I asked on twitter about a sex positive book that did not include erotica.
Perhaps “sex positive feminist” book might have been a better option. Sex positivity says that sex is good and healthy and natural (and fun!) However, sex negativity is what prevails in our culture. I think the culture shift from sex negative to sex positive involves almost all the other changes that I want to make.
First, patriarchy and sexism still exists. If women (and all people) are free to negotiate their sexuality without fear of retribution or embarrassment, our society will be a better place. How we get to that place of equality is to really work towards equality and equity in our society.
I tend to do this by pointing out fucked up shit. Like schools not doing anything about sexual harassment. Or girls saying “oh, I didnt want to ask him to use a condom, he would think that I am dirty, so we didnt use one.” Or, “I think I could cum during oral, but he never stays down there long enough, so Ive never had an orgasm.”
We need to live in a society that treats everyone, especially women and gender non conforming individuals, as Human Beings, entitled to all the benefits and responsibilities that it entails.
And, that is how I view sex positivity. A world where sexuality is celebrated, where one cannot be “shamed” because she did something “slutty,” or, hey, something that someone with a healthy sexual desire would want.
*****
So, I am looking for sex positive books that are not necessarily erotica. I think that erotica has a great place in sex positivity, I just dont want to give my supervisor(s) a book of erotica (Yes, a holdover from sex negativity). Something that discusses the sex positive movement within academic terms, or something that discusses how this movement intersects with other forms of feminism, would be great. Even better if it focused on teenage voices, brought in LGBTQQI perspectives.