An apparently dire present doesn’t mean tomorrow can’t be wonderful
With new age verification laws and attacks targeting the adult industry and LGBTQIA+ people, our rights to sexual autonomy, consensual love, and unbiased education are under threat. These measures often reflect a conservative agenda rather than efforts to truly protect people.
But if history has taught us anything, it’s that the future is ours to make. If that’s the case, we’re willing to fight for it. Because if we don’t, then far sooner than we might expect, we really will live in a world ruled by sexual ignorance, irrational fears, and where healthy desires could land you in jail—or worse.
Lines being drawn
This isn’t an exaggeration. The World Population Review states that sixty-two countries restrict access to adult materials, and thirty-two make the production or use of sex-related content fully illegal.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reports, “67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults. In addition, at least nine countries have national laws criminalizing forms of gender expression that target transgender and gender nonconforming people.”
RECOMMENDED READ: Age Verification Laws Driving Adult Content Creators Underground
If groups like the Heritage Foundation succeed, the United States could drastically increase censorship, criminalizing sexual expression, education, and those who enable it. Their vision threatens basic rights and freedoms.
Even learning about essentials like birth control is under attack. Planned Parenthood states only ten states require inclusive, affirming discussion of LGBTQIA+ identities. Six southern states either ban discussion of LGBTQIA+ topics in sex education, or require framing such identities negatively.
Like your sex lives depend on it
In the face of these attacks, the fight is about securing our fundamental right to sexual freedom—what Emma Goldman called ‘the right to love and be loved.’
To begin with, it’s important to stay informed: both about these and similar threats to our sexual rights, but also the vitally important sexual facts conservative laws are aiming to suppress.
Planned Parenthood is one such invaluable resource, as are the American Sexual Health Association(ASHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Unfortunately, due to the current US administration’s intervention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is no longer reliable and should be avoided.
The mentioned Human Rights Watch, along with the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) are excellent resources for tracking anti-sex laws.
Stand for love
Never forget that the most potent way to battle against sexual ignorance is to open our minds to exciting new possibilities. Though an admittedly odd choice in this context, H.P. Lovecraft said it best, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”
By this, I mean that if anything, sexual conservatism seems fueled by unreasonable fears: masturbation is bad, pornography is self-destructive; LGBTQ+ people are (at best) confused or (at worst) were “groomed” by an abuser; sex education leads to promiscuity, the list sadly goes on and on.
The scientifically proven reality is that none of the above is remotely true, that masturbation and sexual fantasies are physically and emotionally healthy, sexual pleasure helps ensure people experience safer and happier lives, LGBTQIA+ people deserve nothing but respect, acceptance, and support.
Above all, we can turn optimism into action. Instead of waiting for change, actively challenge bigotry and misinformation. Join local or online advocacy groups, vote for policies that protect sexual freedom, and have open conversations that promote consent, understanding, and inclusivity. Every small step you take contributes to building a future filled with hope, respect, and consensual enjoyment.
Image Sources: Depositphotos
