Special issue introduction: Research presented at the 40th Canadian Sex Research Forum Annual Meeting, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 3rd to 5th, 2013

As President of the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF) it is my pleasure to introduce this special issue of The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (CJHS), on research presented at the 2013 CSRF Annual Meeting in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

When I attended my first CSRF Annual Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 2004, it quickly became apparent that CSRF and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) have shared a long and positive association. Many CSRF members are also SIECCAN members. CSRF and SIECCAN have shared judging responsibilities for the student presentation awards at CSRF meetings for many years, and SIECCAN contributes to one of the student prizes.

Perhaps the most prominent aspect of the collegial relationship between CSRF and SIECCAN has been the dissemination of research presented at CSRF meetings in SIECCAN publications beginning with the SIECCAN Newsletter and then the SIECCAN Journal. SIECCAN launched The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality in 1992 and since that time five special issues of the journal in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 2002 have been devoted to research presented at CSRF. Individual articles derived from research presented at CSRF have also been published periodically in regular issues of the journal over the years. It is my hope that this special issue of CJHS not only continues but also invigorates a tradition of collaboration between CSRF and SIECCAN.

As a Canadian sexuality researcher, I am encouraged by the scope of the research presented in the seven articles by Canadian authors that make up this special issue of CJHS. A scan of the table of contents reveals research agendas that explore the diversity of human sexuality in terms of both identity and behaviour. Collectively, these articles reflect the progressive and cutting-edge approach to the study of human sexuality that has made Canada home to so many of the world’s premier sex research scholars.

I want to thank the editors of CJHS and the journal’s editorial board for organizing and participating in a seamless peer review process for the manuscripts submitted to this special issue. Their efforts ensured a high scientific standard for the manuscripts that were accepted after rigorous review and revision.

Most of all, I wish to thank the authors who contributed to this special issue of CJHS. As evidenced by the articles presented here, their dedication to increasing our understanding of human sexuality is laudable and is producing important insights and findings. Their commitment to, and enthusiasm for, seeing their work published in a special issue of CJHS on research presented at CSRF bodes well for the future. It is my sincere hope, and among my objectives as President of CSRF, that a special issue of CJHS is an outcome of every annual CSRF annual meeting in the years ahead.