Endocrine disrupting chemicals and female sexual health: An emerging research priority.

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, often face significant challenges in developing and maintaining romantic and intimate relationships. Despite a strong desire for companionship and sexual expression, these individuals frequently encounter barriers such as social stigma, cognitive issues, and psychiatric symptoms affecting social functioning. Existing research primarily focuses on general social engagement rather than the specific complexities of romantic and sexual relationships. This narrative review synthesizes recent literature (2017-2023) to explore the intersection of SMI with sexuality, intimacy, and romantic relationships among adolescents and young adults. A narrative review approach was used to examine studies published in English between January 2017 and December 2023. Literature searches were conducted using Web of Science and Scopus, with Boolean operators applied to keywords related to severe mental illness, adolescence and young adulthood, sexuality, and romantic relationships. Inclusion criteria focused on studies addressing intimacy, romantic relationships, and sexuality among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychosis. Studies that primarily discussed medical, forensic, or legal aspects without addressing relational or psychological dimensions were excluded. The selected literature was analyzed thematically. Five key themes emerged: (1) Sexual risk-taking behaviors, highlighting increased vulnerability to unprotected sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and exploitation; (2) Sexual dysfunctions, often related to psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects; (3) Personal and relational resources, including the role of self-esteem, social cognition, and relationship quality in supporting romantic engagement; (4) Social stigma, which impacts self-perception, desirability, and access to relationships; and (5) Sexual orientation and gender identity, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ + individuals with SMI, who experience compounded stigma and relational difficulties. This review highlights the unmet needs for intimacy, love, and sexual expression among individuals diagnosed with SMI and the significant barriers they face. Findings suggest that psychosocial interventions, comprehensive sexual education, and stigma reduction strategies are essential for improving relationship opportunities and overall well-being. Future research should focus on lived experiences and explore tailored interventions to support romantic and sexual relationships in this population.

Male-to-male social-sexual activity in the subaltern world of male sexual spaces is theoretically examined. Methods include hard copy and online content analysis and observational-participatory submergence in the subaltern world of queer male sexual spaces such as bathhouses, saunas, circuit clubs, fetish balls, sex clubs, dark rooms, and backrooms. Studied is a self-monitored subculture that creates its own tribal rituals at varying odds with mainstream societal and LGBTQ movement norms. Darkness is a common conceptual theme in such spaces serving multiple purposes from anonymity to atmospheric shrouding, from sensory deprivation to expanded imaginaries, from lowered inhibitions to sexual exploration. The importance of such spaces is examined regarding time-limited sexual expression for pleasure and affirmation. This contrasts greatly from normative societal expectations, partly due to sex and sexuality being core to queer culture and due to ongoing oppression towards queer men. Transgressive spaces designed as queer male social-sexual places serve several socio-cultural needs materially, allowing for perceptive liberation, figurative creative personas that symbolize one’s authentic being. Public and private spheres are somewhat blurred, yet through social etiquette navigable. By deviating from and resisting social-sexual norms, this tribe demonstrates how it maintains a core drive of their liberated sexuality outside of mainstreamed sexual governance.

The role of bias-based bullying in regular cannabis use among adolescents.

Alastonsuomi.com (“Naked Finland”) is a Finnish adult image gallery and social networking site catering to diverse erotic interests. Based on interviews with 31 users, this study examines the platform’s significance in an era of increasing deplatforming of sexual expression. Users value the site for enabling them to exist as sexual beings, to learn from shared content, and to connect with others. The site supports users’ sexual rights by promoting visibility, non- discrimination, access to information and assembly. The study underscores the importance of evaluating digital spaces from a sexual rights perspective, balancing risks with their vital role in fostering positive sexuality.

Modern medicine is considered to be scientific and evidence based. However, it was born within deeply patriarchal, col0onial and exclusionary sy6stems and founded on the violent suppression of women healers during the European witch hunts. This origin laid the groundwork for a male-dominated medical establishment that deliberately erased generations of feminine knowledge and healing traditions. Women were ousted from caregiving roles through a calculated mix of violence, professionalization, and ridicule. Instructions like Harvard medical school refused entry to women up until 1945 citing laughable reasons – from fears of distraction to the supposed drying of ovaries from too much thinking. With colonization, these ideologies and systems were imposed on the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, suppressing and dismissing centuries of indigenous medical knowledge and also criminalizing sexual and reproductive norms. Homosexuality, gender fluidity, sexual expressions and abortion were all systematically pathologized, policed, and punished through newly imposed medical and legal systems. The repercussions of this are still being felt today through the Penal Codes set up in the 1800s. Women’s pain is disbelieved, their sexual health curated for ensuring male pleasure and their reproductive choices controlled. While women patients face medical gaslighting, women doctors themselves face gender bias and systemic barriers to leadership.

Anti-drag sentiment has negatively impacted school environments, but also has provided an opportunity to celebrate how drag pedagogy can transform school environments’ relationship to sexuality and gender expression. How drag can both be used as a tool to impact the training of educators and as a learning tool in classrooms continues to be a topic in need of research. The authors situate drag pedagogy in the current social, cultural, and political landscapes in order to argue the need for a drag-focused framework for educator preparation and school leadership programs. The authors present a framework containing four components for centralizing drag in the preparation of aspiring teachers, counselors, and school leaders. Recommendations for incorporating this framework into teacher preparation, social-emotional learning, and educational leadership are discussed.

Swearing is a linguistic phenomenon that exists across all cultures and societies. The Kurdish culture is one of those cultures in which swear words and expressions are abundant. The current study examines the types, functions and instances of swear words and expressions and the attitudes Kurdish people of southern Kurdistan, whose dialect is southern Kurmanji, have towards this aspect of language. To collect data on swearing in Kurdish language, 208 participants answered a questionnaire and 80 of those participants partook in unstructured group interviews. Results indicate that Kurmanji speakers of southern Kurdistan use swear words primarily as a means of venting out anger. The participants swear mainly with acquaintances and friends targeting their character and intelligence. The participants believe that swearing is wrong but a necessary evil, i.e. they are reluctant to resort to this linguistic phenomenon under certain circumstances (e.g.: anger and frustration). Speakers seem to avoid taboo or sexual swear words or expressions presumably due to the religious and cultural background of the participants. In addition, the use of swear words and expressions tends to be age and social status related, i.e. speakers, when using swear words and expressions do so minding age and social status of the other. This study will hopefully provide some insight into and highlight the sociolinguistic and cultural significance of this language phenomenon among speakers of southern Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish and Kurdish speakers as a whole.

Abstract Introduction In an era where digital platforms mediate social interactions, their role as gatekeepers of content raises critical questions about transparency, freedom of expression and the visibility of marginalised communities. Since 2022, the Italian-based collective ‘Primogemito’ has faced constant challenges due to platform governance policies that regulate and often censor content related to non-normative sexualities and queer identities. Methods This study employs methodological triangulation, combining non-participant observation of Primogemito’s social media presence, a semi-structured interview with one of its founders, and an online focus group with attendees of the collective’s events. Data were collected between September 2023 and January 2025, analysed using thematic analysis and an iterative coding process to identify patterns of censorship, resistance and community-building practices. Results The findings reveal a systematic pattern of content removal, account banning and shadowbanning on mainstream platforms such as Instagram. The lack of transparency in content moderation policies generates widespread uncertainty and self-censorship. In response, Primogemito employs creative resistance strategies, including ‘algospeak’, media surfing across different platforms and the use of coded language to evade algorithmic detection. Conclusions Despite facing significant obstacles, Primogemito exemplifies how marginalised communities can resist digital censorship through adaptive and innovative practices. The collective’s experience highlights the need for more transparent and accountable platform governance policies. Policy Implications Policymakers should address the disproportionate impact of content moderation on marginalised communities by promoting regulatory frameworks that ensure clearer guidelines, greater accountability and protection of digital spaces for diverse expressions of identity and sexuality.

Sexual selection is a key driver of reproductive strategy evolution; however, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the mouthbrooding Tanganyikan cichlid (Ophthalmotilapia ventralis), fertilization occurs in the female mouth cavity, where sperm competition and post-mating female choice arise because females collect sperm from multiple territorial males. Seminal plasma glycoprotein 120 (SPP120) is involved in sperm immobilization and aggregation, which may contribute to prolonged storage and use of sperm in the female buccal cavity. In this study, we examined how factors related to pre- and post-mating sexual selection affect sperm traits and SPP120 expression in O. ventralis. Field observations and physiological and molecular analyses showed positive correlations between sperm longevity of territorial males and encounter rate with floating males (ERFM) as a measure of sperm competition or bower (spawning site) density related to sperm competition and between SPP120 expression of territorial males and ERFM or courtship success as a measure of pre- and post-mating female mate choice. Furthermore, males with higher SPP120 expression levels achieved greater mating success. These findings highlight the complex interplay between sexual selection and molecular adaptation, providing new insights into the evolution of animal reproductive strategies.

The transition to college is a time of developmental and contextual changes, particularly for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or other non-heterosexual or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) emerging adults, for whom the LGBTQ+-inclusiveness of their social environment may also change. We coded open-ended survey responses from LGBTQ+ college students in the United States ( N = 140, M age = 19.7) who described interpersonal and institutional factors that facilitated or hindered changes in sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) expression since starting college. Many participants described the transition away from less LGBTQ+-affirming environments into more affirming environments as enabling more open SOGI expression. LGBTQ+-affirming peer relationships, access to inclusive campus resources, and perceiving an accepting campus and town climate also facilitated SOGI expression. However, anticipated and enacted stigma limited some participants’ SOGI expression. These findings suggest ways that universities could develop LGBTQ+-affirming resources for LGBTQ+ students during the transition to college.

ABSTRACT As the U.S. population continues to age, it becomes critical to understand the sexual and romantic needs of older adults. Sexual ageism, or negative attitudes toward the sexuality of older adults, can serve as a barrier to sexual and relationship quality. This stigmatization is often dismissed, minimized, or denied altogether – like many aspects of older adults’ lives. This experimental study examined interpersonal evaluations and risk perceptions of target adults that varied in age, gender, and sexual or romantic expression and the role that participants’ disgust sensitivity, a key variable related to social attitudes and stigmatization, played in these perceptions. Across two studies (total N = 678), participants read one of four flyers introducing a 25- or 65-year-old woman (Study 1) or man (Study 2) with information on the target’s sexual or romantic lives. Although results were nuanced, sexual women and men of both age groups were rated more negatively and as riskier compared to their romantic counterparts. In Study 1, respondents’ disgust sensitivity was related to more negative interpersonal evaluations and heightened risk perceptions of the sexually open women, but in Study 2 was related to more positive interpersonal evaluations of the sexually open men, with no relationship to how risky the men were rated. Overall, negative evaluations of the sexual targets were not limited to older adults, providing support for sexual stigma rather than sexual ageism. Disgust sensitivity was differentially related to perceptions based on the target’s gender, advancing evolutionary perspectives on the gendered nature of disgust.

ABSTRACT This exploratory study investigated motivations for using fantasy, monster, and animal-shaped sex toys through qualitative analysis of public online forum discussions. Despite growing commercial availability of these products, research on non-human sex toys remains notably absent from scholarly literature. Using thematic analysis, we identified four primary motivational themes: Seeking Novelty (pursuit of novel tactile sensations), Valuing Aesthetics Over Verisimilitude (preference for artistic design over anatomical realism), Finding Pleasure in the Taboo (arousal from perceived socially forbidden elements), and Paraphilic Harm Reduction (ethical expression of zoophilic interests). These findings extend previous research on sex toy motivations beyond conventional ‘fun’ and ‘novelty’ factors to include aesthetic considerations and harm-reduction frameworks. The preference for non-anatomical designs aligns with emerging evidence that realistic features do not predict sex toy popularity. Notably, the harm reduction theme parallels recent findings on sex doll ownership that challenge assumptions about increased risk behaviours. This study provides initial insights into a previously unexamined aspect of sexual expression and suggests these products may serve beneficial purposes beyond mere novelty. These results have important harm reduction implications for clinicians, policy makers, and front line staff who deal with human sexuality topics.

By applying methods of ideological criticism to the Instagram accounts of three of the most influential Black women in Hip Hop—Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion—I have identified the big butt ideology that perpetuates a potentially harmful standard of beauty and behavior for women of color. The ideology espouses amplified ideals of feminine attractiveness, ostentatious displays of wealth, and sexual expression that some scholars argue can motivate women to seek procedures such as the Brazilian Butt Lift, which has a significantly high mortality rate. The ideology is supported by a broad body of scholarship citing the effects of digital content and influencers on women’s self-identity and body-image beliefs, with research showing that social media can affect women’s attitudes and their desire for cosmetic surgery. This study also reframes the definition of the digital gaze, which acts as a co-constructed conduit to transmit the ideology’s visual codes and messages and is a potent instrument of persuasive visual communication within social media. Additionally, counter-narratives of agency and self-empowerment are contextualized through the theoretical lens of intersectionality, Black feminist thought and Hip Hop feminism.

Uncovering the genetic basis of sexually selected traits and traits involved in sexual conflict is a key to understand the association between sexual and non-sexual fitness. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6Pgdh) is a metabolic gene associated with pentose phosphate pathway. It was shown to be involved in sexual selection and conflict in bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini. Two previously identified 6Pgdh genotypes are associated with variation in male reproductive fitness: the "winning" 6Pgdh allele (S) confers advantage in male reproductive success compared to the alternative F allele, but mating with S-bearing males decreases female fecundity. Physiological mechanisms of these differences remain a puzzle. We compare gene expression patterns between males from the S- and F-allele homozygous lines to identify which molecular pathways are affected by 6Pgdh polymorphism. Moreover, we test for linkage disequilibrium in gene-coding regions associated with genetic polymorphism in 6Pgdh and show that polymorphism in 6Pgdh is in linkage disequilibrium with nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in five genes, four of which are located within the same chromosome. We show that male genotype in 6Pgdh is associated with differential expression of genes distributed throughout the whole genome. Among differentially expressed genes, we found overrepresentation of several categories associated with fructose metabolism, including an enzyme associated with both pentose phosphate metabolism and glycolysis. Differential expression in genes associated with a number of other general categories highlight the connection between sexual fitness and gene expression in a number of important pathways, potentially affecting performance of a whole organism.

Literary censorship is not new, but the recent resurgence in the U.S. differs from earlier post-war controversies, many of which were bipartisan and focused on protecting children from exposure to sexual and graphic material. Current censorship controversies in the U.S. appear to be much more partisan and ideological, focused on protecting children from politically offensive ideas. Anecdotally, the political right is portrayed as attacking literature in the name of conservative values like preserving the traditional family from alternative expressions of sexuality and sexual preference, with the left targeting material regarded as contrary to progressive values like tolerance of diverse cultural identities. However, these ideological rationales largely reflect the rhetoric of political activists and have not been empirically tested among the broader public. We conducted two studies designed to measure the polarization of support for literary censorship among the voting-age population of the U.S. Surprisingly, both studies cast doubt on the ideological divisions apparent in activist rhetoric. The survey findings from Study 1 indicate widespread opposition to literary censorship that spans ideological divisions, but both liberals and conservatives were more inclined to support censorship of materials that deviated from their respective values and beliefs. The experiment in Study 2 revealed differences in participants’ responses to liberal and conservative criticisms but little difference in the attitudes of liberal and conservative participants. However, liberals were marginally more likely than conservatives to agree with ideologically aligned literary criticism.

Corrective rape is a form of sexual violence aimed predominantly at lesbian, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals with the supposed intention of “curing” them of their sexual orientation or gender identity (Phiri, 2011). Despite increasing visibility through advocacy efforts and media coverage, academic discourse on this phenomenon remains insufficient and disproportionately focused on certain geographies. This literature review explores corrective rape as a global instrument of sexual oppression rooted in heteronormativity and patriarchy. Drawing from scholarly research, NGO reports, and journalistic accounts, it highlights recurring patterns in motives, societal and institutional responses, and psychological consequences. Particular attention is given to South Africa, India, and Ecuador, where the phenomenon has been most documented, alongside emerging but underreported cases in Türkiye. The review concludes that corrective rape operates as a mechanism of genderbased control sustained by cultural, religious, and institutional forces. It calls for a multidisciplinary response involving legal reform, public education, and community-based support structures to combat this form of violence.

ABSTRACT Conversion therapies, also known in Brazil as “gay cure,” comprise a set of practices aimed at altering, suppressing, or denying sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions that deviate from cisheteronormative norms. Internationally referred to as Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression Change Efforts (SOGIECE), these interventions persist in Brazil despite regulatory prohibitions, particularly within religious and unregulated contexts. Empirical evidence demonstrates their ineffectiveness and enduring psychological harm. This article advances the field by shifting the analytical focus from condemnation to recovery, highlighting an underexplored dimension in Brazilian literature: survivor-centered healing. Through a critical narrative review, the study examines the historical foundations and psychosocial impacts of SOGIECE, articulating recovery strategies forged by survivors in response to trauma. It proposes an integrative, intersectional approach encompassing psychological care, spiritual reconciliation, and community-based support systems. The analysis underscores the relevance of trauma-informed mental health services that affirm sexual and gender diversity. Furthermore, it calls for structural responses, including the legal prohibition of SOGIECE and implementation of inclusive public policies to prevent perpetuation. By bridging international ethical frameworks with Brazil’s specific sociocultural and regulatory context, this study contributes to the advancement of survivor-informed practices and reinforces the need for systemic protection against conversion efforts.

As the legal status and social perceptions of cannabis shift globally, the potential impact of cannabis use on health and well-being merits heightened attention among practitioners and researchers, including possible effects on oral health. Evidence suggests that cannabis use may be associated with adverse oral health outcomes, including periodontal disease and xerostomia, with less conclusive links to dental caries and oral cancer. It is also becoming increasingly clear that certain population segments are at greater risk of cannabis use and may consequently face a greater burden of oral disease, underscoring the need for focused research and targeted interventions. In response to these concerns, a group of researchers convened a symposium titled "Cannabis and Oral Health: A Focus on Priority Populations" at the 2025 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting and Exhibition (American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and Canadian Association for Dental Research). This session aimed to highlight the unique oral health challenges faced by priority populations in the context of a changing landscape of cannabis use. The presenters examined cannabis' impact among populations with whom they closely work, including Indigenous Canadians, adolescents and young adults, and 2SLGBTQI+ youth (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and people that identify with other sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions). Understanding the specific effects of cannabis on these groups is crucial, as social determinants of health are deeply intertwined with oral health outcomes. Historical and societal inequities, compounded by emerging health risks, demand a participatory research approach and targeted public health strategies. Evidence presented at the symposium highlights the need of addressing cannabis-related oral health impacts through inclusive, population-specific research and policy. A nuanced understanding of this evolving issue can inform the development of clinical guidelines and public health initiatives aimed at mitigating harm among populations that have been vulnerable within our societies. The symposium and this communication serve as a call to action for the dental and research communities to prioritize these perspectives in future work.Knowledge Transfer Statement:Amid shifting social and legal contexts, cannabis takes on heightened importance as a potential risk factor for oral diseases. Among specific priority populations, cannabis is one of several confluent health determinants that merits greater recognition and tailored research attention to inform appropriate clinical and public health practice.

ABSTRACT The present article contributes to the contemporary research in the fields of teacher education and primary school education by presenting empirical data that seeks to illustrate how sensitive the Government Primary School teachers are towards nonconforming genders and sexualities in the state of Punjab, India. The data was collected from 96 respondents in the form of a questionnaire, which consists of 30 questions covering teachers’ attitudes and the approach of the entire educational system apropos alternative genders and sexualities. The findings establish that neither the teachers are fully aware of and sensitive towards diverse forms of gender and sexual expressions, choices or identities nor the educational system is addressing these issues in any substantial manner (either with curricular or extra-curricular activities). The study concludes that on the one hand, there is a serious need to introduce gender- and sexuality-based awareness and sensitivity programmes during the teacher-training courses, and on the other, the educational policy-makers must intervene to sensitise the teachers and the students towards diverse forms of gender and sexuality in order to make the educational sector more inclusive.