This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on sexuality and the stigmas associated with sexual behavior that sometimes prevent people from making healthy choices. Vianca Masucci, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Esther L. Bush, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, shared their thoughts on this topic:
EB: Hello, Vianca. I hope that you’re ready to chat a bit about stigma and sexuality.
VM: You bet I am, Ms. Bush. This is an interesting topic because it plays out in so many different ways and affects each person differently depending on their place in society and the identities with which they are associated.
EB: You’re right! It is such a contemporary, yet sensitive topic. When we talk about sexuality and stigma we’re exploring everything from prejudice against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons to double standards that make it socially acceptable for men but not women to act on sexual urges.
VM: Let’s unpack this a bit. Stigma, which is an association of shame, is directed by many things: culture, religion, law, history, the list goes on. Stigma becomes a health issue when it begins to influence behaviors that cause bad health outcomes. Both men and women are very concerned with stigma attached to their sexual behavior. This concern can cause individuals to partake in risky sex behaviors and it can feed anxiety that may actually develop into mental illness.
EB: Here’s the thing that I struggle with, Vianca. Stigma is a social factor meaning that society at large buys into it. How can an individual trying to live “their best health” overcome what is backed up by common social thought?
VM: It is a complicated problem, isn’t it? I don’t think the responsibility should fall on one person; it is everyone’s responsibility. Of course, each person is responsible for their own sexual health—making sure that they have safe sex, getting tested for HIV and STDs at least once yearly, and having conversations with their partners about consent. But we are all also responsible for changing the narratives around sexuality. If we want a healthier sexual environment, we must all educate ourselves about our bodies and human sexuality, challenge sexuality stigma and body negativity in the media that we consume, discuss positive, alternative images and ideas, and have open conversations with our peers about how sexuality stigma affects our communities. Most importantly, we must help the children in our lives build pride in their identities. This will nurture the confidence they need to understand their worth and advocate for themselves in sexual situations and otherwise.
EB: Good point, Vianca. I have noticed how the maturing millennial generation has begun to change attitudes about sex a lot in the past few years by doing just what you’re talking about. Millennials talk very openly about things that would have never been discussed twenty years ago like “slut-shaming” and “body positivity”. This talk has helped make sexuality less of a taboo topic which has helped reduce the stigma.
VM: It is progress but we still have a long way to go. As a member of the preceding generation, what advice would you give to your peers who grew up in a time when sexuality was more of a taboo topic?
EB: I would encourage them to ask questions. A lot of stigma is caused by misunderstanding and it is very easy to be confused by the changing beliefs surrounding sex. If you’re upset by the changing attitudes about sex or laws that benefit sexual minorities, don’t allow that frustration to turn into prejudice. Instead, understand why people are pushing for change. If you feel as though these changing attitudes go against your religious beliefs, talk to a member of your clergy about your concern. This is an issue that affects many of us; we should be joined not divided by it.
VM: Perfect! Thank you for providing your insight on this issue, Ms. Bush. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on next month’s topic: medical marijuana.
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