☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].
Translated by Florence Bois-Villeneuve.
What is sexual pleasure and is it really unique? How can we understand fluctuations in desire? What are the potential consequences of heterosexist and heteronormative stereotypes and conceptions of sexuality? What effects can colonialism, religion, biomedicine, popular culture and power relations have on sexuality?
These are some of the questions addressed in Our Bodies, Ourselves (1971), a famous book translated in French and expanded by the collective La corps féministe under the title Corps accord, guide de sexualité positive (Remue-ménage, 2019). Through short interviews, discussions between self-identified women, theoretical reflections and academic compilations, this book raises awareness of issues related to sexuality, through intersectional and feminist advice, statements and reflections.
And it feels damn good,
because it talks about possible, non-stereotypical sexualities. It discusses sexuality beyond STBBIs and contraception. It addresses healthy and positive sexuality without taboos, judgment or frills. And an intersectional lens, unfortunately still too often absent in this type of compilation and research, is applied. It provides fair, critical and independent information, while acknowledging individual and collective ignorance.
So Corps accord, Guide de sexualité positive is really refreshing. It helps us understand, love and question ourselves. It highlights the plural knowledge of practices and representations of sexuality, and presents non-Western and non-white definitions and concepts. Whiteness is thus challenged; its representations are no longer falsely universal, and its neutrality is called into question.
It's the kind of guide I wish I'd had as a teenager. I feel it would have made my life easier... and more positive.
Reference
Author: La Corps féministe
Title : Corps accords : guide de sexualité positive (A Guide to Positive Sexuality)
Date : March 11 2019
Publishing house : Remue-ménageThis book is available in print and electronic format from the Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ). It is also available in bookstores for $19.95.