Sociology, Sexuality

Intersectionality

The concept that various social categories such as gender, race/ethnicity, and socio-economic status intersect to create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment based on categories like gender or race, often leading to social inequalities.

Sexual identity

An identity based on an individual's object of desire or lack thereof, encompassing various aspects of sexuality.

Sexuality

A broad term that includes sexual identity, practices, attractiveness, and desires, relating closely to the body and gender.

Sexual orientation

The direction of a person's erotic and romantic attraction towards a particular sex.

Bisexual

A person who is sexually attracted to both sexes.

Heterosexual

A person who is sexually attracted to the opposite sex.

Homosexual

Someone who is sexually attracted to the same sex.

Asexual

Little to no sexual attraction, including a limited interest in sexual activity.

Pansexual

Sexual and romantic attraction to people regardless of their sex.

Sexology

The study focused on behaviors of sexuality to create scientific descriptions of what is considered normal or abnormal.

Kinsey scale

A measurement of sexuality according to or between homosexuality and heterosexuality.

Sexual scripts

Culturally shaped mental structures that shape our understanding of past, current, and future sexual behaviors.

Queer theory

An approach to sexuality and gender that rejects stable categories and focuses on the flexibility of sexual identities.

Heterosexism

Prejudice and discrimination against non-heterosexual behaviors and identities.

Homophobia

Irrational fear or contempt for gay people, possibly leading to harassment and violence.

Transphobia

Irrational fear or contempt for transgender people, sometimes resulting in violence or harassment.

Sexual double standard

The concept that men and women are held to different standards for the same sexual behaviors.

Emphasized femininity

Practiced femininity that conforms to the needs and desires of men, thereby subordinating women.

Orgasm gap

The disparity in the time it takes for women compared to men to reach orgasm.

Incel

An individual who desires sexual encounters but is unable to find a partner, often associated with a negative outlook toward women.