Sexuality
Sexuality has three stages: Desire is an interest in being sexual. Excitement is the state of arousal that sexual stimulation causes. And orgasm is sexual pleasure's peaking. A sexual disorder occurs when there's a problem in at least one of these stages.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality
This pamphlet is designed to provide accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation and the impact of prejudice and discrimination on those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. El folleto es disponible en español.
- Answers to Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from that usually associated with their birth sex.
- Report of the APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
California legislation cites APA report on appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation
- Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth:
A Primer for Principals, Educators, & School PersonnelJust the Facts provides information and resources for principals, educators and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
- Answers to Your Questions About Same-Sex Marriage
Scientists have found that the psychological and social aspects of committed relationships between same-sex partners largely resemble those of heterosexual partnerships, that living in a state where same-sex marriage is outlawed can lead to chronic social stress and mental health problems, and that same-sex couples are as fit and capable parents as heterosexual couples.
- Sólo los hechos sobre la orientación sexual y la juventud: Una guía para directores de escuelas, educadores y personal escolar
Sólo los Hechos ofrece información y recursos para directores de escuelas, educadores y personal educativo que encuentren cuestiones delicadas relacionadas con estudiantes gays, lesbianas y bisexuales
Getting Help
News
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How sexual frequency corresponds with happiness
April 17, 2013, Medical News Today
-
Youth: Straight, LBGT or 'other'?
April 4, 2013, CNN
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Gay men who marry now living longer
March 12, 2013, WebMD
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- The military opens up
May 2013
- Sexual hook-up culture
February 2013
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T
December 2012
- Research explores the processes behind ‘gaydar'
September 2012
- Support for sexual minorities
May 2012
- Understanding orgasm
April 2011
Books
- Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children
September 2009
- Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships
August 2005
- Sexual Orientation and Mental Health
August 2005
- Sex and Babies: First Facts
October 2002
APA Offices and Programs
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
The mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office is to advance psychology as a means of improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as a means of increasing understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation as aspects of human diversity, and as a means of reducing stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence toward LGBT people.
- Sexualization of Girls
The APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls found that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising and media is harmful to girls' self-image and healthy development.
