Omnisexual, gynosexual, demisexual: What’s behind the surge in sexual identities?

by Olivia Goldhill [I]n 1976, the French philosopher Michel Foucault made the meticulously researched case that sexuality is a social construct used as a form of control. In the 40 years since, society has been busy constructing sexualities. Alongside the traditional orientations of heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual, a myriad other options now exist in the …

You’re probably not ‘totally straight,’ according to new research

Society tends to be less accepting of men who are sexually fluid. By Sara Hendricks There is a new type of sexual orientation called “mostly straight,” according to new research. This sexuality entails identifying as straight but occasionally experiencing same-sex attraction and arousal. Men have a harder time coming out as mostly straight because society …

Masturbation hacks and consent advice: how YouTubers took over sex education

With UK schools increasingly falling short, vloggers such as Hannah Witton and Laci Green have stepped up to offer guidance on everything from body confidence to sexual pleasure By Emine Saner [W]hen Lily was at school, she remembers the boys and girls being separated for a sex education class. The boys were given one booklet; …

A new study quantifies straight women’s “orgasm gap”—and explains how to overcome it

by Leah Fessler [E]ver faked an orgasm? Or just had orgasm-less sex? If you’re a woman—especially if you’re straight—your answer is probably “Ugh.” Followed by “Yes.” Not reaching orgasm during sex is, obviously, a real bummer. Not only does it make the sex itself unfulfilling, but can lead to envy, annoyance, and regret. Thoughts like …

For Queer Women, What Counts as Losing Your Virginity?

I wanted, desperately, to know if the sex I was having “counted.” [A]fter I hooked up with someone, I snuck out of bed and into the darkness of my balcony, alone. A nervous wreck, I texted my friend, practically hyperventilating because of something I’d never expected to worry about at all. Hoping for an answer, …

Same-sex couples experience unique stressors

Study by SF State professor finds that institutionalized discrimination has lasting effects By Lisa Owens Viani [S]tressors faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals have been well studied, but San Francisco State University Professor of Sociology Allen LeBlanc and his colleagues are among the first to examine the stressors that operate at the same-sex …

People who practice polyamory say the lifestyle can be rewarding

By Anna Orso [A]ntoinette and Kevin Patterson thought they’d stop dating other people once their relationship got really serious. They didn’t. Maybe, they said, after they got married. When that didn’t happen, they assumed after they had kids. Not then, either. Today, Antoinette, 35, and Kevin, 38, still date other people. The parents of two …

Gay people are better at sex, according to science

By Ryan Butcher [G]ay people might have faced generations of persecution, harassment and social torment, but finally, science has dealt them a decent hand: they’re apparently better at sex. We’re being facetious, of course. But research published this year suggests that the above is true. A study looking at the differences in orgasm frequency among …

Hot Wheels

Name: Michael Gender: Male Age: 23 Location: Minneapolis I’m a 23-year-old bisexual paraplegic. Hey ya have to be available for whatever comes your way when you’re in a chair, right? I got this way in a really stupid alcohol related diving accident three years ago. So OK, I fucked up. I was just getting my …

5 Sex Positions That Work for Almost Every Couple (Lesbian, Straight, and Everything in Between)

by Hannah Hickok [I]’m a firm believer in the sexuality spectrum—that is, the idea that sexuality and gender roles aren’t necessarily binary (gay/straight; female/male) but rather, deeply fluid. Who we’re attracted to doesn’t have to fall into a clearly labeled, defined category like “lesbian” or even “bisexual”—it can be messy, gray, and constantly changing, and …