It’s that time of year, in which we take to the streets to fight for their right to be sexual, human and scantily-clad. That’s right, it’s SlutWalk Melbourne, and we are big supporters of the right to reclaim the word ‘slut’, for those that want to.

SlutFest, the annual SlutWalk fundraiser, is on this weekend. To celebrate, Jessamy Gleeson, a SlutWalk organiser, gives her top 5 tips for being a good slut.

1. Be enthusiastic about consent

Alongside knowing that consent is key – as in, absolutely essential – you’ve gotta remember that consent also needs be active, and enthusiastic. If you’ve detected any level of reluctance, anxiety or hesitation in your partner/s, that means consent has not been actively given.

So, as the Spice Girls say, stop right now, thank you very much, and take some time to reassess the situation.

2. You can say ‘no’

Alongside knowing how to give a good ‘yes’, don’t be afraid to give a definite ‘no’. Park your reluctance of offending your partner/s, and remember that ‘no’ is a complete sentence: you aren’t obligated to explain yourself any further.

SlutWalk Melbourne. (Photo: Kate Hannah)

3. Have respect always

Remember that relationships and hook-ups happen in all shapes and sizes. Just because it’s not floating your boat, doesn’t mean that it’s not doing things for someone else’s boat. Keep your judgements at home, and respect your fellow sluts.

4. Recognise the rights of sex workers

Part of recognising your right to reclaim the word ‘slut’ – whether or not you choose to – means also recognising that not everyone is free to do the same. The SlutWalk community supports and recognises the rights of sex workers, partly to support and create room for those who are stigmatised as a result of their work.

5. Get to know the word ‘slut’

The final tip for being a good slut is to understand that the word itself has been used to shame and humiliate people for a long, long time. People have been called sluts in a multitude of situations, and the only thing they had in common was that someone wanted to embarrass and control them.

Just as one does not simply walk into Mordor, one does not simply reclaim the word ‘slut’. It’s a process, and people may have many and diverse opinions about the word, and whether they embrace or reject it. But the central tenet of SlutWalk is to fight against the myth that a person’s sexuality, sexual identity or sexual activity is ever worthy of shame or blame.

SlutFest 2016 is a fundraiser for Melbourne’s annual SlutWalk march. SlutFest is happening this Saturday night at Loop bar from 6:00pm, and you can grab tickets here. 

SlutWalk Melbourne. (Photo: Kate Hannah)