Sex & Sexuality in the Covid-19 Era

Breath work, sexual liberation, consent and boundaries, ‘intertextual loving and holding,’ starting new relationships in the time of Covid-19, these were a few of the topics discussed in our very first live chat for Adventures Live 2020 – The Odyssey of Desire. 

Exploring the theme ‘Sex & Sexuality in the Covid-19 Era’, this was a very lively and reflective discussion with Sheena Magenya, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Xeenarh Mohammed and excellently facilitated by Serwah Afriyie. 

Difficulty in breathing is one of the symptoms of covid-19. With the reality of this time, the live chat commenced with a reflection on sex, the fundamentals of human connection and its intimate relationship with breath and breathing. What kind of intimacy does breathing and scent inspire during sex? What are the increased risks of choosing to be sexually intimate in this time when covid-19 can be contracted through breath? These were a few of the questions the speakers ruminated through. 

This led to a very important conversation about consent and boundaries. Panelists reflected on the pronounced lessons of understanding boundaries and the bigger responsibilities on asking for consent as well as giving consent in a time of covid-19. 

Technology as a new medium for ‘intertextual loving and holding’ was also explored. Panelists reflected on our online presence, positing that through the bits of ourselves we share online, we create an online presence, ‘online bodies’ in a sense. And what does consent look like in the online space? How do we protect the boundaries of our online bodies (as well as our children’s) and respect other’s boundaries in the online space? How do we choose who we can interact safely with? These and many more questions were reflected on, including the risks of porn, online predators and children in a time when the world has moved heavily to online spaces for communication and connection to mitigate the risk of covid-19.  

Great tips were also shared on using technology to spice up one’s sex life while mitigating the risks of spreading covid-19. 

Panelists shared experiences of starting new relationships and dating in the time of covid-19, and how they navigate these experiences in a new time such as virtual dates, conversations on consent and mitigating the risk of spreading covid-19.  This led to a discussion on how covid-19 has emphasized the greater responsibility and care we need to have for our sexual health, even more so now.  

Issues of class and how it reflects in discussions of sex and sexualities were raised, social distancing and its effects on sexual harassment of women in public spaces, and sex work in the time of Covid-19 were also issues discussed. 

Panelists ended the very lively session with a visioning of the future of sex in a ‘post-covid’ world, answering Sheena’s question ‘what are we leaving behind and what are we taking into the future?

 Watch full video here.

Don’t miss out on our next live chat on ‘Raising kids without Sexual Shame’ with Fatime Faye, Olutimehin Adegbeye, Kobby Graham and Kinna Likimani on Friday 14^th August at 5pm GMT. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.