There’s a sexual ideology that holds all of these concepts together in a single place: the idea that you can celebrate Hawk Tuah girl and use her catchphrase to degrade a female politician; the idea that a starlet in a low-cut dress is yours to objectify, while contraception and sexual education are dangerous and probably immoral and should be restricted.

It harks back to the idea that was dominant in the Bush era, a moment when our culture was capable of prizing Girls Gone Wild and purity balls in equal measure, when pop stars like Britney Spears were expected to serve their audiences sex on a platter while avowing their virginity at the same time. It’s the ideology that unites Republican raunch and purity culture, that makes them two sides of the same coin: one based on the idea that women’s sexuality should exist in the service of men. The right once again championing this brand of bawdiness while working relentlessly to restrict women’s autonomy and denigrating the women they don’t like isn’t a departure. It’s a return to form.

  • BertramDitore
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    6 days ago

    Well said. I think it all comes down to having basic respect for people’s choices. We’re sexual animals, but we all have the right to express our sexuality as little or as much as we want.

    People should be allowed to be both objectified if they want to be or not if they don’t want to be. This is true for everyone and can change day to day.

    I love this. Just because someone welcomes objectification one day, doesn’t imply they want it the next day.

    • dumples@midwest.social
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      6 days ago

      Exactly. It depends on the context of the situation.

      I think one of the great things about Pride events and parades now is the celebration of human sexuality by everyone at it. Everyone is looking their best and celebrating that. Whether they are queer or not.