The purpose of this study was to investigate sexuality-related topics discussed and not discussed with mothers, the perceived importance placed on sexuality-related communication within families, and the influences of parent-adolescent attachment quality and sexuality-related communication on sexual identity development using a sample of female university students. One hundred and eighty six participants completed an online survey consisting of questionnaires assessing their attachment relationship with their mothers, sexuality-related topic communication, perceptions of family sex communication, and sexual identity development. Sexuality-related topics falling within the development and societal concerns and sexual safety domains were more likely to be discussed than topics within the experience of sex or solitary sex domains. Family sexuality-related communication was perceived as important and valuable. Overall, results of this study indicated that attachment quality was negatively associated with sexual identity exploration, frequency of sexuality-related discussion was related to greater identity commitment scores, and orientation toward family sex communication was associated with greater identity synthesis/integration.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-26).

abstract: Bisexuality is a unique kind of sexual identity, as a gray area between heterosexuality and homosexuality. The piece You made up the Story and I Played with all the Parts explores bisexuality as a lived artistic experience based on my sexual journey within a society that advocates heterosexuality. The piece includes movement phrases and text derived from conversations with intimate partners, characters based on former partners, storytelling, a 1950s-style sex education video parody, and audience participation via dialogue. The creation of movement and dialogue manipulated heteronormative social stigmas into a canny social acceptance of bisexuality. The multifaceted nature of the piece provokes viewers to consider how sexuality is constructed socially through my own interpretation. As a result, the work suggests that bisexuality is a legitimate sexual identity and represents a culture within American society. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.F.A. Dance 2011

As “Cirurgias de Redesignação Sexual”, realizadas por pessoas que pretendem “adequar” seus caracteres sexuais anatômicos a uma conformação corporal associada a outro sexo, têm sido motivo de divergências tanto na área médica, quanto nas áreas psicológica e social. É um campo polêmico, que toma proporções maiores a cada novo passo no avanço das técnicas cirúrgicas e biomédicas, e que se insere no conjunto de outras polêmicas, tais como a inseminação artificial, a clonagem, a escolha genética de bebês, o uso de células tronco, entre outros. Essas cirurgias trazem para discussão a relação entre corpo, sexualidade e identidade, e colocam em cheque uma suposta naturalidade biológica desses conceitos. Mais do que isto, a pretensão de “mudar de sexo” parece indicar que estamos diante de novas formas de ser e estar no mundo e que o “mal-estar” de nossa civilização pode estar produzindo novas saídas para os velhos dilemas da sexualidade. / The "Sex Reassignment Surgery", done by people who want to “adjust” their sexual features and anatomic body shape in order to look like the opposite sex, has been the subject of disagreement in the medical, as well as in the psychological and social fields. It is a controversial area that has increasing impact as surgical and biomedical techniques advance. Besides that it is part of a larger range of controversial themes, such as artificial insemination, cloning, genetic selection, and the use of stem cells, among others. The aforementioned surgeries bring to discussion the relationship between body image, sexuality and identity and raise questions about a supposed naturalness of these concepts. More than that, the intention of "changing sexes" seems to indicate that we are facing new forms of being in the world and that the "disquiet" of our civilization may be producing new answers for old dilemmas of sexuality.

As “Cirurgias de Redesignação Sexual”, realizadas por pessoas que pretendem “adequar” seus caracteres sexuais anatômicos a uma conformação corporal associada a outro sexo, têm sido motivo de divergências tanto na área médica, quanto nas áreas psicológica e social. É um campo polêmico, que toma proporções maiores a cada novo passo no avanço das técnicas cirúrgicas e biomédicas, e que se insere no conjunto de outras polêmicas, tais como a inseminação artificial, a clonagem, a escolha genética de bebês, o uso de células tronco, entre outros. Essas cirurgias trazem para discussão a relação entre corpo, sexualidade e identidade, e colocam em cheque uma suposta naturalidade biológica desses conceitos. Mais do que isto, a pretensão de “mudar de sexo” parece indicar que estamos diante de novas formas de ser e estar no mundo e que o “mal-estar” de nossa civilização pode estar produzindo novas saídas para os velhos dilemas da sexualidade. / The "Sex Reassignment Surgery", done by people who want to “adjust” their sexual features and anatomic body shape in order to look like the opposite sex, has been the subject of disagreement in the medical, as well as in the psychological and social fields. It is a controversial area that has increasing impact as surgical and biomedical techniques advance. Besides that it is part of a larger range of controversial themes, such as artificial insemination, cloning, genetic selection, and the use of stem cells, among others. The aforementioned surgeries bring to discussion the relationship between body image, sexuality and identity and raise questions about a supposed naturalness of these concepts. More than that, the intention of "changing sexes" seems to indicate that we are facing new forms of being in the world and that the "disquiet" of our civilization may be producing new answers for old dilemmas of sexuality.

As “Cirurgias de Redesignação Sexual”, realizadas por pessoas que pretendem “adequar” seus caracteres sexuais anatômicos a uma conformação corporal associada a outro sexo, têm sido motivo de divergências tanto na área médica, quanto nas áreas psicológica e social. É um campo polêmico, que toma proporções maiores a cada novo passo no avanço das técnicas cirúrgicas e biomédicas, e que se insere no conjunto de outras polêmicas, tais como a inseminação artificial, a clonagem, a escolha genética de bebês, o uso de células tronco, entre outros. Essas cirurgias trazem para discussão a relação entre corpo, sexualidade e identidade, e colocam em cheque uma suposta naturalidade biológica desses conceitos. Mais do que isto, a pretensão de “mudar de sexo” parece indicar que estamos diante de novas formas de ser e estar no mundo e que o “mal-estar” de nossa civilização pode estar produzindo novas saídas para os velhos dilemas da sexualidade. / The "Sex Reassignment Surgery", done by people who want to “adjust” their sexual features and anatomic body shape in order to look like the opposite sex, has been the subject of disagreement in the medical, as well as in the psychological and social fields. It is a controversial area that has increasing impact as surgical and biomedical techniques advance. Besides that it is part of a larger range of controversial themes, such as artificial insemination, cloning, genetic selection, and the use of stem cells, among others. The aforementioned surgeries bring to discussion the relationship between body image, sexuality and identity and raise questions about a supposed naturalness of these concepts. More than that, the intention of "changing sexes" seems to indicate that we are facing new forms of being in the world and that the "disquiet" of our civilization may be producing new answers for old dilemmas of sexuality.

Historically non-heterosexual individuals have faced prejudice and discrimination in daily life. Non-heterosexuals experience oppression and discrimination that affect personal development on all levels. An increased awareness of sexual identity development could create more inclusive sexual identity models, better understanding for counselor educators, and better training for counselors on issues of sexual identity. The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences that influence sexual identity in women who love women. This study required that subjects attach meaning to sexual identity formation. Qualitative research methodologies were used in the study. Participants were selected for this study in a thoughtful and purposeful manner and within specified parameters. Data were collected through two face-to-face interviews with the participants; member checking and peer debriefing offered consistency through the use of a semi-structured interview guide. Phenomenological approach and constant comparison was used for data analysis. From the data collected, four themes emerged: I was Just Different, Information Seeking, View of Self as a Woman Within the Context of Culture, and Contextual Relationships. Findings of this study did not support a stage model of sexual identity development. Instead, this study supported the view that sexual identity is fluid and strongly related to relationships with peer groups. All participants reported that sexual identity formation was a painful process.

This study examined the relationships among psychological variables of sexual prejudice, psychological adjustment, and identity development. It was hypothesized that sexual orientation prejudice would be negatively related to psychological adjustment. It was further hypothesized that identity formation would moderate the relationship between sexual orientation prejudice and psychological adjustment. Participants were 200 college students, ages ranged from 18-48 (M = 21.96, SD = 4.87). Sexual orientation for the participants included self-identified labels of Heterosexual (88.5%), Homosexual (6.5%), Bisexual (3.5%), Pansexual (1%), and Demisexual (0.5%). Survey data were collected through a Psychology Research Experience website (SONA). Results revealed a negative correlation between Heterophobia, and Life Satisfaction. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between Homophobia and Life Satisfaction. Heterophobia (but not Homophobia) was significantly correlated with identity Exploration in Depth and Identification with Commitment. The measure of sexual adjustment revealed both Heterophobia and Homophobia positively correlated with Sexual Anxiety and Sexual Fear. The identity variables (Sexual Exploration and Sexual Commitment) were found to be related to sexual orientation prejudice. The moderator hypothesis was partially supported in that two moderator variables significantly interacted with sexual orientation prejudice (Heterophobia) and psychological adjustment (Sexual Anxiety and Sexual Fear). However, more research is needed to further elucidate the intricate relationships among psychological variables of sexual orientation prejudice, psychological adjustment, and identity development.

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