Sexual Consent, for the uninitiated.

Yes. A rather short synonym for assent/approval/acceptance.

No. A simple synonym for dissent/denial/rejection.

In the context of sexual consent, could it be possible that these two words are just the forefront of a
sentence, waiting for the speaker to continue? To finish or provide some sort of explanation for their
standing?

Yes, but

No, please understand

Would it be too audacious to presume that these two small words could be a sentence in
themselves? Surely, it cant be that hard to imagine. Can it?

Do you want to get ice-cream? Yes.

Would you like to watch a movie with me today? Yes.

Lets get naked and hump like bunnies? .

Yes could be interpreted as Yeah, Okay, Cool, Of course, Absolutely, Id love to, obviously, etc.
These words imply acceptance to whatever sexual activity.

No doesnt really need any synonyms but fortunately isnt deprived of it either. These could range
from anything like Nope, Nada, Nay, Never, Lets not to Sorry but no, I dont want to, I dont think
so, Im not interested and so on. These words imply refusal to whatever said sexual activity.

Seems pretty straightforward, doesnt it? Nothings implied? Some hidden or latent desire, maybe?
An ulterior motive?!

All thats required is one simple word, a sentence, which indicates intention. Acceptance or
rejection. This should be enough for most people (retards excluded). Well, it should be, anyway.

Maybe

What exactly does Maybe mean? Now, this is where the background of consent gets extremely
hazy. Ladies and Gents, please be wary of the Maybe. It could pass off as anything like an I dont
know, Im not sure or an Umm or a Hmmm.

In this scenario, abandon what you know about this person or how well you know this person.
Doesnt matter. Not important.

Legally and technically speaking, an I dont know is just as good as a definite NO. The person has
not given their consent.
Assume nothing in your favour. There is no implied consent, dont be an irrational idiot. Consent is
always express. There are no metaphors or analogies. You ask, every time, and if its anything other
than a Yes, its a No.

Consent must always be communicated. If its not communicated, THERE IS NO CONSENT.

If consent is communicated, it can also be retracted, at any point in time. Either before or during
sex. Sometimes, even after sex. Just because consent is given for whatever sexual activity on one
day, it doesnt mean the same consent attained on that day can be used again on another day, even
if its for the same sexual activity. Consent must be attained again. So in order to avoid a deviously
long and damaging law suit, if consent is retracted, please stop whatever youre doing.

Partial consent is not full consent. You may have consent to do something in particular, like kissing
or caressing but you may not have the consent of the person to fondle them in their nether regions
or consent to penetration. You want to grab her by the pussy? Ask. If she allows you to, go for it.

Consent must always be given freely. What is free consent? Consent that is obtained of the persons
own volition and not under duress, coercion, force, authority, blackmail or threat. Please avoid any
such instance that feels like rapey behaviour. If youre someones boss, or in any other position of
authority over them, of course you cant have sex with that person, even if consent is given. Thats
abuse of authority and amounts to rape.

Also, a person cannot give their consent if they are incapable of giving consent. Such instances
include but are not limited to a minor, an inebriated person, an unconscious person, a mentally
challenged person, a person whos asleep or any person who cant physically express their consent.

Every individual has their own bodily autonomy. Nobody has a right over your body and you are not
obligated to give your body to anyone. When it comes to sexual consent, there is no entitlement.
Whether youre friends, lovers or even married, a NO is a NO. Irrespective of the bloody absence
of marital rape laws in India, it is still wrong to force someone into sex, even if youre married.

The consequences of not getting the appropriate consent through an express method are not just
apparent but rather quite real. It could play out to be sexual assault. If you cant keep it in your
pants, the sexual assault becomes rape. Needless to say, both of these offences are horribly criminal
in nature and must be avoided at all costs.

Many people understand the concept of consent and agree with these views. The only problem is
that they dont know how to ask for it or how to get it. They presume that there are some suave
subtle 007 moves that they need to pull, to get the other person in bed. This is completely
unnecessary. You dont have to sugar-coat the question. Just ask the person, straight up. Politely
and respectfully inform them of your intentions or desire to do whatever and let them communicate
their approval to you. If you get express consent, good for you. If you dont, maybe ask again at
another appropriate time or move on to someone else. Irrespective of what you believe, there are
actually many fish in the sea and you are not destined to die a virgin.

Now, I know that a big excuse is going to be, What if they freak out and are uncomfortable with
giving express consent? If someones uncomfortable with giving their express consent and would
rather give it impliedly, dont risk it. It means theyre not ready to communicate maturely about
their sexual needs. Explain to them why an express communication of consent is better, safer and
easier for all the above mentioned reasons. If theyre still too adamant or shy, Id advise you to stay
away from them, as far as sexual activity is concerned. Theyre not ready for a mature sexual
relationship.

There are a lot of horny people in this world who are just waiting to give you their express consent
to sex, trust me. Ask and you shall receive.

Remember, sex is never the goal, consensual sex is. Because its hotter (and also legal).