@ZalUIbaorimi asked what "sex positive" means to us the yesterday and I wasn't in a space to gather my thoughts, but this is something that I discuss often with friends - the need for more open, honest conversations about sex, sexuality and consent. https://twitter.com/zamarudd/status/1197512315622567937

So many of us still navigate sex and sexuality in the dark, so many aspects of both are still taboo to discuss and it creates this culture of "implied" understandings leading to unenjoyable sexual encounters bc where there isn't communication, there is only misunderstanding.

Sex positivity is creating space for open, honest, respectful conversation about sex, sexuality and consent. In our sex lives, that looks like getting tested with partners, sharing results, discussing whether we are sexually exclusive, and also what we do and don't like sexually.

There should never be shame in saying, "I do like this", "I don't like that" and you should always get consent rather than assuming it is okay to do anything to another person. "Are you comfortable with___"

We ask for consent for the most mundane things, "is it alright if I-

borrow your pen?" Something with a SIGNIFICANTLY lesser capacity to leave lasting trauma, but the idea of getting permission to touch or penetrate someone's body is where we draw the line? No. Ask, ask, ask. Consent is not optional. "Body language" is not consent. Ask.