The Intersection of Politics and Sexuality Gayle Rubin's essay "Thinking Sex" is an in-depth work detailing the he history and influence of politics on ideas about sexuality in the United States. Rubin uses the so-called “moral panics” of the late 1800s and mid-to-late 1900s to explain how sexuality is repressed in Western society. Rubin develops a theory to counter the sexual oppression and persecution of sexual minorities taking place during this time. Through this “radical theory of sex” that she established, Rubin identifies six ideological formations about sexuality that contribute to repressive attitudes toward sexuality and sex in the United States (Rubin 9). Rubin's training in sex negativity can be used in queer studies to explain attitudes toward sex by analyzing how social norms and institutions contribute to the idea of ​​sex as a negative force, and what forms of gender are approved and why. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay According to Rubin, sex negativity is the belief that sex is a “dangerous, destructive, negative force” (Rubin 11). Within this concept of sex negativity is a "charmed circle" that shows what type of sex is perceived as acceptable, which in America in the early to mid-1900s would have been monogamous, heterosexual, or procreative sex ( Rubin 13). Due to the prevailing beliefs and morals of the time, stemming from religion and political culture, anything outside of these boundaries was considered deviant. Many social institutions contribute to the idea of ​​sex negativity, whether it be education, religion, or medicine. Each of these institutions in society has a way of promoting sexual stratification in a social, cultural, or political way. There is a huge negative connotation related to sex in general in today's society, especially in the education system. Children still learn abstinence only in the form of sex education and do not learn about sexualities other than heterosexuality. Most of what we are taught about sex as children and even as adults revolves around sex negativity. As a society, we're not supposed to talk openly about sex. The current discourse on sex education is linked to sex negativity that has existed for centuries. Besides the educational institution, sexual negativity is prevalent in daily life. Individuals are humiliated and rejected when participating in non-heterosexual sexual relationships. Rubin states that among deviant sexualities, the most hated include "transsexuals, transvestites, fetishists, sadomasochists, sex workers such as prostitutes and pornographic models, and the humblest of all, those whose eroticism transgresses generational boundaries” (Rubin 12). These people mentioned by Rubin were outcasts in American society, they were not considered normal and their sexuality was denounced. Society favors good and normal sexual acts while condemning those considered abnormal. Instead of relying on factors such as respect for the partner, love and consent, the system relies on shaming actions that were outside the "norm" established by the social and cultural values ​​of this period. Additionally, Rubin's inclusion and critique of sexual negativity in his "radical theory.