Why can’t we talk about sex?
Some people may say that there is no need to have a public conversation and space for Sex, that it is a private matter between the two consenting adults partaking and that it is crass or vulgar to talk about graphically. I believe, however, that it is something that urgently needs bringing out of the darkness and into the light.
Sex is something almost all of us do in our lifetimes. We don’t all do it all the time, some of us do it more than others. Some do it every day. Some only do it when it’s really necessary. To a lot of people a happy/good Sex life is a important factor in their relationships, well being and lives in general. Our sex life’s have an impact on our mental and physical health. And our Sex lives can be as varied as our interests in television. Television is a bit like Sex. Almost all of us will watch it in our lifetimes. We don’t all watch it all the time, some of us watch it more than others. Some watch it every day. Some only watch it when it’s really necessary. Watching television can be an important factor in peoples relationships, well being and lives in general. What we watch has an impact on our mental and physical health.
So imagine if we weren’t allowed to talk about what television shows we liked to watch. We couldn’t be honest with people about how much we actually want to watch it or don’t like it. When you watch TV for the first time with a partner will you always have to watch “How I Met Your Mother!” so it seems like you’re not into some weird shit and that you are OK with middle of the road “normal” sit-coms? You can’t ask anyone to spend 12 hours on a Sunday in your pants watching Ancient Aliens, or tell your work colleagues what you did at the weekend, because they might judge you if it doesn’t line up with what they think is a respectable amount to watch and how to dress and behave while watching it. Our sexual interests are much more varied than our television choices and have a greater impact on our lives yet we aren’t supposed to talk about it. Not being able to talk openly and honestly about what TV shows you like and how often you like to watch, would seem ridiculous. So why do we keep the lid on Sex? all of our other interests and hobbies, that don’t harm other people, are open to public discussion, sharing, bonding with like minded people and spaces given for interests to be pursued. But Sex has to be kept in a darkened bedroom. It is the persecuted hobby. The sexual body.
