SEX, SEXUALITY, SEXUAL HEALTH, AND SEXUAL RIGHTS

Most, if not all, adults desire a healthy, happy, and rewarding sex life. Sexual health is a state of well-being as we enjoy and experience our sexuality physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, socially, and culturally.

SEX refers to the biological characteristics (reproductive organs and their functions) that differentiate human beings as being either male or female. In broader terms and in general use in many settings, SEX is often used to refer to "sexual activity".

SEXUALITY is a central part of being human. It involves your attitudes towards sex and intimacy, your sexual desires, and your ability to fulfill your desires. Sexuality encompasses the concepts of sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation and preference, intimacy, pleasure, eroticism, and reproduction. Sexual satisfaction is important and necessary for both men and women.
Our sexuality determines how we feel about the following things:
* Our body and how it works
* Our biological sex and gender (biological, social, and legal status as male or
female
* Our gender identity (feelings about our gender)
* Gender roles
* Our sexual orientation (straight, gay, or bisexual)
* Our values about life, love, and the people in our lives
* Eroticism, Intimacy, and Pleasure
* Reproduction

Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behavior, roles, and relationships. The experience and expression of sexuality is influenced by the interaction of physical, emotional, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, moral, legal, religious, and spiritual factors.

SEXUAL HEALTH is not merely the absence of disease or dysfunction; it is a state of well-being related to our sexuality. It encompasses physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, societal, and cultural aspects of sexuality. In order to make healthy and responsible choices about sex, you need to continuously seek out accurate and reliable information about sex and sexuality. Learning about issues related to the concepts of sexuality will make you more likely to feel good about yourself, allowing you to make the healthiest and the best possible choices for yourself, your sexual partner(s), and your future. Sexual health is best exemplified by voluntary and responsible sexual expressions and acts that enrich both you as an individual and your social life. You need to respect yourself and other people and take good care of your body in order to maintain good sexual health. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

Sexual health is influenced by personal sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as societal attitudes and beliefs (the "norm"), biological risk (diseases), and genetic predisposition to disease. Sexual health encompasses the problems of HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), infertility and cancer resulting from STD, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and sexual dysfunction. Sexual health is also influenced by mental health, acute and chronic illness and disease, disability, violence, and the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Sexual health includes the ability to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behavior in accordance with one's own personal beliefs as well as within social ethics. Sexual health means that a person is free of fear, shame, guilt, false beliefs, and other psychological and emotional factors that interfere with sexual response, sexual relations, sexual pleasure, and reproductive functions.

SEXUAL RIGHTS include the right of all humans to pursue a safe, satisfying, and pleasurable sex life with the partner of their choice, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. All humans should have these basic sexual rights; however, as evidenced by the continued oppression of women, arranged marriages, and the practice of genital mutilation of females in order to negate sexual pleasure which are still occurring in many areas of the world, these rights are being violated.

All humans should have the right to the highest possible standard of sexual health, which includes access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. They should be able to seek, receive, and talk about information related to sexuality without punishment or discrimination. They should be able to decide whether they want to be sexually active or not and to choose their sexual partner(s). Sexual relations should be mutually consensual, and sexual as well as marriage partners should be an individual choice. Women should have the right to decide whether or not, and when, to have children. A human being should expect that sexual partners will respect their bodily integrity and refrain from mutilation and violence.

In order for sexual rights to be upheld, a legal regulatory system where the sexual rights of all humans are upheld is required. There also must be an integrated system of healthcare and community professionals who can address sexual health and rights at the individual, family, community, and health system levels and provide appropriate interventions and referrals. The responsible exercise of human rights requires that all persons respect the rights of others.