Editorial Board

Founders

D J Williams, PhD, Criminology, Idaho State University

Emily E. Prior, MA, Sociology, Center for Positive Sexuality

Editors-in-Chief

D. Joye Swan, PhD, Psychology, Woodbury University

Jeremy N. Thomas, PhD, Sociology, Idaho State University

Production Editors:

James R. Fleckenstein, BA, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom

Daniel Copulsky, PhD, Psychology, Indiana University Bloomington

Editorial Board:

Aleah Poncini, Didel Institute for Scientific Research and Development (Australia)

Apryl Alexander, PsyD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Brad Sagarin, PhD, Psychology, Northern Illinois University

Jennifer A. Vencill, PhD, Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Karen Sabbah, MA, Sociology, Los Angeles Pierce College

Kat Klement, PhD, Psychology, Bemidji State University

Liam Wignall, PhD, Psychology, Bournemouth University

Moshoula Capous-Desyllas, PhD, Sociology & Social Work, California State University Northridge

R. Todd Hartle, DA, Biology and Education, Irvine, California

Zaedryn Rook, Writing and Editing, Oakland, California

Volume 12, 2026

Volume 12, Issue 2, October 2026

Characteristics of a Sex-Positive Attitude: A Qualitative Study
Judith Langer

  • Brief Description: By conducting and examining interviews with experts who work with definitions of positive sexuality, this research discusses twelve characteristics of a sex-positive attitude.
  • Keywords: sex-positive attitude, sex positivity, positive sexuality, expert interviews, focused analysis

The Power of Anonymity: California Students’ Opinions of Their Sex Education
Jordan Brown

  • Brief Description: Using a small focus group, the researcher examines the efficacy of the California Healthy Youth Act and the sex education quidelines therein. Students seem to value anonymity as well as offer many potential changes to the subject.
  • Keywords: comprehensive sex education, California Healthy Youth Act, anonymous sex education, discussion-based sex education, sexual shame

Sunyaxah: An Autoethnography of the Kristang Creole-Indigenous Practice of Dreamshining
Kevin Martens Wong Zhi Qiang

  • Brief Description: This unique manuscript provides an academic description and analysis of sunyaxah, the Kristang or Portuguese-Eurasian Creole-Indigenous practice of dreamshining. The author provides a first-hand account of their own process of self-exploration and discovery. NOTE: This manuscript contains nude photographs.
  • Keywords: Kristang, Singapore, Creole, dreamshining, Indigenous, autoethnography, cultural revitalization

Consent, Harm, and Responsibility in BDSM Encounters: A Thematic Analysis of Violations and Restorative Justice Approaches
Jeffery DeMarco, Zoe Smith, Ioana Cirvatu

  • Brief Description: Using semi-structured interviews, the authors collect and examine the experiences of some submissive cisgender women who experienced consent violations during BDSM interactions. The authors suggest that the potential harm from such violations is shaped by the interaction itself as well as by how partners and the BDSM communities respond. Restorative justice frameworks are offered as potential support for such situations.
  • Keywords: BDSM, consent, sexual violence, victimization, restorative justice, consent violation, negotiation model

Investigating Cases of Potential Adolescent Sexual Abuse: Evaluating the Role of Positive Sexuality in Forensic Interviewing
Jeremy N. Thomas & D J Williams

  • Brief Description: The authors critique current U.S forensic interviewing techniques of potential adolescent sexual abuse cases This highlights the need for a positive sexuality approach on the behalf of the interviewers, including more extensive sexuality education.
  • Keywords: positive sexuality, forensic interviewing, sexual abuse, sex-negativity, criminology, sexual development, consent

Volume 12, Issue 1, April 2026

Playdough, Mirrors, and Sexy Songs: Sex Positive Discussions with Autistic Adults through Arts-Based Methods
Alan Santinele Martino, Thomas Tri, Jordan Parks, Hannah Grieveson, and Lyndon Parakin

  • Brief Description: Using a sex-positive and crip-informed approach, findings from a community-based, participatory, arts-based project demonstrate that those with autism may be better served with a reimagined sexuality education.
  • Keywords: autism, sexuality education, desire, arts-based methods, crip theory

When Yes Isn’t Enough: Consent, Welcomeness, and Enthusiasm
David G. Leitch

  • Brief Description: A discussion demonstrating the overlaps between Planned Parenthood’s FRIES framework and Catharine MacKinnon’s feminist concepts of welcomeness, and the potential issues this creates for future feminist frameworks and the concept of enthusiasm.
  • Keywords: sexual consent, sexual ethics, feminist theory, welcomeness

Positive Sexuality Reflects Professional Ethics: A Summary of SexPosCon 2026
Eric Chambers and Emily Prior

  • Brief Description: Highlights from the 2026 Positive Sexuality Conference, demonstrating presentations that highlighted the theme of professional ethics through sex work, therapy, social work, sexual identities, professional identities, and BDSM interactions.
  • Keywords: positive sexuality, professional ethics

The Journal of Positive Sexuality

Aim and Scope: The Journal of Positive Sexuality is an online peer-reviewed academic journal that focuses on all aspects of positive sexuality as described in the Center for Positive Sexuality purpose statement. The journal is multidisciplinary and is designed to be accessible and beneficial to a large and diverse readership, including academics, policymakers, clinicians, educators, and students. Specifically, positive sexuality acknowledges the importance of sexual diversity; the multitude of sexual identities, orientations, and practices; the need for open and safe communication and education concerning all aspects of sexuality; empowerment of sexual minorities; and collaboration to help resolve sexual problems within society. Sex positivity is consistent with the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health.

If you have original, unpublished research that fits our Submission Guidelines, please submit your work. We're always looking for new, cutting-edge ideas that support positive sexuality. All disciplines welcome.

Read our Submission Guidelines and submit your work! Submissions are taken year-round with no specific deadlines, unless specified for particular issues.

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