Valentines Day might be an appropriate occasion for addressing Unitarian Universalism’s view of sex. According to UU Rev. Lena Breen, “Human sexuality is simply too important, too beautiful, and too potentially dangerous to be ignored in a religious community.”
UU views sex as a good and healthy part of the lifelong human experience from womb to tomb.
UU’s acceptance of the joyous potential of sexual expression has proved life-saving for many people shamed elsewhere for their sexual interests, identities, and behaviors.
UU has learned several things about sex from scientific evidence, such as:
- Sexual expression is a developmental process that begins in infancy and lasts throughout life.
- Sexuality education decreases unintended outcomes of sexual activity, including pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and regret.
- Honoring a person’s sexual identity can decrease self-harm and suicide.
- Communication about consent decreases sexual assault.
In fact, the national UU Association has partnered with the United Church of Christ to create a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum, called Our Whole Lives (OWL), that encourages people to be sexually expressive in developmentally appropriate and healthy ways, whether that means learning about their own bodies, sharing pleasure, creating life, or choosing to abstain from sexual activity.
Furthermore, the Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is a “welcoming congregation” that supports reproductive justice and equal sexual rights and recognition for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual people.
February 16, 2024