7 Sexual Orientation Relationship Configuration

HLTH 251

three parts of sexual trichotomy: Identity, attraction and behaviour — what is the difference?

Identity = my label; attraction = who I am drawn to; behaviour = what I do.

A bisexual person dates only men. Are they necessarily straight or gay?

No. A current partner does not determine identity.

What does asexual mean?

Little or no sexual attraction.

Sexual orientation vs gender identity?

Orientation: who I am attracted to. Gender identity: my sense of my gender.

How do you read the Kinsey scale?

0 = only different-gender attraction; 3 = roughly equal; 6 = only same-gender attraction.

How do you read the two-dimensional model?

Same-gender / different-gender attraction: high/high＝bisexual；low/low＝asexual；high/low＝gay/lesbian；low/high＝heterosexual

What is Sexual Configurations Theory, or SCT?

A model that maps several parts of sexuality.

What three things does SCT examine for each parameter?

Strength, specificity, cultural fit or challenge.

Eroticism vs nurturance?

Eroticism = sexual arousal and pleasure. Nurturance = warmth, love and closeness.

What can “queer” mean?

Queer has multiple meanings, depending on context.

An identity, umbrella term, disruption, political position or theory; also a slur. 可指身份、统称、打破规范、政治立场或理论，也可能被用作侮辱语。

What does Two-Spirit mean?

A term in some Indigenous communities involving sexuality, gender, culture and/or spirituality.

Does every LGBTQ+ person use “queer”?

No. Respect the person’s chosen words.

What is heteronormativity?

Treating heterosexuality as normal, default or expected.把异性恋当作正常、默认或人人应该遵循的模式。

Heteronormativity：Everyone is assumed to be straight.

What is compulsory heterosexuality, or CompHet?

Social pressure to be heterosexual or pursue heterosexual relationships.

Comphet：People feel pressured to be straight.

Heteronormativity vs CompHet?

Heteronormativity: the default rule. CompHet: pressure to follow it.

前者＝异性恋是默认规则；后者＝遵循这种规则的压力。

What are the three levels of oppression?

Interpersonal: bullying. Social/cultural: stereotypes. Structural: discriminatory policies.

What is pathologizing?

(病理化）Treating sexual diversity as illness or deviance.

Criminalizing vs institutional exclusion?

Criminalizing: punishment through law.

Exclusion: barriers through institutions.（制度性排除）being left out or denied access.

Do queer identities cause mental illness? What is harmful about conversion “therapy”?

Queer identity is not an illness. Discrimination can harm wellbeing. Conversion “therapy” does not change orientation and is harmful.

Why is HIV/AIDS also a political crisis（政治危机）?

Stigma, power and policy affect access to care.

污名、权力与政策会影响获得照护和治疗的机会。

How did queer communities respond to HIV/AIDS?

Through education, protest, mutual aid, advocacy and care.

通过教育、抗议、互助、倡议与照护。

Monogamy vs consensual non-monogamy?

Monogamy: one exclusive partner. CNM: multiple romantic and/or sexual partners, with everyone aware and consenting.

What are swinging, open relationships and polyamory?

Swinging: couples engage sexually with others together.

Open: additional sexual relationships.

Polyamory: multiple loving relationships.

What is relationship anarchy（无政府主义）?

Relationships without assumed traditional rules or hierarchies.

例如，社会通常觉得：
“恋人一定比朋友重要”“恋爱后就应该结婚”。

Relationship anarchy 会认为：不一定。 我可以很重视朋友，也可以和伴侣讨论适合我们的承诺，不必照着传统路线走。

CNM (consensual non-monogamy) vs cheating? Does consensual always mean ethical?

CNM: agreed arrangement. Cheating: broken agreements. Consent does not make every action ethical. CNM＝同意的安排；出轨＝违反约定。

Kink vs fetish?

Kink: a broader unconventional interest, not always sexual. Fetish: sexual arousal linked to an object or body part; necessary for some people.

Kink 范围更广，不一定与性有关；fetish 涉及特定物品或身体部位，对部分人是唤起的必要条件。

Is kink automatically a disorder?

No. Consider consent, harm and significant distress.

What does BDSM stand for?

Bondage / Discipline; Dominance / Submission; Sadism / Masochism.

束缚／纪律；支配／臣服；施虐／受虐。

Top/bottom vs Dom/sub? What is a switch?

Top/bottom: doing/receiving. Dom/sub: controlling/being controlled. Switch: either role.

What are negotiation, scene and aftercare?

Negotiation: discuss limits and safety. Scene: one BDSM encounter. Aftercare: support afterward. 协商＝讨论界限和安全；scene＝一次互动；aftercare＝互动后的支持与照顾。