This Being is a Guest House: Embracing Humility, Liberation & Strengths in Therapy with Sexual and Gender Diverse Muslims.

The complexity of the lives of sexual and gender diverse Muslims within the United States calls for mental health providers to own our power and privilege. Embracing cultural humility in service of aligning ourselves with liberation psychology, we call for an intersectionally informed, strengths-based approach to empowering/affirming clients whose diverse religious experiences intersect with their experiences of marginalization as sexual and gender diverse (SGD) Muslims. Drawing on extant personal narratives around mental health and therapy of this population, the authors offer critical reflections, processes and opportunities for clinicians to take responsibility in honoring the diverse journeys and experiences of SGD Muslims in serving them in journeys of healing.

Cross-sex shifts in two brain imaging phenotypes and their relation to polygenic scores for same-sex sexual behavior: A study of 18,645 individuals from the UK Biobank.

Genetic and hormonal factors have been suggested to influence human sexual orientation. Previous studied proposed brain differences related to sexual orientation and that these follow cross-sex shifted patterns. However, the neurobiological correlates of sexual orientation and how genetic factors relate to brain structural variation remains largely unexplored. Using the largest neuroimaging-genetics dataset available on same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) (n = 18,645), we employed a data-driven multivariate classification algorithm (PLS) on magnetic resonance imaging data from two imaging modalities to extract brain covariance patterns related to sex. Through analyses of latent variables, we tested for SSB-related cross-sex shifts in such patterns. Using genotype data, polygenic scores reflecting the genetic predisposition for SSB were computed and tested for associations with neuroimaging outcomes. Patterns important for classifying between males and females were less pronounced in non-heterosexuals. Predominantly in non-heterosexual females, multivariate brain patterns as represented by latent variables were shifted toward the opposite sex. Complementary univariate analyses revealed region specific SSB-related differences in both males and females. Polygenic scores for SSB were associated with volume of lateral occipital and temporo-occipital cortices. The present large-scale study demonstrates multivariate neuroanatomical correlates of SSB, and tentatively suggests that genetic factors related to SSB may contribute to structural variation in certain brain structures. These findings support a neurobiological basis to the differences in human sexuality.

Perceptions of LGBQ+ youth and experts of suicide prevention video messages targeting LGBQ+ youth: qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer as well as other sexual/gender minorities (LGBTQ+) persons have higher rates of suicidal ideation and behavior compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers, particularly during their coming out. The "It Gets Better" project is a multi-national media campaign that aims to reduce suicide among LGBTQ+ adolescents by providing personal narratives of hope delivered by mainly adult LGBTQ+ persons. There is only little knowledge so far on how young LGBTQ+ people as well as experts in suicide prevention and counseling perceive these videos, and how to potentially improve the videos based on their perceptions. METHODS: A total of n = 19 LGBQ+ adolescents and young adults and n = 9 experts participated in focus groups to discuss perceptions of a selection of "It Gets Better" videos. Eight focus groups were conducted to assess perceptions on the process of watching the videos, possible effects on young LGBQ+ viewers in general, and suicidal LGBQ+ youth in particular, as well as factors that were relevant to their perceptions. RESULTS: Messages were found to be helpful in terms of promoting hope. LGBQ+ youth identified several key strategies to increase identification with messages, which they considered crucial for their effectiveness. Criticism emerged from a perceived lack of diversity in terms of portrayed sexual identities, and some shallowness in the portrayal of suicidal ideation and how things can get better. The experts' perceptions of the videos were largely consistent with LGBQ+ youth, highlighting a positive potential of videos to support coming out and identity building processes. CONCLUSIONS: Young people and experts view the videos as helpful and relevant, but identified several strategies to better tailor them to the needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents, including suicidal peers. The insights gained are useful to the increasing number of suicide prevention projects using personal narratives of coping delivered via media to help prevent suicide.

Same-sex sexual behaviour.

Balfour and Shuker introduce animal sexual behaviors directed to members of the same sex.

[End of the road for the « homosexuality gene ¼]. / Clap de fin pour le « gène de l'homosexualité ¼ - Chroniques génomiques.

Evidence for a "homosexuality gene" was claimed in the early 1990's on the basis of linkage studies that, by current criteria, were woefully underpowered. Indeed, follow up studies gave contradictory results. Genome-wide association studies, and very large databases with detailed genetic and phenotypic data, have made possible a re-examination of this issue. While modest heritability (ca. 0.3) for homosexuality is confirmed, no major locus is found and the genetic influence appears extremely polygenic. Thus, there is no single gene, or even small set of genes, that have a strong influence on homosexuality.

Neural Responses to Sexual Stimuli in Heterosexual and Homosexual Men and Women: Men's Responses Are More Specific.

Patterns of genital arousal in response to gendered sexual stimuli (i.e., sexual stimuli presenting members of only one sex at a time) are more predictive of men's than of women's sexual orientations. Additional lines of evidence may shed light on the nature of these differences. We measured neural activation in homosexual and heterosexual men and women using fMRI while they viewed three kinds of gendered sexual stimuli: pictures of nude individuals, pictures of same-sex couples interacting, and videos of individuals self-stimulating. The primary neural region of interest was the ventral striatum (VS), an area of central importance for reward processing. For all three kinds of stimuli and for both VS activation and self-report, men's responses were more closely related to their sexual orientations compared with women's. Furthermore, men showed a much greater tendency to respond more positively to stimuli featuring one sex than to stimuli featuring the other sex, leading to higher correlations among men's responses as well as higher correlations between men's responses and their sexual orientations. Whole-brain analyses identified several other regions showing a similar pattern to the VS, and none showed an opposite pattern. Because fMRI is measured identically in men and women, our results provide the most direct evidence to date that men's sexual arousal patterns are more gender specific than women's.

Possible Neurobiological Underpinnings of Homosexuality and Gender Dysphoria.

Although frequently discussed in terms of sex dimorphism, the neurobiology of sexual orientation and identity is unknown. We report multimodal magnetic resonance imaging data, including cortical thickness (Cth), subcortical volumes, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, from 27 transgender women (TrW), 40 transgender men (TrM), and 80 heterosexual (40 men) and 60 homosexual cisgender controls (30 men). These data show that whereas homosexuality is linked to cerebral sex dimorphism, gender dysphoria primarily involves cerebral networks mediating self-body perception. Among the homosexual cisgender controls, weaker sex dimorphism was found in white matter connections and a partly reversed sex dimorphism in Cth. Similar patterns were detected in transgender persons compared with heterosexual cisgender controls, but the significant clusters disappeared when adding homosexual controls, and correcting for sexual orientation. Instead, both TrW and TrM displayed singular features, showing greater Cth as well as weaker structural and functional connections in the anterior cingulate-precuneus and right occipito-parietal cortex, regions known to process own body perception in the context of self.

Perceived Sexual Orientation of Men and Women with Eating Disorders and Obesity.

The present study explores the perceived sexual orientation of hypothetical men and women with various eating disorders and obesity. Undergraduates were randomly provided with one vignette describing a male or female with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder, or obesity and were asked about the target's likely sexual orientation. Significant differences emerged between male and female targets with AN and BN on the forced-choice question, with a greater percentage of participants indicating that the male targets were probably non-heterosexual. On continuous items, participants rated the female targets as significantly more likely to be heterosexual and significantly less likely to be homosexual than male targets. The general public may be more likely to perceive men with eating disorders as gay or bisexual relative to females with eating disorders. Perceived sexual orientation might be an important factor to consider when exploring the potentially unique perspectives of men with eating disorders.

Not All Orgasms Were Created Equal: Differences in Frequency and Satisfaction of Orgasm Experiences by Sexual Activity in Same-Sex Versus Mixed-Sex Relationships.

Which sexual activities result in the most frequent and most satisfying orgasms for men and women in same- and mixed-sex relationships? The current study utilized a convenience sample of 806 participants who completed an online survey concerning the types of sexual activities through which they experience orgasms. Participants indicated how frequently they reached orgasm, how satisfied they were from orgasms resulting from 14 sexual activities, and whether they desired a frequency change for each sexual activity. We present the overall levels of satisfaction, frequency, and desired frequency change for the whole sample and also compare responses across four groups of participants: men and women in same-sex relationships and men and women in mixed-sex relationships. While all participants reported engaging in a wide variety of activities that either could, or often did, lead to the experience of orgasm, there were differences in the levels of satisfaction derived from different types of orgasms for different types of participants, who also engaged in such activities with varying degrees of frequency. We discuss group differences within the context of sexual scripts for same- and mixed-sex couples and question the potential explanations for gender differences in the ability to experience orgasm during partnered sexual activity.

Cerebral sex dimorphism and sexual orientation.

The neurobiology of sexual orientation is frequently discussed in terms of cerebral sex dimorphism (defining both functional and structural sex differences). Yet, the information about possible cerebral differences between sex-matched homo and heterosexual persons is limited, particularly among women. In this multimodal MRI study, we addressed these issues by investigating possible cerebral differences between homo and heterosexual persons, and by asking whether there is any sex difference in this aspect. Measurements of cortical thickness (Cth), subcortical volumes, and functional and structural resting-state connections among 40 heterosexual males (HeM) and 40 heterosexual females (HeF) were compared with those of 30 homosexual males (HoM) and 30 homosexual females (HoF). Congruent with previous reports, sex differences were detected in heterosexual controls with regard to fractional anisotropy (FA), Cth, and several subcortical volumes. Homosexual groups did not display any sex differences in FA values. Furthermore, their functional connectivity was significantly less pronounced in the mesial prefrontal and precuneus regions. In these two particular regions, HoM also displayed thicker cerebral cortex than other groups, whereas HoF did not differ from HeF. In addition, in HoM the parietal Cth showed "sex-reversed" values, not observed in HoF. Homosexual orientation seems associated with a less pronounced sexual differentiation of white matter tracts and a less pronounced functional connectivity of the self-referential networks compared to heterosexual orientation. Analyses of Cth suggest that male and female homosexuality are not simple analogues of each other and that differences from heterosexual controls are more pronounced in HoM.

Handedness, sexual orientation, and somatic markers for prenatal androgens: Are southpaws really that gay?

BACKGROUND: Some evidence suggests that prenatal androgens influence both handedness and sexual orientation. This study sought to clarify how androgens, handedness, and sexual orientation are interrelated. METHODS: Data were obtained from large samples of students enrolled at universities in Malaysia and the US, including self-reported information on handedness, sexual orientation, and five somatic markers of prenatal androgen exposure (2D:4D, height, strength, muscularity, and athletic ability). Factor analysis of these somatic markers yielded two factors: a muscular coordination and a bone growth factor. RESULTS: In women, but not in men, ambidextrousness was more prevalent among those with homosexual tendencies. Modest and often complex associations were found between the androgen factors and handedness. Clear links between the androgen factors and sexual orientation were found, especially for muscular coordination. For males and females, intermediate sex-typical androgen exposure was associated with heterosexual preferences. CONCLUSIONS: Ambidextrousness appears to be somewhat more common among females with homosexual tendencies, but left-handedness is nearly as strongly associated with heterosexual preferences, particularly in males, as is right-handedness. Factors indicative of prenatal androgen exposure are associated with sexual orientation in theoretically predictable ways, especially for muscular coordination, but associations between prenatal androgens and handedness are complex.

"The Freak of Nature": On Erich Fromm's Vindication of Binomial Sexuality and the Potentials of the "Homosexual Deviation".

As a Freudian revisionist and neo-Marxist, Erich Fromm (1900-1980) lessened the import of sexuality in the individual psyche but stressed the role played by the sex differential in the distribution of power throughout history and in the post-patriarchal form of matriarchy he envisioned. Seeking to reinforce the male/female divide and heteronormativity, Fromm outlined a "New Science of Man" that readily ignored not only the challenges posed to binary sexuality by post-Darwinian critical sexologies, but also the same-sex complexities evinced by key figures of his own cultural pantheon. Regardless of his declared pursuits, however, Fromm at times expressed insights suitable to undermine the cogency of his most cherished sexual convictions. As a tool for uncovering "indubitable commonsensical axioms" as sources of alienation, Fromm's conception of "idology" challenges his own sanction of sexual binarity and heterosexuality, thus facilitating an understanding of the individual's sexual difference as a unique modulation of male/female intermediariness.

Los dos análisis del Sr. Z por Heinz Kohut / The two analyses of Mr. Z by Heinz Kohut

La publicación en 1979 del famoso análisis del Sr. Z por Heinz Kohut, considerado por sus colegas y allegados como su propio análisis, se convierte en el campo de batalla de la Self Psychology de Kohut frente a la Ego Psychology dominante en esa época en los EE. UU. Valorización de la problemática transferencial en detrimento del poder de la doctrina, relevancia de Narciso y depreciación del Edipo, de las pulsiones y del inconsciente, ¿se trata de una nueva adaptabilidad del psicoanálisis por razones culturales? (AU)

The publication in 1979 of the famous analysis of Mr. Z by Heinz Kohut, regarded by his family as his own analysis, becomes the battlefield of kohutian Self Psychology against the Ego Psychology, that prevailed until that time in the United States. Valorization of the transference question at the expense of doctrinal power, highlighting of the Narcissus and devaluation of Oedipus, drive and unconscious, was it finally one more adaptive renewal of psychoanalysis for cultural reasons? (AU)

Orientación sexual y deseo reproductivo / Sexual orientation and reproductive desires

OBJETIVOS: El objetivo principal del presente estudio es obtener datos sobre la orientación sexual y los deseos reproductivos de una población española no seleccionada. Objetivos secundarios han sido recabar información sobre las actitudes sexuales de esa misma muestra poblacional, la visión de gays y lesbianas de sus posibilidades reproductivas y su relación con los centros públicos y privados de medicina reproductiva. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Una encuesta diseñada a tal efecto fue implementada en el portal del Colectivo Lambda de la Comunidad Valenciana, en internet. El Colectivo Lambda ofreció su colaboración desinteresada y animó a sus miembros a cumplimentarla. Los centros de reproducción integrados en el Grupo EIRE solicitaron a sus pacientes la cumplimentación de la encuesta. Las respuestas a las distintas preguntas correspondientes a las 404 encuestas cumplimentadas fueron transportadas a una hoja Excel y, posteriormente, al programa SPSS, para su tratamiento estadístico. RESULTADOS: A partir de las respuestas obtenidas puede afirmarse que homosexualidad y bisexualidad no son situaciones excluyentes sino que entre homo y heterosexualidad existe una gradación. También ha sido confirmado que la gran mayoría de los individuos desea reproducirse, independientemente de su orientación sexual y que la aceptación de las técnicas de reproducción asistida para resolver los problemas reproductivos de lesbianas y gays, incluida la maternidad subrogada es amplia. En torno al 90% de los encuestados consideran que las personas o parejas LGTB tienen los mismos derechos a ser atendidos en los centros de sanidad pública que las parejas heterosexuales que padecen esterilidad. Considerando el determinismo de la orientación sexual de los seres humanos, es posible aceptar que gays, lesbianas y otros LGTB presentan esterilidad constitucional y que, como tal, deben ser ayudados a tener descendencia biológica sin menoscabo de su dignidad humana

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to obtain data on sexual orientation and reproductive desires of an un selected Spanish population formed by gays, lesbians, transsexuals and bisexuals (LGTB), without excluding heterosexual persons. Secondary objectives have been obtaining information about the sexual attitudes of this same population sample, as well as the view of gays and lesbians of their reproductive potential and their relationship with public and private reproductive medicine centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey designed to that effect was implemented on the portal of the Colectivo Lambda of Valencia, on the internet. The collective Lambda offered their generous collaboration and encouraged its members to fill it out. The centers of reproductive medicine integrated in the EIRE group asked their patients filling out the survey. The responses to the different questions corresponding to the 404 completed surveys were transported to an Excel worksheet and, later, to the program SPSS for statistical processing. RESULTS: From the answers it can be argued that homosexuality and bisexuality are not mutually exclusive situations but that between homo and heterosexuality there is a gradation. It has also been confirmed that the vast majority of individuals wish to reproduce, regardless of their sexual orientation and that assisted reproduction techniques are widely accepted to solve reproductive problems of lesbians and gays, including surrogate motherhood. Around 90% of respondents considered that persons or LGBT couples have the same rights to be cared for in reproductive centers of public health than heterosexual couples presenting infertility. Whereas the determinism of the sexual orientation of human beings, it is possible to accept that gays, lesbians and other LGBT present constitutional infertility and that, as such, they must be helped to have biological offspring without detriment to their human dignity

Sexual motivation is reflected by stimulus-dependent motor cortex excitability.

Sexual behavior involves motivational processes. Findings from both animal models and neuroimaging in humans suggest that the recruitment of neural motor networks is an integral part of the sexual response. However, no study so far has directly linked sexual motivation to physiologically measurable changes in cerebral motor systems in humans. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation in hetero- and homosexual men, we here show that sexual motivation modulates cortical excitability. More specifically, our results demonstrate that visual sexual stimuli corresponding with one's sexual orientation, compared with non-corresponding visual sexual stimuli, increase the excitability of the motor cortex. The reflection of sexual motivation in motor cortex excitability provides evidence for motor preparation processes in sexual behavior in humans. Moreover, such interrelationship links theoretical models and previous neuroimaging findings of sexual behavior.

Sexual arousal: the correspondence of eyes and genitals.

Men's, more than women's, sexual responses may include a coordination of several physiological indices in order to build their sexual arousal to relevant targets. Here, for the first time, genital arousal and pupil dilation to sexual stimuli were simultaneously assessed. These measures corresponded more strongly with each other, subjective sexual arousal, and self-reported sexual orientation in men than women. Bisexual arousal is more prevalent in women than men. We therefore predicted that if bisexual-identified men show bisexual arousal, the correspondence of their arousal indices would be more female-typical, thus weaker, than for other men. Homosexual women show more male-typical arousal than other women; hence, their correspondence of arousal indices should be stronger than for other women. Findings, albeit weak in effect, supported these predictions. Thus, if sex-specific patterns are reversed within one sex, they might affect more than one aspect of sexual arousal. Because pupillary responses reflected sexual orientation similar to genital responses, they offer a less invasive alternative for the measurement of sexual arousal.

Testing the Affiliation Hypothesis of Homoerotic Motivation in Humans: The Effects of Progesterone and Priming.

The frequency of homoerotic behavior among individuals who do not identify as having an exclusively homosexual sexual orientation suggests that such behavior potentially has adaptive value. Here, we define homoerotic behavior as intimate erotic contact between members of the same sex and affiliation as the motivation to make and maintain social bonds. Among both male and female nonhuman primates, affiliation is one of the main drivers of homoerotic behavior. Correspondingly, in humans, both across cultures and across historical periods, homoerotic behavior appears to play a role in promoting social bonds. However, to date, the affiliation explanation of human homoerotic behavior has not been adequately tested experimentally. We developed a measure of homoerotic motivation with a sample of 244 men and women. Next, we found that, in women (n = 92), homoerotic motivation was positively associated with progesterone, a hormone that has been shown to promote affiliative bonding. Lastly, we explored the effects of affiliative contexts on homoerotic motivation in men (n = 59), finding that men in an affiliative priming condition were more likely to endorse engaging in homoerotic behavior compared to those primed with neutral or sexual concepts, and this effect was more pronounced in men with high progesterone. These findings constitute the first experimental support for the affiliation account of the evolution of homoerotic motivation in humans.

Etiology of homosexuality and attitudes toward same-sex parenting: a randomized study.

Attribution theory suggests the hypothesis that heterosexuals' attitudes toward homosexual sexual orientation will be more negative when homosexuality is attributed to controllable causes. Our randomized study analyzed (a) whether beliefs about the genetic or environmental etiology of the homosexual sexual orientation can be immediately modified by reading a text and (b) the causal effect of attributions about the controllability (environmental etiology) or noncontrollability (genetic etiology) of homosexual sexual orientation on the rejection of same-sex parenting and their social rights. The sample was composed of 190 Spanish university students with a mean age of 22.07 years (SD = 8.46). The results show that beliefs about the etiology of the sexual orientation could be modified by means of a written text. Furthermore, participants who believed that sexual orientation had a genetic etiology showed greater support for social rights and less rejection of same-sex parenting. However, the effects were detected only when there was a traditional opposition to the family with same-sex parenting. When the opposition was normative, the effect was not statistically significant. Our results can be useful in planning variables for intervention programs designed to foster tolerance toward and normality of sexual diversity.

Repetición y creación: vida pulsional y narcisismo / Repetition and creation: narcissism and the life of the drivers

A través de un amplio material clínico, postulo que en nuestro trabajo clínico nos confrontamos con situaciones en las que el narcisismo polariza las fuerzas pulsionales, con el riesgo de que al ponerse al servicio de las pulsiones de muerte se produzca una des ligazón y una desinvestidura (del objeto, del analista y del yo). En esa tesitura hemos de tener muy cuenta la transformación que ha de sufrir la investidura narcisista para poder desprender esas fuerzas pulsionales del imperio narcisista. Para desarrollar dicha tesis abordo la regresión narcisista, la sexualización del yo, la escisión entre la corriente de ternura y la corriente de sensualidad y el rol de la escena primaria. Destaco la importancia del trabajo transfero-contratransferencial para desvelar la identificación narcisista y para elaborar el riesgo de desinvestidura y el escepticismo amoroso posibilitando la constitución de un objeto interno confiable. Este artículo trata de integrar el modelo pulsional con el de las relaciones objetales (AU)

The author, through a broad review of the clinical material, suggests that we are faced in our clinical work with situations where narcissism polarizes the driving forces. This runs the risk of narcissism engendering a death-wish-like state that can bring about a "disconnect" and reduced cathexis (for the object of the patient's drives, the analyst and the self). In this context, we need to be acutely aware of the transformation that the narcissistic cathexis undergoes in order to be able to detach these driving forces from the narcissistic domain. To develop this thesis, the author focuses on narcissistic regression, the sexualization of the self, the split between the state of tendernness and the state of sensuality and the role of the primal scene. The author also highlights the importance of the development of transference-counter-transference in revealing narcissistic identification, the risk of reduced cathexis and skeptical love. This may open the way for the constitution of trustworthy internal object. This work seeks to integrate the drive model with the object-relations model (AU)