5
•Sexuality is a complex and multifaceted aspect of
human identity that encompasses a range of
factors, including biological, physical, emotional,
social, and cultural elements. It's not just about
sexual behavior but also includes sexual
orientation, gender identity, attraction, desire,
sexual expression and behavior.
BIOLOGICAL
DIMENSION
6
BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
SEX (N)
•Sexreferstothebiological
characteristicsthatdefineorganismsas
maleorfemale.Inhumans,itinvolves
physicalandgenetictraits,including
reproductiveorgans,chromosomes,
hormones,andsecondarysexual
characteristics.
7
10
Understanding and acknowledging genital
diversity is important for promoting body
positivity, reducing stigma, and helping
individuals recognize the natural range of
human anatomical variation. It also plays a role
in education, ensuring that people have
accurate information about their bodies and
can appreciate the normalcy of differences in
genital appearance.
In humans, the main sex hormones are:
Estrogens:Predominantlyfoundinfemales,althoughpresentinmalesin
smallerquantities.Estrogens,suchasestradiol,playcrucialrolesinthe
developmentoffemalesecondarysexualcharacteristicsandmaintenance
ofreproductivetissues.
Androgens:Themostwell-knownandrogenistestosterone,primarily
foundinmales(thoughfemalesalsoproduceitinsmalleramounts).
Androgensareresponsibleforthedevelopmentofmalereproductive
tissues,spermproduction,andthedevelopmentofmalesecondary
sexualcharacteristicslikefacialhairanddeepeningofthevoice.
Progesterone:Primarilyinvolvedinregulatingthemenstrualcycleand
preparingtheuterusforpregnancyinfemales.Itworksinconjunction
withestrogentoregulatevariousreproductiveprocesses.
13
14
Differences of
Sexual
Development
(DSD)
vs.
Intersex
Differences of
Sexual Development
(DSD)
vs.
Intersex
•DSDisamedicalordiagnostictermoftenused
byhealthcareprofessionalstodescribeawide
rangeofconditionswherethedevelopmentof
chromosomal,gonadal,oranatomicalsexis
atypical.
•Intersexisanumbrellatermthatencompassesa
diverserangeofnaturalvariationsinsex
characteristics,includingchromosomal,gonadal,
oranatomicaldifferencesthatdon'tfittypical
definitionsofmaleorfemale.It'sabroaderand
moreinclusivetermthatalsoconsidersthe
social,cultural,andpersonalaspectsoflivingwith
atypicalsexcharacteristics.It'softenusedby
advocacygroupsandindividualstodescribetheir
livedexperiencesandidentity. 15
The Brain
–
Its
Role and
Function
in the
Human Sexual Behavior
17
18
•Our brains are involved in all steps of sexual behaviorand in all
its variations. It plays a fundamental role in the human sexual
response, influencing desire, arousal, and overall sexual function
through a complex interplay of neural pathways, hormones, and
psychological factors.
•Understanding the brain's role in the sexual behavior helps
explain the complexity of human sexuality and provides insights
into various aspects of sexual dysfunction and disorders.
Additionally, it underscores the importance of a holistic
approach to sexual health that considers both physical and
psychological factors.
19
The Brain's Involvement in Sexual Behavior:
Desire and Arousal: The brain regulates sexual desire and
arousal. Areas within the brain, such as the hypothalamus, limbic
system, and cerebral cortex, process sensory information and
emotional cues, contributing to the initiation and enhancement of
sexual desire.
Hormonal Regulation: The brain governs the release of
hormones involved in sexual function. Hormones like testosterone,
estrogen, oxytocin, and dopamine influence sexual desire, arousal,
and the overall sexual response. The hypothalamus and pituitary
gland play crucial roles in regulating these hormones.
20
The Brain's Involvement in Sexual Behavior:
Orgasm and Satisfaction: The brain coordinates the experience
of orgasm, involving the activation of reward pathways and the
release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin. These
neurochemicals contribute to the pleasurable sensations and
feelings of satisfaction associated with sexual activity.
Emotional and Psychological Factors: The brain's limbic
system, involved in emotions and memory, significantly impacts
sexual behavior. Emotional connections, past experiences, intimacy,
and attachment influence an individual's sexual preferences,
responses, and overall sexual satisfaction.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
DIMENSION
21
22
SOGIE
SO
GIE
23
SexualOrientationreferstoanindividual's
emotional,romantic,orsexualattractionto
others.Itencompassesaspectrum,including:
•Heterosexuality:Attractiontoindividualsofthe
oppositegender.
•Homosexuality:Attractiontoindividualsofthesame
gender.
•Bisexuality:Attractiontoindividualsofmorethanone
gender.
•Pansexuality:Attractiontoindividualsregardlessof
gender.
•Asexuality:Littleornosexualattractiontoothers.
24
Heterosexual
Taylor Swift Daniel Radcliffe Kathryn Bernardo
25
Homosexual
Ice Seguerra Jim Parsons Ellen DeGeneres
26
Bisexual
Angelina Jolie Michelle Dee
Kristen Stewart
27
Pansexual
Cara Delevingne
Brendon Urie Beatrice Luigi Gomez
28
Asexual
Isaac Newton
Nikola Tesla Marilyn Monroe
Contrary to popular belief, the sex of
anindividual does not determine their
sexualorientation or gender identity.
A person canbe born a male, identify
as a man and besexually attracted to
men too. Furthermore,a person can
be born female, identify as aman and
be sexually attracted
tofemales.There is no specific
combination ofgender identities and
sexual orientations.
SO
GI
E
30
Genderidentityreferstothegenderthatanindividual
personallyidentifieswithandthewaytheyexpresstheir
genderthroughbehaviorandpersonalappearance.
•Cisgender:Whenanindividual'sgenderidentityaligns
withthesextheywereassignedatbirth.
•Transgender:Whenanindividual'sgenderidentitydiffers
fromthesexassignedatbirth.
•Non-binaryorGenderqueer:Identifyingoutsidethe
traditionalmale/femalebinary,encompassingvariousgender
identitiesbeyondthesecategories.Non-binarypeoplemight
usedifferenttermstodescribetheiridentity,suchas
genderqueer,genderfluid,agender,bigender,andmore,
dependingonhowtheypersonallyunderstandand
experiencetheirgender.
•The process of understanding and expressing
yourgender identity begins at an early age. Often
parentswill assume the gender identity of their baby
andmake choices for their child regarding how
theyexpress their gender identity.
•However, once the child is old enough to
expressthemselves, they may continue to express
their genderaccordingly or identify with another
gender.Parentsshould be open to each of these
possibilities.
•Gender identity is linked to
one’s personal understanding and
expressionoftheiridentity.It does not determine
thesexualorientation of anindividual.
Let's Answer!
36
Identify
the
Sex
Orientation
and
gender
Identity
portrayed
in
the
following
situations
:
1.Alex is romantically attracted to people
of any gender but feels uncomfortable
with traditional gender labels. They
prefer wearing a mix of clothing
typically associated with both men and
women. How might Alex describe their
sexual orientation and gender identity?
37
Answer: Alex might identify as
andgenderfluid or non-binary.
Identify
the
Sex
Orientation
and
gender
Identity
portrayed
in
the
following
situations
:
2. Jordan was assigned male at birth.He
iscomfortable and doesn'texperience a
disconnect with it and he prefers wearing
clothes assigned to themale sex. Jordan also
stated that he is attracted to people ofthesame
sex, for instance, his friend Martin.How might
Jordan describe his sexual orientation and
gender identity?
38
Answer: Jordan might identify as homosexual
and cisgender.
Identify
the
Sex
Orientation
and
gender
Identity
portrayed
in
the
following
situations
:
3. Sam identifies as a woman and is
exclusively attracted to men. She enjoys
expressing her femininity through
dresses and makeup. How might Sam
describe her sexual orientation and
gender identity?
39
Answer: Sam might identify as heterosexual
and cisgender.
Identify
the
Sex
Orientation
and
gender
Identity
portrayed
in
the
following
situations
:
4. Taylor identifies as a woman and feels
comfortable with her sex assigned at
birth. She has never experienced sexual
attraction to anyone and never herself
in a relationship. How might Taylor
describe her sexual orientation and
gender identity?
40
Answer: Taylor might identify as asexualand
cisgender.
Conference presentation 41
Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity,
and Expression (SOGIE) stands as a cornerstone of
fostering inclusivity, equality, and compassion within
society. The significance of comprehending and
acknowledging the diverse spectrum of human
identities cannot be overstated. It's not merely an
academic exercise but a fundamental shift in
perspective that shapes how we relate to and support
one another in our communities.
SOCIOLOGICAL
DIMENSION
42
Conference presentation 43
Gender Roles: refer to societal expectations, behaviors, and
attitudes that are typically associated with individuals based
on their perceived or assigned gender.These roles are often
culturally defined and can vary across different societies and
historical periods. Gender roles typically encompass a set of
norms, behaviors, and responsibilities that are considered
appropriate or typical for males and females within a specific
culture.
Gender Stereotypes:are oversimplified and often
generalized beliefs or assumptions about the attributes,
characteristics, behaviors, and roles that are expected or
deemed suitable for individuals based on their gender. These
stereotypes can be deeply ingrained in cultures and can
influence perceptions, behaviors, and societal expectations.
The Triangular Theory of Love
Robert Sternberg
- developed in the late 1980s by psychologist
Robert Sternberg. This theory suggests that
people can have varying degrees of intimacy,
passion, and commitment at any one moment
in time.
•Sexuality often finds expression within the
context of intimate relationships. These
relationships, whether romantic or
otherwise, fulfill the innate human need for
social connection, closeness, and emotional
intimacy.
InDr. Sternberg'stheory, the concept of love is
a triangle that is made up of three components:
•Intimacy,whichinvolvesfeelingsof
closeness,connectedness,andbondedness.
•Passion,whichinvolvesfeelingsanddesires
thatleadtophysicalattraction,romance,and
sexualconsummation.
•Decision/commitment,whichinvolves
feelingsthatleadapersontoremainwith
someoneandmovetowardsharedgoals.
Types of Love
•Non-Love-absenceofallthreecomponents.
•Friendship-Thistypeofloveiswhentheintimacyorlikingcomponentispresent,but
feelingsofpassionorcommitmentintheromanticsensearemissing.Friendshiplovecanbethe
rootofotherformsoflove.
•Infatuation-characterizedbyfeelingsoflustandphysicalpassionwithoutlikingand
commitment.Therehasnotbeenenoughtimeforadeepersenseofintimacy,romanticlove,or
consummatelovetodevelop.Thesemayeventuallyariseaftertheinfatuationphase.Theinitial
infatuationisoftenverypowerful.
•EmptyLove-characterizedbycommitmentwithoutpassionorintimacy.Attimes,astrong
lovedeterioratesintoemptylove.Thereversemayoccuraswell.Forinstance,anarranged
marriagemaystartoutemptybutflourishintoanotherformofloveovertime.
•RomanticLove-bondspeopleemotionallythroughintimacyandphysicalpassion.Partnersin
thistypeofrelationshiphavedeepconversationsthathelpthemknowintimatedetailsabout
eachother.Theyenjoysexualpassionandaffection.Thesecouplesmaybeatthepointwhere
long-termcommitmentorfutureplansarestillundecided.