SEXUALITY & YOU
What does it mean to be a
woman? Between inflated
breasts, vaginal tightening,
and “ fuckm e” red lipstick, it ’s
clear that there is only one
model of femininity or one
model of “ being a woman”
that is generally accepted
and respected by both
sexes. Unfortunately, that
doesn’t include a woman’s
right to experience pleasure,
desire, and sex. Cue a
discussion on intersectional
feminism and sex.
In this day and age, am I
allowed to be a woman that
loves to fuck, believes in
gender equality, masturbates
on the regular (to porn,
nonetheless) and ages as
gracefully as a bottle of
wine? The answer is “no.”
Does that make you feel
uncomfortable?
This begs the question: can
female sexuality be effectively
subversive? Herein lies the
Missy/Ink | Issue 18
problem that as a woman,
I’m not allowed to enjoy sex
“like a man.” Well, let me let
you in on a little secret – I
don’t want to fuck like a man
because I’m a woman and
that doesn’t mean people
get to treat my sexuality with
any less respect.
Representations of various
female identities transgressing
the social order can be
seen throughout histor y,
but I love Butler ’s theor y of
gender performativity in the
context of sexual expression
and the silencing of female
sexuality. In its application
towards those of the
female persuasion, gender
performativity points out that
my femalen ess is defined
by restriction. When we are
viewed as hyperfeminine, we
are weak, submissive or slutty
and when we are placed in a
hypersexual light, we are seen
as whores, attention seekers
or at fault. Apparently it ’s
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a loselose situation. Strong
female characters in the
media are starting to point
out the existing dissonance,
and for all of their continuous
contributions – Amy Schumer
being a perfect example –
we salute you!
Women can draw away from
the “ feminine” characteristics
that have been prescribed by
not only our social regulators
but even by feminists, but it
is not without consequence.
They will be socially viewed
as an uncomfortable person
to be around, or even feel
devoid of the ver y sexuality
that defines us.
So what ’s the reasoning
behind all of this and how
has my sexuality now become
political? It ’s because of
money of course!
Pornography makes money
when it focuses on the money
shot to the face, but the