Women’s sex lives were a mystery to men. Then along came Shere Hite

— A new documentary celebrates the life of the feminist pioneer who shocked the world – and about time too By Yvonne Roberts In a society in which nine-year-olds watch pornography and song lyrics are more explicit than The Kama Sutra, the revolution that Shere Hite helped to bring about in the 1970s, employing the …

The surprising reason why mammals engage in same-sex mating

— A new paper suggests same-sex activity may help mammals’ social relationships By Maggie Penman Same-sex sexual activity pervades the animal kingdom — it’s been observed in at least 1,500 animal species, from crickets to seagulls to penguins — but it’s still not well understood. A new paper suggests one explanation: Same-sex sexual activity may …

Study on evolution of same-sex animal behaviors underscores stigmas in research

By Swati Thapa A new study tracing the evolution of same-sex sexual behavior in mammals, using phylogenetic analyses, suggests these behaviors may have evolved in part to strengthen social bonding and relationships. Same-sex sexual behavior was observed in 261 species, which constitutes 4% of all mammal species; the research adds to a growing list of …

Heterosexuality is often considered the “default” but that banner belongs to sexual fluidity

— There’s a difference between sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual behavior. By Kelley Nele “Something that the LGBT community always says is that your sexuality and identity can change at any time, but when it’s the other way around from gay to straight they get angry and say that it can’t.” The former quote …

‘The sex ed class you wish you’d had’

— The influencer doctors teaching Americans the basics With schools failing American students, OB-GYNs use TikTok to tackle questions and dispel myths By Alaina Demopoulos Some of TikTok’s biggest stars aren’t teen influencers or adorable pets – they are OB-GYNs posting sex education videos. Need to know if you can continue to take antidepressants while …

How Hannah Arendt’s Zionism Helped Create American Gay Identity

— The pioneering gay writer and editor Michael Denneny, who died on April 12, learned from his teacher Arendt that an individual can be free only as part of a free community by Blake Smith Hannah Arendt left behind little in the way of an obvious institutional or intellectual legacy during her brief years at …

Sex? Sexual intercourse? Neither?

— Teens weigh in on evolving definitions — and habits By JOCELYN GECKER Situationships. “Sneaky links.” The “talking stage,” the flirtatious getting-to-know-you phase — typically done via text — that can lead to a hookup. High school students are having less sexual intercourse. That’s what the studies say. But that doesn’t mean they’re having less …

Bisexuals are the ‘invisible majority’ in LGBTQ America

By Daniel de Visé Nearly three-fifths of LGBTQ adults in America identify as bisexual, according to a new Gallup poll, a finding that illustrates the extent of a population that some researchers have termed the “invisible majority” of the queer community. Young Americans, and young women in particular, have widely rejected the notion of sexuality …

Sex After 50

— Don’t Lose That Lovin’ Feeling Connection, communication and self-acceptance keep intimacy alive By Lisa B. Samalonis Although advancing age can pose some challenges to a healthy sex life, with a shift in perspective, intimacy can still be satisfying, good for your health and overall fun. Frequently discussed obstacles include: Vaginal dryness/atrophy. Erectile dysfunction. Lost …

The Future of Sex Ed Is the Internet

Many schools have given up on crafting inclusive and informative sex education. These websites and activists are filling in the gaps. by Nancy Jainchill Compared to a few decades ago, young people have surprisingly less access to high-quality, informative sex education. Typically, human sexuality programs have been the responsibility of middle or high schools, but …

23 new gender and sexuality terms added to the dictionary in 2022

By Julia Naftulin In 2022, Dictionary.com and the Oxford English Dictionary added 23 words to describe gender and sexuality concepts. New gender-related words include “enby,” “nounself pronoun,” and “pangender.” New sex and sexuality words include “throuple,” “sixty nine,” and “simp.” As people’s understandings of gender and sexuality shift, whether due to cultural changes or scientific …

6 reasons why you could have performance anxiety during sex

— And how to overcome it By Willa Hart Feeling anxious during sex is incredibly common and valid. This can be a result of poor body image, a hyperfocus on your partner, or prior bad experiences. Fortunately, this anxiety can often be overcome through mindfulness, movement, or therapy. When you think of performance anxiety, you …