The term sex
positive has been in use in academic and research writing since at least the
mid-1950s (and probably much earlier). In these early references, sex positive
was most often used as a synonym for erotophilia. In contemporary usage, the definition of sex positive continues to
develop, and no one has made much of an effort to argue for a unified vision of
sex positivity.
The term sex
positive began to be used with greater frequency during the feminist “sex wars”
of the 80s and 90s. At that time it was often used to define oneself in
opposition to the anti-pornography feminists. Sex positive was used
interchangeably with the term “pro-sex” and it began to include the idea that
that sexual expression could be transgressive, that people can attain sexual
freedom through the performance of sexual acts and sexual ways of being.
Dr Carol Queen,
an author and activist who has long been associated with the term sex positive,
and whose 1997 collection Real Live Nude Girl, was the first mainstream
book to use the term sex positive in its title, defines sex positivity this
way:
“Sex-positive, a
term that's coming into cultural awareness, isn't a dippy love-child
celebration of orgone – it's a simple yet radical affirmation that we each grow
our own passions on a different medium, that instead of having two or three or
even half a dozen sexual orientations, we should be thinking in terms of
millions. "Sex-positive" respects each of our unique sexual profiles,
even as we acknowledge that some of us have been damaged by a culture that
tries to eradicate sexual difference and possibility. Even so, we grow like
weeds.”
In an essay
entitled “The Language of Sex Positivity” Charlie
Glickman, who worked at a popular sex positive sex toy store, proposed that sex
positivity involves “working towards a more positive relationship with sex.” He
pointed out that most of us are raised in a way that makes us fearful and
ignorant of sex, and as such, being sex positive means working through these
prejudices, much as one would work toward an awareness of racism,
disability-phobia, or other forms of systemic prejudice that influences our
judgments and our actions.
In an article
for Planned Parenthood on providing sex positive sex education, Lisa Tobin
writes that being sex positive includes:
* Having
a comprehensive definition of sexuality
* Viewing
sexual health as a basic human right
* Focusing on the life-enhancing aspects of sexuality as well as
attention to the negative
aspects
* Being
non-judgmental and challenging narrow social constructs
* Using inclusive language rather than value-laden language which
makes assumptions
based on sexual orientation or gender stereotypes
* Assisting individuals to be aware of the choices involved in sexual
decisions
The sex
educator’s definition of sex positive usually invokes less of the transgressive
politics, and focuses more on the positive psychological and physical impact of
sexual expression.
While the
term sex positive is still used in activist and academic writing, as well as in
sexual health and sexology, these days it can most often be found in marketing
materials for a wide range of for profit businesses that make money off selling
sex in one form or another to the public. In this usage, it has become a short
hand for sexual normalization. Thus a “sex positive author” is someone who will
make you feel okay about whatever it is they tell you how to do in their book,
and a “sex positive sex toy store” will make you feel good about whatever they
sell you).
Whether sex
positivity will lose its meaning in the face of so much marketing remains to be
seen. But as long as there are other organizations (or, say, governments) whose
agenda includes restricting sexual rights and expression, the idea of sex
positivity remains an important one for all of us to hold on to.
References:
0.Glick,
E. “Sex Positive: Feminism, Queer Theory, and the Politics of Transgression.” Feminist
Review Volume 64, Number 1 (April 1, 2000): 19-45.
0.Glickman,
C. “The Language of Sex Positivity.” Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
Volume 3 (July 6, 2000).
0.Lundy,
R.M. “Self Perceptions and Descriptions of Opposite Sex Sociometric Choices.” Sociometry
Volume 19. (1956): 272-277.
0.Queen,
C. “Real Live Nude Girl: Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture.” Pittsburgh: Cleis
Press, 1997.
Tobin, L. “From Being Sex Positive: Promoting Young People's Sexual Health.” Health Promotion Atlantic Volume 3, Number 3 (September 1997).