Dr. Ray Noonan’s 1998
Conference Presentations
The New Media: Reflections of Our Sexuality
from the Internet
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D.
Adjunct Lecturer, Brooklyn College (CUNY)
Adjunct Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY)
Director, SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC
E-mail: rjnoonan@SexQuest.com
The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) and the
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
1998 Joint Annual Meeting
Friday, November 13, 1998, 8:15-10:15am
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
Short Program Abstract:
Sexuality is inextricably entwined with the Internet, the World Wide Web, and the Usenet newsgroups in the minds of both professionals and the general public. Yet, sex-related Web sites and other areas of the Internet represent only a small portion of each part of the global computer network. Nevertheless, like the medium itself, the role that sexuality online will play in all of our lives has the potential for affecting us as individuals and as a society in profound ways, both good and bad. In fact, the Internet reflects the sexuality of its users and the global society of which it is a part, as much as, or more than, it has the potential to influence their sexual attitudes and behavior. This presentation will demonstrate how the various facets of the Internet are a mirror of our sexuality and the psychological ramifications of its presence there.
Long Abstract:
Sexuality is inextricably entwined with the Internet, the World Wide Web, and the Usenet newsgroups in the minds of both professionals and the general public. Yet, sex-related Web sites and other areas of the Internet represent only a small portion of each part of the global computer network. Nevertheless, like the medium itself, the role that sexuality online will play in all of our lives has the potential for affecting us as individuals and as a society in profound ways, both good and bad. In fact, the Internet reflects the sexuality of its users and the global society of which it is a part, as much as, or more than, it has the potential to influence their sexual attitudes and behavior. This presentation will demonstrate how the various facets of the Internet are a mirror of our sexuality and the psychological ramifications of its presence there on different populations.
Sexual issues have been a part of the Internet since its beginnings, much as it has been a part of every new technology in communications and the arts throughout history. In only the recent past, we have seen how sex spurred the growth of VCRs and video cameras, making them commodity items in the marketplace. Similar effects because of human beings’ interest in sex have been felt on other technological advances in the past. The Internet is similar, yet different, from these past technologies—and our responses to it will be similar, yet different. Sexuality has also influenced much of the alternative discourse that exists on the Internet in a variety of non-sex-related domains, having been one of the first newsgroups (alt.sex) on an alternative network that was formed in response to de facto censorship by a few administrators over a decade ago. As a result, numerous virtual online communities have grown and thrived in cyberspace.
In this presentation, I will explore how the Internet may be seen as a mirror of our sexuality and, as such, may force us to begin to come to terms with those aspects of our sexual health and psychology that we have tended to ignore in the past. I will look at what types of sexuality information and services are available on the Internet and the underlying messages, often unspoken, that inform their presentation and content—and what that means for those of us who seek to influence sexual health for the better. I will look at the impact that online flirtation and cybersex might have on our real-time relationships as well as on our understanding of interpersonal intimacy. In addition, I will look at the efforts being made to regulate and censor some of this information and discourse, and the implications of such actions for sexologists, psychologists, and allied professionals.
At the same time, I will discuss the impact of the Internet on new paradigms of sexual well-being, and the necessary task of taking a proactive approach to ensuring sexual health for all by fostering self-empowerment, wherein the strength of the Internet lies. Sexual diversity is the norm on the Internet, despite efforts to sanitize and homogenize it to conform to the level of psychosexual development of children. Various communities have adopted it to help inform others of their sexual realities. Among scientists, sexologists are among a wide variety of social science professionals utilizing the Web, for example, to promote better research and to disseminate its results to more people. The many key developments and trends in approaching sexual issues on the Internet will be explored. In the balance, they can only bode well for sexology—and for our collective sexual health.
Alt.sex.conference II: A Follow-Up Symposium on
Controversial Unaddressed Issues
The Social Construction of Sexual
Harassment and Heterophobia
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D.
Symposium Chair and Presenter
Adjunct Lecturer, Brooklyn College (CUNY)
Adjunct Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY)
Director, SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC
The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) and the
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
1998 Joint Annual Meeting
Friday, November 13, 1998, 1:30-3:30pm
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
For information on alt.sex.conference, e-mail rjnoonan@SexQuest.com at SexQuest.
Panel Discussion:
Changing Sexual Norms Among College Students
Panel Organizer/Moderator:
Erica Goodstone
Health and Physical Education Dept.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT/SUNY)
Panelists:
Elliot Austin
Dept. of Health Studies, New York University
Ray Noonan
Health and Physical Education Dept., FIT/SUNY
Arlene Melhlman
Health and Physical Education Dept., FIT/SUNY
Rita Rooney
Health Services, FIT/SUNY
New York State Sociological Association (NYSSA)
46th Annual Meeting
Saturday, October 17, 1998, 9:30-10:30am
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT/SUNY)
227 W. 27th Street, New York City
Check Out These Recent Books of Note with Contributions by Dr. Ray Noonan
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  Volume 4 of the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality (IES4), including 17 new countries and places, Robert T. Francoeur, Ph.D., Editor, and Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D., Associate Editor, published in May 2001 by Continuum International Publishing Group: Includes my chapter on “Outer Space,” which highlights cross-cultural sexuality issues that will have an impact on the human future in space, based partly on my dissertation. For the table of contents or more information, see the IES4 Web site: http://www.SexQuest.com/IES4/, including supplemental chapters available only on the Web. Order from amazon.com! |
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“The Impact of AIDS on Our Perception of Sexuality” and “Sex Surrogates: The Continuing Controversy,” in Robert T. Francoeur’s Sexuality in America: Understanding Our Sexual Values and Behavior, published in August 1998 by Continuum Publishing Co. This new book contains an updated version of the chapter on the United States contained in the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality, Vol. 3 (in the set below). Now available in paperback at amazon.com! |
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Two articles in Robert T. Francoeur’s International Encyclopedia of Sexuality, published in August 1997 by Continuum Publishing Co.: “The Impact of AIDS on Our Perception of Sexuality” and “Sex Surrogates: The Continuing Controversy” in the United States chapter in volume 3, and additional comments (with Sandra Almeida) in the chapter on Brazil in volume 1. Encourage your library to purchase this three-volume, 1737-page set—the most comprehensive cross-cultural survey of sexuality in 33 countries ever published. Order from amazon.com. |
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The third edition of the book, Does Anyone Still Remember When Sex Was Fun? Positive Sexuality in the Age of AIDS, 3rd edition, edited by Peter B. Anderson, Diane de Mauro, & Raymond J. Noonan, published by Kendall/Hunt in September 1996. Click here for more information about the book.
The latest on positive sexuality from the first book to address the issue: For anyone concerned about the increasingly negative ways in which sex is being portrayed in public life—and who wants to do something positive about it.
Now out of print, but available soon in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format! However, used copies might be available at amazon.com. |
Contact Info:
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D.
Director
SexQuest/The Sex Institute
P.O. Box 20166
West Village Station
New York, NY 10014
E-mail: rjnoonan@SexQuest.com
Phone: (212) 217-7460
Inquiries Welcome on Teaching, Speaking, and Writing Assignments
Dr. Ray Noonan’s Dissertation Information Pages:
[Abstract] [Table of Contents] [Preface] [AsMA 2000 Presentation Abstract]
Your first source for sexuality information on the Web
First published on the Web on September 9, 1998
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