Sex Interviews: Abstract

What do you know about sex? What do any of us know about it?

What I mean is, we may all have some experience but what truly defines the act? What dignifies sex as normal or better yet, which actions in sex are “normal”? How does society superimpose what is and what isn’t acceptable for people to do with their own bodies?

Over the course of a few weeks, I performed interviews on a diverse set of people to seek what they thought was normal or abnormal about sex. My goal from gathering interviews was to highlight that the expression of one’s sexuality is warped within an ideal of what is normal to society. A society that often misinforms and hides important, educational, information on sex, and sexuality. Regardless of one’s desires or pleasures, all candidates stated that some or all of their expressions with sex were “normal” or “vanilla,” whereas, without societies indoctrination on what is acceptable, a person would not feel the pressure to describe their sexual experiences as normal.

As will be revealed in some interviews, certain individuals had little to no access to inclusive and casual discussions on sex. Families, cultures, and formal (k-12 school-led) sex education often created a shameful atmosphere that prioritized abstinence over pro-safe sex education. Ultimately, through each interview, the reader gets a sense of the interviewee, while also getting a look into their relationship with sex and sexuality. We need more casual, informed, and enthusiastic discussions on sex that do not rely on basic heternormative sex-ed. This article series aims to create a space where individuals can share their development, personal thoughts, and exciting sexual experiences.  Each week will be an attempt to bring us one step closer to a more radical and fun way to think about sex.

Questions for interviews:

Interviewees were given the option to answer all or none. It was solely up to what they felt comfortable sharing. Question order varies depending on how each person answered. Individuals did not have to know the answer to questions and could simply explain as much as they knew or cared to know. As readers, I encourage you to answer these questions for yourself before moving forward. 

How do you define your sexuality?

How did you come to define your sexuality?

How do you define your gender?

How did you come to define your gender?

What did/does your virginity mean to you, if anything?

Were you influenced by family, religion, or other things that limited your sexuality/gender/ or expression of sex?

What is one thing you wish you’d known sooner?

What is one nonsexual thing you find sexual?

What is an interesting sexual experience you’ve had (whether alone or not), that you’d like to talk about? Provide your sex story now. 

What do you wish you knew more about sex-wise?

Is there anything you do that you feel is different from the norm?

Do you think your sex falls within the hetero-normative, why or why not?

How do you care for yourself whether before, during, or after sex? 

Is there any advice you’d give to others?

Have you ever had sex for items, money, etc? 

Did you receive sex ed? How was it?

If you’d like to share your answers with me privately feel free email me.