The Declaration of Sexual Rights is a statement on sexual rights that was first proclaimed at the 13th World Congress of Sexology, run by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), in Valencia 1997. A revised version was approved in 1999 in Hong Kong by the WAS General Assembly, and reaffirmed in 2008. It was revised and expanded in 2014.[1]
The 2014 version names 16 positions:[1]
The original, 1999 Declaration of Sexual Rights contained 11 positions:[2]
The Declaration of Sexual Rights was published after a series of efforts to acknowledge sexual rights, specifically the right to sexual pleasure, during and after the HIV/AIDS crisis.[3] Prior to its publication in 1999, sociologist, sex educator and American Humanist Lester Kirkendall published his 1976 book, "A New Bill of Sexual RIghts and Responsibilities."[4] Kirkendall's Bill of Sexual Rights and Responsibilities was signed by several American sexologists, many of whom revised and re-signed an updated declaration in 2003.[5] This bill of rights also placed an emphasis on sexual equity and pleasure.[5]
The declaration, in its original form, was created with the goal of defining sexual rights to the WAS' members and create a tool for the promotion of sexual rights at a governmental level.[6] The 2014 version was created with the intention of building upon established rights with international development goals and the sentiment that recognizing human rights plays an integral role in recognizing sexual rights.[6]
The declaration in its original form was accepted by LGBT+ news media as a "constitution for queers" and an aid to self-determination efforts after the AIDS crisis. Most available records of news coverage are from queer news outlets such as Xtra! magazine.[3]
The declaration has been translated into different languages including Chinese, Arabic, French, Greek, Russian, and Malayalam. The translations have been undertaken by volunteer translators and reviewers. The official translations are available on the WAS website. [7]
The International Planned Parenthood Federation released its own declaration, entitled Sexual Rights: An IPPF Declaration.[8] This declaration was created with the intention of advancing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, by reducing stigma and acting as a tool for policymakers.[8] It was prepared for the 2015 UNESCO International Conference on Population and Development.[9] This version of the declaration relied on seven guiding principals:[8]