Hi there, my name is Molly Ashlie, business professional, entrepreneur, full-time artist, and a proud feminist slut. Being a slut is a part of my identity that I strongly resonate with.
Importantly, before I start diving deep into this blog post and really baring all my juicy heart-feels with ya, I need to make note of one really important thing. Being a slut is not always a sexual act. Societies and cultures have a habit of using language to aid in systematic oppression. In this particular instance, the word slut has historically been used to shame women who relish in their body, sexuality, and pleasure.
It has been used as a way to encourage women to feel smaller in their bodies, that their own pleasure is wrong, invalid β that their sexuality is unnatural, wrong, immoral. That taking pleasure in our bodies β taking any pleasure, honestly β is selfish and shameful.
For me, being a slut is almost entirely unsexual β as someone who identifies as demi-sexual, my sluttiness is entirely tied to the notion of reclamation. Taking back power, and not allowing shame to dictate how I relate to my pleasure.
Okay, okay, okay. Why is any of this important? Reclaiming words that have been used against us to silence and shrink us is important. Recognizing where these words stem from, and the purpose they yield is important in breaking their power over us. That archaic definition of the word is moot. Be it sexually, sensually, or in any other means. It means that I will sluttily stand up for the women around me and encourage and support them to do the same. Take up space. Reconnect with your body.
