Sexuality and Families

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and definitions related to sexuality and families, drawn from lecture notes on the topic.

Sexuality

The suite of identities and behaviors that define our sexual selves, including whether we have or desire sex, and with whom.

Sexual Orientation

The pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others in relation to one’s own gender identity.

Non-heterosexual Identity

Identities that exist outside the binary categories of heterosexuality, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.

Stigma

A quality that is perceived as undesirable and that sets a person apart from others in their social category.

Homophobia

Fear of or antipathy towards homosexuality in general and towards gays and lesbians specifically.

Continuum of Sexual Orientation

The range between exclusively heterosexual and exclusively homosexual, with degrees of bisexuality in between.

LGBTQIA+

An acronym that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other identities.

Religious Exemption Laws

Laws that allow individuals or organizations to refuse to provide services that conflict with their religious beliefs.

Sexual Revolution of the 1960s

A social and cultural movement that liberalized attitudes toward sex and morality.

Heterosexuality

A sexual orientation characterized by attraction to members of the opposite sex.

Same-sex marriage

A legally recognized marriage between two people of the same sex.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

A 1996 law that defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman, barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact; common STDs include HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Teenage Pregnancy

Pregnancy occurring in females who are typically between the ages of 13 and 19.

The Pill

A form of hormonal birth control that became widely available in the 1960s, allowing women to control reproduction.

Open Relationships

A committed relationship where both partners agree that it is acceptable to date or have sexual relations with other people.

Public Opinion on Premarital Sex

The societal acceptance of sexual intercourse before marriage, with varying levels of acceptance among different demographics.