Queering Sexual Consent Negotiations

Abstract: Dominant understandings of sexual consent are understood through a heteronormative and dichotomous lens: masculine/active/initiating sexual activity against feminine/passive/responding to sexual activity. Thus, to what extent do sexualities beyond heterosexuality challenge and disrupt this dichotomous framework? To what extent can these sexualities form alternative ways and practises of negotiating sexual consent? This thesis aims to explore these questions by researching queer experiences of sexual consent negotiations. An analytical narrative is formed by conducting a thematic analysis on eight semi-structured interviews with queer persons located in an English city. This research refers to an integration of sexual scripting theory and discursive approaches to sexuality, significantly the male sexual drive discourse, in order to ground heteronormative framings of sexual consent negotiations. A queer perspective frames and drives this research, in order to unfold a rich analysis of the narratives and tensions within participants’ experiences and reflections on sexual consent. Fluidity weaves throughout the concluding results, as participants describe both shifting between initiating/responding roles of sexual interaction, as well as dissolving the oppositional roles altogether. Findings also show participants challenging assumed sexual behaviours, through practises of responsibility, introspection and seeking to develop a deeper awareness of the individual sexual interaction.