When thinking about the trailblazers in history fighting for freedom and liberation, who comes to mind? For me, it is not the freedom fighters, activists, public speakers or political parties passing laws; it is drag performers, trans women, sex workers, sexuality educators, porn stars, video vixens and sexual deviants who worked continuously for the goal of sexual freedom and liberation.
As a sexuality educator, a kink practitioner and a Black, Queer and Masculine-of-Center Femme, it is pivotal for me to give thanks and continue to walk in the footsteps of those who paved the way for me. The work that I do is sexual liberation, and the life that I live is sexual liberation.
We owe a lot to those who have fought for our freedom and liberty to express ourselves without hesitation. Without them, there would be no us, the world would be dull grey, social movements that worked to gain our rights would cease, and kinky things simply wouldn’t have that spark.
Below are just a few names and histories of people who have fought and continue to fight for sexual liberation.
Marsha P. Johnson
Royal Fetish Films
Royal Fetish is an award-winning Black-owned adult entertainment company dedicated to showcasing Black sexuality, Black love and Black pornstars, as well as ethical kink. Co-owned and operated by the Jet Setting Jasmine and King Noire, the company brings a unique blend of expertise to the industry. Jet Setting Jasmine is a licensed clinical therapist who has over 20 years of experience as an adult entertainer, educator and Master Fetish Trainer; King Noire is an accomplished writer, artist, MC and global activist.
Their partnership merges their passion for the arts, film and sex education to produce erotica that not only stimulates but also encourages the audience to explore their sexual boundaries. Royal Fetish is committed to providing a platform that celebrates diversity, inclusivity and the beauty of Black experiences in the realm of adult entertainment.
Karrine Steffans
Karrine Steffans gained fame as a video vixen, featuring in prominent music videos in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She has worked with prominent American artists and actors such as Ja Rule, Vin Diesel, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Nelly, Usher and Diddy.
Please keep in mind that Mrs Steffans is messy. In her tell-all memoir Confessions of a Video Vixen she shares sexual exploits and experiences from the hip-hop industry during the 90s and 00s.
Joan Jett Blakk
Pauli Murray
Harriet Jacobs
Ericka Hart
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GET STARTEDNow, remember that these people are few and far between all the other prominent figures who are out there who have joined the fight for sexual liberation. The history and concept of sexual liberation are fluid and manifest in various ways; several movements, lives, literature and thoughts have faced erasure or dilution with other ideas to alter the perception of what it is. Stepping into sexual liberation requires a great deal of courage, and passing that history forward demands an even greater deal. Now that you know this history and these people’s names, go out and continue the narrative.
The next time you reach for that favourite porn scene, lube bottle, flogger or your partner’s ass, give a little shoutout to those who helped make that reach possible. The next time you have the urge to patronise sex workers, attend a sexuality workshop with educators like myself or attend dungeon events, know that we would not be able to without the existence of sexual liberators.
Shanae “HonestlyNae” Adams, MA, LPCC, CIGT, serves her community in various ways, including therapist, educator, and sex-positive enthusiast. Her mission is sexuality normalisation, explanation and melanated representation. Her passion revolves around the liberation of embracing sexuality. She is known for dynamic workshops, a sex-positive mindset and efforts to eliminate the “taboo” surrounding sex and sexuality.
Follow Shanae on Instagram @HonestlyNae or visit her website www.honestlynae.com
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