tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post5268225535215433318..comments2022-03-25T01:03:05.807-07:00Comments on The Elephant in the Hot Tub: Kink in Context: AASECT Position on Sexual Expression including Orientation and IdentityRussell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-69120434664613444272015-12-21T09:49:36.137-08:002015-12-21T09:49:36.137-08:00I was a member of the committee that crafted this ...I was a member of the committee that crafted this position statement and I stand by every word. My purpose for this note is to address colleagues who are using this statement to condemn the use of any variant of an "addiction" construct to help people who are experiencing significant distress and adverse consequences due to recurrent, hard to control sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors. <br /><br />I understand that much of this outrage is a reaction to times when the "sex addiction" label has been misused to brand people as broken simply for engaging in statistically atypical or traditionally marginalized consensual sexual behavior. Critics complain that the construct can obscure the toxicity of acculturated sexual shame on issues of identity, orientation and consensual sexual expression that are incongruent with the nonsexual aspects of a person's life.<br /><br />However, I'm deeply concerned that some people want to invalidate any attempt to apply the addiction paradigm to matters of sexuality. Opponents mischaracterize the concept of sex addiction as nothing more than an oppressive tool of sexologically untutored enforcers of hetero/mono/vanilla-normative values. I reject this notion and assert that there is no inherent incompatibility between the proper application of the concept of sex addiction and the central tenets of this position statement.<br /><br />Yes, people have been harmed by the inappropriate use of the sex addiction label for simply engaging in traditionally marginalized sexual behavior. However, it is equally true that people have also been harmed by inappropriate withholding of the sex addiction label for truly compulsive use of sexual fantasies, urges and behaviors. The fact is that it is a paradigm with the power to transform -- and even save -- lives when it is properly applied. <br /><br />Those who attempt to use this position statement to justify a wholesale rejection of the concept of sex addiction risk harming people who garner strength and hope from the application of its principles to their lives. Women and men who define themselves as recovering sex addicts are not helped by being told that their self-identity is contrary to human dignity.<br /><br />There is no universal answer to the question of how best to assist a person who does not feel capable of self-regulating sexual expression in a manner that is consistent with the other activities, values and relationships that she or he considers necessary to a balanced and fulfilling life. Using this position statement to wholly negate all addiction-based theories of disordered sexual self-control dismisses a person's right and agency to choose or reject available models of assistance, both of which are at the heart of the right of self-determination. <br /><br />Not only are sex addiction models of care never going away, they are growing in diversity and depth. This is a complex topic with few easy answers. It's time to bridge differences, learn from each other and cease wasting time and energy trying to fight a rear-guard action against a methodology that has clearly brought sexual health, personal empowerment and strengthened relationships to many people who would not trade these stirring achievements for any alternative the most ardent promoter of this position statement could possibly advocate.<br /><br />Bill Herring, LCSW, CSAT<br />Atlanta, USABill Herringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16892245329896195211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-30395981989362605742015-11-29T10:22:11.723-08:002015-11-29T10:22:11.723-08:00It is my belief that AASECT passed this broadly in...It is my belief that AASECT passed this broadly intending to be inclusive, and that the failure to mention any specific kink was not intended to convey judgement about unnamed mutually consensual practices.Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-6698609619195246802015-11-28T14:58:10.622-08:002015-11-28T14:58:10.622-08:00This was a process that took us more than a year t...This was a process that took us more than a year to complete and several different teams of authors. In the end, the final group of authors were a very diverse group of AASECT members representing a broad variety of view points. There was unanimous agreement on the final document before it was put to the AASECT Board of Directors for approval. Russell played a key role in getting this done. I believe that every single person who helped to author this document can feel proud of making a contribution to the field.<br /><br />Neil Cannon, Ph.D., LMFT<br />Chairman, AASECT Ethics Advisory CommitteeDr. Neil Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01811451577329114278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-26333104269293377312015-11-24T15:48:35.018-08:002015-11-24T15:48:35.018-08:00I really appreciate AASECT's statement, and th...I really appreciate AASECT's statement, and there is a lot to be admired in it. I almost posted it on the NCSF Facebook page, but then I realized I would have to explain that it includes BDSM and non-monogamy. Then I realized – I'm not sure what AASECT intends to include as acceptable forms of consensual sexual expression. <br /><br />I’m glad to see from your explanation, Russell, that this statement is intended to be inclusive of BDSM and non-monogamy. I hope it’s also inclusive of fetishes and cross-dressing. <br /><br />My only issue with this statement is in the ambiguity of not naming the sexual practices. NCSF has staked everything on actually naming the things that are stigmatized. It’s caused issues for us as an organization, especially when it comes to getting funding. Also some professionals decline to be listed on our Kink Aware Professionals list because of an association with a BDSM advocacy organization.<br /><br />Yet we have long felt that someone has to name the specific practices in order to destigmatize them. We do believe the past 20 years have born out that theory. We wouldn't have 50 Shades of Grey today if the acts themselves hadn't been destigmatized to the point of acceptance by the mainstream.<br /><br />Perhaps future iterations of this statement on sexual expression could name the sexual experiences that aren’t considered pathological.<br /><br />Susan Wright<br />NCSF<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01836262520857368713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-71423561911909072892015-11-19T08:31:16.454-08:002015-11-19T08:31:16.454-08:00By all means, Pamela! Thanks!By all means, Pamela! Thanks!Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-86297098933711232072015-11-19T08:30:31.072-08:002015-11-19T08:30:31.072-08:00By all means use this to further those excellent g...By all means use this to further those excellent goals!Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-77557624683757337712015-11-19T05:40:00.349-08:002015-11-19T05:40:00.349-08:00Hello Russel. Great work!
May I share this as a re...Hello Russel. Great work!<br />May I share this as a resource in training of pre-registration psychotherapists to help open awareness of gender and sexual diversities and the ethical requirement of non-pathologising respect of sexual and gender minorities?<br />Pamela Gawler-Wright, BeeLeaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy and Pink Therapy Clinical Associate, <br />UK Council for Psychotherapy workgroup on Diversity and Equality in Education, Training and PracticeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07997871268949136635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-16248614493706985422015-11-19T05:36:44.665-08:002015-11-19T05:36:44.665-08:00Hello Russell. This is great work. May we use it a...Hello Russell. This is great work. May we use it as a resource in training pre-registration psychotherapists in their awareness of gender and sexual diversities and the ethical requirement of non-pathologising respect for clients of sexual and gender minority?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07997871268949136635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-36479202658814248272015-11-18T10:48:45.213-08:002015-11-18T10:48:45.213-08:00Gender expression was specifically included and re...Gender expression was specifically included and removed in precursors to the final document. This is in part because gender is explicitly referenced in the AASECT Vision of Sexual Health, a relevant passage of which is included below:<br /><br />"Sexual Variability and Rights: AASECT recognizes the many varieties of sexuality including, but not limited to, the full range of sexual orientations, gender, transgender, and intersex positions, as well as erotic preferences and lifestyles. AASECT opposes the application of labels such as "normal" and "abnormal" to these variations in the healthy sexual expression of adults, and AASECT believes that all sexual and cultural minorities should enjoy sexual freedom, equal civil rights, and parity of social opportunities and privileges"<br /><br />No one should assume AASECT's position statement doesn't cover transgender, queer, and fluid sexual expression. It is silent about gender expression in minors and persons society might view as unable to consent, which is a very hot topic in the trans community right now. This is another of those next steps I implied need to be addressed..Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-72334667863651912052015-11-17T20:20:17.837-08:002015-11-17T20:20:17.837-08:00Russell, thank you helping this come together. You...Russell, thank you helping this come together. You hold the torch that lights the way. Challenging those who want simple solutions to complex human expression. I am so proud to know you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10265326024381673890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-38794610767700421732015-11-17T17:55:50.179-08:002015-11-17T17:55:50.179-08:00Well said, Russell.Well said, Russell.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00770725500109848884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-87883552464378659382015-11-17T16:14:36.370-08:002015-11-17T16:14:36.370-08:00Mine was but a small part. I am optimistic that o...Mine was but a small part. I am optimistic that other sexuality organizations will come along in due time, or perhaps in past-due time. We have people working on it even as I write this...Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-69392315088553077012015-11-17T15:46:18.315-08:002015-11-17T15:46:18.315-08:00And I'm going to post the link on our FB page....And I'm going to post the link on our FB page. Good job, Russell. I do wish gender identity and expression had been included, but ....it's a hell of a lot more than the other sexology orgs, this is a pretty big step.margaret nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01409723172784126749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-47765464881941208252015-11-17T13:58:03.460-08:002015-11-17T13:58:03.460-08:00Of course, Tammy. By all means!Of course, Tammy. By all means!Russell J Stambaugh, PhD, DST, CSSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15920016759140581456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1427404636563815125.post-49485618135350868602015-11-17T12:47:52.465-08:002015-11-17T12:47:52.465-08:00Russell I would like to post a link to this from m...Russell I would like to post a link to this from my blog...well said.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09036481208952749027noreply@blogger.com