Radicals throughout history have struggled for procreation

In the spirit of nakedness, our team at Hush decided to take a look at the social pioneers of our basic instinct.

When it comes to romance, Vancouver is a sex first, love second city—and thank god! Our team at Hush is all for diving into relationships libido first. But the road to sexual liberation was a long one, going back millennia before the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s. Radicals throughout history struggled for procreation. In honour of their commitment to non-commitment, here’s a look at the 2,000-year quest for sexual satisfaction.

This story begins with the Bible. Sex was only permissible between a man and a woman who have sworn an oath before God vowing a lifelong exclusive partnership in which they will entirely fulfill one another’s sexual, emotional, and intellectual needs until death—pretty demanding.

A few additional verses: Men rule over their wives (Genesis 3:16)
No man with damaged junk may enter a Church (Deuteronomy 23:1)
A newlywed husband can demand a divorce if his bride’s not a virgin, her father can stone her to death (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)
Sodomy is an abomination (Leviticus 20:13)
And the most outrageous…No sex in heaven (Mark 12:25)

Among the first sexual radicals to revise the teachings of the Bible was a Christian sect called the Adamites. Based in North Africa, they date back to the 2nd century A.D. and are as D.T.F. as it gets. Claiming to have regained the fallen innocence of Adam, they worshiped together in the buff and rejected all forms of morality. To them marriage was a sin, a product of man’s fall from Eden. Instead of monogamy, they practiced sensual mysticism (i.e. lots of sex). The Adamites served as inspiration for a number of free-wheeling medieval communities who came after, including the Bohemians. Naturally, they were all ruthlessly persecuted by the Catholic Church.

In the 18th century, free love was synonymous with women’s independence—in particular a woman’s right to receive equal education, access to birth control, and love whomever she wants for as long (or short) as she please.

One of the greatest heroines in the struggle for sex was Victoria Woodhull, born in Licking County, Ohio. This champion of free love not only ran for President of the United States (first female ever) and traded stocks on Wall St. (first female ever), but aggressively pursued equal rights for women in the United States. Her simple, compelling arguments were a force to be reckoned with. She once said that women who were prostitutes lived more freely than most wives (word up Vickie).

Fast forward to 1948 in small town Indiana, an orgy is being filmed in a professor’s attic. The professor, Dr. Alfred Kinsey, the father of the Sexual Revolution, is conducting research on human sexuality. He actively encouraged his staff, their spouses, and even his wife to engage in all sorts of sexual behaviour…for science, of course. His reports forever changed the dialogue of Western sexuality; especially the perception of sexual orientation and gender—putting them on a spectrum instead of a binary dichotomy.

He once said, “As long as sex is dealt with in the current confusion of ignorance and sophistication, denial and indulgence, suppression and stimulation, […] it will be associated with a duplicity and indecency that leads neither to intellectual honesty nor human dignity.” Wise words Alfred—if it wasn’t for his groundbreaking research we’d still be taking our dates to drive-in movie theaters.

Two modern-day pioneers of sexual existence are Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy. These self-proclaimed sluts go the extra mile. Their book, The Ethical Slut, is a practical guide to having open relationships and multiple lovers in a responsible manner. Their bottom line—that each of us has an infinite amount of love to give and that loving numerous people simultaneously is perfectly acceptable. Their lifestyle manual even outlines how to share finances and raise children with multiple partners.

So, back to the sex first, love second rule. Hush is all about falling in love. We’re also all for falling in lust. Regardless of what you’re all about, we simply ask that you respect the heroes who came before you. And, ironically enough, we’d like to end with a quote from the Bible—“Be fruitful and multiply!” (Genesis 1:28). Just to be clear, does this mean “down to fuck”?

Words | Zack Grimmer

Photos | Michael D. Hawley