Sex-positive feminism, also known as pro-sex feminism, is a movement formed in the 1980s in response to efforts by some in the feminist movement, including Catharine MacKinnon and Andrea Dworkin, to censor pornography and otherwise restrict various forms of sexual expression that they felt were oppressive to women. The founders of this movement include Suzie Bright and Betty Dodson. At a root of this movement is a strong belief in sexual freedom and opposition to any legal or social efforts to control sexual activities between one or more consenting adults - whether these efforts are initiated by the government, social conservatives, other feminists, or anyone else.

This branch of feminism values female sexual gratification. Freedom of expression, narcissism, and scopophilia are all valued as potential methods by which women may gain sexual gratification. Pornography, exhibitionism, and prostitution are all acceptable to sexually-liberal feminists so long as the health, safety, permission, and respect of all participants is maintained. It is broadly connected with the sex-positive movement, which advocates sex education and safer sex as part of its campaign.

Sexually-liberal feminists view radical feminism as a potential cause of guilt in females which may lead to sexual repression and negative self-imagery. Radical feminism is seen as a potential cause of female-centric problems such as eating disorders, and the inability to experience orgasms. And attempts to censor consensually-produced pornography are looked upon as being patriarchal in nature.

In recent years, members of this movement have leveled criticism at The Vagina Monologues, which they see as having a negative and restrictive view of sexuality and an anti-male bias. (See article on VM by Betty Dodson (http://bettydodson.com/vaginano.htm).)

There has been some confusion as to what exactly constitutes "pro-sex feminism" or "pro-sex," and indeed people with widely differing views on issues like pornography have adopted the "pro-sex feminist" label. Most people are "pro-sex," at least if the form(s) of sex are ones that they approve of. For the purpose of this article, the philosophy discussed is that of the first people to call themselves "pro-sex feminists" and those who have very similar views on this issue.

Sex-positive literature

• Girl Heroes

See also

• Susie Bright
• Betty Dodson
• Xaviera Hollander
• Camille Paglia
• Annie Sprinkle

External links

• Betty Dodson Online (http://www.bettydodson.com/newhom2.htm#Index)
• A Feminist Defense of Pornography (http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/mcelroy_17_4.html)