Black Girls, Here’s Your Guide to Insta’s Top Sex-Positive Blogs for Self-Love, Art and Activism
this is the representation women who have walked in my skin have waited decades for, the representation I needed growing up. so I say let’s celebrate it.
image @ihartericka.
by Erin Davis.
From #FreeTheNipple to #MeToo, online advocacy has proven it is a force to be reckoned with-- no matter your opinion on hashtag activism, it's undeniable that the reach of social media not only connects people like never before but also passes the megaphone to communities that have never had access to influential public platforms. Right now it’s in part where the newest wave of this generation’s feminism is going down, and sex positivity is a huge part of it.
Now, I’m absolutely down for encouraging women to be unapologetic in their sexual nature and autonomous in the choices of their own bodies (viva la revolution). But I have to say, one thing the discussion is sorely lacking is diversity.
The first time I was introduced to a sex-positive, sexual health advocate who also happened to be a black woman, I was struck speechless; it wasn’t a space I had ever seen black women leading the conversation in.
Seeing a black woman, especially one that identifies as queer, talk about sexuality and self-love is a sight I probably wouldn’t have ever been able to witness if I weren’t alive right now in 2020. This is the representation women who have walked in my skin have waited decades for, the representation I needed growing up. So I say let’s celebrate it.
These badass black women are making waves online and IRL by creating content that isn’t just one size fits all; here’s your guide to some saucy, sex-positive content created by black girls for black girls.
A long-time fan of Aaron Philip, no one hollered louder when 2019 came in with all the recognition this amazing woman deserved. Philip made waves as the first black, trans and disabled model to be signed to a major label in all of fashion history. And though the industry tends to be largely white and cis, with disabled inclusivity not even in the question, this advocate and activist has modeled for ASOS and Paper Magazine and starred in campaigns for Sephora and Dove.
Jessamyn Stanley is the absolute best triple threat around; this yoga teacher, body positivity advocate and activist has been recognized by magazines like Forbes, the New York Times, and USA Today. Stanley not only uses her platform to redefine fitness through a self-affirming lens but also to put the larger yoga community on blast because guess what? Healthy comes in a lot of sizes, shapes, and shades.
Erika Hart has inspired women around the world through her acclaimed sexual health work and advocacy. Self-described as “kinky, poly, activist”, Hart is a former HIV/AIDS volunteer for the Peace Corps. Hart is a breast cancer survivor who gained international attention after proudly baring her scars at Afropunk’s 2016 festival. Being struck by the lack of representation for black survivors like her, Hart made the bold move towards muse and model, empowering thousands of women like her through ‘topless activism’ on the gram.
Enam Asiama, a plus-sized model and intersectional activist shows us all what it means to be unapologetically sex and body positive. Having worked with brands like Missguided and Black Girl Picnic, Enam advocates for self-love as a “fat, queer, black woman.” A born revolutionary, one of my favorite quotes by this icon is “I try and go against every norm and break all the rules because why not ?”. And if that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is.
This award-nominated sex educator uses her platform to talk about health, sex positivity, and feminism. As an activist, Rukiat breaks down STIstigma and writes about her experience as a woman with herpes. She encourages people, especially women (who tend to bear the brunt of sexual stigma) to embrace themselves, and walk through the world fearlessly.
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Erin is a writer, filmmaker, and journalist who explores documentary and stylized media through her work. Through this work, Erin strives to uplift the narratives and experiences of marginalized communities and subcultures; her visual and written media explores the intersections of identity, culture, and art, and ties these concepts to youth culture and activism.