sexual subject

is a modern invention (19th century) which tended to limit the range of available forms of pleasure.

The effect of the relatively recent process of classifying sexual subjects, Foucault indicates, was twofold. On the one hand, it tended to limit the range of available forms of pleasure. Once you feel an obligation to come out, if only to yourself, to decide whether you are gay or straight, you declare a preference that constrains your choices, however unconsciously. On the other hand, as soon as the category exists, you can identify with it, and then defend it, insist on your rights, and join forces with others who feel oppressed by the norm, invoking what Foucault calls a ‘reverse discourse’ as the basis of resistance to the norm itself.

sexual subject, n.All

sexual subject