Reflects upon theoretical and applied challenges and needs in incorporating sexual orientation issues into communication studies. Argues that communication courses need to explicitly include material related to the life experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people; and that reducing homophobia and heterosexism among high school…

In this article, I argue that the term "sexual orientation" serves as a mechanism for preserving heteronormative hegemony, with the proposed concept of "relational orientation" encouraging a richer theoretical analysis of the factors that shape identity. The relational orientation approach establishes a more holistic representation of lesbian,…

A review of LGBT identity development models reveals fluidity, complexity, and contradictions. (Contains 1 table.)

In this article, the author talks about Pete, a high school senior who openly confided his sexual orientation. Here, he recounts Pete's experiences in school and how his schoolmates reacted regarding his sexuality. He also talks about how Pete has influenced other students on being open-minded in dealing with issues on sexual orientation. Among…

Twenty-six empirical studies of collaboration among teaching teams comprised of general and special educators were reviewed to determine the impact of ethnocultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual orientation diversity, and disability status diversity on collaborative teaming. Only 1 (4%) of the 26 studies acknowledged that ethnocultural and…

This exploratory study of 339 students at the University of New Hampshire found that approximately 10% to 15% of students reported receiving repeated e-mail or Instant Messenger (I-M) messages that "threatened, insulted, or harassed," and more than half of the students received unwanted pornography. Approximately 7% of students reported online…

Through the application of life course theory to the study of sexual orientation, this paper specifies a new paradigm for research on human sexual orientation that seeks to reconcile divisions among biological, social science, and humanistic paradigms. Recognizing the historical, social, and cultural relativity of human development, this paradigm…

Evolutionary behavioral biology suggests that certain characteristics of the human face and body are important for mate preferences and are therefore subject to sexual selection. J. Weeden and J. Sabini identify a number of weaknesses in the association between traits' attractiveness and health. In contrast, the authors argue that (a) studies on…

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) report "State of the States: A policy analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) safer schools issues" presents a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. State grading is based on five categories, which include the…

Orgasm is often seen as the most sensational aspect of sex, and, seemingly, it never ceases to fascinate. The female and the male orgasm hold different positions in research as well as in public debate, and the orgasm has been object of discussion within the feminist movement. This article is about sex and especially the female orgasm related to…

This study examined the nature and impact of dyadic perfectionism over a 3-month interval within a sample of 116 college students who were currently involved in an intimate heterosexual relationship. Dyadic perfectionism scores were stable and correlated as expected with scores on concurrent measures of adult attachment orientations and…

Intergroup dialogue is a public process designed to involve individuals and groups in an exploration of societal issues such as politics, racism, religion, and culture that are often flashpoints for polarization and social conflict. This article examines intergroup dialogue as a bridging mechanism through which social workers in clinical, other…

In this article, six faculty and students of color who participated in a panel discussion at a symposium during the National Multicultural Conference and Summit of 2003 talk about the barriers they encountered and continue to encounter in their graduate training and places of employment. They also discuss strategies they found to be effective,…

Although there is much debate about the positive effects of active sporting pursuits for the young, in reality many young people are still excluded or deterred from taking part as much as they would like. There are still particular bodily performances which are considered more suitable for taking part in mainstream sport, and invariably one of the…

In this paper I consider the ways that the instrumental and cautionary profile of sex and relationship education is used to regulate the sexuality of young people in the United Kingdom. This regulation is partly a counter to the commodification of sex in the mass media but also a means to reinforce the social and cultural norms that are performed…