Promiscuity and casual sex are not bad things. They can both be very lovely. However, self-respect and putting yourself first should be the requirements! Can you imagine this message given to girls?

Sally: Mom, I think Bill is really cute, but I just don’t know about him. I am not sure I am ready to go all the way with him.

Mom: Well dear, are your masturbating to orgasm? You know what I always say, you can’t be a good lover to someone else, until you are a good lover to the most important person in your life!

Sally: But mom, maybe he can help me feel sexier and get more in the mood.

Mom: Pish posh, young lady! If you want to grow up to be a proper, open woman with a healthy life, you need to take control of your own body. Now I am going to give you my credit card, and you go down to the local Toys in Babeland and they will help you out! This is your health, young lady, and you need to take it seriously!

I really think just two new words are not enough.  I agree on the general point— the vocabulary we have is inadequate.  We are left trying to describe the difference as “sex-positive,” and “open.“  But as aag and her friend point out, these words already have their own weight.  “Promiscuous” has its own connotations, and I’m afraid that while it looks like it might fit, it sadly won’t.  Kind of like how the word “slut” gets (ab)used.

There is a difference.  It should be known, acknowledged, and by all means recognized.  It’s about respect: not just from others, but from within.

Sadly, I don’t think we can (so easily) come up with a label, or a way to make this distinction.  Like all forms of self-discovery and truth-seeking, sex and our sexual identities is only possible to experience.  As much as I believe we can read about it, learn from it, and be informed, it’s my gut feeling that much of it has to be learned on our own.  After the lessons (however difficult) sink in, the words, writings, and perspectives of others will make sense.

And with that, I regrettably don’t have anything to add.