In these pages, author Sarah Ratchford defines rape and sexual assault, busts the myths behind toothless messaging and outdated advice, and provides sex-positive scripts on how to ask for and offer a clear, enthusiastic, and freely given “Yes!” Along the way, Ratchford touches on topics such as #MeToo, gender identity, masturbation, virginity, porn, sex work, reporting assault, and more, all through a radically inclusive and intersectional lens.
The message is loud and clear: not only is consent sexy, it’s mandatory—and everyone deserves frank and empowering literacy around it. Only with empathy, compassion, and resistance can we move forward into a new culture of consent.
Sarah Ratchford is a feminist journalist with a focus on social justice. They cover sexual health and consent, reproductive justice, trans health, and feminist activism. Their essays, features and news stories have appeared in The Walrus, The Toronto Star, Chatelaine, Flare, Elle, Refinery29, and Cosmopolitan. They’ve hosted and produced a number of VICE documentaries on sex work Law, trans health, and abortion access. Fired Up about Consent is their first book.