Sex-positive feminism

Sex-positive feminism is a branch of the feminist movement. It centers on the belief that sexual freedom is essential to women's freedom. This movement is also called pro-sex feminism or sexually liberal feminism. These feminists oppose efforts to control sexual activities between consenting adults. They resist control from governments, religious institutions, or even other feminist groups. They believe that people should have the right to make their own choices regarding their bodies.

The movement operates through coalition-building with various marginalized groups. It brings together many different types of people. These include anti-censorship activists and LGBT activists. It also includes feminist scholars and producers of erotica. Many members also support sex workers. They argue that prostitution should not be criminalized. Instead, they believe sex work can be a positive experience if workers are treated with respect.

There are different ways to understand the conflict over sex within feminism. Scholar Gayle Rubin describes two main streams of thought. One stream criticizes the difficulties sexually active women face, such as limited access to abortion. Another stream views sexual liberalization as an extension of male privilege. Sex-positive feminists reject the idea that male sexuality must be vilified. They embrace the entire range of human sexuality. They argue that the patriarchy—a social system that limits women—restricts expression for everyone.

Historically, the movement has several roots. Some see connections to early sex reformers like Margaret Sanger and Alfred Kinsey. However, the modern version emerged in the 1970s. This was during the rise of second-wave feminism and the sexual revolution. At that time, some radical feminists focused on how sexuality was used to oppress women. Some groups, like the Redstockings, tried to define what "proper" feminist sexuality should look like. Others, like Betty Dodson, argued that sexual pleasure was central to liberation.

A major debate began in the late 1970s regarding pornography. Groups like Women Against Pornography argued that adult media caused harm to women. In 1979, writer Ellen Willis published an essay in the Village Voice. She used the term "pro-sex feminism" to describe her stance. She worried that making feminism a single-issue movement would be harmful. She argued that restricting pornography could eventually lead to restricting feminist speech.

Gayle Rubin also provided important critiques during this era. She argued that feminists should not promote sexual repression. She believed the blame for oppression should go to institutions like the state or the media. She felt it was wrong to blame sexual minorities instead. Other scholars, like Meghan Murphy, suggest the divide is actually between liberal and radical feminism. In the 1980s, some feminists felt frustrated by political failures. For example, the Equal Rights Amendment failed in the United States. This frustration led more people to focus on matters of sexual expression.

The movement also addresses social constructs and cultural standards. Sex-positive feminists often reject sexual essentialism. This is the idea that sex is a natural force that exists before society. Instead, they see gender and orientation as things shaped by society. They also challenge double standards found in various cultures. In some Mediterranean countries, men are expected to be assertive while women are expected to be pure. Sex-positive feminism seeks to dismantle these unequal standards. It aims to provide people of all genders with more sexual opportunities and agency.