Advocacy and Rights

B

Bodily Autonomy

Bodily autonomy refers to the right of an individual to have control over their own body, without external influence or coercion. In the context of sexual health and rights, it encompasses the freedom to make decisions about one's own body, including choices related to sexual activity, reproduction, and medical treatments. This concept is fundamental to human rights and personal dignity.

Body-positivity

Body-positivity is a social movement and personal philosophy that promotes acceptance and appreciation of all body types, sizes, and appearances. In the context of sexual health and relationships, body-positivity encourages individuals to embrace their bodies, regardless of societal beauty standards, and to cultivate a positive self-image that enhances sexual confidence and overall well-being.

C

Child pornography laws

Child pornography laws are legal statutes designed to criminalize the production, distribution, possession, and viewing of sexual content involving minors. These laws aim to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. In most jurisdictions, child pornography is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (typically under 18 years old).

D

Deadnaming

Deadnaming refers to the act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by their birth name or former name, rather than their chosen name that aligns with their gender identity. This practice is considered disrespectful and potentially harmful, as it invalidates the person's identity and can cause emotional distress.

Decriminalization

Decriminalization is the process of removing criminal penalties for certain acts, behaviors, or statuses. In the context of sexual health and rights, it often refers to the removal of criminal sanctions for sex work, consensual sexual practices between adults, or possession of certain substances. Decriminalization aims to reduce harm, improve public health outcomes, and protect human rights without necessarily making the activity legal or regulated.

Doula

A doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals before, during, and after childbirth. Unlike midwives or doctors, doulas do not perform medical tasks but focus on offering continuous support and advocacy for the birthing person and their partner. Doulas aim to enhance the birthing experience and promote a positive outcome for all involved.

G

Genital Mutilation

Genital mutilation refers to the practice of intentionally altering or injuring the genitals for non-medical reasons. This term encompasses various procedures that involve partial or total removal of external genitalia or other injury to the genital organs. It's most commonly associated with female genital mutilation (FGM), but can also refer to certain male practices.

H

Heteronormativity

Heteronormativity refers to the assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, or preferred sexual orientation in society. It's a worldview that promotes heterosexual relationships as the norm and often ignores or marginalizes other sexual orientations and gender identities. This concept extends beyond just sexual orientation to include assumptions about gender roles, family structures, and societal expectations.

L

LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy

LGBTQ-affirmative therapy is a therapeutic approach that specifically acknowledges and supports the experiences, identities, and relationships of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. This form of therapy creates a safe, non-judgmental space for LGBTQ+ individuals to explore their sexuality, gender identity, and related concerns without fear of discrimination or bias.

M

Mandatory Reporting

Mandatory reporting is a legal requirement for certain professionals to report suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, particularly involving minors or vulnerable adults. In the context of sexual health and education, this often applies to situations where there's suspicion of sexual abuse or exploitation.

Q

Queer

Queer is an umbrella term used to describe sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions that fall outside of traditional heterosexual and cisgender norms. Originally used as a slur, it has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQ+ community as a positive and inclusive term. Queer can refer to a wide spectrum of identities and experiences related to sexuality and gender.

R

Rape Shield Laws

Rape shield laws are legal protections designed to safeguard victims of sexual assault during criminal proceedings. These laws limit the ability of defense attorneys to introduce evidence or cross-examine rape victims about their past sexual behavior or sexual predisposition. The primary purpose is to prevent the defense from using a victim's sexual history to discredit them or suggest that they consented to the assault.

Reproductive Justice

Reproductive justice is a holistic concept that goes beyond the traditional focus on reproductive rights. It's an intersectional approach that combines reproductive rights with social justice, emphasizing the right to have children, not have children, and parent children in safe and healthy environments. This framework acknowledges that reproductive health and rights are influenced by social, political, and economic inequalities.

Reproductive Rights

Reproductive rights refer to the legal and ethical entitlements related to reproduction and reproductive health. These rights encompass a broad range of issues, including access to sexual education, contraception, family planning services, and safe abortion care. The concept is rooted in the idea that individuals should have the freedom to decide if, when, and how to have children, free from discrimination, coercion, or violence.

S

Sex Education Mandates

Sex education mandates are laws or policies that require schools to provide sexual health education to students. These mandates typically specify the content, age groups, and frequency of sex education programs in educational institutions. The goal of such mandates is to ensure that young people receive accurate, age-appropriate information about sexual health, relationships, and related topics.

Sex-Positive Education

Sex-positive education is an approach to sexual health and relationships education that emphasizes the potential positive aspects of human sexuality while remaining inclusive and non-judgmental. This educational philosophy promotes open, honest discussions about sex, relationships, and sexual health, viewing sexuality as a natural and healthy part of human life. It aims to provide accurate, comprehensive information about sexual topics while fostering attitudes of acceptance towards diverse sexual expressions and identities.

Sex-Positive Feminism

Sex-positive feminism is a movement and philosophy within feminism that embraces and celebrates sexuality as a potentially positive force in one's life. It advocates for sexual freedom, autonomy, and pleasure for all genders, while emphasizing the importance of consent, safety, and personal choice in sexual matters. Sex-positive feminists argue that sexual expression, including various forms of consensual sexual activity, can be a source of empowerment and liberation for women and other marginalized groups.

Sex-positive

Sex-positive is an attitude and approach that views sexuality as a healthy and natural part of human life. It embraces the idea that consensual sexual expression, in all its diverse forms, can be a positive and empowering aspect of the human experience. This perspective promotes open, honest, and non-judgmental discussions about sex, sexual health, and relationships.

Sexual Agency

Sexual agency refers to an individual's capacity to make informed and autonomous decisions about their own sexual activity, preferences, and boundaries. It encompasses the ability to express one's sexuality freely, give or withhold consent, and navigate sexual experiences in a way that aligns with personal values and desires. Sexual agency is a crucial aspect of sexual health and overall well-being.

Sexual Assault Hotline

A sexual assault hotline is a confidential telephone service that provides immediate support, information, and resources to individuals who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. These hotlines are typically staffed by trained professionals or volunteers who offer crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance on seeking medical attention, reporting to law enforcement, and accessing counseling services.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. It's a serious crime that violates a person's bodily autonomy and can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors. Sexual assault can include rape, attempted rape, fondling or unwanted sexual touching, forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, or penetration of the victim's body, also known as rape.

Sexual Autonomy

Sexual autonomy refers to an individual's right and ability to make informed, uncoerced decisions about their own sexual activity and reproductive choices. It encompasses the freedom to choose when, how, and with whom to engage in sexual activities, as well as the right to refuse unwanted sexual advances or practices. Sexual autonomy is a fundamental aspect of human rights and personal dignity.

Sexual Empowerment

Sexual empowerment refers to the process of individuals gaining control over their sexual lives, choices, and experiences. It involves developing a positive and confident attitude towards one's sexuality, understanding and asserting personal boundaries, and making informed decisions about sexual health and relationships. Sexual empowerment emphasizes the importance of autonomy, self-awareness, and the ability to communicate effectively about sexual needs and desires.

Sexual Self-Determination

Sexual self-determination refers to an individual's right to make autonomous decisions about their own sexual behavior, identity, and experiences. This concept encompasses the freedom to choose sexual partners, engage in consensual sexual activities, and express one's sexuality without undue external influence or coercion. It also includes the right to refuse sexual advances or activities.

Sexuality as a Human Right

Sexuality as a human right refers to the concept that all individuals have the fundamental right to express their sexuality, make autonomous decisions about their sexual lives, and access sexual health services without discrimination. This principle recognizes that sexual rights are an integral part of human rights and are essential for the overall well-being and dignity of every person.

Social Transitioning

Social transitioning refers to the process by which a person begins to live and present themselves in accordance with their gender identity, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth. This process typically involves changes in appearance, name, pronouns, and social behaviors, without necessarily including medical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery.

T

Transphobia

Transphobia refers to fear, hatred, discomfort, or prejudice directed towards transgender individuals or those whose gender identity or expression differs from their assigned sex at birth. It can manifest in various forms, ranging from subtle microaggressions to overt discrimination, violence, or systemic oppression. Transphobia often stems from a lack of understanding, cultural biases, or rigid beliefs about gender roles and identities.

V

Victim-blaming

Victim-blaming is the act of holding a person partially or entirely responsible for sexual violence, harassment, or assault that was committed against them. This harmful practice shifts the focus away from the perpetrator's actions and onto the victim's behavior, appearance, or choices. Victim-blaming can occur in various contexts, including social interactions, media coverage, and even legal proceedings.