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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 typically 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/STDs), and birth control methods. (Full article...)

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dental dams for use during cunnilingus or anilingus
dental dams for use during cunnilingus or anilingus
Safe sex is sexual activity engaged in by people who have taken precautions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS. It is also referred to as safer sex or protected sex, while unsafe or unprotected sex is sexual activity engaged in without precautions. Some sources prefer the term safer sex to more precisely reflect the fact that these practices reduce, but do not completely eliminate, the risk of disease transmission. The term sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has gradually become preferred over sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among medical sources, as it has a broader range of meaning; a person may be infected, and may potentially infect others, without showing signs of disease. (Full article...)

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The Allied Reoccupation of the Andaman Islands, 1945
The Allied Reoccupation of the Andaman Islands, 1945
The Allied Reoccupation of the Andaman Islands, 1945
"The Allied Reoccupation of the Andaman Islands, 1945", Chinese and Malayan girls forcibly taken from Penang by the Japanese to work as comfort women for the troops.

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August - December 2009

Human sexuality in the news

7 September 2023 –
Japanese pop agency Johnny & Associates publicly admits and apologizes for sexual abuses on several hundred minors committed by its late founder Johnny Kitagawa. (CNN)
6 September 2023 – Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations
A U.S. federal court judge rules that Donald Trump is liable for damages in the second defamation case against journalist E. Jean Carroll. (CNN)
26 August 2023 – Disputes involving the Spain women's national football team
FIFA suspends Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales for 90 days for kissing player Jennifer Hermoso after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Hermoso says that Rubiales acted without her consent, which Rubiales denies. (AFP via France 24)
24 August 2023 – Adass Israel School sex abuse scandal
The County Court of Victoria in Australia sentences Malka Leifer, the principal of a Jewish religious school in Melbourne, to 15 years in prison for the sexual assault of two sisters. (AFP via Bangkok Post)

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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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