We May Have Just Identified Genetic Evidence of Male Sexual Orientation

But that still doesn’t mean there’s a ‘gay gene’. By PETER DOCKRILL [S]cientists are reporting what could amount to be the firmest evidence yet of genetic links to male sexual orientation, in the first published genome-wide association study (GWAS) examining the trait. Researchers recruited more than 2,000 men of both homosexual and heterosexual orientation and …

A new prescription for tackling sexual violence

How some advocates are looking to dismantle rape culture using public health strategies. By Addy Baird [W]hen Tahir Duckett talks about consent with elementary and middle school boys, he often talks about video games first. “If I just hop on your Xbox without your consent, what’s your response?” Duckett says he asks the boys. Almost …

Some drugs can cause unwanted sexual side effects in men

  [Y]ou might assume that erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a normal problem that men face as they age. But because men (and women) take more medications as they age, the experts at Consumer Reports’ Best Buy Drugs report that side effects from those drugs are a little-known yet common cause of ED. “Many medications …

Male sexuality isn’t brutal by default. It’s dangerous to suggest it is

If we start to believe that sexual harassment and rape is a result of the way men are we cede something crucial: the belief that things can be better By Jessica Valenti [O]ne of the many myths about feminists is that we believe all men are potential rapists – that men are inherently dangerous, their …

All forms of sexual harassment can cause psychological harm

“Being exposed to non-physical sexual harassment can negatively affect symptoms of anxiety, depression, negative body image and low self-esteem,” say Associate Professor Mons Bendixen and Professor Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) Department of Psychology. [T]his applies to derogatory sexual remarks about appearance, behaviour and sexual orientation, unwanted …

With midlife comes sexual wisdom

Research shows women’s sexuality adapts with aging by Madison Brunner [W]hile women experience changes with the menopausal transition that can negatively affect their sex lives, they often adapt behaviorally and psychologically to these changes, according to a qualitative study by University of Pittsburgh researchers. The results of the study, which included individual and focus group …

The Shaming of Sexuality: America’s Real Sex Scandal

By Michael O’Neill In early September, the Twitter account of Texas Senator and former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz “liked” a post containing explicit pornographic video content. Once noticed by other Twitter users, the news shot around social media; many were both shocked and amused by the public slip-up by the typically straight-laced Senator. For …

Why teaching kids about sex is key for preventing sexual violence

By Rebecca Ruiz [Y]ou may think of sex education like it appears in pop culture: A classroom of teens looking nervously at a banana and a condom. Amid the giggling and awkward questions, maybe the students get some insight into how sex works or how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. While that’s valuable …

Debunking Common College Sex Myths

by William Leo and Juliette Silvain [S]ex is among the most talked-about subjects on college campuses. Yet myths and misconceptions pervade almost every discussion of sexual activity and sexuality, subtly infiltrating the beliefs of even the best-informed people. Sexually inexperienced young people are likely to become confused by the dizzying array of information and opinions …

Feminism and Sexual Submission Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

A meme showed up on my Facebook newsfeed one afternoon a few weeks back. by Savannah Stewart It was shared by some fuckboy I worked with for about five minutes before he was never seen again, except when sliding into his female former colleagues’ DM’s—which should have been reason enough to keep scrolling past, yet …