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Women’s Sexualities: New Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Gender
Lesbian Speakers Series

November 2, 2006 

Linda Garnets, Ph.D.
UCLA, Women’s Studies, Psychology, and LGBT Studies

A new paradigm will be presented that recognizes the great diversity of women's erotic experiences and the many sociocultural factors that shape women's sexuality and sexual orientation across the lifespan. Specifically, scientific findings suggest that women’s sexuality and sexual orientation are potentially fluid, changeable over time, and variable across social contexts. Women’s sexual orientation is affected by such social and cultural factors as women’s education, social status and power, economic opportunities, and attitudes about women’s roles. Regardless of sexual orientation, there are important commonalities in women’s sexuality. In particular, women tend to have a relational or partner-centered orientation to sexuality.

Linda D. Garnets is an Affiliated Professor in Psychology, Women’s Studies, and LGBT Studies at UCLA. She is nationally known for her publications and presentations on lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology, including a co-edited special issue of the Journal of Social Issues on “Women’s Sexualities: Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Gender,” and a co-edited anthology titled Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experiences.