Sexuality

A term that encompasses all aspects related to sexual behavior, including sexual acts, desires, arousal, and the overall experience that is typically associated with sexuality.

Sexuality as a social construct

Queer theory challenges the idea that sexuality is a fixed and natural aspect of a person, and instead explores how it is constructed and shaped by cultural and social forces.

It also challenges the idea that sexuality is a private matter that should be confined to the realm of the individual, and instead emphasises the importance of understanding sexuality as a social and political issue. This includes examining how sexual identities and practices are regulated and policed by various institutions and discourses in society, and how they intersect with other forms of oppression and marginalisation.

Sexual Scripts

In society, there are many dominant narratives that shape a persons sexuality. These narratives are called sexual scripts , which refer to the cultural expectations and norms that shape how individuals are supposed to behave sexually in different contexts, such as on a date, during sexual encounters, or in relationships. They can include expectations around who initiates sexual activity, what types of activities are considered acceptable or desirable, and how sexual pleasure is supposed to be expressed. Sexual scripts can vary based on factors such as gender, sexual orientation, and cultural background, and they can be influenced by media, family values, religious beliefs, and other social factors.

Sexuality vs. Sexual Orientation

Sexuality encompasses the many aspects of human sexual experience, while sexual orientation specifically refers to an individual's enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions. Below are some common labels used to describe sexual orientations. Click each flag for a definition of the sexual orientation that it represents. This is not a exhaustive list.