Affirming, inclusive resources about bodies and sex.

By LMA

August 2019

These resources correspond to other posts I have written about my experiences as a single Mormon woman processing what I was taught about my body and sex, and my conscious decision to explore and nurture my sexual self.

In my search for high-quality, affirming, helpful, concrete information about sex and my body, I found these resources. They are organized below by (1) Online Resources, (2) Books, (3) TED Talks, and (4) Instagram Accounts.

Online Resources

Scarleteen: Sex Ed for the Real World

The Body Is Not An Apology

The Cherry Revolution

Books

S.E.X., second edition: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties by Heather Corinna

What You Really, Really Want: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sex and Safety by Jaclyn Friedman

The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Celebrating Vulva Diversity by Hilde Atalanta https://www.thevulvagallery.com/the-vulva-gallery-book/the-book

TED Talks

“A motion for masturbation — the naked truth” by Jane Langton

“Confidence and joy are the keys to a great sex life” by Emily Nagoski

“Women’s sexual pleasure: What are we so afraid of?” by Sofia Jawed-Wessel

“Owning Your Sexual Power” by Amy Jo Goddard

“What young women believe about their own sexual pleasure” by Peggy Orenstein

“Sex needs a new metaphor. Here’s one …” by Al Vernacchio

Scarleteen Article Discussing This Metaphor: https://www.scarleteen.com/article/in_your_own_words/to_slide_or_to_slice_finding_a_positive_sexual_metaphor

Instagram Accounts

Note: Most of these accounts include body nudity and/or illustrations of body nudity (possibly in sexual context) for the sake of sexual education and sex and body positivity. A few of them (e.g., @rubyrare) are porn-positive and discuss feminist, ethically made and purchased pornography and its role in healthy sexual expression.  

@scarleteenorg – Scarleteen “Inclusive, comprehensive, and supportive sexuality/relationship info for teens & young adults” https://www.instagram.com/scarleteenorg/?hl=en

@cherryrevolution – The Cherry Revolution “Award nominated movement that aims to break society norms surrounding women, identity, & sexuality by making shameless pleasure a priority” https://www.instagram.com/cherryrevolution/?hl=en

@the.vulva.gallery – The Vulva Gallery “Celebrating vulva diversity! Created by @hildeatalanta” https://www.instagram.com/the.vulva.gallery/?hl=en

@pink_bits – Pink Bits “Illustrating the bits and shapes we’re told to hide” https://www.instagram.com/pink_bits/?hl=en

@rubyrare – Ruby Rare “Sex educator, artist, body positive crusader; bisexual non-monogamous vegan lady” https://www.instagram.com/rubyrare/?hl=en

@jadebeallphotography – Jade Beall “Truthful photographer & Body Activist since 2012” https://www.instagram.com/jadebeallphotography/?hl=en

@yourwelcomeclub – Illustrations by @hildeatalanta “Celebrating diversity one illustration at a time” https://www.instagram.com/yourewelcomeclub/?hl=en

@shrimpteenth – Sam’s Clam “Proud vulva owner, Drawing love, Not for everyone” https://www.instagram.com/shrimpteeth/?hl=en

@givingthetalk – Giving the Talk “Sex Ed for this Century: Empowering all ages, genders, & identities with fun, compassionate, medically-accurate info free of stigma & shame” https://www.instagram.com/givingthetalk/?hl=en

@sexelducation – Emily L. Depasse “Sexologist, Sex Educator, Future Sex Therapist; Redefining narratives around STIs + mental health” https://www.instagram.com/sexelducation/?hl=en