History of Sexology
Learn what philosophers and scientists have thought about sex through the ages.
Write your awesome label here.
Course Introduction
RESEARCHERS
Researchers from Marginalized Groups
Dr. James Wadley
Who he is: Dr. James Wadley is a distinguished African American sexologist, educator, and therapist. He serves as Professor and Chair of the Counseling and Human Services department at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and as a licensed professional counselor.
Contributions: Dr. Wadley has significantly advanced sex education and training for future counselors and therapists, integrating multicultural perspectives and addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities. His notable works include editing the "Handbook of Sexuality Leadership: Inspiring Community Engagement, Social Empowerment, and Transformational Influence", which provides insights into leadership within the field of sexuality and emphasizes community engagement and social justice.
Impact: Dr. Wadley advocates for Black sexual health, conducting workshops, seminars, and public speaking engagements to empower individuals through education and awareness about sexual health and rights. His efforts seek to dismantle stigma and promote open dialogue within Black communities. He has also served as President of the Association of Black Sexologists and Clinicians (ABSC), elevating the visibility and influence of Black professionals in the field.
Dr. Tracie Q. Gilbert
Who she is: Dr. Tracie Q. Gilbert is an African American sexologist, educator, and researcher known for her work on the intersections of race, sexuality, and social justice.
Contributions: Dr. Gilbert's research focuses on the sexual health and well-being of African American communities, particularly adolescents. She emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant and affirming sexual education that addresses the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black individuals. Dr. Gilbert advocates for a holistic approach to sexual health that includes discussions of pleasure, consent, and empowerment.
Impact: Dr. Gilbert's work has been pivotal in promoting inclusive and culturally competent sex education. Her contributions help to ensure that the sexual health needs of marginalized communities are recognized and addressed, fostering a more equitable and just approach to sexology (Gilbert, 2018).
Dr. Richard T. Rodríguez
Who he is: Dr. Richard T. Rodríguez is a Chicano scholar and professor whose work intersects with gender studies, queer theory, and cultural studies.
Contributions: Dr. Rodríguez has written extensively about the experiences of LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals, exploring how cultural, social, and familial factors influence their identities and relationships. His research sheds light on the complexities of navigating multiple identities and the impact of cultural heritage on sexual orientation and gender expression.
Impact: Dr. Rodríguez's work has contributed to a greater understanding of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals. By highlighting their experiences, he has helped to diversify the field of sexology and promote greater inclusion of marginalized voices (Rodríguez, 2011).
Dr. Gloria Wekker
Who she is: Dr. Gloria Wekker is a Surinamese-Dutch anthropologist and scholar known for her work on gender, sexuality, and race.
Contributions: Dr. Wekker's research focuses on the sexualities of Afro-Surinamese women and the impact of colonial histories on contemporary sexual identities. Her book "The Politics of Passion: Women's Sexual Culture in the Afro-Surinamese Diaspora" explores the sexual lives and cultural practices of women in the Afro-Surinamese community, highlighting the resilience and agency of marginalized groups.
Impact: Dr. Wekker's contributions have been instrumental in decolonizing sexology and bringing attention to the experiences of women of color. Her work emphasizes the importance of understanding sexuality within specific cultural and historical contexts, challenging dominant Western paradigms (Wekker, 2006).
Dr. Evelynn Hammonds
Who she is: Dr. Evelynn Hammonds is a distinguished historian of science and African American studies, with a particular focus on the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. She is a professor at Harvard University and has served as the Dean of Harvard College.
Contributions: Hammonds has critically examined how scientific and medical discourses have historically constructed and regulated Black women's sexuality. Her work, such as in her influential book "Childhood's Deadly Scourge: The Campaign to Control Diphtheria in New York City, 1880-1930," explores how public health narratives have been used to control and marginalize Black communities. Hammonds has also written extensively about the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of Black women in scientific research, emphasizing the importance of including diverse perspectives in the study of human sexuality (Hammonds, 1999).
Dr. José Esteban Muñoz
Who he was: Dr. José Esteban Muñoz was a pioneering queer theorist and cultural critic who focused on the experiences of queer people of color. He was a professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Contributions: Muñoz's seminal work "Disidentifications: Queers of Color and the Performance of Politics" (1999) explores how queer people of color navigate and resist dominant cultural norms through performance and identity. His concept of "disidentification" provides a framework for understanding how marginalized individuals use cultural expressions to critique and transform oppressive structures. Muñoz's work has been crucial in highlighting the intersections of race, sexuality, and cultural politics, offering new ways to think about queer identities and experiences (Muñoz, 1999).
LGBTQ+ Innovators
Key LGBTQ+ Innovators Advancing the Field of Sexology
Dr. Lisa Diamond
Who she is: Dr. Lisa Diamond is an American psychologist and professor of developmental psychology, health psychology, and gender studies at the University of Utah.
Contributions: Dr. Diamond is renowned for her research on sexual fluidity, particularly in women. Her book, "Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire" (2008), has been pivotal in challenging traditional views of sexual orientation as fixed and immutable. Her work emphasizes the dynamic nature of sexual orientation and has significantly influenced contemporary understandings of human sexuality (Diamond, 2008).
Dr. Ritch C. Savin-Williams
Who he is: Dr. Ritch C. Savin-Williams is a developmental psychologist and professor emeritus of developmental psychology at Cornell University.
Contributions: Dr. Savin-Williams' research focuses on the sexual development and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. He has authored several influential books, including "The New Gay Teenager" (2005), which explores the experiences of modern LGBTQ+ youth and challenges stereotypes. His work has helped to shift the focus from pathology to resilience and positive development in sexual minority adolescents (Savin-Williams, 2005).
Dr. Patricia C. Nell Warren
Who she was: Dr. Patricia C. Nell Warren was an American author and researcher, known for her work in LGBTQ+ literature and activism.
Contributions: Warren's groundbreaking novel "The Front Runner" (1974) was one of the first contemporary gay novels to achieve mainstream success. Beyond her literary contributions, she conducted extensive research on LGBTQ+ history and rights. Her work has played a crucial role in raising awareness and fostering greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in society (Warren, 1974).
Dr. KJ Cerankowski
Who they are: Dr. K J Cerankowski is an assistant professor of comparative American studies at Oberlin College, known for their research on asexuality and queer studies.
Contributions: Dr. Cerankowski co-edited the anthology "Asexualities: Feminist and Queer Perspectives" (2014), which explores asexual identities and challenges traditional assumptions about sexual desire and relationships. Their work has been instrumental in bringing asexuality into academic discourse and advocating for the recognition and understanding of asexual individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ community (Cerankowski & Milks, 2014).
Dr. Jack Halberstam
Who he is: Dr. Jack Halberstam is a professor of gender studies and English at Columbia University, known for his work on gender, sexuality, and queer theory.
Contributions: Dr. Halberstam's influential book "The Queer Art of Failure" (2011) challenges conventional notions of success and failure, particularly as they relate to queer lives. His work on gender nonconformity, transgender identities, and queer subcultures has been groundbreaking, offering new ways to understand and validate nonbinary and gender-diverse experiences (Halberstam, 2011).
Dr. Susan Stryker
Who she is: Dr. Susan Stryker is a historian, author, and professor of gender and women's studies at the University of Arizona. She is a prominent scholar in transgender studies.
Contributions: Dr. Stryker is known for her seminal work in transgender history and theory. Her book "Transgender History" (2008) is a comprehensive overview of the history of transgender people and movements in the United States. She has been instrumental in shaping the field of transgender studies and advocating for the rights and recognition of transgender individuals (Stryker, 2008).