8 Practical Resources for More Sex-Positivity & Pleasure
Books, blogs, comics and other fun ways to receive the sex education you should have got (but didn't).
For most of us, sex ed class omitted a rather important section - how to provide pleasure to ourselves and to a partner. We learned how to prevent pregnancy and STIs, but we weren't taught oral sex techniques or the best position to stimulate the clitoris. That's where pleasure-focused, sex-positive education comes in. Below are eight practical resources that aim to do just that.
Listen
On the show Sex Out Loud, Tristan Taormino interviews everyone from porn producers to academics to burlesque dancers. Her show is a great way to be exposed to a huge array of topics and perspectives, all within a fun and respectful context. Taormino is deeply committed to social justice, and that's reflected in the guests she invites onto the show. If you're just dipping your toe into the sex-positive pool, this podcast is a great place to start.
Like Tristan Taormino, Sex Nerd Sandra is a sex educator who interviews guest experts about all things sex and relationships! Her bio reads: "I marvel at the human condition and cuddle up to the science that helps explain it. And I laugh, just absolutely laugh at our mating dance. I love humans. I just don’t quite understand them." That pretty much sums up the tone of her show - it's fun, interesting and informative.
Explore
The name Oh Joy Sex Toy, is a bit misleading - this fabulous comic series covers more than just sex toys. The creator Erika Moen explores everything from STIs to squirting to gender expression, in a fun, accessible, and inclusive format. The series is posted weekly, and to follow along you can either subscribe to their blog or follow them on social media.
Betty Dodson is often referred to as the "grandmother of masturbation" - she's been working in the field of sex education and female empowerment for a long time. Her website has hundreds of helpful articles related to orgasm, body image and sex toys - and lots more! Plus, if you're a visual learner, there's the option to rent instructional videos that will actually walk you through various techniques step-by-step.
Learn
At Red Tent Sisters, we're so passionate about the topic of pleasure-focused, accurate sex education that we created our own version based on all the current research about sexuality, pleasure, orgasms and emotion. The result was Confidence Building Secrets, a six-week program designed to teach you practical tips for gaining confidence in the bedroom and learning how to both give and take more pleasure with your chosen partner. If you're interested, click here to learn more about the program. We open it up for a Valentine's Day sale once a year, which is happening February 10th to 14th - click here to be notified when the sale goes live.
Another sex educator we adore is Amy Jo Goddard - her book, Woman on Fire, is one of our favourites when it comes to exploring sexual desires and reclaiming our sexual power. Her motto is: "Great sex is not instinctive, and it doesn't happen magically." We couldn't have said it better ourselves! Her course Claim Your Orgasm offers another great perspective on pleasure-focused, sex-positive sex education.
Read
Moregasm is a book that addresses a little bit of everything when it comes to sex. Written by the founders of Babeland, a sex-positive shop in the US, Moregasm covers anatomy, toys, body image, gender expression, STIs and lots more. Colourful and clearly laid out, it's very accessible and easy to read.
O Wow by Jenny Block debunks myths, offers tips for positioning, reframes the “goal” of sex (hint: it should all be about pleasure), and answers lots of frequently asked questions. Oh, and she even talks about how hormonal birth control can affect libido - no wonder we love this book! To top it all off, her tone is empowering and fun, but also practical - and all the research inside makes it clear she’s done her homework.
Want even more?
If you liked this post, check out: How to Make Blow Jobs More Fun for Everyone, How to Raise Your Libido Naturally, and 5 Ways to Celebrate Love In All Its Forms This Valentine's Day.
You can also click the banner below to be notified when the 50% off sale starts for Confidence Building Secrets.
About the Sisters
Kim & Amy Sedgwick love to discuss sex, periods, and all the other things we’re not supposed to talk about. The co-founders of Red Tent Sisters, they’ve been featured in every major Canadian news outlet and have become a trusted resource for people seeking natural (effective!) birth control, a more joyful sex life, and an empowered journey to motherhood.