Clarisse Thorn, an occasional commenter here, is a marvelous Chicago-based “sex-positive” feminist with an eponymous blog. She’s written a great deal on BDSM, feminism and consent; recently, she’s turned her attention to male sexuality, particularly the ways in which we pathologize male sexuality. She has an interesting piece up at Alternet today: Why Do We Demonize Men Who Are Honest About Their Sexual Needs?

Many of us women go through our daily lives fending off unwanted male attention; most of us have worried about being attacked by men. If I stroll down a city street or take public transit alone, I can count on being approached by men I don’t want to talk to. If I walk home after dark, I can’t help fearing assault — so much so that if a man or group of men come near me on the street, I feel my heart lodge firmly in my throat until they pass.

So how can a man express his sexual needs without being tarred as a creep?

I shy away from using the phrase “sexual needs”, as it’s loaded with expectation and entitlement. “Sexual desires” is more felicitious, and less presumptuous. (I ought to blog about that distinction when I have more time. Perhaps next week?)

But vocabulary aside, Clarisse Thorn asks — and answers — some good questions. Check out the whole post, and comment there or here.