ABSTRACT
When it comes to thinking about sexuality and sexual identity we often direct our attention
to our biology, genes, hormones, or to what took place while we were in our mothers
womb. And at one level it seems relatively obvious that sexual identity is informed by our
biology. We all live in a body comprised of cells, neurotransmitters, blood, hormones,
organs, muscles, and other tissues. In light of our biomass, it almost seems absurd to suggest
that who and what we are isn’t linked to our biology. As sociologists, however, we want to
be cautious about a purely or primarily biological understanding of sexuality. Unlike other
biological dimensions of being human, like breathing or digestion, our sexuality is an inti-
mate (and sometimes violent) social experience – which is to say that our sexuality is always
produced and experienced in relation to others. Even in our most solitary masturbatory
fantasies and dreams we are always involving others, even if they are not actually present.
