Good sexual health practices and intimacy habits play major roles in our overall health and wellness, and it's not all about adult films and self-pleasure. We need more women professionals out there who put sex-positivity at the forefront and have made it their career mission to advocate for balance, inclusivity, sound research, and self-care for their clients and patients, especially in the Black community.
If you're looking for sex-positive jobs or career options, here are a few that might be a good fit, allowing you to zero in on a subject that you're passionate about and the industry in which you can serve:
Sexologist
This job involves the study or research of sex and all that it entails, from physical to mental to trends and fetishes. And don't get a sexologist mixed up with a sex therapist. This person is typically trained via a master's or other advanced degrees involving generalized or specialized subjects of human sexuality, while a therapist has the usual psychology-based training and knowledge (i.e., a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or marriage and family therapist (MFT).
Salaries for this career can go up to up to $130,000 per year depending on the region, experience, and training.
Sensual Voice Actor
As a voice-over artist (or voice actor), you can make up to $55 per hour, and when it comes to sensual content, there indeed is a market out there. The key is to research, network in acting or arts circles, and be open to giving voice to sensual scenarios, adult content, or other erotic book, film, and TV projects.
Adult Toy Consultant/Entrepreneur
If you're savvy in business and want to enjoy a career as an entrepreneur with a business that could never really become obsolete, this is for you. The $75 billion sex toy industry is booming, with increased interest from millennials and Gen Zers, especially when it comes to niche brands. If you have the funds (or can pool them via investors or co-owners,) an Adam & Eve franchise might be a good place to start. Bedroom Kandi also offers a consulting membership where you can educate and inform your customers on intimacy while selling their products for a commission. There's also Shopify, the Amazon storefront option, or you can partner with other brands to sell their products.
Erotic or Sexual Health Animator
If graphics arts and animation are your jam, being an animator of books, series, educational cartoons, or other projects might be just the spark you need to boost your career. Animators can earn up to $108,000 per year, and you can be a freelancer or someone who works for a company that specifically provides this type of resource.
This is especially needed when it comes to animated depictions of people of color, and you can help diversify the industry by providing niche services based on the project or audience.
Tantric Yoga Practioner/Instructor
Guiding couples on how to get into deeper emotional and sexual connections through tantric yoga can be a fulfilling career or business. Many earn certifications and can make up to $70 per hour, depending on where they're based and the services offered. Some also pair their yoga knowledge with psychological training or advanced degrees in human sexuality, mental health, or counseling, helping those with issues such as dependence on adult entertainment or other challenges related to sexual intercourse and intimacy.
Victims Advocate
In this role, you'll offer emotional, administrative, and educational support for people who are victims of sex-centered crimes. Many advocates are also present to help victims during court proceedings and to navigate other legal aspects of a case. Victim's advocates can earn up to $81,000 yearly, and often have at least a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, or sociology, and at the higher salary range, advanced degrees and experience.
This is another career role where there's more representation needed since Black women have been found to be more likely to experience multiple forms of violence and trauma than other groups, and we're underrepresented when it comes to advocacy leadership related to this issue. It's also a good opportunity to fight against taboos, openly discuss sex and consent, and be part of a solution to the problem of women remaining silent when victimized.
Burlesque Performer
We all know about exotic dancing. Well, burlesque is its multi-talented cousin that incorporates comedy, singing, and gymnastics. You can earn $24 per hour or more if you land a high-profile gig or run your own show. Some involve nudity while others don't, but the wow factor in this is that it can be as artistic, wacky, demure, ratchet, or sexy as you want it to be. Black women have been revolutionizing this industry since the days of Jean Idelle, Josephine Baker, and Lottie "The Body" Tatum-Graves-Claiborne, and today, it's a liberating profession for Black women holding space for all vibes, genres, shapes, and sizes.
Events Specialist
Sexual health advocacy and sex-positive nonprofit organizations are always raising funds, building campaigns, and creating new pathways for successfully pursuing their missions and serving their communities. Events specialists play significant roles in that. You can earn up to $74,000 in this role. These professionals usually have business, marketing, and communications knowledge and training in order to enjoy longevity in this career.
If you're not into working in the nonprofit or corporate world, you can also lead in the coordination and management of sex-positive events, including festivals, weddings, private parties, and small business celebrations, as a freelancer, consultant, or business owner.
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