Sexual Self

SEXUAL SELF
01
Terms and
Definitions
SEX
● Refers to the biological characteristics that
define humans as female or male.
Note: While, sex is normally reffered to as sexual

activity. For the purposes of our discussion we will
refer to sex as the definition above.
GENDER
● A complex interrelationship between an
individual’s biological gender, gender identity,
and gender expression.
Kinds of Gender
● Biological gender - Biological anatomy at

birth
● Cisgender - an individual who’s sexual
orientation, gender orientation/expression
matches their biological sex assigned at
birth.
● Gender Identity - : The sense of “being” a
specific gender such as man, woman,
genderqueer, agender, etc.
Kinds of Gender
● Gender Expression - The many ways in
which an individual manifests femininity,
masculinity, neither or both such as
behavior speech, sexual preferences,
clothing, etc.
● Gender Fluid - A person who is able to
manifest and adapt to various genders.
● Gender Binary - The belief that there are
only two genders: male and female.
Kinds of Gender
● Gender Non-Conforming (GNC): A

person whose presentation of their
gender does not match the expectations
associated with that gender.
● Gender Normative/ Gender Straight: An
individual whose biological sex matches
their gender identity and expression.
Also known as cisgender.
Kinds of Gender
● Gender Role: Expectations, rules, behaviors,
and roles given to males and females by
society, such as masculine traits for males and
feminine traits for females.
● Gender Queer: An individual whose identity
is outside what is generally accepted as part
of the gender binary. They tend to view the
dominant beliefs about sex, gender, and desire
determined by society as problematic.
KINDS OF GENDER
GENDER VARIANT
● A person who does not conform to the Transman: A label used by female-to-male
gender expectations of society by either transgender or transsexual individuals who
choice or nature (e.g. transgender,
indicate that they are male while still
transsexual, intersex, gender-queer,
cross-dresser, etc.).
asserting their birth sex.
Transwoman: A label used by male-to-

TRANSGENDER female transgender or transsexual
individuals who indicate that they are
● An individual who presents themself
female while still asserting their birth sex.
and lives as a gender that does not
corresponds with the sex they were
assigned at birth.
Sexual Orientation
● Sexual Orientation: How one feels drawn to other people in sexual or

romantic ways; A person’s romantic, sexual, emotional or spiritual
attraction to others based on gender
● Important note: This does NOT define their sexual preference

Asexual - low/lack sexual attraction or low/lack desire
for sexual partners
Bisexual - who is sexually, emotionally and/or

physically attracted to both men and women
Demisexual - Does not feel sexual attraction until they

have formed a strong emotional connection
Gay - used to describe the emotional, physical, and/ or

sexual attraction between members of the same gender
Heterosexual - Attracted to the opposite gender
Homosexual - Attracted to the same gender

Lesbian - identified women who are attracted emotionally,
physically, and sexually to other identified women
Metrosexual - A heterosexual man who focuses on appearance

and resources to what is considered gender normative
MSM/WSW - Stands for men “who have sex with men” and
“women who have sex with women” in a way of
differentiating sexual behaviors from sexual identities.
Mx. - Alternative prefix for individuals who do not identify

with either Mr. or Ms.
Pansexual - An individual who is attracted physically,

emotionally and sexually to all gender identities and
expressions.
Sexual Preference: The types of sexual
stimulation, gratification, and intercourse that
an individual likes to receive and participate
in.
Sensuality: the attractiveness, love,
relationships, and enjoyment of the world
through the five senses
SOGIE is an acronym that is mostly used to
understand human sexuality.
Sexual
Orientation
Gender
Identity
Expression
●Fluid(ity): Term used to describe an
identity that shifts or changes over time
(man and woman, bi and straight, etc.).
●Heteronormativity: The belief by people
and/or institutions that everyone is
heterosexual and that heterosexuality is
superior to all other sexualities.
●Heterosexism: The behavior that gives
preferential treatment to heterosexual
individuals.
●Homophobia: The fear, intolerance,
resentment, discomfort, or hatred towards
members of the LGBTQ community.
●Intersex: An individual who is born with a
combination of male and female gonads,
hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals.
●LGBTQ/GSM/DSG: stands for Lesbian, Gay,
Bi, Transgender, and Queer/ Gender Sexual
Minorities/ Diverse Genders and Sexualities.
02
Sexuality
● Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts,
fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors,
practices, roles and relationships.
● Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological,

psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, legal,
historical, religious and spiritual factors.” (WHO, 2006a)
Circles of Sexuality
Sensuality
● the enjoyment, expression, or pursuit of
physical, especially sexual, pleasure.
Body Image
● We can feel attracted to someone’s sense
of humor, intelligence, charisma, or
kindness, and whether it is sexual or non-
sexual, it is still part of sensuality.
Intimacy
While sensuality includes physical closeness

to others, intimacy is about our emotional
closeness.
Intimacy is caring about or liking someone,

trusting, being able to self-disclose and sharing
your inner world. Taking risks in relationships by
being emotionally vulnerable and expressing our
needs, wants, desires, and feelings, creates
intimacy.
Identity
Identity is not only dictated by your
biological gender.
● Gender Identity
● Societal roles
● Cultural interpretations
● Sexual Orientations
Reproduction and Sexual Health
4 phases of the sexual response cycle
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
Psychological Counterpart of the Sexual Response Cycle
1.Seduction
a.learning how to attract someone sexually, this is equivalent to the excitement phase
2.Sensation
a.enhancement of sexual excitement by the senses, this is equivalent to the plateau phase
3.Surrender
a.allowing passion to be expressed, this is equivalent to the orgasm phase
4.Reflection
a.meaning is brought to the sexual experience; this is equivalent to the resolution phase.
SEXUALIZATION
1. When we objectify people or objects as sexual (take a banana, for instance)

rather than see them for what they are
2. It is also the use of one’s sexuality to control, influence, or manipulate
others.
Example: Flirting
When flirting is used to control, manipulate, or influence someone negatively, it
is considered sexualization. If it’s part of foreplay or your relationship with
someone, then it’s just flirting.
The Chemistry of Lust, Love, and Attachment
Love is not a fully abstract concept

● Love can be seen through various hormones and
neurotransmitters with important roles in many
bodily functions
○ Lust - driven by sex hormones
○ Attraction - person starts to feel love, some people are
love-struck and can’t think of anything else
○ Attachment - bond helping a couple take their
relationship to the next level; it is future-oriented
Myths and how to debunk them
● The only way you can contract an STD is by having unsafe sex with
more than one person
● You can’t get an STI if your partner is a virgin
● You’re a prude if you want to wait until you’re older
● Movies and TV portray sex as it really is
● You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex
● A girl can’t get pregnant if she’s menstruating
● Oral sex is not sex
● Girls never pressure guys to have sex
● If you really loved him or her, you’d want to sleep with them
● Having sex makes you more matured and an adult
Remember, it is important that Consent should be given when deciding to
engage in sexual intercourse. Consent has to be:
1. explicit
2. change of mind is possible
3. slowing things down or stopping is okay
4. affected by drink and drugs

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SEXUAL SELF

Note: While, sex is normally reffered to as sexual

● Biological gender - Biological anatomy at

● Gender Non-Conforming (GNC): A

Transwoman: A label used by male-to-

● Sexual Orientation: How one feels drawn to other people in sexual or

● Important note: This does NOT define their sexual preference

Bisexual - who is sexually, emotionally and/or

Demisexual - Does not feel sexual attraction until they

Gay - used to describe the emotional, physical, and/ or

Heterosexual - Attracted to the opposite gender

Homosexual - Attracted to the same gender

Metrosexual - A heterosexual man who focuses on appearance

Mx. - Alternative prefix for individuals who do not identify

Pansexual - An individual who is attracted physically,

● Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological,

While sensuality includes physical closeness

Intimacy is caring about or liking someone,

1. When we objectify people or objects as sexual (take a banana, for instance)

Love is not a fully abstract concept

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