Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner in LGBT . "An important resource for readers of any age who are struggling to understand their sexual orientation, or those who would like to better understand asexuality." -Library Journal, starred review Julie Sondra Decker's book functions as a starting point for people interested in asexuality. It covers the basics of what asexuality is and isn't, explores the most common issues asexual people may be dealing with, presents some pointers for newly asexual-identified people and the people who love them, and includes some resources to find out more. It's for the layperson, written in everyday language. She writes for people who are on the asexual spectrum, people who think they might be asexual, friends and family and partners of people who have come out as asexual, curious parties, and those looking for information on the subject for their school papers, sexuality studies, and alternative sexuality resources. And it's for people who think asexuality doesn't exist. Chapters include: Asexuality as a Sexual Orientation Romantic Orientation Libido and Masturbation Intimate and Sexual Activity Asexual Relationships Asexual Community Should Asexual People Get Therapy and Be Fixed Am I Asexual? Should I Come Out? And much more If you think you may be asexual, or if you have a friend or partner who may be a sexual, this personal book will help you better understand what it means to be asexual in a world dominated by sexuality.

Drawing on original empirical research, this book provides a critical understanding of current theory in the study of sexuality. Inter-disciplinary in approach, Jennifer Harding identifies a series of key issues on contemporary discourses: essentialism vs constructionism; gender and sexuality; representation and concepts of identity; Foucalut's notion of `discourse'; and Butler's theory of gender `performance'. These topics are explored in the light of contemporary cultural contexts - for instance, the debate on hormone theory and the social construction of sexuality, `gender bending' and masculinity, the maternal body, queer families, and constructions of motherhood and fatherhood. Critical summaries of the main debates in the field are presented in an accessible way, while the text forms an insightful guide to the dilemmas involved in the private/public divide.

By returning to primary source material, including the Torah and ancient and medieval rabbinic literature, Rabbi Gershon Winkler illustrates the often uninhibited and celebrative attitudes towards sexuality and sensual pleasure found in Jewish teachings. Unfortunately, Judaism's healthy outlook on human desires and physical enjoyment has been nearly lost after centuries of subjection to host religions and cultures that have all but squelched the notion of sensuality. In this fascinating and often surprising volume, the myth of a 'Judeo-Christian' approach to sex is shattered.

This book offers a unique Australian perspective on the global crisis in refugee protection. Using performance as both an object and a lens, this volume explores the politics and aesthetics of migration control, border security and refugee resistance. The first half of the book, titled On Stage, examines performance objects such as verbatim and documentary plays, children's theatre, immersive performance, slam poetry, video art and feature films. Specifically, it considers how refugees, and their artistic collaborators, assert their individuality, agency and authority as well as their resistance to cruel policies like offshore processing through performance. The second half of the book, titled Off Stage, employs performance as a lens to analyse the wider field of refugee politics, including the relationship between forced migrants and the forced displacement of First Nations peoples that underpins the settler-colonial state, philosophies of cosmopolitanism, the role of the canon in art history and the spectacle of bordering practices. In doing so, it illuminates the strategic performativity-and nonperformativity-of the law, philosophy, the state and the academy more broadly in the exclusion and control of refugees. Taken together, the chapters in this volume draw on, and contribute to, a wide range of disciplines including theatre and performance studies, cultural studies, border studies and forced migration studies, and will be of great interest to students and scholars in all four fields.

View the Table of Contents. Read the Introduction.

aThe first book to date to take an in-depth look at the meaning men and women ascribe to their first experiences with sexual intercourse....This body of research appears to be promising and will likely add much information to literature in the area of sexual behavior.a
&$151;"Sex Roles"

"Well written and engaging, Virginity Lost is an extremely valuable contribution, giving us in depth and moving descriptions of how first sexual experiences changed men's and women's lives and capturing interesting comparisons of both heterosexual and homosexual relationships and encounters. Laura Carpenter assumes nothing, and therefore, learns a great deal. Reading this book has changed the way I look at first intercourse. I am in the author's debt, as is, I believe, the entire field of sexology."
--Pepper Schwartz, author of "Everything You Know about Love and Sex Is Wrong"

"A provocative book. Carpenter's extensive in-depth research shows that the meaning of virginity loss differs by gender and by sexual orientation. For the details, read this excellent book!"
--Judith Lorber, author of "Paradoxes of Gender"

"Laura Carpenter has added hugely to our impoverished understanding of how young people manage the transition from virginity. Her lively and graceful account of virginity loss enriches our knowledge of sexual development."--Frank Furstenberg, author of "Teenage Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing"

"I've read many books in the field of sexuality, and I must say that this is one of the best I've come across. . . . A joy to read."
--Denise Donnelly, co-editor of "Sex Matters: The Sexuality and Society Reader"

aThis is agreat book. It is well researched, grounded in compelling personal stories from 61 diverse young Americans, and accessibly written...Carpenter nicely grounds her analysis in sociocultural context, considering wider social reasons for shifting attitudes toward virginity loss and adeptly attending to the intersecting identifications of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.a
"Choice," Highly recommended

Nervous, inexperienced, confused. For most, losing your virginity is one of life's most significant moments, always to be remembered. Of course, experiences vary, but Laura Carpenter asks: Is there an ideal way to lose it? What would constitute a "positive" experience? What often compels the big step? And, further, what does "going all the way" really mean for young gays and lesbians?

In this first comprehensive study of virginity loss, Carpenter teases out the complexities of all things virgin by drawing on interviews with both young men and women who are straight, gay or bisexual. Virginity Lost offers a rare window into one of life's most intimate and significant sexual moments. The stories here are frank, poignant and fascinating as Carpenter presents an array of experiences that run the gamut from triumphant to devastating.

Importantly, Carpenter argues that one's experience of virginity loss can have a powerful impact on one's later sexual experiences. Especially at a time of increased debate about sexual abstinence versus safe sex education in public schools, this important volume will provide essential information about the sex lives of young people.

At first glance the sexual male seems easy to understand, but beneath the surface lie complexities that disrupt lives and relationships. Why can men be so distant in bed? Why do many men love porn so much? And can he love porn and still love his wife? Respected psychologist Michael Bader takes an honest look at the nuances of male sexuality, addressing issues such as sexual boredom, internet sex, and sexual fantasies that can leave women bewildered and men ashamed. Illustrated with engaging examples from his practice, Male Sexuality gives readers, both women and men, deeper understanding of male behavior from the flamboyant to the mundane. Through increased awareness of the psychology behind the sex, Bader aims to enhance individual self-esteem and improve communication in relationships.

Across the globe, both in developed and developing countries, the population is rapidly ageing. In the fields of sexual and relationship therapy and sexual health, ageing has not been an issue of priority. Too often, ageing is thought of as a process that relates to problems, deficits, and taboos, and less to pleasure, change, growth and diversity. It is treated as a separate life stage and not a process throughout the lifecycle. Sexuality and sexual health are important parts of the lives of older people, as they have a significant impact on quality of life, psychological well-being and physical health, as well as social and family life. This book brings together contributions from those currently writing on and researching ageing as it relates, in a therapeutic context, to gender identity, to sex and sexuality, and to intimate relationships. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

This is the first in-depth examination of contemporary intercultural performance by women around the world. Contemporary feminist performance is explored in the contexts of current intercultural practices, theories and debates. Holledge and Tompkins provide ways of thinking about and analysing contemporary performance and representations of the performing, female, culturally-marked body. The book includes discussions of: * ritual performance by women from Central Australia and Korea * the cultural exchange of A Doll's House and Antigone * plays from Algeria, South Africa and Ghana * the work of the Takarazuka revue company * the market forces that govern the distribution of women and women's performance. This is an essential read for anyone studying or interested in women's performance.

Each chapter in this unique volume explores intersections of sex, religion, and media in our society. An interdisciplinary cast of contributors examines a wide variety of themes, including entertainment producers' roles in disseminating sexual and religious content; news coverage of stories about sex and religion; religious conservatives' efforts to influence media coverage of sex and 'values;' and how religious consumers are influenced by and react to sexual content in media.

The prolific theatrical activity that abounded on the stages of early modern Europe demonstrates that drama was a genre that transcended national borders. The transnational character of early modern theater reflects the rich admixture of various dramatic traditions, such as Spain's comedia and Italy's commedia dell'arte, but also the transformations across cultures of Spanish novellas to French plays and English interludes. Of particular import to this study is the role that women and gender played in this cross-pollination of theatrical sources and practices. Contributors to the volume not only investigate the gendered effect of Spanish texts and literary types on English and French drama, they address the actual journeys of Spanish actresses to French theaters and of Italian actresses to the Spanish stage, while several emphasize the movement of royal women to various courts and their impact on theatrical activity in Spain and abroad. In their innovative focus on women's participation and influence, the chapters in this volume illustrate the frequent yet little studied transnational and transcultural points of contact between Spanish theater and the national theaters of England, France, Austria, and Italy.

'There's a lot of stigma attached to sex. Particularly with women, you have a big dichotomy between: Do you have sex? Do you not? Do you be a slut? Do you be a virgin? Do you be a prude? Do you be a man-whore? You can't really win.' Women are always being told how to be sexy, but are rarely asked what actually turns them on. Wendy Jones wanted to find out, so she interviewed twenty-four women from all walks of life, including a burlesque dancer, a girl guide leader, a shop assistant, a ninety-four year old who remembers the sexual freedom of the war, a transexual, a nun, a feminist into BDSM, a covered Muslim, a mother, a student, a polyamorist, and a sexual healer. The women talked about their lives, bodies, sexual fantasies and relationships, about what they've learned, how they have been hurt, what they enjoy and what they long for. The interviews are frank, engaging, and surprising. Each woman is unique but together they speak for a majority, and it's time we listened. This honest and inspiring exploration of female desire will change the way we think and talk about sex forever. 'English women have a reputation for being reserved and uptight; actually behind closed doors we're outrageous.'

Pleasure and desire have been important components of the vision for sexuality education for over 20 years. This book argues that there has been a lack of scrutiny over the political motivations that underpin research supportive of pleasure and desire within comprehensive sexuality education. In this volume, key researchers in the field consider how discourses related to pleasure and desire have been taken up internationally. They argue that sexuality education is clearly shaped by specific cultural and political contexts, and examine how these contexts have shaped the development of pleasure's inclusion in such programs. Via such discussions, this volume incites a re-configuration of thought regarding sexuality education's approach to pleasure and desire.

"Bisexuality is about three centuries overdue . . . nevertheless, here it is: a learned, witty study of how our curious culture has managed to get everything wrong about sex." -Gore Vidal

First Published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Thomas Martorelli's For People, Not for Profit tells the story of Fenway Health's growth from a small, volunteer-run walk-in clinic to an international leader into an international leader in care and research for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and people living with HIV/AIDS. It is also the story of the tremendous societal changes that drove and affected that growth. The community activism and volunteer collectives of the 1970s; the devastation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which emerged in the 1980s; the LGBT civil rights movement that gained strength and momentum through the 1990s; and the advances in research and advocacy that have brought so many health care and civil rights victories in the 2000s - it's all there. At the same time, Martorelli tells us Fenway's story through the voices of the people who were and are still a part of this incredible organization - from the early ups and downs through Fenway's growth into one of the largest LGBT health organizations in the world.

First Published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This controversial approach to marriage has transformed thousands of relationships, bringing women romance, harmony, and the intimacy they crave.

Like millions of women, Laura Doyle wanted her marriage to be better. But when she tried to get her husband to be more romantic, helpful, and ambitious, he withdrew -- and she was lonely and exhausted from controlling everything. Desperate to be in love with her man again, she decided to stop telling him what to do and how to do it.

When Doyle surrendered control, something magical happened. The union she had always dreamed of appeared. The man who had wooed her was back.

The underlying principle of The Surrendered Wife is simple: The control women wield at work and with children must be left at the front door of any marriage. Laura Doyle's model for matrimony shows women how they can both express their needs and have them met while also respecting their husband's choices. When they do, they revitalize intimacy.

Compassionate and practical, The Surrendered Wife is a step-by-step guide that teaches women how to:

• Give up unnecessary control and responsibility
• Resist the temptation to criticize, belittle, or dismiss their husbands
• Trust their husbands in every aspect of marriage -- from sexual to financial

And more.

The Surrendered Wife will show you how to transform a lonely marriage into a passionate union.

Sexually curious adults can learn how to enjoy bedroom bondage in an easy step-by-step fashion while still being tasteful, playful, and authentic Rope bondage is not just about tying someone up; it is an opportunity for sensuality, creativity, playfulness, connection, and passion. Bondage artist and educator Lee Harrington takes you on a journey through easy step-by-step ties and exercises for bringing you and your partner closer together through this beautiful art form. The second book in the Shibari You Can Use series, More Shibari You Can Use picks up where the first book left off, with all new ties in a playful, down-to-earth, and engaging voice. But it's about more than the bondage. This time you also get a chance to connect more with your partner through a variety of exercises that explore touch, dominance and submission, intimacy, and trust. With beautifully shot images by RiggerJay, this guide offers intermediate techniques for those ready for a challenge, broken down into clear directions for new and experienced "riggers" alike. Find techniques for learning rope bondage negotiation, speed restraint (Texas handcuffs and speed-release corsets), intricate confinement (the reverse box tie and the woven head cage), beautiful erotic rope (from the Triskelion crotch rope to the floral chest harness), and much more. Are you ready to have fun? To deepen your connection with your partner? To create beautiful artwork woven on the human form? To add some spice to your erotic life? Now is your chance. Set aside your concerns about tying someone up, grab this book and some rope, and learn passionate rope bondage for an intimate connection.

Winner of the 2011 AASECT Book Award! Co-authors of Men's Sexual Health, Michael Metz and Barry McCarthy have come together to inspire and motivate readers in their newest book, Enduring Desire. Real-life examples and clear, helpful individual and couple exercises allow readers to reach for realistic and high quality sexual satisfaction as a couple. Throughout the book, the authors promote positive, realistic sexual expectations without commercialism and the hyped, exotic promises that only set people up for disappointment. The message is down-to-earth and full of joy for all couples from their 20s to their 80s. The authors advocate the variable, flexible "Good Enough Sex" (GES) model, which validates the inherent variability and flexibility of couple sexuality and examines the biopsychosocial, multidimensional, and comprehensive roles, functions and meanings of couple sexuality.

On those nights when you are spending time with that someone special. A little thing to spice up your nights and to warm the senses.

In this extraordinary and bold book, S.H. Clark explores and constructs a history of poetic misogyny. For the first time, a wide range of English poetry by men is examined for evidence of the articulation of heterosexual masculine desires.
But Clark goes beyond a straightforward oppositional model of reading the male canon, to ask how we read this work 'after feminism', and whether it is possible to value these texts as misogynist texts in the light of feminist theory?
Sordid Images is a challenging, controversial book. It will excite and unsettle its readers, and inspire many to look again at some of the cornerstone works of English literature.

Sex is hot isn't it? Do you notice how sexually suggestive erotic images greet you at every corner? These 'steamy' images give a one-sided, unbalanced view of sex. For deeply satisfying sex the real secret is to reduce the heat, to cool down, and to be relaxed and mindful. Nature designed bodies for easy going loving sexual play that lasts for hours. Using the ancient eastern understandings of Tantra and body magnetism, higher experiences and blissful states are available. Cool Sex by Wendy Doeleman and Diana Richardson provides explanations, practical tips and easy to follow exercises. Discover the empowerment and fulfilment of sex with loving mindfulness.

Get ready for the ride of your life Fifty-plus looks nothing like it used to. Fitter, healthier, many of us hit half a century with little sign of slowing down. And yet...there's no denying that something happens to us sexually at 50. The menopause brings with it a whole slew of challenges, from bottomed-out libidos to painful sex, weight gain and body image issues. Many men grapple with erectile dysfunction and the mixed blessing that is Viagra. Toss in dodgy knees, stiff backs and fatigue and sex can become a source of stress rather than pleasure. Other challenges go beyond the physical: how do you ignite desire after decades with the same person? And what if you (or your partner) simply no longer wants to have sex? Happily, information and enthusiasm are all it takes to reclaim a robust sex life, whatever your situation. Let international sex expert Tracey Cox navigate you through what's actually happening to your body and what you can do about it. She'll show you how to age-proof your libido and stop comparing the sex you had when you were young with the sex you have now; how to arouse yourself and your partner (hello, sex toys!), how to flirt (remember?), how to create the perfect conditions for sex, what to do when infidelity visits, how to navigate sex when you're fifty- (or sixty- or seventy-) something and single, and so much more. Using a blend of research, case histories and personal anecdotes, Great Sex Starts at 50 is real, reassuring, honest, funny and most of all empowering. This is not about trying to stay young, or turning back the clock-it's about being the best version of yourself so you can live the second half of your life as happily as the first.

Over twenty years Wilhelm Reich, a psychologist and doctor of medicine, studied the relationship between the emotional, physiological and physical functions of biological energy. He saw the orgasm as the key to the body's energy metabolism, discovering that the biological emotions governing the psychic processes are themselves the immediate expression of strictly physical energy - which he named the cosmic orgone. Initially derided, Reich's theories are now seen as crucial to our understanding of ourselves and our fellow men. In appreciating why the orgasm brings a feeling of physical and emotional well-being, we can also gain insight into the physical and emotional ills that result from a thwarting of this bioenergetic function. Many researches into psychic energy believe that the aura recorded by Kirlian photography is nothing less than the manifestation of Reich's orgone energy.