Stigma and sexuality: why certain practices are still judged

Sexual stigma is the process by which certain sexual practices, preferences, or identities are considered inferior, pathological, or morally wrong by the dominant culture. It is as old as social norms about sexuality, but it changes form depending on the era and context.

How stigma works

Stigma operates on multiple levels: social (the judgment of others), institutional (laws, health policies), and internalized (the judgment people pass on themselves). The latter is often the hardest to recognize and address.

Many people who consensually practice BDSM, have non-normative sexual preferences, or work in the adult industry live with an internalized version of stigma: the feeling of having to hide a part of themselves, of having to build an acceptable “public version.”.

What has changed

The internet has made sexual diversity more visible in a way that had no precedent. Knowing that millions of people share a certain preference, even if it isn't discussed in real life, reduces isolation and weakens internalized stigma.

Some practices have lost a lot of stigma in recent decades: sex before marriage, homosexuality, some forms of kink. Others remain heavily stigmatized, often without a reason proportionate to the real harm they cause.

Stigma and health

Sexual stigma has real consequences for health: it reduces the likelihood of seeking medical care for sexual problems, hinders open communication between partners, and contributes to anxiety and depression among people who live with non-normative preferences.

To learn more, read our article on sexual wellbeing.