The term sex positive was first used by the Austrian psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich in the 1920’s. Reich studied under Sigmund Freud and he proposed that instead of a source of shame, sex should be seen as a source of healing. At the time he was considered radical for his public comments that sexual pleasure and orgasm were essential for humans to experience a healthy, happy life.
In the 1960’s and 70’s sex positivity gained traction in north america and was a large part of the free love, hippie movement. Much the same as Reich’s movement, free love was aimed at removing guilt and judgement from sexual desire and behaviours.
Today sex positivity is defined as all forms of sexuality and it’s consensual expression as healthy to the human experience. It strives to remove the moral constraints of religion, societal norms, and traditional gender roles and instead see all forms of sex as a personal preference. It also conveys the acceptance and promotion of gender expression, orientation, relationship preferences, safe sex, and reproductive rights.
Want to incorporate sex positivity into your life? Here are some ways to start:
Learn more about your own body, how it works, how to keep it safe during consensual sex, and what provides you sexual pleasure.
Challenge any long held beliefs and feelings you have about sex being bad or shameful.
Practice tolerance of others sexuality, even when it differs from your own.
Accept that your partner may have different sexual preferences than yours and be open to discussing these topics.
Share with your partner your sexual beliefs, what brings you pleasure, and sexual practices you might like to explore.
Practice safe sex by using condoms or other forms of contraception to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Sparrow Counselling provides sex positive therapy for many aspects of sex and sexuality. Having difficulty expressing your sexual needs in your relationship? Considering your sexuality and need a safe place to figure this out? Experiencing difficulty with achieving orgasm? Low libido or mismatched sexual desire causing strain between you and your partner? Maybe you’re considering opening your relationship or exploring polyamory. Reach out today 519-401-4999 or sparrow.rebecca.miller.msw@gmail.com.