In a largely conservative country like the Philippines, conversations on sex are still heavily shrouded with stereotypes and shame. Even how we refer to our genitals is still awkwardly euphemized because openly talking about them will surely raise a few eyebrows.
Read: The utter hypocrisy of Filipinos in the face of sex scandals
Add to the mix the lack of comprehensive and progressive sex education in our country, and most of us are going in blind in our sexplorations. But for us to practice responsible and safe sex, we must destigmatize the discussions surrounding it.
And that’s exactly what Subtle Kalat Section (SKS) is doing.
What makes this Facebook group a safe space for everyone?
With 3,200 members, as of this writing, SKS lets you (anonymously or not) talk about sex without judgment. This Facebook group allows you to ask absolutely anything about intercourse–from what position is most pleasurable to how to responsibly engage in love-making.
It also lets you share your kalat stories and kalat fantasies that you’re otherwise too shy to share in person. And thanks to its non-heteronormative and non-conventional approach to sex, its members can openly discuss any topic without fear of persecution.
But of course, it comes with reasonably strict boundaries. Before you can enter the group, you have to answer questions that the administrators will meticulously read. From time to time, there are also reminders and tips on how to keep yourself safe while enjoying the pleasures of sex.
No replacement for comprehensive sex education
Sex is completely normal and it's something we cannot avoid. Thankfully, there are spaces like SKS where we can talk about it without the shame that is ever-so-present in our status quo.
But with the internet's susceptibility to misinformation, SKS is not a replacement for comprehensive sex education. And with pressing issues like widespread teenage pregnancy and the rise of sexually transmitted diseases, the state should create structurally sex-positive solutions to problems that arose from a shame-based education.
Read: 5 types of condoms to explore this Valentine's Day
Instead of obscuring it with close-minded and regressive conservatism, we should see sex–whether it's done out of love or for fun–as an essential part of our adult experience. By educating everyone about sex, it’ll empower us to kalat responsibly.
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