March is upon us, spring is in the air, and our young, naughty
minds naturally turn to thoughts of birds and bees.
However, while our minds may wander, it is important to remember
that March is also Women’s History Month. And tomorrow is
International Women’s Rights Day, also known as Daisy
Day.
I always notice the women who are commemorated during this
month, and to me it seems like they never change ““ Susan B.
Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman. While the women that are
consistently mentioned undoubtedly deserve praise, women are
continuing to fight for their equality today, and it’s
important to recognize the people who are making a positive
contribution now.
The recent remarks made by Larry Summers, president of Harvard
University, in regard to women in the sciences makes it obvious
that the feminist movement still has work to do, but not all this
work is concentrated on equality in the workplace. A lot of current
feminist activism is centered around sex.
In the ’90s the issue of pornography and sex created a
major rift within the feminist movement. Notably, Katherine
McKinnon thinks any kind of sex is always rape. In her opinion
there is no such thing as consensual sex because women and men have
different social statuses.
This is in direct opposition to Nadine Strossen, author of
“Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for
Women’s Rights” and president of the American Civil
Liberties Union. She claims pornography is a First Amendment right
and if legislation were created against it, it would only be used
to further subordinate women. It is her belief that it is more
productive to concentrate on the sexism in porn.
This rift still exists today and it perplexes many, but there
have also been many sex-positive feminists. And I believe all of
them are good role models for the budding young feminist. There are
four women in particular who, instead of rejecting sex completely,
are working to change the social stigmas surrounding sex and the
female body. And each has approached the project from a different
angle.
Annie Sprinkle is a prostitute/sex worker-turned-artist/sexual
activist. She is well-known as a performance artist and feminist.
She believes sex and sexuality is about a lot more than just
physical pleasure, relationships and procreation. According to her
Web site, “(Sex) can also be used for personal
transformation, physical and emotional healing, self-realization,
spiritual growth, and as a way to learn about all of life … and
death.”
She was one of the original pioneers of the “sex-positive
feminist” and has been hailed as a “revolutionary
feminist.” While her work is controversial, she has gained a
lot of positive attention. Sprinkle is a certified sexologist, and
in 2002 she received a doctorate in human sexuality from the
Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San
Francisco.
Eve Ensler is an award-winning playwright and is probably best
known for her play “The Vagina Monologues,” which has
been translated into over 35 languages and is performed in theaters
all over the world.
However, Ensler is also the founder of V-Day, an international
movement that helps antiviolence organizations, and attempts to
bring attention to and change social attitudes of violence against
women. V-Day is now known as International Women’s Rights
Day, and condemns rape, assault, genital mutilation and sexual
slavery. This is all part of Ensler’s campaign to wipe out
the embarrassment and shame that a lot of women feel toward their
genitals and sexuality.
Inga Muscio is the author of “Cunt: A Declaration of
Independence,” a book attempting to create a woman-positive
world. In this book, Muscio encourages women to embrace their
womanhood and all things female ““ including the word cunt.
Muscio wants women to reject its negative connotations and to
revive it as a term for woman power. Along the same lines, she says
women should disregard the negative messages they get about their
bodies and learn to love themselves.
Candida Royale is the creator of Femme Productions, Inc., a line
of porn films made from the woman’s perspective. These films
are made to promote a positive attitude toward sex that is not
degrading toward either gender, and that couples can watch
together.
She was invited to join the American Association of Sex
Educators, and is the first erotic filmmaker to join the
association.
Royale’s newest project is Natural Contours. This is a
line of uniquely shaped vibrators for women that are meant to
minimize discomfort. She is also a founding board member of
Feminists for Free Expression.
If you want to revolutionize sex as well as her day, e-mail
Lara at lloewenstein@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to
viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.