Since the dawn of film, documentaries have been used to capture real-life stories and events. In recent years, there has been an influx of documentaries that explore human sexuality. These films offer a unique and intimate look at the lives of those who identify as LGBTQIA+, polyamorous, kinky, and more.
Whether you’re looking to learn more about sexuality or just want to be entertained, here are twelve documentaries about sexuality that are definitely worth watching.
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1. “Out in the Night”
This documentary tells the story of the “New Jersey Four,” a group of African-American lesbians who were attacked in 2006 while walking through New York City’s Greenwich Village.
The film explores the media’s portrayal of the incident, as well as the subsequent trial and conviction of the four women.
Out in the Night is a powerful film that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of black lesbians. It’s an important film that sheds light on issues of race, gender, and sexuality.
2. “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
This documentary chronicles the life and career of Tammy Faye Bakker, a former televangelist who became one of the most famous faces of Christianity in the 1970s and 1980s.
The film explores Tammy Faye’s rise to fame, her fall from grace, and her eventual redemption.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a fascinating look at religion, celebrity, and sexuality. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in any of those topics.
3. “Pick Up the Mic”
Pick Up the Mic follows the lives of several queer hip-hop artists as they prepare for a national queer hip-hop festival.
The film explores the challenges faced by queer hip-hop artists, as well as the ways in which they use their music to empower themselves and their community.
Pick Up the Mic is an inspiring and uplifting film that highlights the talent and resilience of queer hip-hop artists. It’s sure to entertain and enlighten viewers of all ages.
4. “(A)sexual”
(A)sexual tells the story of AVEN, an online community for people who identify as asexual. The film explores the varied experiences of asexuality, as well as the misconceptions about asexuality that abound in our society.
(A)sexual is an important film that provides insight into a little-understood sexual orientation. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about asexuality or challenge their assumptions about sex and sexuality.
5. “The & Partnership”
The & Partnership is a documentary about polyamory, specifically a polyamorous relationship between two men and one woman. The film chronicles the couple’s journey as they navigate the challenges and joys of polyamory.
The & Partnership is a candid and intimate look at polyamory. It’s sure to interest anyone who wants to learn more about this alternative relationship style.
6. “Kink”
Kink is a documentary about the world of BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism). The film explores the history and evolution of BDSM, as well as its current status in our society. Kink also features interviews with several prominent BDSM practitioners, including famed author and sex educator Tristan Taormino.
Kink is an informative and insightful film that offers viewers a rare look into the world of BDSM. It’s sure to interest anyone who wants to learn more about this controversial topic.
7. “The Joy of Sex Education”
This film explores the history of sex education in the United States. It includes interviews with students, teachers, and experts on the subject.
The film provides a fascinating look at the evolution of sex education, from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its current incarnation as a required part of most school curriculums.
8. “Forbidden: Undocumented and Queer in Rural America”
This film tells the story of undocumented immigrants who are also queer or transgender.
It follows their struggles to find acceptance and safety in a country that often treats them as criminals or second-class citizens.
The film provides a rare glimpse into the lives of people who are often invisible in society.
9. “The Handmaid’s Tale: Feminism in the Age of Trump”
This film is a companion piece to the best-selling book by Margaret Atwood. It explores the themes of feminism and women’s rights in the age of Trump.
The film features interviews with women from all walks of life, including politicians, activists, and everyday citizens.
The film is both an informative look at the state of feminism today and a call to action for all women to fight for their rights.
10. “Transgender Kids: Who Knows Best?”
This film explores the controversial topic of transgender kids. It includes interviews with parents, children, doctors, and experts on the subject.
The film seeks to answer the question of whether or not children should be allowed to transition before they reach adulthood.
Moreover, the film provides a balanced look at this complex issue, allowing viewers to make up their own minds about what is best for transgender kids.
11. “Queer (In) Justice: The Criminalisation of LGBT People in America”
This film examines the ways in which LGBT people are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
It includes interviews with activists, lawyers, and people who have been directly affected by this issue.
The film is an eye-opening look at the way LGBT people are treated by the criminal justice system and highlights the need for reform.
12. “Sex workers Unite! The Fight for Decriminalisation”
This film tells the story of sex workers who are fighting for decriminalisation in Australia.
It follows their efforts to change laws that criminalise their profession and make it difficult for them to work safely and access basic rights like healthcare.
The film provides an inside look at the lives of sex workers and their fight for decriminalisation.
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Why are Documentaries about Sexuality important?
There are a few reasons why documentaries about sexuality are so important. For one, they help to break down barriers and open up conversations about a topic that is often seen as taboo.
They also provide a different perspective on sexuality, one that is not often portrayed in the mainstream media.
Here are eight reasons why I think documentaries about sexuality are so important:
1. They help to break down barriers and open up dialogue
In a world where we are often afraid to talk about sex, documentaries about sexuality can help to break down those barriers and open up dialogue.
They can help to normalise discussions about sex and make people feel more comfortable talking about it.
2. They can challenge stereotypes and misconceptions
There are a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions out there about sexuality.
Documentaries about sexuality can challenge those stereotypes and help to create a more accurate and realistic picture of what sex is really like.
3. They can help to educate people about consent
One of the most important things that we can learn from documentaries about sexuality is the importance of consent.
Consent is something that is often misunderstood or ignored altogether, but it is so important.
Documentaries about sexuality can help to educate people about what consent really means and why it is so important.
4. They can help to de-stigmatise sexual health issues
There is a lot of stigma surrounding sexual health issues like STDs and STIs. This stigma can often stop people from getting the information and care that they need.
Documentaries about sexuality can help to de-stigmatise these issues and make people feel more comfortable talking about them.
5. They can highlight the diversity of human sexuality
There is a lot of diversity when it comes to human sexuality. This diversity is something that is often not talked about or represented in the media.
Documentaries about sexuality can highlight this diversity and show that there is no one way to be sexually healthy or happy.
6. They can provide information about pleasure-based sex education
Most of us were never taught how to have pleasurable and safe sex. We were simply told that sex was something to be avoided until marriage.
Documentaries about sexuality can provide information about pleasure-based sex education which can help people to have healthier and happier sex lives.
7. They can help us to understand our own sexuality better
Documentaries about sexuality can also be helpful in our own personal journey of understanding our own sexuality. They can provide information and perspectives that we may not have had access to before.
They can also help us to feel less alone in our journey as we realise that there are others out there who are going through similar experiences.
8. They can help create a more sex-positive world overall
Documentaries about sexuality can ultimately help to create a more sex-positive world overall.
A sex-positive world is one where people feel comfortable talking about sex, where they have access to accurate information about sex, and where they feel free to express their own sexuality without judgment or shame.
What should be the minimum viewing age for documentaries about Sexuality?
This is a question that has been asked by many parents and guardians over the years. With the increased availability of documentaries about sexuality, it can be difficult to know what is appropriate for young viewers.
There are a few factors to consider when determining the minimum viewing age for documentaries about sexuality. The first is the content of the documentary. Some documentaries may be more explicit than others, and this should be taken into account when deciding whether or not it is appropriate for younger viewers.
The second factor to consider is the documentary’s subject matter. Some documentaries may focus on topics that are more mature, such as sexual relationships or identity, while others may be more light-hearted and focused on exploring different aspects of sexuality.
The third factor to consider is the intended audience of the documentary. Some documentaries are made for adults, while others are meant for a general audience. This should be taken into account when determining the appropriate minimum viewing age.
In my opinion, there is no definitive answer. It depends on a variety of factors, including the maturity of the viewer, the content of the documentary, and the purpose of the film.
For example, let’s say you’re a teenager who is curious about human sexuality. You might watch a documentary about sex for educational purposes.
In this case, I would argue that an appropriate minimum viewing age would be 16 or 17. This is because teenagers are typically at an age where they are beginning to explore their own sexuality, and they need accurate information in order to make informed decisions.
However, if you’re an adult who is watching a documentary about sexuality for entertainment purposes, then the appropriate minimum viewing age would be 18 or 21. This is because adults are typically more mature and can handle explicit content without being negatively affected by it.
Ultimately, it’s up to the parent or guardian to decide what is appropriate for their child. If you’re not sure whether or not a particular film is appropriate for your child, I recommend doing some research on it beforehand. There are many websites and resources that can help you make an informed decision.