@hannahtrenches: 📍Ch. 8 - Why do women carry so much shame for having SEX! There’s a lot of shame around sex - which I believe contributes massively to the stigma around STI’s. I think this conversation is particularly (but not entirely) tricky for women because for us, it is “shameful” to be sexual. In a world where the idea of ‘virginity’ is still praised - we are thrust (pardon the pun) into a world where we are constantly sexualised… but not allowed to be sexual. So when things happen from sex, like STI’s, we feel a deep-rooted shame, like we are walking around wearing a giant Scarlett letter. But truth be told, I find it all a bit bizarre. Every person on this planet is a byproduct of sex. Most adults will engage in sexual activity… so why are the virus’ stemming from it considered someone’s “fault”, instead of being what they are: a virus. The same way you will risk getting a cold by going outside - Yes you can wear a mask to try prevent catching the virus… but no one will blame for you if you caught one regardless. Why? Because we see going outside as normal, but not sex! And because we have made sex so taboo, it has increased the stigma to a point where a virus is not longer just a virus, it is now something that is a direct reflection of your character. So to tackle the stigma, we have to tackle the awkwardness about sex as a whole. Especially, as women!!!

HANNAH TRENCHES

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Sunday 21 June 2026 16:56:55 GMT