Discovering Human Sexuality

An evidence-based, accessible introduction to the study of sexuality and the diverse ways in which it brings joy and challenges to our lives.

Discovering Human Sexuality has established itself as a popular and widely praised text that respects diversity both in the sexual world and among the students who read it. The backgrounds of the authors--in psychology, sociology, teaching, and writing--have made possible a text that is multidisciplinary, authoritative, sex-positive, and a delight to read.

Simon LeVay is a British born neuroscientist turned writer and teacher. He has served on the faculties of the Harvard Medical School and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and has taught at Harvard; the University of California, San Diego; and Stanford University. He is best known for a 1991 study that described a difference in brain structure between heterosexual and homosexual men. This study sparked a wealth of new research on the biology of sexual orientation. LeVay is the author or co-author of 11 books, one of which is an historical novel The Donation of Constantine (Lambourn, 2013)

Janice and John Baldwin are sociologists at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They have been collaborators in numerous studies and co-authored many articles in the areas of play, creativity, sexuality, and sex education. The Baldwins co-teach the undergraduate course on human sexuality that is regularly voted best course at UCSB.