Queer by Choice enters the controversial debate of sexual identity by examining choice in gay men and lesbian sexual identity. Drawing on interviews with a sample of 72 people, Whisman analyzes if, and to what extent, choice played a role in determining identity. Contributing factors such as race, class, religion, and educational level are considered. The results of the study are stimulating and often surprising, and contribute to the escalating debates over sexual identity as lesbians and gays continue to soldier for rights and representation.

Some 12 years into the epidemic, with an effective preventive vaccine or therapy against HIV disease still to be found, this book reflects on the contributions of social and behavioural research to the development of interventions for prevention. After over a decade's work documenting HIV and AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, social researchers have begun to focus more clearly on perceptions of sexual safety and risk, and the factors that contribute to these. The issues addressed by the book were examined during three major conferences in 1994: the annual conference of the British Sociological Association, the 2nd International Conference on the BioPsychoSocial Aspects of AIDS and the Xth International Conference on AIDS. The book brings together key papers presented at each of these conferences, documenting issues of focal concern to social researchers, policy makers and health educators in the mid-1990s.

In this important book, editor Michael Ross brings together the latest knowledge and research concerning the relationship between HIV and AIDS and sexual functioning. HIV/AIDS and Sexuality explores the experiences of being HIV-infected and the impact of infection on an individual's sexuality. It describes differences that may be associated with individuals who are infected or concerned about infection, and it provides new in-depth analyses of the effect of HIV on sexuality and sexual risks. The book provides clinical perspectives on sexual problems associated with HIV infection as well as some treatment approaches. Contributing authors represent the United States, Australia, and Europe and discuss heterosexual men and women, gay men, lesbians, and injecting drug users. This diversity provides a more complete picture of the experiences of people with HIV in terms of explicit and implicit sexuality. Chapters include cross-sectional and cohort study designs as well as qualitative, quantitative, and clinical approaches. Some of the topics explored are: the centrality of sexuality to equality of life and identity and the impact of HIV on sexuality in gay-identified men the psychological impact of making changes in sexual behavior on gay men with HIV infection risk behaviors in seropositive and seronegative women a study of a cohort of HIV-infected women associated with the military sexual addiction in gay men and its association with HIV risks overt and subtle communications processes that occur between health care providers and clients about sexuality and HIV stages of change in safer sexual practices in a cohort of gay men personality variables associated with risk and infection in both homosexual and heterosexual menHIV/AIDS and Sexuality opens up the area of sexuality in people living with HIV and focuses much-needed attention on the issues involved in sexual expression, HIV transmission risk, and living with HIV infection. This book is an illuminating exploration into the subject that helps professionals better understand their clients and thus provide more compassionate and effective care.

How does the sexual identity that anthropologists have in their "home" society affect the kind of sexuality they are allowed to express in other cultures? "Taboo" looks at the ethnographer and sexuality in anthropological fieldwork and considers the many roles that sexuality plays in the anthropological production of knowledge and texts.
"Taboo" looks at how the anthropologist's sexuality is perceived by the people with whom he or she does research. It looks at the frequency of sexual violence and intimidation in the field and why its existence is virtually unmentioned in anthropology. Other issues, including same-sex relationships, seduction and eroticism in the field, and traditional sex roles, are confronted. This lively book explores the influence this tabooed topic has had on the entire practice and production of anthropology. Both the seasoned anthropologist and those about to undertake fieldwork will find that "Taboo" contains engrossing articles on the types of personal and professional experiences which make up sexual life in the field.

Taboo looks at the ethnographer and sexuality in anthropological fieldwork and considers the many roles that sexuality plays in the anthropological production of knowledge and texts. How does the sexual identity that anthropologists have in their "home" society affect the kind of sexuality they are allowed to express in other cultures? How is the anthropologists' sexuality perceived by the people with whom he or she does research? How common is sexual violence and intimidation in the field and why is its existence virtually unmentioned in anthropology? These are but a few of the questions to be confronted, exploring from differing perspectives the depth of the influence this tabooed topic has on the entire practice and production of anthropology.
A long-overdue text for all students and lecturers of anthropology, many post-fieldwork readers will find a resonance of issues they have previously faced (or tried to avoid) and those who are still to undertake fieldwork will find articles that refer to other kinds of personal and professional experience as well as providing invaluable preparations for coping in the field.

Based on the findings of a research project conducted by the World Health Organisation, this book contains unpublished material on AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviour in countries in Africa, Asia and South America, including: Cote d'Ivoire; Kenya; Lesotho; Mauritius; Tanzania; Sri Lanka; Singapore; Thailand; and Brazil. The book provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the findings from 16 key surveys in the original research programme, the aim of which was to identify baseline levels of sexual and other risk behaviours. The text is intended to be of use to a wide range of readers, including those working in health education, social and behavioural research, anthropology, social medicine and sexual behaviour research.

Based on the findings of a research project conducted by the World Health Organisation, this book contains unpublished material on AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behaviour in countries in Africa, Asia and South America, including: Cote d'Ivoire; Kenya; Lesotho; Mauritius; Tanzania; Sri Lanka; Singapore; Thailand and Brazil. The book provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the findings from 16 key surveys in the original research programme, the aim of which was to identify baseline levels of sexual and other risk behaviours. The text is intended to be of use to a wide range of readers, including those working in health education, social and behavioural research, anthropology, social medicine and sexual behaviour research.

This work focuses specifically on the issues relating to the sexuality of people with learning disabilities. At root, these are ethical issues. Sex worries people in our culture and in the case of those we perceive as vulnerable, this can lead us to deny their sexuality.;The authors use a storytelling approach to challenge readers into thinking more about an area that is at times put to one side. They explore the rights of people with learning difficulties to be informed about sexuality, to form rleationships, to express their sexual nature and to found families.

This text provides a feminist overview of the development of both the mainstream and the feminist variant of the survey as a means of investigating sexual attitude and behaviour. It examines the origins and development of the sex survey and focuses on the sex survey as a research means for a number of reasons: firstly, sex surveys have been an important means of influencing popular opinion about sexual "norms" and conventions. Secondly, this approach is of great importance in ideas about "science" and generalisability and validity. Thirdly, changes and developments in the form and status of the survey from the 1930s through the post-war period are considerably under-researched, especially from a feminist point of view. The book is divided into three sections. Section One examines the creation of Mass-Observation and the methodological ideology which lead to the world's first random national sample survey "Little Kinsey". Section Two provides a feminist overview of the work of Mass-Observation and its relationship to mainstream social science. Section Three provides an in-depth discussion of the structure and argument of "Little Kinsey", and the common-sense ideas or "sexual theory"

This text provides a feminist overview of the development of both the mainstream and the feminist variant of the survey as a means of investigating sexual attitude and behaviour. It examines the origins and development of the sex survey and focuses on the sex survey as a research means for a number of reasons: firstly, sex surveys have been an important means of influencing popular opinion about sexual "norms" and conventions. Secondly, this approach is of great importance in ideas about "science" and generalisability and validity. Thirdly, changes and developments in the form and status of the survey from the 1930s through the post-war period are considerably under-researched, especially from a feminist point of view. The book is divided into three sections. Section One examines the creation of Mass-Observation and the methodological ideology which lead to the world's first random national sample survey "Little Kinsey". Section Two provides a feminist overview of the work of Mass-Observation and its relationship to mainstream social science. Section Three provides an in-depth discussion of the structure and argument of "Little Kinsey", and the common-sense ideas or "sexual theory"

Sexuality and sexual politics have been much debated over the last 20 years and feminists, in particular, have been responsible for politicising the debate, pointing out how something which is usually regarded as private and personal is, in fact, a public and political issue. This text illustrates the diversity and excitement of debates about sexuality in women's studies and feminism today, and points to new paths for feminist analysis, thinking and action. In particular, heterosexuality can no longer be taken for granted and must, along with other forms of sexuality, be explicitly addressed. The volume is divided into three sections: "Analysing (Hetero)sexuality" is concerned with exploring some of the complexities of the material aspects of sexual relations between men and women; "Media Discourses of Sexuality" contains analyses derived from women's magazines, television and newspapers; and "Practising Sexual Politics" focuses on the reflexive awareness of sexual politics in the framing of methodological issues in research.

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Jennifer can t believe it. Just married and pregnant, she discovers that her husband has been meeting Brad for sex. When confronted, Tom doesn t deny it, but he insists it s just a thing and he isn t gay. He tells Jennifer he loves her and wants to stay married. She is sure her marriage can t survive. John s wife, Karen, discovers that her husband likes to watch gay porn. John doesn t understand his wife s reaction. He isn t being unfaithful. Why does she care what he watches? In couples therapy, Karen raises the same questions that Jennifer has: Does this mean my husband is gay? Can my marriage survive? These and other stories illustrate the difficulties inherent when a wife or girlfriend finds out her man has had or wants to have sexual contact with other men. But many times, the man is not gay or even bi-sexual. Of course, some men with gay sexual interests are gay men in a process of self discovery; they are coming out. But many times, these desires only reflect a different side of a man s sexuality or some response to childhood trauma or experiences they have not fully processed. Their stories illustrate the fact that men can be straight but have gay sexual interests. Here Joe Kort and Alexander Morgan make the distinction between gay men and straight men with gay interests more clear to women who want to know how they can get through finding out about these other interests. They explain the many reasons why straight men may be drawn to gay sex, how to tell whether a man is gay, straight, or bisexual, and what the various options are for these couples, who can often go on to have very fulfilling marriages. Through the use of first hand composite stories from clinical settings, Kort and Morgan also help to readers to come to a better understanding of their own and their partner s sex lives and fantasies. Is My Husband Gay, Straight or Bi? is a self-help book intended to help couples understand how male sexuality can express itself in ways that may be difficult to understand. Many marriages have been hurriedly terminated when men and women (and their therapists) have lacked the information they needed to understand a couple s true options. This book provides the clarity, describes the options, and (in many cases) offers hope for relationships and marriages that have been brushed off as doomed."

Georges Bataille is now recognized as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century. Fascinated by the excessive movement of life, Bataille developed a complex philosophy based upon examination of the interplay between death and eroticism. For him, eroticism was the foundation of human experience, providing a sharp insight into the basis of human society and the response of the individual to it. Largely neglected during his lifetime, Bataille's influence has grown during the last thirty years, first in France and more recently in the UK and the US, where it has often been associated with the rise of post-structuralism and postmodernism. This text argues that his work is often misunderstood and conflated too readily with postmodernism; instead, the author treats Bataille as a multi-faceted thinker who does not fit in easily with any simple categorization.

Georges Bataille is now recognized as one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century. Fascinated by the excessive movement of life, Bataille developed a complex philosophy based upon examination of the interplay between death and eroticism. For him, eroticism was the foundation of human experience, providing a sharp insight into the basis of human society and the response of the individual to it. Largely neglected during his lifetime, Bataille's influence has grown during the last thirty years, first in France and more recently in the UK and the US, where it has often been associated with the rise of post-structuralism and postmodernism. This text argues that his work is often misunderstood and conflated too readily with postmodernism; instead, the author treats Bataille as a multi-faceted thinker who does not fit in easily with any simple categorization.

"Erotics and Politics" examines the intersection of the study of sexuality (particularly gay male studies) and gender (spceifically those concerned with feminist issues). In doing so, it covers a wide range of subjects important to gay and feminist movements of the past 25 years. These issues include gay liberational sexuality, sado-masochism, pornography, promiscuity, personal relationships, AIDS and postmodernity. The central focus of attention throughout is the nature and development of gay male sexuality and masculinity. This book is unique in its coverage of a wide range of topics and its analytical connection of these topics which are usually examined in isolation. Drawing upon both academic material as well as personal accounts, "Erotics and Politics" discusses such issues as how feminism and gay male sexuality enjoy a simultaneously collaborative and antagonistic relationship; how society has conflated issues of gay liberation, child abuse and sadomasochism.

This book attempts to provide an interface between the study of sexuality (particularly gay male studies) and gender (primarily feminism). In doing so it covers a wide range of issues of concern to gay and feminist movements over the past twenty five years including gay liberational sexuality, sado-masochism, pornography, promiscuity, personal relationships, AIDS and postmodernity. The central focus of attention throughout is the nature, development and consequence of gay male sexuality and masculinity. The text is unique in its coverage of a wide range of issues and connecting subjects which are typically examined separately.

First Published in 1994. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"Up Against Foucault" introduces key aspects of Foucault's work to feminists, in ways which are less abstracted than much of the existing literature in this area. It includes an introduction to Foucault's terms, and fills a gap in the literature by clarifying the links between the everyday realities of women's lives and Foucault's work on sexuality and power. The contributors explore the implications of analyzing power relations, sexuality or the body, without also thinking about gender and other social divisions. They bring their expertise from social theory and philosophy to bear on the same core issues; the ways in which Foucault provokes feminists into questioning their grasp of power relations, and the implications of the absence of gender in his own work. "Up Against Foucault" shows that, in spite of his lack of interest in gender, Foucault does have much to offer feminism - proposing new ways of understanding the control of women and especially the control of sexuality and bodies. This book offers new ground in relating Foucault's challenge to feminism to feminism's challenge to Foucault.

"Up Against Foucault" introduces key aspects of Foucault's work to feminists, in ways which are less abstracted than much of the existing literature in this area. It includes an introduction to Foucault's terms, and fills a gap in the literature by clarifying the links between the everyday realities of women's lives and Foucault's work on sexuality and power. The contributors explore the implications of analyzing power relations, sexuality or the body, without also thinking about gender and other social divisions. They bring their expertise from social theory and philosophy to bear on the same core issues; the ways in which Foucault provokes feminists into questioning their grasp of power relations, and the implications of the absence of gender in his own work. "Up Against Foucault" shows that, in spite of his lack of interest in gender, Foucault does have much to offer feminism - proposing new ways of understanding the control of women and especially the control of sexuality and bodies. This book offers new ground in relating Foucault's challenge to feminism to feminism's challenge to Foucault.

A "common woman" in medieval England was a prostitute, distinguished as such less for taking money for sex than for belonging to all men in common. Karras's book tells the story of these women, their experiences, relations, and treatment under the law, and concludes that prostitution was central to the medieval understanding of feminity.

An exploration of the diverse presentations of gender dysphoria and how it affects an individual's physical, psychological, social, and sexual adjustment, Gender Dysphoria provides comprehensive and applicable treatment approaches available for a wide spectrum of presentations of this disorder. The need for evaluating and treating gender dysphoria in the context of the gender dysphoric client's overall mental and physical health is stressed. International experts in the clinical management of gender dysphoria contribute valuable information on contemporary approaches in assessment, psychological and medical treatment, and adjustment of individuals with gender identity disorders. In Gender Dysphoria, clinicians will find important information on hormone therapy options and their physical results and side effects, and the effectiveness of sex reassignment surgery in improving a gender dysphoric client's adjustment. This comprehensive book covers a wealth of topics essential for clinicians who treat gender dysphoria, including: terminology and classification of gender identity disorders a validation of the "Cross-Gender Questionnaire," a newly developed clinical assessment tool reported regrets of post-surgical transsexuals the affective component of gender dysphoria in young boys a model for identifying and treating gender identity disorder in females a thorough description of a comprehensive treatment approach for a wide spectrum of presentations of gender dysphoria Filled with useful information on the clinical management of gender identity disorders, Gender Dysphoria meets the practical needs of clinical sexologists, psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, physicians, sex researchers, social scientists, and specialists who evaluate and treat gender dysphoria.

Just as psychoanalytic interest in masochism dates from the earliest days of psychoanalysis, the various approaches to its understanding have reflected the developmental vicissitudes of psychoanalytic theory as it moved from its early focus on instinct to considerations of psychic structure and oedipall dynamics, object relations, separation-individuation, self-organization, and self-esteem regulation, and as it progressed into more systematic investigation of child development.

Masochism: Current Psychoanalytic Perspectives offers an updated review of perspectives on masochism influence by current developments in psychoanalytic research and theory. The newer emphasis on and investigations of early preoedipal events have, as Cooper stresses in this volume, provided a significant scientific and clinical yield. The application of these newer perspectives to the issue of masochism holds considerable promise.

The debate on whether or not people are born homosexual (biological essentialist theory) or become homosexual during the course of their lives (social constructionist theory) continues as each side claims to prove the truth through research and clinical findings. This breakthrough book shows the fissures in concepts of the gay and lesbian identity and the one-sidedness of both biological essentialist and social constructionist versions of both sexual and gender identity. The editors present an alternative view--sexual and gender expression is a product of complementary biological, personal, and cultural influences in If You Seduce a Straight Person, Can You Make Them Gay?Through theoretical analysis, ethnographic and empirical data, and case studies, the editors show how the one-sidedness of both biological essentialist and social constructionist versions of sexual and gender identity make it difficult, if not impossible, to conceptually determine the origin of an individual s sexual expression. This thought-provoking book covers many topics that are sure to cause readers to re-evaluate their thinking about the origins of gay and lesbian identity. Among the topics examined with this fresh perspective are: Childhood Cross-Gender Behavior and Adult Homosexuality Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Coming Out Homosexuality, Marriage, Fidelity, and the Gay Community: Case of Gay Husbands Can Seduction Make Straight Men Gay? Gay and Lesbian Identities in Non-industrialized Societies--Surinam (Dutch New Guinea), Turkey, Nicaragua, and Argentina Political-Economic Construction of Gay Male IdentitiesReaders will clearly see that the controversy over the being born gay or becoming gay debate is far from resolved. From the beginning, the book explores how human beings are less constrained by biology than many would like to believe. Social circumstances and economics cause some determination of identity, but not exclusively. Theoretical introductions to each chapter attempt to synthesize elements on both sides of this most contemporary debate.

Human sexuality today stands at the crossroads between biological diversity and social conformity, and a battle between the two rages in the media, in social institutions, and in our daily lives. As a sex therapist, Michael Aaron witnesses this struggle each and every day as it plays out on his therapy couch. Modern Sexuality: The Truth about Sex and Relationships examines how biology and society collide head-on in the realm of human sexuality. Here, Aaron carefully and convincingly debunks some of the most commonly held beliefs about sexuality - that it is learned and can be changed; that "abnormal" sexual behavior is pathological; that healthy sexuality involves intimacy; that intimacy is the same to everyone; and that sexuality must have a clearly defined purpose. Using groundbreaking brain-imaging studies and cutting- edge psychological insights, Modern Sexuality presents the overwhelming case for sexual diversity including orientation, non-traditional relationships, and even specific fantasies and kinks. In a world where sexual "outsiders" battle for acceptance, this work helps to explore the variety of sexual expressions from a normative standpoint, helping readers to understand that their own desires and those of others can happily exist on the same continuum.