Sexual Pleasure, Sexuality, and Rights
Subtopic 1: The Language of Pleasure – An Introduction 

For the purposes of programming, policy, and implementation from a rights-based perspective, pleasure, specifically sexual pleasure, has not entered the realm of legitimate conversation as a concept to explore and debate. The terms and language used for sexual pleasure as an issue has more negative words than positive, affirming words. We hear about sexual pleasure described as “indulgent” or try to define what is “too much pleasure” by defining its “normal limits.” Are there safe and constructive spaces where we can talk about pleasure in an affirmative manner? If, not, how can we create them? 

When sexual pleasure is talked about, it is often looked at as something to address once the “important” aspects get talked about. We hear more often about space to say “no” as opposed to the space to say “yes” and what that might mean in terms of civil society debates. When we advocate for “healthy sexuality and sexual pleasure,” we often hear about how that means individuals have the ability to be “free of sexually transmitted infections” and “free of coercion, pain, and violence.” We do not hear of the ability to have “as many orgasms as possible” or “how to define sexual pleasure for oneself” in the debate. Can it ever be about just having fun? There are contradictions when speaking about sexual pleasure, often times, extreme polar opposites. There is very little middle ground to discuss the different nuances about pleasure. What makes us afraid of it? What makes us ashamed of it? 

When trying to insert sexual pleasure into the debate, morality and culture get thrown into the ring, especially in South and Southeast Asia, when we hear, “Oh, we can’t discuss that. It isn’t a part of our culture.” It brings up the question of the boundaries and limits for sexual pleasure and who institutes, defines, regulates, and normalizes it. 

For the next two weeks, we will be examining these and the following questions as a part of the forum discussion:

• Why it is important to talk about sexual pleasure? How important is it? Why isn’t sexual pleasure talked about enough? What about it makes people so uncomfortable?
• Pleasure isn’t given legitimacy as an issue. What is legitimate pleasure?
• Are we trying to get rid of all pain before we address pleasure? Why?
• What are limits? Should there be boundaries? 

Please feel free to write in your analyses, observations, thoughts, comments, and examples addressing any, one, or all of the issues and questions raised above. Alternatively, you can also pose new questions you feel are relevant for this sub-topic. 

In the coming weeks, we will address a variety of topics related to sexual pleasure, sexuality and rights. These will include:

• Sub-topic 2: The Regulation and Freedom of Pleasure 
• Sub-topic 3: Pleasure and Rights
• Sub-topic 4: Pleasure and Practice 

We look forward to an exciting and lively discussion!

Regards,

Neha Patel (Moderator)
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality