CIIS Human Sexuality Department

03/15/2026

✨ Student Spotlight: Courtney Johnson-Benson

We’re excited to share a new CIIS News feature highlighting doctoral student Courtney Johnson-Benson and her journey in the Human Sexuality Ph.D. program.

In the article, Courtney reflects on how the program’s intersectional, anti-racist, and interdisciplinary approach has shaped her advocacy work, scholarship, and future career path. She also shares about the powerful sense of community among students and how the program has expanded her vision for what she can contribute to the field of s*xuality studies.

“What I’m learning here is truly informing what I’m doing and putting into practice within my community.”

We’re so proud to see Courtney’s work and voice featured!

📖 Read the full story:
https://www.ciis.edu/news/finding-herself-in-the-work-a-journey-in-s*xuality-studies

Doctoral student Courtney Johnson-Benson explains why she chose CIIS' Human Sexuality Studies program and how it's reshaping her work as a community advocate.

12/26/2025

How do we get better at discussing s*xual satisfaction when our ge****ls are synonymous with the word ‘unmentionables’? It takes no luck, no money and can be learned

12/03/2025

Are you looking for a meaningful gift this holiday season? Edited by Dr. Michele Marzullo, Chair and Professor in the Department of Human Sexuality at CIIS, and Dr. William Leap, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at American University and founder of the Lavender Languages Institute at CIIS, Critical Sexuality Studies, Lavender Languages, and Everyday Life is built from presentations at the 27th annual Lavender Languages Conference to provide a cross-section of lavender language research interests, with comments in each essay showing how each discussion addresses themes in Critical Sexuality Studies.

Critical Sexuality Studies and Lavender Languages and Linguistics are leading modes of inquiry in two different fields of s*xuality studies. The ways that these modes articulate each other are joined for the first time in this volume to explore language use related to s*xuality, gender, authority, and power in daily life.

“A triumphant volume that will leave you pondering new questions, reconsidering the political fabric of our language, and feeling immensely hopefully for the future of q***r and s*xuality scholarship. If this is the future of critical s*xuality studies, count me in!” - Breanne Fahs, Arizona State University

Pick up your copy today: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/critical-s*xuality-studies-lavender-languages-and-everyday-life-9781350359956/

11/25/2025

Loraine Hutchins died this week. She was a trailblazer and contributed to bis*xual visibility and acceptance through her writings and activism. Among her many accomplishments, Hutchins was the co-editor of the anthology "Bi Any Other Name: Bis*xual People Speak Out." It was one of the first three bi anthologies in the world and was named one of Lambda Book Report’s Top 100 Q***r Books of the 20th Century.

Loraine Hutchins recently served as dissertation chair for one of our recent graduates, Andrés Cordero. She will be deeply missed. Rest In Power!

11/18/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Clarissa Francis, an alum of ours, on her recent publication: "Black Women’s Bodily Autonomy, Sexual Freedom, and Pleasure."

Here's just one review: “A leading voice of the Real Hot Girl Movement, Dr. Clarissa E. Francis, a.k.a. The Real Hot Girl Doc, resolutely reflects on her journey for s*xual liberation and empowerment. Her journey offers a shared experience that resonates with Black women in a generation needing healing. As an expert guide, her perspicacious observations take us from a historicized pained Black female body to a s*xually liberated pleasured Black female body, where self-care, pleasure activism, and s*xual healing are valued and not shamed. Her trailblazing advocacy and intellectual thought on pleasure activism is some “real hot girl sh*t!” and a must-read.”
Ramona j.j. Bell, PhD, Chair and professor of critical race of gender & s*xuality studies, Cal Poly Humboldt

We hope you'll pick up a copy of your own today! https://www.amazon.com/Autonomy-Pleasure-Conversations-Sexualities-Identities/dp/1032699450

11/11/2025

Are you following us on Instagram yet? Head on over to our new page: @ ciis_hsx to stay up to date with the department.

11/11/2025

What is s*xual wellness, really? ⬇️⬇️
💜 Sexual Wellness does not equal just s*x. It’s about connection, consent, agency, and wholeness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), s*xual wellness is “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to s*xuality.”

It’s not merely the absence of dysfunction—it’s the presence of pleasure, respect, and safety.

Core Components of Sexual Wellness are:
💜 Knowledge & Education: Understanding your body, boundaries, and choices.
💜 Consent & Communication: Mutual respect as the foundation of all intimacy.
💜 Equity & Access: Everyone deserves inclusive s*xual healthcare and representation.
💜 Pleasure & Joy : Healthy s*xuality includes pleasure as part of overall well-being.

Research shows that when people have access to inclusive, comprehensive s*xual education and care, they report:
💓 Higher self-esteem
💓 Healthier relationships
💓 Lower rates of STIs and s*xual violence
💓 Greater life satisfaction

Sexual wellness belongs to everyone—across gender identities, orientations, abilities, and cultures. When we honor s*xuality as part of our humanity, we cultivate both personal healing and collective liberation. What does s*xual wellness mean to you? ⬇️⬇️

10/25/2025

🔥 Interested in learning more about our Masters of Science in critical s*xuality studies or our PhD in human s*xuality? Please join faculty and current students today at our university Fall open house happening at 10 AM Pacific/1 PM eastern time. Sign up here: https://www.ciis.edu/events/fall-open-house ❤️

09/12/2025

The birth control pills, IUDs and hormonal implants were purchased by U.S.A.I.D. for women in low-income countries. They had been in limbo in a Belgian warehouse after the U.S. cut much of its foreign aid.