I’ve often wondered at how people ever express their attraction for one
another, given the anxiety that exists when two or more people try to become
closer.
And I wondered how much we as a society are actually “sex
positive.” Are we truly comfortable with
our own sexuality—and others’!—in a society where sexuality of any sort can easily
become conflicted?
And let us concede that anyone who has had a bad experience around
sex—whether merely disappointing or outright exploitative and injurious—can
easily become guarded about any future interaction.
We must not assume that other people enjoy what we enjoy. We must refuse to pressure people who are at
a different comfort level, who have different needs or pleasures or
tastes. We speak of consent; but
beyond consent, we must genuinely respect and care for those we are attracted
to; and must ask the same of them.
Relationships may develop among people and become sexual—but the
ultimate value is to treat people with respect and honor them as equal human
beings.
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