered on the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Raisina Hill / Rajpath, India

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Nudes-A-Poppin oil wrestling contestant
Nudes-A-Poppin oil wrestling contestant

March/April 2012

Human sexuality in the news

1 May 2024 – Homosexuality and Methodism
The United Methodist Church votes 692–51 to repeal a longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy while additionally prohibiting superintendents from forbidding a same-sex wedding. (AP)
30 April 2024 –
French prosecutors announce that actor Gérard Depardieu will be tried for the alleged sexual assault of two women in 2021. (euronews)
27 April 2024 – LGBT rights in Iraq
Iraq's parliament votes to criminalize same-sex relationships, to be punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison. (Reuters)
25 April 2024 – Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases
The New York Court of Appeals overturns former American film producer Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction in the state for rape by a vote of 4–3, and orders a new trial. However, Weinstein will still remain in prison on a 2022 conviction in California for rape. (AP) (CNN)

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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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