Legal Definitions - lascivious

The term lascivious refers to conduct, gestures, or expressions that are overtly sexual in nature, often to the point of being offensive, indecent, or designed to provoke sexual desire. It describes behavior characterized by an excessive or inappropriate display of sexual interest or desire.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: During a public event, an individual repeatedly makes highly suggestive and explicit gestures towards strangers, accompanied by lewd comments, causing discomfort and offense among attendees.

  Explanation: This conduct is overtly sexual and inappropriate for a public setting. The gestures and comments are designed to be sexually provocative and are considered indecent, thus illustrating lascivious behavior.

• Example 2: A website, ostensibly for general interest, features numerous images and videos that depict individuals in highly sexualized poses and scenarios, with no clear artistic or educational purpose, making the content gratuitously explicit.

  Explanation: The content on the website is characterized by an excessive and inappropriate display of sexual material, tending to excite lust or be considered obscene by a reasonable observer. This makes the material lascivious.

• Example 3: In a workplace setting, a supervisor frequently sends unsolicited emails to a subordinate containing sexually explicit jokes and images, despite the subordinate expressing discomfort and requesting the behavior stop.

  Explanation: The supervisor's actions, through the content of the emails, demonstrate an inappropriate and excessive sexual interest directed at a colleague. This conduct is offensive and could be legally characterized as lascivious within a professional environment.