Ethical slut

An ethical slut is someone who embraces sexual freedom while practicing consent, honesty, and integrity in their relationships. The term reclaims “slut” as a positive identity, celebrating enthusiastic sexuality without shame in a way that’s respectful of others. This role or identity is often found within polyamorous communities, open relationships, and queer, and kink communities. An ethical slut's core values may include: - Consent: Every interaction is agreed upon by all parties. - Transparency: Open communication about desires, partners, and limits. - Empowerment: Sexuality is a source of joy, agency, and connection, not something to hide or feel guilty about. - Compersion: Feeling joy for a partner’s pleasure with others (common in non-monogamy). - No shame: Rejection of cultural double standards around promiscuity, especially those targeting women, queer people, and sex workers. ### Origins of the Term The term was popularized by the 1997 book "The Ethical Slut" by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy. It offered a radical guide to navigating sex, love, and non-monogamy with emotional honesty and self-awareness. The book helped launch a wave of sex-positive, polyamorous, and kink-friendly discourse. ### Related Roles & Identities - Slut - Sex-Positive - Queer - Polyamorous - Relationship Anarchist