May 9th, 2012

Recommended Reading #98: Pleasure



      “Why Downgrading Sex-Positive Left Activism Is Even Worse For Sex Worker Rights Activism: My Response to Audacia Ray” by Anthony Kennerson (Sex Work, Sociology) 3/31/12

It feels, frankly, difficult for me to acknowledge that I experience almost entire agreement with this post—mainly because it comprises a rather critical response to a post by Audacia Ray that tied in to the session she presented at the MOMENTUM conference, which I attended (not just the conference but the actual session, I mean). I too state straightforwardly that I have long admired Audacia’s work, and I feel/felt a bit shocked to read something she wrote and not feel agreement with it…but, admittedly, when I read Audacia’s piece (which again is a written articulation of the gist of her MOMENTUM presentation) to which this post is responding, I experienced approximately what I interpret as expressed in this post. (Though I did not ever feel anger at Audacia; I simply felt confusion and disagreement, in that my interpretations of a lot of what she was saying was not particularly resonating with me, and I have such a high opinion of what I have seen of her work that that made me wonder what I was missing. Perhaps I was/am indeed missing something and will realize it at some point. This recommendation simply represents how I see it at this time.) I do find the idea of appreciating or expressing one’s enjoyment of or free choice to engage in sex work being at odds with supporting others’ experiences in sex work that do not involve enjoyment (at least as much) or choice troublesome…and to me, they do not seem mutually exclusive at all. Perhaps I misread or misinterpreted what Audacia was saying. But I felt considerable resonance with this post in response, as much of what I interpret it as expressing occurred to me as well.

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      “Does Masturbation Need A Reason?” by Dr. Charlie Glickman (Health and Body, Sexual Exploration) 5/4/12

I appreciate Charlie’s highlighting of masturbation as lovely and potentially beneficial beyond certain (also lovely and relevant!) health considerations. Of course, I like best his last line about it really not needing a reason/excuse at all. :)

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      “The Wisdom of the Womb” by Veronica Monet (Health and Body, Sex and Culture, Sex and Spirituality) 9/20/11

I found this a fascinating exposition about a part of the physical female body and its connection to pleasure, creativity, and other considerations.

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Recommended Reading posted every Wednesday

3 Responses “Recommended Reading #98: Pleasure”

  1. WOW…thanks for the high endorsement and the rec. I am duly honored.

  2. Emerald says:

    Hi Anthony—welcome. Thank you for your lovely comment, and thank you for your piece. As I mention above, I felt conflicted about agreeing with it so much, but I did and appreciate your articulation. I also was glad to see you too mention your respect for Audacia’s work—I felt it lent your piece credibility, and I consistently appreciated that respectful tone throughout.

    Also, now that I know your full name, I will go up and edit that above. :) I couldn’t seem to find it on the post!

    All best,
    Em

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