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Philpott A, Vohra P. Finding the cosmos of intimacies: where pleasurable safe sex dances with liberation. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2024:1-13. [PMID: 39230247 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2024.2398939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Philpott
- Founder and Co-Director of The Pleasure Project, London, UK
| | - Paromita Vohra
- Filmmaker, Writer, Founder and Creative Director, Agents of Ishq, Mumbai, India
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2
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Zheng S, Armstrong HL. Exploring the association between sexual motivation and quality of life in China and the United Kingdom. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293566. [PMID: 38117797 PMCID: PMC10732451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research suggests that different sexual motivations may be associated with different sexual behaviours and levels of sexual satisfaction, and these may vary with cultural differences. As such, sexual motivations and cultural factors might also be associated with quality of life (QoL); however, this has not yet been explored. Using a biopsychosocial approach, this study aimed to explore associations between sexual motivation and quality of life between participants in the United Kingdom and China. 276 participants (143 British, 133 Chinese, mean age = 21.5 years) completed an anonymous online survey including validated measures for sexual motivation (YSEX?-SF) and QoL (WHOQOL-BREF). In multivariable linear regressions, pleasure motivations for sex were associated with increased physical health QoL (aOR = 0.20, 95%CI:.15-.65), while love and commitment motivations were associated with increased psychological health QoL (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI:.01-.43). Both love and commitment motivations (aOR = 0.21, 95%CI:.09-.35) and pleasure motivations (aOR = 0.20, 95%CI:.08-.36) were associated with increased social support QoL. A significant interaction was found between emotional motivations and culture (p = 0.037) such that among individuals from China, emotional motivations (i.e., love and commitment and expression) were positively associated with psychological QoL. This suggests culture may differentially affect how sexual motivations are associated with QoL and warrants further consideration in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijun Zheng
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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3
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Borgmann M, Brandner LM, D'Urso D, Gonin-Spahni S, Znoj HJ, Werner MA. A Psychometric Study of a Trait and State Assessment of Sexual Pleasure - The Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023:1-27. [PMID: 37971277 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2261439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and trait sexual pleasure in diverse gender, sex, and relationship populations, is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework of sexual pleasure. We collected quantitative (n = 1371) and qualitative data (n = 637) using a cross-sectional multi-method design targeting the general (German-speaking) population. After pre-processing, we conducted analyses on a sample of n = 706 participants. The theory-based 5-factor exploratory structural equation model and the principal component analyses of the two general exploratory index-scales showed good and acceptable structural validity evidence respectively. Measurement invariance was confirmed separately for male and female participants and for those with sexually functional-scoring and dysfunctional-scoring levels. Coefficient omega indicated that all scales, except those of one facet, showed acceptable to very good internal consistency. The ASPI's convergent and discriminant associations with sexological and psychological constructs demonstrated good overall construct validity. Participants understood the items as intended and felt that the ASPI covered relevant facets of sexual pleasure. The ASPI might help understand how individuals differ in experiencing sexual pleasure and how different contexts enable some people to experience pleasure while disadvantaging others.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Borgmann
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Bern
| | - L M Brandner
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Bern
| | - D D'Urso
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University
| | - S Gonin-Spahni
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Bern
| | - H J Znoj
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, University of Bern
| | - M A Werner
- Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Gynaecology, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
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4
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Herbenick D, Fu TC, Patterson C. Sexual Repertoire, Duration of Partnered Sex, Sexual Pleasure, and Orgasm: Findings from a US Nationally Representative Survey of Adults. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2023; 49:369-390. [PMID: 36151751 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2022.2126417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In a confidential U.S. nationally representative survey of 2,525 adults (1300 women, 1225 men), we examined participants' event-level sexual behaviors, predictors of pleasure and orgasm, and perceived actual and ideal duration of sex, by gender and age. Event-level kissing, cuddling, vaginal intercourse, and oral sex were prevalent. Sexual choking was more prevalent among adults under 40. While women and men reported a similar actual duration of sex, men reported a longer ideal duration. Participants with same-sex partners reported a longer ideal duration than those with other-sex partners. Finally, findings show that gendered sexual inequities related to pleasure and orgasm persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debby Herbenick
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Tsung-Chieh Fu
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Callie Patterson
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Rana J, Burchell AN, Wang S, Logie CH, Lisk R, Gesink D. Community perspectives on ideal bacterial STI testing services for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Toronto, Canada: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1194. [PMID: 36138450 PMCID: PMC9502589 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Innovation is needed to produce sustained improvements in bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing given suboptimal access and uptake among sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (GBM). Yet, the STI testing processes and technologies that best address local testing barriers among GBM in Toronto is unknown. We aimed to explore men's perspectives regarding STI testing services for GBM to identify and prioritize new STI testing interventions in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. METHODS We conducted four focus groups with twenty-seven GBM in 2017: two with cisgender men living with HIV, one with cisgender HIV-negative men, and one with transgender men. Twenty-seven men participated in the focus groups with 40% 18-30 years of age, 48% self-identifying as white, and the remainder self-identifying as Middle Eastern, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, South Asian, First Nations, African/Caribbean/Black, or mixed race. 59% of participants self-identified as living with HIV. Participants were asked about their STI testing experiences in Toronto, barriers and facilitators to testing, and ideal STI testing process. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Core concepts included how clinical context, bacterial STI testing delivery, and interactions with healthcare providers can create barriers and recommendations for ways to improve. Regarding clinical context, participants desired more clinics with accessible locations/hours; streamlined testing that minimized use of waiting rooms and wait times; and improved clinic ambience. Bacterial STI testing delivery recommendations included standardization to ensure consistency in sexual history intake, tests offered, follow-up and public health reporting between clinics. Men also recommended reducing the multistep process testing by offering components such as lab requisitions and results online. Participants also recommended interactions with healthcare providers be professional and non-judgmental, offer compassionate and competent care with destigmatizing and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) affirming communication. CONCLUSION Concrete and practical solutions for improving existing sexual health services and facilitating optimal STI testing include streamlining testing options and providing patient-centred, LGBT-affirming care to enable optimal STI testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayoti Rana
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ann N Burchell
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susan Wang
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, 6th Floor, Toronto, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Ryan Lisk
- ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dionne Gesink
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, 6th Floor, Toronto, Canada.
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Logie CH, Sokolovic N, Kazemi M, Smith S, Islam S, Lee M, Gormley R, Kaida A, de Pokomandy A, Loutfy M. Recent sex work and associations with psychosocial outcomes among women living with HIV: findings from a longitudinal Canadian cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25874. [PMID: 35318817 PMCID: PMC8940985 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex workers are disproportionately impacted by the HIV pandemic across global contexts, in part due to social and structural contexts of stigma and criminalization. Among women living with HIV, there is a dearth of longitudinal information regarding dynamics of sex work engagement and associated social and health outcomes. In order to better understand the social contexts and health needs of sex working women living with HIV, this study aimed to understand recent sex work prevalence and its longitudinal associations with stigma, psychosocial and clinical HIV outcomes among women living with HIV in Canada. METHODS We conducted a three-wave prospective cohort survey at 18-month intervals with women living with HIV aged 16 and older in three Canadian provinces between 2013 and 2018. We used generalized estimating equations to examine longitudinal associations between recent (past 6-month) sex work with three types of outcomes: psychosocial (recent violence, recent injection drug use, hazardous alcohol use, clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder), clinical HIV (CD4 count and viral load) and stigma (HIV-related stigma, racial discrimination and gender discrimination). Equations were adjusted for socio-demographic factors associated with sex work across all three waves: province, age, income, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, ethnicity and housing security. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Of 1422 participants, 129 (9.1%) reported recent sex work during at least one wave (82 at baseline, 73 at first follow-up and 32 at second follow-up). In adjusted analyses, recent sex work was associated with psychosocial outcomes, including: past 3-month violence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.70, 3.60), past 6-month injection drug use (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.21-5.52), hazardous alcohol use (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.04-3.89) and depression (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06-2.15). In unadjusted analyses, sex work was also associated with clinical HIV outcomes and gender discrimination, but not racial discrimination/HIV-related stigma. CONCLUSIONS Among women living with HIV in Canada, sex work engagement is dynamic, and sex workers are more likely to report recent violence, recent injection drug use, problematic alcohol use and clinical depression. Violence prevention and support, harm reduction, mental health promotion and sex work-affirming programs could be employed to optimize health and rights for sex working women living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Nina Sokolovic
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Mina Kazemi
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Smith
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shaz Islam
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Lee
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca Gormley
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alexandra de Pokomandy
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mona Loutfy
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ford JV, Corona-Vargas E, Cruz M, Fortenberry JD, Kismodi E, Philpott A, Rubio-Aurioles E, Coleman E. The World Association for Sexual Health's Declaration on Sexual Pleasure: A Technical Guide. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2022; 33:612-642. [PMID: 38595778 PMCID: PMC10903694 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2021.2023718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
This article provides technical guidance on the content, meaning, and application of the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS) Declaration on Sexual Pleasure to various stakeholders and practitioners working in the area of sexuality, sexual health, and sexual rights. A growing body of work shows that sexual pleasure is integral to broader health, mental health, sexual health, well-being and rights and indeed can lead to improvements in health. Yet, more research is needed to identify the best ways to incorporate sexual pleasure to achieve sexual health for different outcomes and populations. In the first part of this article, we deconstruct each statement from the WAS Declaration on Sexual Pleasure and provide key evidence from the literature supporting these statements. In the latter part of the article, we provide guidance on how to include sexual pleasure as a fundamental part of sexual health and sexual rights work. We include a series of case studies and highlight key actions and principles for advocacy, implementation, and quality assurance in terms of law and policy, comprehensive sexuality education, health care services and dissemination of knowledge. This technical document seeks to inspire our partners and collaborators to embark on a journey toward a pleasure-based approach to sexual health and sexual rights. Our hope is that the literature, guidance and case studies provided here can ignite ongoing advocacy and collaboration to embrace sexual pleasure in all settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie V. Ford
- Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eszter Kismodi
- International Human Rights Lawyer on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Research, Policy and Programming, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Eli Coleman
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MNUSA
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Philpott A, Larsson G, Singh A, Zaneva M, Gonsalves L. How to Navigate a Blindspot: Pleasure in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Programming and Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2021; 33:587-601. [PMID: 38595783 PMCID: PMC10903683 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2021.1965690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives: Despite billions of dollars in funding spent each year on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV programming, sexual pleasure is insufficiently addressed. This paper therefore has three key aims: (1) to introduce the concept of sexual pleasure in SRHR programming, while providing context regarding investment and research, (2) to introduce and situate an upcoming systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify whether and to what extent incorporating sexual pleasure into SRHR interventions can improve health outcomes, and (3) to examine the key practical, methodological, and theoretical challenges in carrying out such a review. Methods: We undertook a literature review and analysis of conference abstract publications to highlight the 'pleasure gap' in evidence in sexual and reproductive health and rights programming and research. We detailed the scope, search strategy and challenges for our subsequent systematic review. Results: This paper and the subsequent review highlights the need to equip the SRHR and HIV fields to better meet the needs of communities by considering key reasons people have sex, and understand the challenges of undertaking a review of this nature. Conclusions: We conclude that this a focus on pleasure is particularly pertinent in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ratification of the declaration on sexual pleasure at the 2021 World Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mirela Zaneva
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Lianne Gonsalves
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Ford JV, El Kak F, Herbenick D, Purdy C, Tellone S, Wasserman M, Coleman E. Sexual Pleasure and Healthcare Settings: Focusing on Pleasure to Improve Healthcare Delivery and Utilization. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2021; 33:572-586. [PMID: 38595777 PMCID: PMC10903612 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2021.1955802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Sexual pleasure is best attained through facilitating access to the highest standard of health. Today global data show a persistent high burden of sexual health issues. Yet, pleasure remains a sensitive, stigmatized, and unspoken topic in healthcare services. This article examines how to incorporate a value for pleasure into healthcare services, grounded in the assumption that pleasure is a fundamental reason why people have sex and that acknowledging this can support people in creating safer, more pleasurable sexual experiences. Drawing upon examples from the literature and field experience, this article explores how to better address pleasure in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie V. Ford
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Faysal El Kak
- Women Integrated Sexual Health Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Debby Herbenick
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | | | - Stephen Tellone
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Eli Coleman
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Heath, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Logie CH. Sexual rights and sexual pleasure: Sustainable Development Goals and the omitted dimensions of the leave no one behind sexual health agenda. Glob Public Health 2021; 18:1953559. [PMID: 34278957 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1953559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This commentary explores the missing discourse of sexual rights and sexual pleasure in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that purport to leave no one behind. The SDG propose a welcome focus on sexual health and human rights for all, expanding beyond the Millennium Development Goals. While promising in many ways for advancing global sexual and reproductive health, and reproductive rights, the omission of sexual rights is troubling. So too is the erasure of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons, and sex workers, from the SDG discussions of social inequities. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate how a sexual rights focus could advance SDG 3 focused on healthy lives and well-being for all. First, sexual rights are presented as integral to realizing Target 3.3's focus on ending the HIV pandemic among LGBTQ persons and sex workers (and LGBTQ sex workers). Second, sexual pleasure is introduced as an integral component of sexual health and sexual rights that could facilitate the realization of Target 3.7's aim to provide universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and education. To truly leave no one behind and realize sexual health for all, the SDG need to begin from a foundation of sexual rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
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Logie CH, Perez-Brumer A, Parker R. The contested global politics of pleasure and danger: Sexuality, gender, health and human rights. Glob Public Health 2021; 16:651-663. [PMID: 33904384 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1893373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This special issue of Global Public Health brings together papers examining how sexuality, gender, health and human rights have become increasing visible and highly contested within global health. The papers included here question and explore the often contradictory processes through which global equity-seeking populations negotiate pleasure and danger across multiple arenas (including HIV and AIDS, LGBTQ+ health and rights, intersex rights, sex worker rights, realities of refugee and displaced persons, and gender-based violence) and in diverse geographic contexts (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, and the USA). These papers examine emerging questions about the gaps and limits in current legal structures that do not legitimize sexual rights as fundamental human rights, the role of agency (and of bounded agency) needed to navigate constrained contexts, ways in which community-based solidarity efforts shape access to sexual rights, and how sexual pleasure and consent are experienced and negotiated in rights-constrained contexts. The interdisciplinary authors included in this collection showcase how the ranging definitions of sexual rights, their enactment, and expressions of pleasure and danger are inextricably entangled with local contexts and cultural systems that underpin not only people's lived experience but simultaneously become central topics for global health research, policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,United Nations University Institute of Water, Environment & Health, United Nations University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Amaya Perez-Brumer
- Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Richard Parker
- Institute for the Study of Collective Health, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association - ABIA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Sociomedical Sciences and Anthropology, Columbia University, New York City, USA
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Hargreaves JR, Logie CH. Lifting lockdown policies: A critical moment for COVID-19 stigma. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1917-1923. [PMID: 32985374 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1825771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 'lockdown' policies may have unintended consequences for individuals, households and country economies. Hence lockdown may be unsustainable despite the risk of a resurgence of new COVID-19 infections. The repeal and alteration of lockdown policies mark a symbolic transfer of responsibility for epidemic control from state to individual. This has the potential to catalyse fear, blame and judgement within and between populations. We draw on experience from the HIV pandemic to show that this will worsen during later phases of the pandemic if COVID-19 stigma increases, as we fear it could. We suggest policy recommendations for 'lockdown lifting' to limit COVID-19 stigma. We suggest three policy priorities to minimise potential increases in COVID-19 stigma: limit fear by strengthening risk communication, engage communities to reduce the emergence of blaming, and emphasise social justice to reduce judgement. 'Lockdown' policies cannot continue uninterrupted. However, lifting lockdown without unintended consequences may prove harder than establishing it. This period has the potential to see the emergence of fear, blame and judgement, intersecting with existing inequalities, as governments seek to share responsibility for preventing further Sars-Cov-2 transmission. As we have learned from HIV, it is critical that a wave of COVID-19 stigma is prevented from flourishing.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Hargreaves
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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How Do We Balance Tensions Between COVID-19 Public Health Responses and Stigma Mitigation? Learning from HIV Research. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:2003-2006. [PMID: 32266502 PMCID: PMC7137404 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02856-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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