Also in this issue

Editor’s Column
Jimmy Couzens
‘Studying sexuality is one avenue to a more complete understanding of human nature and human
societies. In its broadest sense, sexuality is interwoven with all aspects of being human. It has been only
during the last few generations that reliable information about human sexual arousal and response
has emerged. As we venture further into the twenty-first century, much remains to be understood
regarding all aspects of human sexuality.’ – Kelly (2011, p.1)
HELLO AND WELCOME to the
Psychology of Sexualities Section
Special Issue of the PsyPAG Quarterly.
The PsyPAG Quarterly is a peer-reviewed
journal published under the auspices of
the British Psychological Society (BPS). We
hope you enjoy reading the various articles
we have included in this special issue!
Psychologists have long had a lovehate
relationship with the study of sex and
human sexualities. Although the origins of
psychology and anthropology were marked
by concerns and debates over the topic,
contemporary psychologists have generally
moved away from consideration of the
‘erotic and exotic’ into more respectable
and less controversial kinds of topics. Meanwhile
sexuality remains an intrinsic, if rarely
studied, aspect of human experience. The
cross-cultural study of gender and human
sexuality, and in particular gender and sexualities
in Latin America and the Caribbean,
has been an interest for me since the start
of my career in psychology. Throughout my
career so far, working with the Psychology of
Sexualities Section of the BPS has provided
inspiration and encouragement. As an important
yet relatively understudied sub-area of
psychology, a sexualities special issue seemed
appropriate in highlighting the quality and
diverse range of significant contributions to
the field by postgraduate students, and to
help encourage continual development and
interest in the field.
Articles to look forward to include:
a discussion paper on the history of the
psychology of sexualities field and section
of the BPS from Dr Adam Jowett and Dr
Joanna Semlyen, as well as a review of
Inclusive Masculinity Theory, which also
includes an interview with its founder
by Luis Morales. Gu Li received special
recognition from our editorial team for his
discussion paper on conducting research
on sexual orientation identities, which
provides students with essential knowledge
on the challenges and appropriate means of
measuring sexual orientation. Meanwhile,
our features section delivers several fascinating
pieces. One such is by Dr Christian
Klesse, and addresses the challenges
of teaching sex, sexualities, and gender
related topics at University; and another,
from Charlotte Wesson, discusses the role
of gender in sexual fluidity. Additionally,
we at the PsyPAG Quarterly endeavour to
provide readers with highlights of research
hints and tips; thus we have included two
hints and tips articles, which will provide
further advice and recommendations for
research in the sexualities field.
In this issue we officially launch the NEW
Guest Author section! The guest author
section welcomes established academics who
already have a PhD to write for PsyPAG Quarterly.
Articles submitted can be any one of
our other article types, such as discussion
papers, reflection pieces or hints and tips.
Articles can be on any psychology-related
topic. Dr Adam Jowett is the guest author
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