Humanism, Sex, and Sexuality

Abstract Humanists recognize that sex is an evolved trait, with no intrinsic meaning. It does not require rigidly defined sex or gender roles. Numerous examples among animals, and in various successful human societies, reflect this. Humanists see sex as a means of positive personal expression, pleasure, intimacy and/or bonding, and communication, as well as sometimes for reproduction. The principles of humanism assert that all people—the LGBTQ community, and women and men equally—should be able to enjoyably explore their sexuality, and that this is a part of every person’s full humanity. Humanists acknowledge that human pregnancy is difficult physiologically. Justice requires that women have control over their fertility, and that they have the final say in whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. The unscientific concept of “natural law” opposes these ideas, is being used to make laws that hurt people, and is deeply influential in legal and political thought. Humanists, with their belief in evidence and reason, find no basis for the legal concept of “natural law.”