Sex-Positive Fundamentals

Sex-positive perspectives asserts that:

- Consensual sex is the opposite of rape. As rape is a negative force both personally and in society, sex can be a positive force in both personal development and in society at large.

- Communication, consent and pleasure are necessary components of sexual health.

- Sexual health includes engaging in sexual acts that are safe, sane and consensual.

- Consensual sexual expression is a basic human right, regardless of the form that expression takes.

- Sexual assault, pregnancy and STI transmission prevention are necessary components of healthy sexuality education.

- People have the right to accurate and straightforward sexual health information.

- Is it inappropriate to judge others’ consensual choices regarding how they have sex, who to hae sex with, or how they define their sexual orientation and identity.

This list was compiled by Rape Victim Advocates in Chicago, IL. www.rapevictimadvocates.org

10 Facts About Sexual Health

1. The teen birth rate is down.

2. The abortion rate is down.

3. Access to family planning improves maternal and child health.

4. Sex education increases knowledge and decreases risks.

5. Condoms work.

6. Contraception works.

7. Emergency Contraception (Plan B-One Step) works by preventing pregnancy. It does not cause an abortion.

8. Access to a full range of contraceptives decreases the risks of sexual behaviors without increasing risky sexual behavior.

9. Abstinence works while people remain abstinent. When they’re not, it doesn’t.

10. Family planning clinics are not in business because of the high profit margin.

These facts were compiled by Lon Newman. Newman is the public affairs chair for the Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.