2021 Was A Pleasure Treasure Chest

This piece traces the long, uneven journey of sexual pleasure within global health, highlighting how moments of progress are repeatedly met with cultural and political backlash. Despite early recognition—such as the WHO’s 1975 declaration that pleasure is a fundamental component of sexual health—public health institutions have largely avoided the topic for decades. Yet 2021 marked a major shift: pleasure-focused start-ups flourished, new research confirmed that integrating pleasure improves sexual health outcomes, and the International Journal of Sexual Health released a landmark special issue devoted entirely to pleasure. These developments underscore that pleasure is central to why people have sex and that acknowledging it leads to safer, more satisfying experiences while addressing gender inequalities, trauma, and the diverse needs of marginalized bodies. Still, the piece warns that sexual pleasure remains heavily stigmatized and censored, especially online, reminding readers that pleasure activism is essential to sustaining these gains and ensuring pleasure remains a validated, inclusive part of sexual health.