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Portal:Human sexuality

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Welcome to the human sexuality portal

Erotic Kama sculptures depicting human sexuality

Sexuality is the way people experience, and express themselves through sexual activities. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, and spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term which has varied within different historical contexts, 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 (or lack thereof) 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 non-social causes 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 the incidence of homosexuality is not significantly higher in cultures that are more tolerant 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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Transgender is the state of one's gender identity or gender expression not matching one's assigned sex. Transgender is independent of sexual orientation; transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, etc; some may consider conventional sexual orientation labels inadequate or inapplicable to them. The definition of transgender includes:

  • "Of, relating to, or designating a person whose identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender roles, but combines or moves between these."
  • "People who were assigned a sex, usually at birth and based on their genitals, but who feel that this is a false or incomplete description of themselves."
  • "Non-identification with, or non-presentation as, the sex (and assumed gender) one was assigned at birth." (Full article...)

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Sculpture of Aphrodite
Sculpture of Aphrodite
Sculpture of Aphrodite
Sculpture of Aphrodite

Did you know

Elizabeth Needham (right foreground) as portrayed in William Hogarth's A Harlot's Progress
Elizabeth Needham (right foreground) as portrayed in William Hogarth's A Harlot's Progress

January - March 2007

Human sexuality in the news

25 August 2026 – Sudanese civil war
Sudan’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Welfare reports that 224 cases of child sexual violence have been documented since the conflict. (Sudan Tribune)
24 August 2026 –
Former British snooker player Graeme Dott is found guilty of sexually abusing two primary school children. (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
19 August 2026 – 2026 Sydney Swans player investigation
In Australian football, the Sydney Swans suspend five of their players for the remainder of the season who are under police investigation over allegations of sexual assault against multiple women. (ABC News Australia)
15 August 2026 – Succession to the Liechtensteiner throne
Hereditary Prince Alois announces that Liechtenstein will gradually transition its line of succession to absolute primogeniture, stating that any future descendant of him and Hereditary Princess Sophie, regardless of sex, will inherit the throne, allowing future women to inherit the throne. (AP)

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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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