Psychology & Sexuality is an international journal which publishes high quality quantitative and qualitative psychological research on sexualities. The journal aims to advance knowledge and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, heterosexual and queer issues in psychology and allied disciplines. Psychology & Sexuality is progressive and radical with regard to current debates in critical psychology, whilst also drawing from work traditionally seen as outside the remit of psychology to inform understanding and debate.
The content is predominantly empirical and theoretical articles from both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, but review articles, brief research reports and essays are welcome, along with book reviews. Special features and issues are welcome along with articles that address user engagement and activism. Occasional interview pieces are included along with historical articles on key figures in the field. Please contact either of the editors if you wish to discuss a special feature/issue or other non-standard article submission.
Topics covered include (though note this list is not exclusive):
- Sexual identities and practices
- Relationships
- Families
- LGBTQ studies
- Queer theory
- Counselling/psychotherapy with gender and sexually diverse clients
- Attitudes, prejudice and discrimination
- Health, including HIV/AIDS and other STIs
- Violence
- Intergroup relations
- The intersection of sexualities and other important demographic characteristics/lines of power (e.g. sex, gender, class, disability, race/ethnicity, age, geographical location, religion)
Submissions addressing these topics and others from a variety of approaches and methodologies – qualitative and quantitative – are most welcome.
Editorial policy
Our editorial policy is progressive in that a strongly non-pathological stance will be taken whilst remaining inclusive of the variety of positions in the field and encouraging vigorous debate. To this end, controversial articles are acceptable, subject to the usual peer-review criteria, and debate within the journal – replies and rebuttals – are encouraged. A broad position is taken with respect to the scope of psychological work that is acceptable. Work outside and on the boundaries of the discipline is acceptable provided it addresses contemporary issues in research and writing on sexualities. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work is actively encouraged.
Work that treats sexualities or genders, of any kind, as pathology in need of treatment and cure is not acceptable. Neither is work that does not directly address issues in contemporary human sexualities research or practice. Comparative work is treated cautiously due to the inherent difficulties in research and writing of this kind but is not automatically excluded. Research and writing that is only about the biology of sexualities and/or that which seeks to identify the ‘causes’ of sexualities or genders is also not within the remit of this journal.
All manuscript submissions are subject to initial appraisal by an editor, and, if thought suitable for further consideration, to peer review by at least two independent expert referees.
All peer review is double-blind and submission is online via ScholarOne Manuscripts.
