Defining an ecosexual isn’t simple. Whereas in some circles it’s a growing movement, there isn’t a single definition or school of thought. Some refer to it as sexecology, others as ecosexology. And still others like author Stefanie Iris Weiss, as ecosex.
For Weiss, ecosex translates to -- how green is your sex life? Weiss's new book "Eco-Sex" brings the bedroom front and center into the battle to save the planet, according to Fox News.
"I think green sex is having its moment right now,” Weiss told Fox News. “I think it is the next big thing in green."
Elizabeth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle, legally married lesbians, have a slightly different take on ecosex. SFGate.com had them sum up the ecosexual movement.
Stephens said, "We're changing the metaphor from Earth as mother to Earth as lover."
In fact the two refer to themselves primarily as ecosexuals and published the Ecosex Manifesto on their website.
The first tenet reads: The earth is our lover. We are madly, passionately and fiercely in love, and we are grateful for this relationship each and every day. In order to create a more mutual and sustainable relationship with the earth, we collaborate with nature. We treat the earth with kindness, respect and affection.
Kim Marks, owner and founder of As You Like It, a sexual health shop, was inspired by Stephens and Sprinkle. She has her own spin on ecosex.
She wrote that ecosexuality is about taking care of our home, Earth, in a truly holistic way. She continued, saying that that includes typical environmentalism activities, but that ecosexuality takes it a step farther and brings environmentalism into a person’s sex life. Ecosexuals appreciate the inherent value of ecosystems, nature, and their part in it.
Within the third tenant of the Ecosex Manifesto, it’s written: as consumers, we aim to buy less. When we must, we buy green, organic and local ... we connect and empathize with nature.
Marks agreed, saying that while not essentially tied to consumerism, ecosexuals care about what materials their products (in this case, sex toys) are made of, where they come from, how they’re made, and what happens after they’ve been used.
That fits with Weiss. Fox News reported that "Eco-Sex" aims to show readers how to reduce the carbon footprint of their sex life, and have fun doing it. She covers topics from biodegradable condoms and hand-cranked sex toys to recycling sex toys and dating sites for ecological warriors.
Ecosexuals Stephens and Sprinkle see no difference in the definitions of sex and ecosex.
"We're all part of nature," Sprinkle said to SFGate.com. "The bottom line is all sex is ecosex."
Sources:
"'Eco-Sex:' How Green Is Your Love Life? | Fox News." Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589866,00.html
Marks, Kim. "What does it mean to be an ecosexual?" As You Like It - The Pleasure Shop. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
http://asyoulikeitpdx.com/2012/01/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-ecosexual
Wagner, David. "Annie Sprinkle, Wife Promote 'ecosexuality'." SF Gate. 2012 Hearst Communications Inc., 16 July 2011. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/15/DDVG1K4C95.DTL
Weiss, Stefanie Iris. "Stefanie Iris Weiss: The Nine Commandments of Eco-Sex: Getting It on the Green Way in 2011." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stefanie-iris-weiss/the-nine-commandments-of-_b_804828.html#s219359&title=Commandment_9_Games
"Ecosex Manifesto | SEXECOLOGY.ORG." SEXECOLOGY.ORG | Elizabeth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle. Elizabeth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle. All , n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
http://sexecology.org/research-writing/ecosex-manifesto
Reviewed April 3, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith