Sex positivity isn’t positive for all: Why we need to embrace inclusive sexual expression

This piece was written by a member of our 2024-2025 RJ Cultural Catalyst cohort, Yasmeen Akbar.

While our society often associates sex with shame and judgment, the idea of sex positivity — promoted by psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich — encourages us to see sex as a normal, healthy part of life. But true sex positivity must go further, embracing the full spectrum of identities and experiences beyond traditional norms.

Sex-positive education is key to a healthy understanding of sex. It teaches us about consent, boundaries, and pleasure, and it challenges harmful stereotypes so we can explore our sexuality without fear. Comprehensive sex education programs can help equip young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about sex and empower themselves.

However, the problem is that many conversations about sex positivity don’t include everyone. They often overlook the experiences of gender-expansive people (those whose gender identities fall outside the traditional male/female boxes) and the importance of body positivity. Gender-expansive people often lack access to sex education that understands their lives, and they struggle to find places where their experiences are validated. Body positivity reminds us that sexual expression shouldn’t be limited to one type of body.

Did you know? According to a study done by the CDC, Only 19% of secondary schools located in the U.S. offer sex-education that is LGBTQ+ inclusive?

The lack of sex-positive education and gender-affirming spaces has a devastating impact on gender-expansive individuals. They’re left vulnerable to misinformation, exploitation and health risks. They may also experience confusion, shame and difficulty forming healthy relationships. This exclusion also contributes to isolation, mental health challenges and the erasure of their identities, making it harder to find support and community. A sex-positive movement that ignores gender-expansive people does real damage and makes it harder for them to find community.

“A study of over 12,000 LGBTQ+ youth conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and the University of Connecticut found that LGBTQ+ youth of color, transgender youth, and bisexual, pansexual, queer, and sexually fluid (bi+) youth rarely receive sex education in school relevant to their identities,” Planned Parenthood reported.

Additionally, without inclusive sex education, gender-expansive people face a higher risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancies. If doctors and educators aren’t trained to meet their specific needs, they may be less likely to get the care and information they need.

In that same report, it was found that “Too often, LGBTQ+ youth also go without education on HIV and other STls, even though they are often at greater risk of contracting these types of infections. The HRC Foundation’s analysis of public 2019 YRBS data files found that nearly one-quarter (23%) of LGBTQ + youth have not been taught about HIV/AIDS in school, compared to 18% of non-LGBTQ+ youth 3 These disparities are elevated for transgender youth (28%) and questioning youth (27%).”

True sex positivity requires us to actively work towards a more inclusive world and incorporate comprehensive sex education that is age-appropriate, culturally responsive and LGBTQ+ friendly. That means accepting the many forms of gender and sexuality, celebrating diverse bodies and challenging outdated ideas about desirability and “normal” relationships. It also requires us to understand that pleasure can be found in many different ways, not just through traditional sexual activities.

Creating a truly inclusive environment for sexual expression requires everyone’s effort. We need to challenge outdated ideas about sex, provide better education and build safe spaces where people can explore their sexuality comfortably and honestly. By understanding how gender, body image and sexuality all intertwine, we can move toward a more inclusive and freeing view of sex positivity that celebrates the diversity of human experience and supports everyone’s well-being.