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
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
Great list! I’d the work of Emily Nagoski to this, her book, Come as you are, and her Ted talk.
https://youtu.be/HILY0wWBlBM
As well as the Sexplanations YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/sexplanations
Her Ted Talk is wonderful! I have the book too, but haven’t read it yet. Thank you for including this! That YouTube channel is really, really helpful!
Thank you for being thorough as usual LMA.
You are so darn kind to me. And the very same to you!