Autonomy and pleasure. An emerging discourse in Chilean public debate on sexuality

Abstract

When addressing sexuality in politics and public policy, we can identify several discourses that shape divergent representations about what sexuality is and/or what it should be, and the incumbent role of the State on it. This paper aims to analyse the policy frames found in the sexuality public debate. I address this drawing from a critical frame analysis of political texts and from interviews with key actors, in order to discuss the potential of a «Personal autonomy and pleasure» frame, promoted mainly by the feminist movement. My claim is this frame has the potential to reinvigorate the conventional sexual portrayals captured in the Chilean law. This frame also points to Sexual and Reproductive Rights to be guaranteed, and above all, radically makes the case for body autonomy, unveiling the State as articulating more than one domination discourse.