Portal:Human sexuality

Word map showing varying ages of consent by color

The term age of consent rarely actually appears in legal statutes; it has sometimes been used with other meanings, such as the age at which a person becomes competent to consent to marriage, but the meaning given above is the one now generally understood. It should not be confused with the age of majority, age of criminal responsibility, the voting age, the drinking age, driving age, etc.

Age of consent laws vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, though most jurisdictions set the age of consent in the range 14 to 18. The laws may also vary by the type of sexual act, the gender of the actors, or other restrictions such as abuse of a position of trust. Some jurisdictions may also make allowances for minors engaged in sexual acts with each other, rather than a single age. Charges resulting from a breach of these laws may range from a misdemeanor such as corruption of a minor, to what is popularly called statutory rape (which is considered equivalent to rape, both in severity and sentencing).

There are many "gray areas" in this area of law, some regarding unspecific and untried legislation, others brought about by debates regarding changing societal attitudes, and others due to conflicts between federal and state laws. These factors all make age of consent an often confusing subject, and a topic of highly charged debates. (Full article...)

• ... that Roxxxy, described as the world's first sex robot, has an artificial intelligence engine programmed to learn the owner's likes and dislikes?
• ... that the Sex Machines Museum, opened in 2002 in Prague, has a collection of approximately 200 sex devices? (exhibit pictured)
• ... that the Philippine-edition of Playboy magazine does not display frontal nudity or human genitalia in order not to go against Filipino values?
• ... that ancient Roman brides sat in the lap of Mutunus Tutunus before marriage?
• ... that Filipino men and women engage in a form of courtship (example pictured) that is far more subdued and indirect compared to Western cultures?
• ... that pre-colonial sexual customs in the Philippines involved equating the size of a woman's breasts and the wideness of her hips with the price of the dowry?

January - February 2010

5 February 2025 – LGBTQ rights in Argentina

Argentinian presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni announces that the President Javier Milei has signed a decree modifying the 2012 Gender Identity Law that allows transgender people to be treated according to their gender identity and have their documents be registered with the corresponding name and gender to exclude people under the age of 18 to access gender-affirming care. (NBC News)

27 January 2025 – Second presidency of Donald Trump

The United States Senate votes to confirm Scott Bessent as U.S. Treasury Secretary, making him the highest rank LGBTQ official to run the U.S. Treasury and the highest-ranking LGBTQ person in the United States. (TIME)

23 January 2025 – LGBTQ rights in Thailand

Thailand becomes the 38th country and the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. (Reuters)

23 January 2025 – Second presidency of Donald Trump

The U.S. Department of State bans consular posts from flying any flags other than the U.S. flag as part of the Trump administration targeting several instances during the Biden administration when LGBTQ pride and Black Lives Matter flags were flown at embassies abroad. (The Guardian)

For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Human sexuality-related articles, see WikiProject Sexology and sexuality.