April 22, 2010

On "Slut" and Such

Gala Darling is one of those blogs I usually only read for the pictures of pretty dresses, but today she said something that bears repeating:

Firstly, let me just say this. What you were taught is wrong. Having sex with one or multiple men does not make you a “whore” — it doesn’t make you anything, other than a person who is capable of making their own decisions. The amount of sex you have, the kind of sex you have, the things that get you off & the way you like to express yourself sexually do not add or subtract from your value as a human being.

I'm used to words like "skank" or "slut" being in the water - people use them without thinking about it and without really meaning anything by it. I have a friend who uses "slut" as a general expression of displeasure at people, for example. But then of course words like that come with all sorts of icky baggage about women's sexuality and how it ought to be, which tend to be gross and unrealistic and devalue women who, you know, enjoy sex.

This is all stating the feminist-y obvious to remind myself (and everyone else) that there are probably better words to use. Or if they're aren't, then the 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all' rule comes into effect. Judging women by their sexual choices is stupid.

2 comments:

D@Rk said...

Nice job

Anonymous said...

I disagree....

I'm a guy...

and I don't think this is a male/female issue...

I just disagree with people having ton of sex...I think it's slutty to sleep with tons of people.

(It goes for women AND men)