asexuality

Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. Common reasons to deliberately abstain from the physical expression of sexual desire include religious or philosophical reasons (eg chastity), material reasons (to prevent conception or STD transmission), lack of suitable partners, or to conform to legal injunctions. Sexual abstinence has been debated since antiquity, and has been discussed both within the heterosexual and the homosexual spheres. See Platonic love ...

Including:

• Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity
• Sexual abstinence - Western attitudes
• Sexual abstinence - Abstinence
• Sexual abstinence - Abstinence as a lifestyle
• Sexual abstinence - Medical aspects of abstinence
• Sexual abstinence - Religious views
• Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements
• Sexual abstinence - Popularity and effectiveness
• Sexual abstinence - Reference

Read more here: » Sexual abstinence: Encyclopedia - Sexual abstinence

Lifelong (or at least long-term) abstinence, often associated with religious ascetism, is distinguished from chastity before marriage. Abstinence is often viewed as an admirable act of self-control over the natural desire to have sex. The display of the strength of character allows the abstainer to set an example for those not able to contain their "base urges." At other times abstinence has been seen as a great social ill practiced by those who refuse to engage with the material and physical world. Some groups that propose sexual abstinence ...

See also:

Sexual abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity, Sexual abstinence - Western attitudes, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence as a lifestyle, Sexual abstinence - Medical aspects of abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Religious views, Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements, Sexual abstinence - Popularity and effectiveness, Sexual abstinence - Reference

Read more here: » Sexual abstinence: Encyclopedia II - Sexual abstinence - Abstinence

Someone who is bi-curious has a sexual orientation, behavior, or self-identification, which is close to but not quite entirely heterosexual or homosexual. There are several different conventional meanings of this term, some of which are mutually exclusive. Bi-curious - Description. Heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality have at least three components: Sexual behavior, as determined by the gender(s) of the person's sexual partner(s). Sexual orientation (or preference, i ...

Including:

• Bi-curious - Description
• Bi-curious - Usage

Read more here: » Bi-curious: Encyclopedia - Bi-curious

Main article: Chastity Many religious and ethical systems proscribe sexual activities between a person and anyone other than a spouse of that person, including most denominational variations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and, historically, many legal systems and societal norms. In such contexts, sexual abstinence is (was) prescribed for unmarried persons for the purpose of chastity. Chastity is sometimes used synonymously with sexual abstinence, but the mechanisms of chastity are typically largely different for pe ...

See also:

Sexual abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity, Sexual abstinence - Western attitudes, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence as a lifestyle, Sexual abstinence - Medical aspects of abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Religious views, Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements, Sexual abstinence - Popularity and effectiveness, Sexual abstinence - Reference

Read more here: » Sexual abstinence: Encyclopedia II - Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity

The term homophobia means an "irrational fear of or contempt for homosexuality or homosexuals". It is derived from the words homosexual and phobia (meaning panic fear in Greek). The term itself is however often broadened to encompass other feelings such as aversion to, disparagement of, or discrimination against gay people, their lifestyle, or culture. [1] Homophobia - Etymology. According to the Oxford ...

Including:

• Homophobia - Etymology
• Homophobia - Dual associations and usage controversy
• Homophobia - Internalized homophobia
• Homophobia - Fear of being identified as a homosexual
• Homophobia - Homophobia as prejudice
• Homophobia - Sexist beliefs
• Homophobia - Opposition to homophobia
• Homophobia - Homophobia as applied to political figures
• Homophobia - Excerpts from discussions of the term
• Homophobia - Homophobia in popular culture

Read more here: » Homophobia: Encyclopedia - Homophobia

Biological factors / Choice / Environment Demographics / History Gender role / Gender identity Human sexual behavior / Animal sexuality Critiques of sexual behavior Gay rights / Laws / Same-sex marriage Homophobia / Biphobia / Psychology Medical science / Gay community Two-Spirit / Violence against LGBT people History of the Gay Community Christianit ...

Including:

• Heterosexuality - Etymology
• Heterosexuality - History and demographics
• Heterosexuality - Psychological factors relating to sexuality
• Heterosexuality - Slang
• Heterosexuality - Books

Read more here: » Heterosexuality: Encyclopedia - Heterosexuality

Chastity is a virtue expected of the faithful of many religions, including Christians and Muslims. This usually includes abstinence from sex for the unmarried, and faithfulness to a marriage partner. In many religions some groups of people are expected to practice celibacy — to abstain from sex completely, and remain unmarried. These groups include most monks and nuns in Christianity, and priests in the Roman Catholic church. From the Roman Catholic perspective everyone is called to chastity be they married, single, or in a religious order ...

See also:

Sexual abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity, Sexual abstinence - Western attitudes, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence as a lifestyle, Sexual abstinence - Medical aspects of abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Religious views, Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements, Sexual abstinence - Popularity and effectiveness, Sexual abstinence - Reference

Read more here: » Sexual abstinence: Encyclopedia II - Sexual abstinence - Religious views

Abstinence advocates recommend it as a way to avoid pregnancy and venereal disease. Without sexual contact, it is virtually impossible to conceive a child other than through artificial insemination. By avoiding exposure of the sexual organs to other people, one will also avoid the sexual transmission of many diseases (STDs). Note, however, that many STDs, including AIDS, can also be transmitted non-sexually. Some STDs (including genital warts due to human papillomavirus) are passed through skin-to-skin contact and are not prevented by using ...

See also:

Sexual abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Premarital chastity, Sexual abstinence - Western attitudes, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Abstinence as a lifestyle, Sexual abstinence - Medical aspects of abstinence, Sexual abstinence - Religious views, Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements, Sexual abstinence - Popularity and effectiveness, Sexual abstinence - Reference

Read more here: » Sexual abstinence: Encyclopedia II - Sexual abstinence - Modern abstinence movements

Sexual difficulties can begin early in a person's sex life or they may develop after an individual has previously experienced enjoyable and satisfying sex. A problem may develop gradually over time, or may occur suddenly as a total or partial inability to participate in one or more stages of the sexual act. The causes of sexual difficulties can be physical, psychological, or both. Emotional factors affecting sex include both interpersonal problems (such as marital/relationship problems, or lack of trust and open communication between partners) and psychological problems within the individual (depression, sexual fea ...

See also:

Sexual dysfunction, Sexual dysfunction - Onset, Sexual dysfunction - Symptoms, Sexual dysfunction - Psychological sexual disorders, Sexual dysfunction - Other sexual problems, Sexual dysfunction - Other related problems, Sexual dysfunction - Clinical studies

Read more here: » Sexual dysfunction: Encyclopedia II - Sexual dysfunction - Onset

There is no clear borderline between the sexual and nonsexual enjoyment of touching someone else's body. For example, holding hands may or may not have a sexual connotation, depending on culture, situation and other factors. Although the most common form of heterosexual sexual intercourse is universally regarded as sexual contact, there are a wide range of other sexual behaviors that may or may not be socially, legally, or ethically considered as sexual relations. The distinction between the sexual and the nonsexual becomes relevant in judging appropria ...

See also:

Human sexual behavior, Human sexual behavior - Sexuality and sensuality, Human sexual behavior - Desire and fantasy, Human sexual behavior - Sexual relationships, Human sexual behavior - Norms and rules, Human sexual behavior - Danger of causing pregnancy and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Danger of sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Seeking a Partner, Human sexual behavior - The search for a partner, Human sexual behavior - Encounters between potential partners, Human sexual behavior - Personal prerequisites to having sex with someone, Human sexual behavior - No prerequisites, Human sexual behavior - Blood test as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Dating as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Falling in love as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Marriage as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Sex acts and practices, Human sexual behavior - Different-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Same-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Legal issues

Read more here: » Human sexual behavior: Encyclopedia II - Human sexual behavior - Sexuality and sensuality

The factual accuracy of the penultimate paragraph below and the presentation of statistical summaries in the following section is disputed. Smith's 2003 analysis of National Opinion Research Center data [1] states that 4.9% of sexually active American males had had a male sexual partner since age 18, but that "since age 18 less than 1% are [exclusively] gay and 4+% bisexual". In the top twelve urban areas however, the rates are double the national average. Smith adds that "It is generally believed that including ado ...

See also:

Demographics of sexual orientation, Demographics of sexual orientation - Measurement difficulties, Demographics of sexual orientation - Complexities of definition, Demographics of sexual orientation - Incidence versus prevalence, Demographics of sexual orientation - General observations, Demographics of sexual orientation - Historical patterns, Demographics of sexual orientation - The Kinsey Reports, Demographics of sexual orientation - Modern survey results, Demographics of sexual orientation - Footnote

Read more here: » Demographics of sexual orientation: Encyclopedia II - Demographics of sexual orientation - Modern survey results

Ongoing debate about the morality of same-sex relations often references beliefs about whether sexual orientation is a choice or a fixed attribute. There are several different views on the subject, the major ones of which are: Sexual orientation is a preference, like any other lifestyle choice. People can be influenced in this choice, as in any other, by their peers, by media exposure, and by society in general, but the responsibility for making the choice is personal. (This view is frequently, though not always, accompan ...

See also:

Sexual orientation, Sexual orientation - A much wider definition of sexual orientation, Sexual orientation - Complexities and terminology, Sexual orientation - Sexual orientation identity and behavior, Sexual orientation - Classification and boundaries, Sexual orientation - Alternative sexual orientations, Sexual orientation - Demographics of sexual orientation, Sexual orientation - Causes and malleability of sexual orientation, Sexual orientation - Sexual orientation and mental health, Sexual orientation - Morality religion and choice, Sexual orientation - History, Sexual orientation - Sexual orientation as a construction

Read more here: » Sexual orientation: Encyclopedia II - Sexual orientation - Morality religion and choice

There is no clear borderline between the sexual and nonsexual enjoyment of touching someone else's body. For example, holding hands may or may not have a sexual connotation, depending on culture, situation and other factors. Although the most common form of heterosexual sexual intercourse is universally regarded as sexual contact, there is a wide range of other sexual behaviors that may or may not be socially, legally, or ethically considered as sexual relations. The distinction between the sexual and the nonsexual becomes relevant in judging appropria ...

See also:

Human sexual behavior, Human sexual behavior - Sexuality and sensuality, Human sexual behavior - Desire and fantasy, Human sexual behavior - Sexual relationships, Human sexual behavior - Norms and rules, Human sexual behavior - Danger of causing pregnancy and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Danger of sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Seeking a partner, Human sexual behavior - The search for a partner, Human sexual behavior - Encounters between potential partners, Human sexual behavior - Personal prerequisites to having sex with someone, Human sexual behavior - No prerequisites, Human sexual behavior - Blood test as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Dating as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Falling in love as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Marriage as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Sex acts and practices, Human sexual behavior - Different-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Same-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Legal issues

Read more here: » Human sexual behavior: Encyclopedia II - Human sexual behavior - Sexuality and sensuality

The novel's protagonist, Laurence, is a hermaphrodite whose unsettled father, Paternus, decides to raise the child as a male, though "he" displays normative gender characteristics of both sexes. Laurence is sent off to college, where he excels in his studies, particularly the writing of poetry, a skill that inflames the passions of an older widow, Emma. Laurence, however, is not attracted to her, and even displays asexual tendencies. On the night of his graduation, Emma professes her love to him and, being told the truth of Laurence's hermaphroditism, goes into a d ...

See also:

The Hermaphrodite, The Hermaphrodite - The Hermaphrodite, The Hermaphrodite - Background and Publication History, The Hermaphrodite - Plot, The Hermaphrodite - Characters, The Hermaphrodite - Laurence, The Hermaphrodite - Paternus, The Hermaphrodite - Phil, The Hermaphrodite - Ronald

Read more here: » The Hermaphrodite: Encyclopedia II - The Hermaphrodite - Plot

One qualified exception is Gardnerian Wicca and other relatively traditional groups. Gardnerians do not make any moral judgements about homosexual people, but they usually form their covens from male-female pairs. Most traditional Wiccans worship the God and Goddess. Traditional Wiccan covens aspire to having equal numbers of men and women, to embody their belief in the importance of balance between the male and female (which extends sexually). This goal is often not met, since there are more women involved in the Wiccan Religion than ...

See also:

Homosexuality and Wicca, Homosexuality and Wicca - Exceptions, Homosexuality and Wicca - Gay- and Lesbian-oriented traditions, Homosexuality and Wicca - Gay and bisexual deities

Read more here: » Homosexuality and Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Homosexuality and Wicca - Exceptions

Whether viewed as unfounded prejudices or legitimate moral opinions, attitudes frowning on LGBT orientations and lifestyles have been reflected in legislation and these attitudes have had a profound impact on political debates over LGBT civil rights in general. Some look at people holding negative attitudes about LGBT people and assign blame to them for a creating or perpetuating a climate of prejudice that has resulted i ...

See also:

Homophobia, Homophobia - Etymology, Homophobia - Dual associations and usage controversy, Homophobia - Internalized homophobia, Homophobia - Fear of being identified as a homosexual, Homophobia - Homophobia as leading to a climate of prejudice, Homophobia - Sexist beliefs, Homophobia - Opposition to homophobia, Homophobia - Homophobia as applied to political figures, Homophobia - Excerpts from discussions of the term, Homophobia - Homophobia in popular culture

Read more here: » Homophobia: Encyclopedia II - Homophobia - Homophobia as leading to a climate of prejudice

Heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality have at least three components: Sexual behavior, as determined by the gender(s) of the person's sexual partner(s). Sexual orientation (or preference, inclination, etc.), as determined by the gender(s) of people for whom a person has amorous or erotic desires, fantasies, and spontaneous feelings. Sexual identity - the label or community (or lack thereof) with ...

See also:

Bi-curious, Bi-curious - Description, Bi-curious - Usage

Read more here: » Bi-curious: Encyclopedia II - Bi-curious - Description

The prevalence of exclusive heterosexuality has varied over the centuries and also from culture to culture. See Demographics of sexual orientation Though there have always been individuals (sometimes in a majority, sometimes in a minority) who were exclusively attracted to those of the opposite sex, heterosexuality as an identity (just like homosexuality) has developed only since the middle of the nineteenth century. The history of heterosexuality is part of the history of sexuality. That history and science derivative o ...

See also:

Heterosexuality, Heterosexuality - Etymology, Heterosexuality - History and demographics, Heterosexuality - Psychological factors relating to sexuality, Heterosexuality - Slang, Heterosexuality - Books

Read more here: » Heterosexuality: Encyclopedia II - Heterosexuality - History and demographics

Most people who discuss the idea of prejudice against LGBT people use the term "homophobia" as a parallel to racism or sexism (which refers to gender prejudice). Heterosexism and sexualism have been proposed as alternatives which are more morphologically parallel, and which do not have the association with phobia. The term "homosexualism" is a rarely-used synonym of homosexuality. Queer Theory uses the term heterocentric to refer to a similar ontological assumption, and the parallel term from critical theory is heteronormativity. Heterosexualism is an ambiguous term which is used either as a synomy ...

See also:

Homophobia, Homophobia - Etymology, Homophobia - Dual associations and usage controversy, Homophobia - Internalized homophobia, Homophobia - Fear of being identified as a homosexual, Homophobia - Homophobia as prejudice, Homophobia - Sexist beliefs, Homophobia - Opposition to homophobia, Homophobia - Homophobia as applied to political figures, Homophobia - Excerpts from discussions of the term, Homophobia - Homophobia in popular culture

Read more here: » Homophobia: Encyclopedia II - Homophobia - Dual associations and usage controversy

Same-gender sexual practices are sexual activities involving two or more individuals of the same gender. It is possible for homosexual acts to be committed by those who self-identify as heterosexual; e.g., mutual masturbation in the context of what may be considered "normal" heterosexual teen development. Homosexual males who pretend to lead a life of heterosexuality are often referred to as living "closeted" lives, that is, they hide their sexuality in the "closet". The term "closet case" is a derogatory term used by homose ...

See also:

Human sexual behavior, Human sexual behavior - Sexuality and sensuality, Human sexual behavior - Desire and fantasy, Human sexual behavior - Sexual relationships, Human sexual behavior - Norms and rules, Human sexual behavior - Danger of causing pregnancy and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Danger of sexually transmitted diseases and how to avoid, Human sexual behavior - Seeking a partner, Human sexual behavior - The search for a partner, Human sexual behavior - Encounters between potential partners, Human sexual behavior - Personal prerequisites to having sex with someone, Human sexual behavior - No prerequisites, Human sexual behavior - Blood test as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Dating as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Falling in love as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Marriage as a prerequisite for sex, Human sexual behavior - Sex acts and practices, Human sexual behavior - Different-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Same-gender sexual practices, Human sexual behavior - Legal issues

Read more here: » Human sexual behavior: Encyclopedia II - Human sexual behavior - Same-gender sexual practices