Interrogating the Construction and Complexities of Human Sexuality

Human sexuality can be a complex topic to discuss. In fact, many are rather coy to openly have a discussion on the issue. As a result a lot of misinformation has been cultivated and have been circulated around this discourse. Unfortunately, even within education circles the half truths and misinformation have been allowed free passage given that the topic is still very much tabooed. Since the start of the 2000’s there have been resurgence regarding sexuality. During our lifetime we will experience various types of relationships. The construction and complexities of human sexuality is impacted through various media. Sexuality is everywhere: in books, movies, on television, in online videos, religion, school, games, in advertisements, social media platforms and on the internet. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexuality as a central aspect of being human throughout life: that encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors. The definition provided by the WHO clearly points to a biological approach as well as a socio-cultural approach related to sexuality. The idea of fixed categories of sexuality continues to be interrogated and challenged. Sexuality has become more personal and fluid in recent years. Young adults, adults and more mature adults no longer feel restrained to speak about their sexuality. Perhaps, the fascination or even an obsession concerning the issue of sexuality has contributed greatly to this sexual renaissance in the global community. It is often said that we grow into our sexuality; perhaps, the opposite is true also in that we can also grow out of our sexuality. Sexual Diversity. Sexual diversity is much more than only sexual orientation; it also includes asexual, transsexual (transgender) or intersex people. The ever –widening lexicon surrounding sexuality is evidenced below. Asexuality: Not everyone needs sex to express themselves and to feel happy. An asexual person is someone who does not feel sexual attraction, and has no, or very little, sexual drive. This is not the same as celibacy, which people choose. Asexuality is an intrinsic part of a person, a part of their identity. Although the absence of sexual attraction or sexual drive may, in particular cases, be the result of health concerns, asexuality is not today considered to be a pathological condition. People who identify themselves as asexual have the same emotional needs as everyone else, and they may decide to live life on their own, and even to date and establish romantic relationships. However, they do not feel the need to be involved in sexual practices and behaviours. Asexual people may feel attracted to a particular gender, and may therefore self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight. Intersex: A person’s sex is assigned at birth: the doctors or others who assist women at labour usually decide if the new-born baby is male or female, on the basis of sex characteristics, such as the type of sex organs. Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads and chromosomes) that do not fit the typical binary classification of male or female bodies. In some cases, intersex traits may be visible at birth, but often they do not become clear until puberty. Some chromosomal intersex characteristics may never be visible at all. Androsexuality: People who consider themselves androsexual feel attraction toward men, males, or perceived masculinity, irrespective of whether or not they were assigned male at birth. Solosexuality: One who prefers masturbation over other forms of sex or whose preferred sexual activity is masturbation. Aromantic: A person who identifies as aromantic may not feel any romantic attraction toward anyone. They may not want a relationship beyond friendship. Those who identify with this orientation may also identify with another orientation. A person’s romantic attraction can differ from their sexual attraction. For example, a person may not feel romantic attraction toward people but may still be sexually attracted to some individuals. Autosexuality: Those who identify as autosexual experience a sexual attraction toward themselves. Similar to those who are autoromantic, people who are autosexual may also experience sexual attraction toward other people. Bicurious: People who identify as bicurious are interested in having a sexual or romantic experience with someone of the same gender. The term indicates that the person experiences some uncertainty as to how they identify romantically or sexually. Demisexuality: A person who identifies as demisexual typically only feels sexual attraction toward a person with whom they have already established a strong emotional bond. Some people who are demisexual may have no interest or only a slight interest in sexual activity. Heterosexuality: People who are heterosexual, or “straight,” typically feel sexual and romantic attraction toward people who are of a gender different than their own. Homosexuality: Homosexuality is a term describing those who are emotionally and physically attracted to people of the same gender. Cisgender: A gender identity, or performance in a gender role, that society deems to match the person’s assigned sex at birth. The prefix cis- means "on this side of" or "not across." A term used to highlight the privilege of people who are not transgender. Trans man: Usually, a person assigned female at birth who identifies as a man. A person may choose to identify this way to capture their gender identity as well as their lived experience as a transgender person. Transfeminine/Transfem: A term used to describe a person, usually AMAB or Intersex, who identifies with femininity in some way. Includes Trans women, as well as other trans+ people who have a connection to femininity. Stud: A culture-specific identity that is often defined as a black masculine lesbian. As such, it is meant to be an identity label that is exclusively used by black people. Non-binary: An umbrella term to describe people who experience their gender identity and/or expression outside of the man/woman binary construct. It includes folks who are gender fluid, gender queer, polygender, bigender, demigender, and agender, among others. Polyamorous: A practice where people have multiple romantic or sexual relationships at the same time, with the consent of all partners involved. Questioning: The process of exploring one’s own gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. Sex/Sex Assigned at Birth: A medically constructed categorization. Sex is often assigned based on the appearance of the genitalia, either in ultrasound or at birth. Sex assigned at birth is different from gender identity, and sex is not always binary, such as for Intersex individuals. Transition: Transitioning is the process of taking steps to live as one’s true gender identity. Transitioning is different for each individual and may or may not involve medical interventions like taking hormones or having surgery. Some people may not choose to transition in certain ways for a variety of reasons. Sexual Orientation: Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction or non-attraction to other people. Sexual orientation can be fluid and people use a variety of labels to describe their sexual orientation. Parallel Ideologies. The maze regarding human sexuality and sexual orientations can be rather daunting. This is especially so for youngsters who are at that phase of exploring their sexuality. At the onset of puberty all sorts of hormones are raging and sometimes common sense takes a back seat to what is popular and deemed as fun. Undoubtedly, our minds are frequently bombarded with distorted information. Our minds have been sexualized resulting in perversion and sadly this has become normalized in the society. Pornography is widespread. Disappointingly, even members of the clergy have struggled with or are struggling with this perversion. Are we at a crossroads regarding the traditional notions of masculinity and femininity? Unfortunately, within the conversation of human sexuality is a steady diet of intolerance and hatred. Within the Jamaican lexicon the terms ‘fish’, ‘batty man’ and ‘chi- chi man’ are derogatory slangs used to describe a homosexual. These terms have been popularized in pop culture especially in the dancehall space. The Bible however provides a template for those who are seeking answers and who wish not to fall into this ocean of sexual diversity. Many of the terms associated with sexuality mentioned might be familiar or unfamiliar; however many more such terms exist. The discourse concerning the construction and complexities of human sexuality is oftentimes mired in controversy. Oftentimes our biases and prejudices are used to arrive at a particular view point. This is especially the situation in jurisdictions that are homophobia in nature. Notwithstanding the negatives, the discussion must be had. In order not to cause confusion it is important that sexuality education be incorporated in the curriculum. Sexuality education covers a number of issues that are relevant for children and young people, relating to biological, emotional and social aspects of sexuality. The issue of sexuality education is rather contentious, especially in post-slavery societies, where the Judeo Christian faith and ideology are extremely rigid. Even so, secularism is still a compelling force that impacts the culture. Both ideologies run parallel. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #humansexuality #sexualdiversity