PDF Summary:Pleasure Activism, by adrienne maree brown

In a world where activism often leads to burnout and justice work is frequently associated with sacrifice, adrienne maree brown argues that social justice work can—and should—be rooted in joy and satisfaction. Pleasure Activism is a collection of essays, interviews, and conversations that explores the transformative power of pleasure—both as a path to personal healing and a catalyst for social change. brown examines what genuine pleasure means and how embracing it can transform your approach to activism from one of struggle and sacrifice to one that centers joy and fulfillment.

This guide defines pleasure activism and its historical roots, then discusses its potential impact on personal and political transformation—from sex to interpersonal relationships to broader systemic change. Throughout the guide, we’ll provide additional background on the activists and authors brown cites, and we’ll offer practical advice on how to implement the principles of pleasure activism in your life and work.

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brown also recommends somatic practices, which help you integrate your body and mind through mindful movement, breathwork, and focused attention to subtle physical sensations like muscle tension, temperature changes, and weight distribution. The goal of somatic work is to develop heightened awareness of how you experience your body from the inside out. By consciously attending to physical sensations, somatics helps you become more aware of your body's signals and responses. This awareness can help reveal where trauma is stored in the body and build your capacity to stay present with discomfort.

How to Do Somatic Work at Home

Though many psychologists recommend initially learning somatic techniques under professional guidance, you can explore some basic practices at home:

1. Grounding exercises anchor you to the present moment during anxiety or flashbacks. Try running water over your hands while focusing on temperature and sensation.

2. Resourcing and visualization involves creating a mental sanctuary. Recall a peaceful memory or imagine a scene that’s calming for you, engaging all your senses.

3. Self-regulation techniques help manage stress responses. Try the butterfly hug: Cross your arms over your chest with hands on opposite shoulders until you feel safe.

4. Body scans promote relaxation through meditation. Starting at your feet, move your attention upward, observing and releasing tension in each area of your body.

brown says that as you do somatic work, you might also notice that your body responds to stress and trauma in ways that are common to many people. For example, your breath might become shallow or your shoulders might tense up. Understanding these shared patterns can be validating—it helps you realize you're not alone in how your body responds to certain situations, even across different backgrounds and cultures.

(Shortform note: Common stress responses can emerge not only from our direct experiences but also from inherited patterns. For example, if your grandmother used to hold tension in her shoulders when she was stressed, you might, too. Research on generational trauma shows that some physiological reactions to stress can be remarkably similar across generations, even in people who never experienced the original trauma. For example, studies found the descendants of Holocaust survivors share a biological stress response with their ancestors, showing how these bodily patterns can be transmitted across time and family lines.)

How Pleasure Activism Impacts Our Relationship to Sexuality

brown argues that sexual autonomy is fundamental to pleasure activism, with effects that extend beyond the personal to spark broader social change. By approaching sexuality with curiosity and joy rather than shame, she explains, people can reclaim control over their sexual expression, simultaneously challenging systems of oppression and transforming sexuality into a source of liberation. As people model sexual independence and mutual respect, their empowerment inspires others to do the same, inspiring collective change.

(Shortform note: brown suggests that pleasure activism can help society develop a healthier relationship with sexuality, but what does that look like in practice? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy sexuality as taking a positive and respectful approach to both sexuality and relationships, ensuring everyone has access to safe, pleasurable experiences free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. A healthy relationship with sexuality includes embracing your body and desires without excessive shame while taking responsibility for sexual health through STI prevention and regular check-ups.)

In this section, we'll explore how pleasure activism reshapes our relationship to sexuality.

Unlearning Sexual Shame

Many people internalize negative beliefs about sexuality from societal messages, religious teachings, and cultural norms encountered throughout their lives. These internalized beliefs often manifest as shame, guilt, or anxiety around natural sexual feelings and experiences.

(Shortform note: Sexual shame is often rooted in experiences of sexual desires being criticized or condemned, whether through comments from others, religious teachings, or media portrayals. It also results from traumatic sexual experiences met with unsupportive responses, abuse that damages self-worth, and isolation in one's sexual identity.)

brown argues pleasure activism challenges shame-based narratives by allowing you to explore forms of intimacy that feel genuinely pleasurable to you, regardless of societal norms about sex. For example, masturbation and other forms of sexual self-exploration can help you identify and embrace what feels good.

(Shortform note: To find authentic sources of sexual pressure, it might also help to identify what Emily Nagoski (Come As You Are) calls your sexual “brakes.” Sexual brakes are moments when we mentally withdraw from sexual thoughts or experiences—which can reveal internalized negative messages about sex. These might come from body image concerns, performance pressure, or beliefs about what's "normal." Sexual brakes might cause you to feel shame when there’s a mismatch between your authentic desires and societal expectations. By understanding these shame triggers, you can begin to untwine your personal values and desires from external judgments about sexuality.)

Healing Sexual Trauma

Brown argues that pleasure activism can be particularly valuable for trauma survivors because it offers a path to healing through reconnecting with their sexuality. This healing journey begins with small acts of body awareness, like mindful breathing and gentle movement, and progressively builds toward understanding their desires and setting boundaries when being intimate with a sexual partner. By creating guidelines around consent, communication, and comfort levels, survivors can gradually rediscover their capacity for joy, trust, and intimacy at their own pace.

(Shortform note: If you’re the partner of a trauma survivor, it’s important to be patient as healing is often not a linear process. Practice reading both verbal and non-verbal cues during intimate moments. Honor specific boundaries around touch and environments, as these help your partner feel safe and in control. And always check for consent if you’re unsure of your partner’s comfort level. It can also be helpful to educate yourself about the research around trauma responses, but remember that your partner's experience is unique and may not align with what you expect.)

Reframing Sex Work

Pleasure activism reframes sex work as an issue of fundamental rights and bodily autonomy. Brown cites research by Chanelle Gallant, which demonstrates how society expects women to provide sexual and emotional care without compensation across many contexts, from romantic relationships to household duties. brown argues that recognizing sex work as legitimate labor acknowledges the inherent value of sexual and emotional labor and that sex workers should be guaranteed fair compensation, more control over their workplace conditions, and the right to establish boundaries.

(Shortform note: While Gallant, author of Not Your Rescue Project, contends that recognizing sex work as legitimate work can empower women by valuing their labor and providing them with workplace rights, like fair pay, other feminist authors like Andrea Dworkin argue that sex work inherently perpetuates the commodification and exploitation of women's bodies. As such, critics argue that normalizing sex work reinforces patriarchal views and societal structures that objectify and marginalize women. They contend that framing sex work as a choice often overlooks the impact of economic necessity or coercion, which can severely limit genuine autonomy.)

How Pleasure Activism Impacts Our Relationship With Each Other

According to brown, pleasure activism changes how we relate to each other by encouraging relationships rooted in honesty, mutual freedom, and shared joy, rather than obligation. When we follow pleasure activist principles, she argues, our relationships become sources of empowerment where we define our connections based on what brings us authentic happiness, rather than patterning our relationships around social norms that may not fit. In this next section, we'll explore how pleasure activism can deepen our relationships.

When Needs Conflict: Navigating Different Relationship Expectations

The reality is that no two people will have perfectly matching needs in a relationship. For instance, one person might need more alone time while the other craves constant connection. These differences don't mean the relationship is flawed; they're a natural part of human connection.

The following strategies can help when you and your partner have mismatched needs:

• Communicate: Openly discuss your needs while creating space for your partner to share theirs without either person feeling criticized. Instead of, "You never want to spend time with me," try, "I've been feeling a need for more quality time lately."

• Differentiate between core vs. flexible needs: Learn to distinguish between needs that are essential to your well-being versus preferences. This helps you prioritize which differences need the most attention and creative problem-solving.

• Find creative compromises: Look for solutions that address both people's core needs, even if imperfectly. If one partner needs social time while the other needs quiet, you might plan sessions where you're together but engaged in separate activities.

• Maintain boundaries: Respect that some needs won't align. Rather than forcing a match, focus on meeting different needs independently when appropriate. This might mean one partner joins a social club while the other enjoys solitary hobbies.

• Check in and adjust: Set aside time to evaluate how your compromises are working and adjust as needed. What works one month might need tweaking the next as circumstances change.

Validating Liberated Relationships

brown advocates the idea of "liberated relationships," which discourage possessiveness and focus on the freedom and transformation of everyone involved, whether the relationship be romantic or platonic.

(Shortform note: Creating more liberated relationships is challenging because possessiveness stems from both psychological and cultural roots. At the individual level, possessive behavior often arises from deep-seated insecurities, low self-esteem, fear of abandonment, and a need for control. These personal factors are then reinforced by cultural narratives about love, leading people to try to "secure" their relationships by controlling their partner's actions and limiting their autonomy.)

While many cultures often prioritize romantic relationships above all others, brown suggests that deep, lasting friendships can also exemplify the principles of pleasure-centered relationships and provide the unconditional love and deep understanding we often seek out in our romantic connections. For instance, brown speaks of her two-decade-long friendships, wherein her closeknit group of friends supports each other and fosters an environment of honesty, care, and healthy interdependence.

(Shortform note: Research shows that strong friendships are fundamental to personal well-being, and their benefits often match or exceed the benefits of romantic relationships. Quality friendships correlate with improved physical and mental health, including lower stress levels, reduced depression risk, and better blood pressure. Studies have shown that people with at least three to five close friends have better self-esteem, more robust coping mechanisms, and a deeper sense of belonging.)

brown's perspective on romantic relationship structures evolved as she explored pleasure activism. Initially, she believed that nonmonogamous partnerships were inherently superior to traditional monogamous ones. However, she later recognized that both approaches can successfully meet people's needs—the critical factor isn't the relationship structure itself, but rather how well it aligns with the desires of the people involved. She argues that the foundation of any fulfilling relationship, whether monogamous or nonmonogamous, lies in open communication about desires and boundaries that help everyone feel emotionally and physically fulfilled.

The Rise of Non-Monogamy

Research reveals changing attitudes toward traditional monogamy, with a 2020 survey finding that only 56% of respondents viewed complete monogamy as their ideal relationship style—a 5% decrease from 2016. Currently, an estimated 23% of relationships are non-monogamous, taking various forms including polyamory (multiple romantic relationships), open relationships (agreed-upon sexual encounters outside the primary partnership), and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell arrangements (where partners agree to but don't discuss external encounters).

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this evolution as couples reassessed traditional relationship structures during lockdowns. This was reflected in the growing user base of alternative dating apps like Feeld, which cater to those seeking non-monogamous and other non-traditional relationship styles. High-profile discussions of consensual non-monogamy, such as Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's openness about their marriage, have further normalized alternative relationship styles. Researchers anticipate that non-traditional relationships will become a significant topic of national discussion in the coming decade, as romantic partnership norms continue to evolve.

Finally, brown argues that boundaries are vital for liberated relationships. She introduces the concept of generative boundaries—dynamic agreements that encourage growth and connection. While traditional boundaries can feel like rules that are set in stone, generative boundaries are intended to evolve through open discussion of people’s underlying needs. For example, instead of saying "no texting exes," partners might explore what makes this behavior feel threatening and create flexible agreements around transparency and purpose. In this way, boundaries become opportunities for building trust and understanding, while still protecting what matters to both people.

(Shortform note: brown's framework represents a theoretical evolution in how we understand boundaries. While traditional boundary theorists like Murray Bowen emphasized boundaries primarily as tools for psychological protection and differentiation between self and others, brown builds on somatic therapist Prentis Hemphill's more nuanced definition of boundaries as "the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously." Both brown and Hemphill suggest that the "distance" varies contextually and can be renegotiated as relationships, circumstances, and individual capacities change over time.)

Reimagining Caregiving

Care relationships are ongoing interpersonal bonds where one person provides physical, emotional, or medical support to another who needs assistance, such as between caregivers and patients, parents and children, or nurses and those they care for. According to brown, care relationships are often seen as a dilemma between independence and dependency. Pleasure activism reframes caregiving as an avenue for mutual joy and connection, emphasizing that humans naturally rely on and support one another. This perspective transforms caregiving from a burden into a means for building community and deepening relationships.

(Shortform note: Cultural values shape attitudes and experiences of caregiving. For example, in East Asian cultures, caregiving is a matter of family honor and duty, with children expected to care for aging parents. Latino cultures approach caregiving through “familismo,” prioritizing family needs and extending responsibilities to extended family and friends. Such diverse approaches influence societal perceptions of caregivers and care quality: When societies value caregiving roles, they create environments that promote sustainable practices and enhance outcomes for everyone involved and remind us that at its heart, caregiving is about nurturing meaningful bonds and finding fulfillment in supporting others.)

Care and vulnerability are often seen as signs of weakness in our society, but scholars and activists are working to transform this perspective. brown argues that needing help creates opportunities for what she terms "vulnerable strength"—the ability to be both resilient and open to support from others. This concept comes alive in disability justice communities, where gatherings blend practical caregiving with artistic expression and celebration, demonstrating how moments of vulnerability can strengthen social bonds rather than diminish them.

(Shortform note: In her 2018 book Care Work, disability justice activist Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha explores a new approach to caregiving: "Collective access" reimagines accessibility as a shared community practice rather than a matter of individual accommodation. For example, communities can actively collaborate to meet each other's needs, instead of treating accessibility as merely a checklist of technical requirements (like providing interpreters or installing wheelchair ramps. This collaborative approach embodies brown's notion of vulnerable strength by showing how acknowledging our interdependence can create more resilient and nurturing communities.)

Modeling Pleasure in Parenting

Parenting, according to brown, is a unique form of caregiving that offers the opportunity to help children understand their own pleasure and develop a healthy relationship with their bodies. To achieve this, parents must first understand and appreciate the importance of pleasure in their own lives to effectively guide their children. Brown emphasizes that this foundation is crucial for creating environments where children can develop a positive self-image, and where bodily autonomy and open communication are the norms.

(Shortform note: According to developmental psychologist Albert Bandura's social learning theory, children learn primarily through observation and imitation of adults in their lives (as opposed to explicit instruction).Through observation of both verbal and non-verbal cues, children internalize patterns of how parents handle stress, express emotions, and set boundaries. When parents model healthy behaviors and attitudes around pleasure, they create templates that children naturally incorporate into their own growth. This modeling process is particularly important for developing emotional intelligence and understanding concepts like bodily autonomy and consent.)

Parents can encourage children to develop a healthy relationship with pleasure through intentional actions such as providing appropriate physical affection, shielding children from harmful body-related messages, and celebrating children's physical abilities. They can also support their children's development by engaging in age-appropriate conversations about bodies and boundaries, while also modeling healthy relationships.

Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Parent-Child Conversations

Discussing physical pleasure and body awareness remains taboo for many parents, and it can be hard to know at what age to have conversations about anatomy, sexuality, and relationships with kids. Rather than having one "big talk," psychologists recommend ongoing conversations that evolve as your child grows, especially because children who can't get accurate information from parents often turn to less reliable sources (like peers or the internet). Experts provide these guidelines for navigating such conversations for children of different age ranges:

• For ages 0-3, use anatomically correct terms for all body parts and teach basic body autonomy. From ages 3-5, discussions should include privacy and boundaries. Between ages 5-8, explain puberty and basic anatomy in biological terms.

• For ages 8-12, discuss topics like puberty, healthy friendships, and online safety. Use casual moments like car rides for these talks, as the lack of eye contact can make you both more comfortable.

• With teenagers (13-18), maintain open dialogue about relationships, sexual health, and emotional well-being. Address consent, digital safety, and health-care resources while reinforcing previous conversations about healthy relationships and boundaries.

How Pleasure Activism Impacts Our Politics

brown suggests that incorporating joy into political work can revolutionize activism by disproving the idea that pleasure undermines serious efforts for change. Embracing joy can, in fact, fuel and sustain movements for social change. Practically, this looks like organizing activities that promote nourishment and comfort—by, for example, offering good food at meetings, creating welcoming environments, and finding moments of ease amid struggle. Many community groups find that when their meeting spaces are comfortable and inviting, participants’ engagement and enthusiasm increase.

(Shortform note: Social movements throughout history have effectively combined joy with purpose. For example, protest parties merge demonstrations with music and dance, making activism engaging while drawing media attention to important causes. Organizations like Food Not Bombs blend celebration with service, as volunteers transform surplus food into free community meals. Similarly, guerrilla gardening initiatives convert neglected urban spaces into public food gardens, creating free and sustainable public food sources.)

brown highlights how art and cultural expression can bring joy and pleasure into political activism. Art can make political ideas more accessible by connecting with people on an emotional level, rather than relying solely on intellectual debates. She points to Favianna Rodriguez's "Pussy Power" artwork series, which uses bold visuals to challenge patriarchal norms and spark discussions on gender justice and reproductive rights. Such artwork can engage individuals deeply through emotion and shared experiences, making complex issues more relatable and inspiring action.

Art as Protest and Its Consequences

Art has long been used as a form of protest, serving as a powerful medium for artists to challenge social injustice, political oppression, and systemic inequalities. For example, Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei created "Sunflower Seeds" (2010) at London's Tate Modern; he filled the museum's vast hall with 100 million hand-painted porcelain seeds, each crafted by Chinese artisans to criticize China's economic relationship with the West.

However, using art as a tool for government criticism can come with significant personal and professional consequences, depending on your government’s attitude towards dissent. For example, the Chinese government's response to Weiwei's politically charged art was severe: He faced detention, surveillance, and travel restrictions. In 2011, authorities imprisoned him for 81 days without formal charges and later demanded millions in alleged unpaid taxes. Despite these repercussions, his work continues to inspire artists globally to use their creativity as a form of political resistance.

brown also discusses how pleasure activism can influence policy. She cites harm reduction policies as one way to fight oppressive systems, creating healthier alternatives to dangerous behaviors rather than merely prohibiting them. For example, harm reduction policies call for drug users to be treated with respect and dignity, focusing on care rather than punishment. In practice, this would mean giving them clean needles and safe places to use drugs, helping to reduce danger while still respecting their rights to autonomy and safety.

(Shortform note: Harm reduction strategies for drug use, such as clean needle exchanges and safe injection sites, represent a significant shift from traditional abstinence-only approaches to addiction treatment. Critics argue these methods might enable drug use and negatively impact communities, while questioning their long-term effectiveness in promoting recovery. Some worry about concentration of drug activity near harm reduction facilities and whether managing immediate risks might reduce incentives to seek treatment. However, proponents say harm reduction approaches are effective; they prevent overdose deaths, reduce disease transmission, and connect vulnerable populations with health-care services.)

How to Practice Pleasure Activism

Pleasure activism is a framework that reimagines social justice work through the lens of what brings us joy and satisfaction. In the following section, we’ll explore how to implement pleasure activism at multiple levels—from personal practice to organizational change—creating movements that sustain both the work and the people doing it.

Start With You

Begin your journey of pleasure activism by focusing on your personal experience of joy and satisfaction. brown encourages building a mindful connection with what truly brings you joy and satisfaction. To develop this awareness, start with simple practices: meditate regularly, keep a journal documenting moments of pleasure, and intentionally place objects that spark happiness in your living and working spaces. Also, connect with your body's experience of pleasure through physical practices like walking meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, mindful stretching, and body scanning exercises.

(Shortform note: Research suggests that being more present and attuned to your feelings and desires can increase your capacity for pleasure. For example, studies have shown that people who pay close attention to sensory experiences, such as the taste of food or the feeling of lying down in their bed after a long day, report more pleasure than those who are distracted. When people accept and remain open to their moment-to-moment experiences, they tend to notice and appreciate more positive aspects of their environment and internal sensations.)

Build Joyful Communities

brown says that when you share joy with others, those feelings grow even stronger. Building networks of supportive friends and neighbors creates spaces where everyone can be themselves. By having open conversations about both joy and pain, and celebrating each other's moments of happiness, you weave resilient relationships that enrich your entire community.

(Shortform note: Research supports brown’s idea that talking about our joy with others intensifies our positive feelings. Research also shows that people enjoy activities more when doing them together rather than alone. This happens in two ways: First, we naturally mirror each other's emotions, and second, sharing creates a sense of belonging that improves our well-being. Looking at the bigger picture, the broaden-and-build theory explains how this works over time: Shared good experiences strengthen our relationships, which leads to more opportunities for joy with others.)

Change Organizational Culture

Social justice organizations can become more effective by making well-being central to their work. When organizations create space for joy and connection, they strengthen both their impact and their sustainability. This is because people who feel connected and energized do better work. As such, brown recommends that organizers weave activities that bring people together—like dance breaks, collaborative art projects, and team-building exercises—into staff meetings and organizing sessions. These practices aren't just add-ons; they're essential tools that build the relationships and resilience needed for long-term social change.

(Shortform note: Relationship-building is not a one-size-fits-all approach, particularly for neurodivergent people who may experience social interactions and group dynamics differently. Some people might find traditional team-building activities overwhelming or ineffective for fostering genuine connection. Organizations committed to inclusive well-being must create multiple pathways for building relationships and community, recognizing that connection can take many forms—from quiet partnership on shared projects to structured one-on-one conversations. This flexibility allows each person to engage in ways that align with their needs and preferences while still contributing to the collective strength of the movement.)

The physical environment people are working in plays a crucial role in this cultural shift, argues brown. Movement spaces—from community centers to campaign offices—can be redesigned to encourage joy through thoughtful elements like comfortable seating areas, accessible art supplies, music stations, and open spaces for movement and gathering.

(Shortform note: Interior architect Ilse Crawford agrees that the design of a space has the power to shape our feelings, behaviors, and values. In her work, she tries to create environments that prioritize human well-being by focusing on functionality and emotional resonance. For example, she makes careful choices about lighting, materials, and layout that make spaces feel welcoming and comfortable. When social justice organizations put similar thought into how their spaces are designed, they can cultivate an atmosphere where people can thrive.)

brown also stresses that activist organizations need concrete policies and resources to actively combat burnout in social justice work communities. These might include mandatory rest periods after major actions, regular retreat days, and dedicated budget lines for collective care. This care could take various forms, such as accessing movement therapists, maintaining art supply stations, or establishing celebration funds for community victories.

The Challenge of Combatting Burnout in Underresourced Organizations

The WHO defines burnout as a combination of emotional exhaustion, mental distance from work, and reduced professional efficacy. In organizations with insufficient staff and funding, burnout creates a vicious cycle: Staff shortages increase individual workloads, leading to burnout, which in turn reduces productivity and increases turnover rates, further depleting the workforce and budget.

However, organizations can combat burnout without major budget increases. For example, job crafting, where employees restructure their daily tasks and relationships to match their strengths and interests, can improve employee satisfaction and minimize burnout. Managers can also proactively protect employee time—for example, by designating 4-6 hours weekly of uninterrupted work time, creating weekly task prioritization checklists, and having clear boundaries for after-hours communication.

brown adds that when evaluating organizational impact, leaders should expand their metrics beyond traditional measures of success. Key metrics might include:

• Do our members feel energized after participating in actions?
• How strong are the relationships between team members?
• Is our work sustainable for the long-term?

By prioritizing these human-centered metrics alongside other goals, organizations can build movements that are both effective and sustainable.

(Shortform note: Measuring organizational success more holistically requires funders to adapt their expectations. Organizations typically track quantifiable metrics like financial performance and growth in numbers served, as funders seek clear outcomes to justify their investments. While these metrics matter, incorporating human-centered indicators like team energy and relationship strength reveals a fuller picture of organizational health and lasting impact. By embracing both quantitative and qualitative measures, funders and organizations can better evaluate the long-term sustainability of an organization.)

Make Justice Feel Good

The ultimate goal of pleasure activism, as brown teaches, is to make justice and liberation feel good. She argues that through intentional practice—from individual action to community organizing to society-wide movements—you can create movements and communities that sustain both the work and the workers, transforming not just what you do but how you do it. By embracing pleasure as a measure of success, you open new possibilities for both personal and social transformation. She reminds us that the path to justice can and should be filled with joy, making movements more sustainable, effective, and truly liberating for everyone.

(Shortform note: Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark, argues that hope is just as important as pleasure for activists. She emphasizes that transformative movements succeed when they focus on finding and creating alternatives rather than simply fighting against what exists. Organizing around positive visions—for example, by building community gardens instead of just opposing development, or by creating mutual aid networks instead of only protesting inequality—enables activists to generate tangible examples of the world they want to see. Like pleasure, hope emerges from this constructive work, sustaining movements by showing that change is possible through what people create together.)