Course disputes idea that heterosexual sex is ‘natural’

Eugene Lang College is offering a “Queer Ecologies” course this fall devoted to countering “heterosexist” explanations of animals and nature. According to the instructor, common scientific practices like using the terms “male” and “female” when describing reproduction among plants and animals contributes to the perception that “queerness” is “unnatural.” By Toni Airaksinen Eugene Lang College, …

Finding it difficult to get that big O? Here’s all you need to know about orgasmic disorder

Bookmark these 5 tricks to deal with inconsistent orgasm. By Aishwarya Vaidya During sexual activity, there is a feeling of intense sexual pleasure which is known as an orgasm but many women find it difficult to get it and hence don’t tend to enjoy the sexual activity. But, do you know that women who find …

Turns out the best sex actually doesn’t come from hot-blooded passion

By Leah Fessler Spontaneous sex—clandestine encounters, afternoon delights, and one-night stands—is fantastic. But more often than not, the mind-boggling orgasms of this kind of sex are a myth you read about in magazines. The alternative, planned sex, doesn’t sound particularly exciting. Sending a calendar invite for sex is about as sexy as sending a calendar …

A Sexuality Researcher Explains a Big Unanswered Question in Sex Studies

By Cari Romm Most of the time, the people who ask how you’re doing will be satisfied by the rote, two-word reply: I’m fine. I’m good. Really, it was the question that mattered, not the answer. Every so often, though, you’ll encounter someone who truly wants to know about the state of your emotional/physical/spiritual existence, …

10 questions you should ask your partner so your relationship can thrive

Questioning your expectations and compatibility is key, researchers claim By Sabrina Barr How do you know when it’s the right time to take a relationship that’s in its early stages to the next level? Asking the right questions could be the key to embarking on a more serious and meaningful relationship, according to a study …

Here’s why having sex gives you meaning in life, according to scientific research

Just another reason why sex is wonderful…  By Rosie Fitzmaurice There are a number of health benefits that have been associated with having sex, both physical and mental. And new research suggests having sex could also give you a greater sense of meaning in life. A team of researchers at the George Mason University set out to …

Why do we have difficulty accepting the variety of gender expressions?

Isn’t it self-evident that gender would always be uniquely expressed in each person? By Allyson Jule I know we’ve all heard this stuff before: men and women and boys and girls are “different”: they think differently, they think about different things, and they interact with the world in different ways. But those are dangerous ideas. …

Why “Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder” Isn’t the Same as “Sex Addiction”

The WHO’s newest mental health disorder isn’t what you think. By Sarah Sloat A decade-long debate seemed settled in June when the World Health Organization officially added “compulsive sexual behavior disorder” to the newest edition of the International Classification of Diseases. Unfortunately, in the aftermath, many publications declared “sex addiction” was officially a mental health …

Sex workers offer intimacy and connection for disabled clients in the age of the dating app

By Sarah Matthews Oliver Morton-Evans has sought the services of sex workers over the years, because dating can be especially tough for anyone with a disability. Despite having tried “every dating app out there”, Oliver, 39, has never been in a long-term relationship. The Sydneysider, now a successful tech entrepreneur, said despite looking for a …

‘Compulsive sexual behaviour’ is a real mental disorder, says WHO, but might not be an addiction

Global health body not yet ready to acknowledge ‘sex addiction’, saying more research is needed The World Health Organisation has recognised “compulsive sexual behaviour” as a mental disorder, but said on Saturday it was unclear whether it was an addiction on a par with gambling or drug abuse.  The contentious term “sex addiction” has been …