What does it mean to be sex positive?
Sex-positivity generally refers to having a positive attitude about sex, respecting others’ sexual preferences and consensual sexual practices, and treating sex as a normal, healthy part of life rather than a taboo topic or something to be ashamed of.
- Sex without shame. One predominant belief of the sex-positivity movement is that people should not be shamed for their consensual sexual practices or their personal choices regarding sex. Sex-positive individuals advocate for tolerance and acceptance of everyone’s sexual choices, as long as they are consensual and do not harm others.
- Open communication about sex. Sex-positive individuals feel that people should be able to discuss sex without embarrassment. In general, they support talking about sex with others, especially sexual partners, encouraging consentual experimentation, and asking questions about sex when they arise.
- Safe sex. Safe sex is key to sex-positivity, including regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), using condoms, and discussing sexual histories with partners.
- Consent. Everyone has the right to decide when they want to have sex and when they do not, and sex-positivity is not about pressuring others/feeling obligated to have sex. Mutual consent is imperative in any sexual encounter. It’s likely that everyone will, at one time or another, not want to have sex when approached by a potential intimate partner; likewise, it’s very likely that you will, at one time or another, experience a potential intimate partner who does not want to have sex.
- Sexual education. Sex-positive proponents advocate for comprehensive sexual education so that everyone can learn how to practice sex in a safe and consensual way.
See the International Society of Sexual Medicine’s definition.