Wednesday, October 16, 2019

“Sex Positivity (Again)” (South Bay Polys #270 - July 2018)


Thinking (again) about sex positivity.  It isn’t simply a matter of sex.  Sex is not simply a matter of sex—at least not for me, not usually. 

Sometimes I think back to when I was still a virgin and only had myself as a playmate.  It is true that, back when I was eleven or twelve, I spent some time feeling guilty about my sexuality, like I really shouldn’t be doing what I was doing.  I suspect that was somehow due to my Christian upbringing.  Now I think, how could that enjoyment have been wrong?

Later, when I became sexual with other people, I sometimes felt conflicted.  I wondered whether I ought to be enjoying what we were doing together.  I wondered whether the other person was really enjoying what we were doing, and even whether I was.

Now people emphasize consent, how important it is.  It is important—essential.  No one should be forced into sexual situations.  Still, I wonder how conflicted people still are about their own sexuality.  I suspect we have not achieved true sex positivity yet—will we ever?  And I wonder what true sex positivity would look like.  Until then, we must try to be very aware of our own sexual feelings, and those of others—and aspire to be very considerate and very careful.  And more than ever if we are polyamorous.  If we truly care about the people we become involved with, we have to be!

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