There are many forms of pleasure: the pleasures of our senses and bodies, the pleasures of being with people we love, and the pleasures of living in alignment with our values. As trans, Two-Spirit A term used within some Indigenous communities to reflect complex Indigenous understandings of gender and sexuality and the long history of sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures. Two-Spirit encompasses sexual, gender, cultural and spiritual identity. It may refer to cross-gender, multi-gender or non-binary gender roles, non-heterosexual identities, and a range of cultural identities, roles and practices embodied by Two-Spirit peoples. Some people also use "2-Spirit" or "2S." (Source: Battered Women’s Support Services) and non-binary Umbrella term referring to people whose gender does not fall within the binary gender system of woman/girl or man/boy. Some individuals identify as non-binary while others may use terms such as gender non-conforming, genderqueer, or agender. Non-binary people may or may not conform to societal expectations for their gender expression and gender role, and they may or may not seek gender-affirming medical or surgical care. people, we often become experts at seeking, knowing and moving toward what will bring us joy and ease as we explore and affirm our genders.

However, many of us have experienced dysphoria, discomfort, confusion and shame about our bodies, and this can complicate our experiences of pleasure. After a surgery or other medical intervention, it can be a complex process to reconnect with our bodies as they are now, instead of viewing them as a surgical site or work-in-progress. For more information on difficult experiences and some exercises to help you connect or re-connect with your body, see When feelings get stuck.

Given that it can be a challenge to find space for safety and celebration in our daily lives, it is important that we seek out the things that bring us embodied satisfaction, calm and joy.

Why care about pleasure?

When we allow and cultivate pleasure, it can support our health and wellness. When we seek pleasure for ourselves, this often means seeking fulfillment, excitement and rest: experiences integral to our well-being.

Pleasure can be connective. Think about:

• Sharing meals: Enjoying food and laughter with other people
• Physical comfort: Petting an animal, or sharing a hug with a friend
• Tactile connection: Holding small, cherished objects in your hands
• Connecting to nature: Savouring the sights, smells and sounds in a forest, or on a beach

In these ways, pleasure connects us to the important people, places and things in our lives.

Pleasure can also illuminate our own preferences, choices, and bodies.

• For example, learning to listen to our internal sense of “gender pleasure”—the positive feelings that come from feeling affirmed in or aligned with our genders—can be a guide on our gender journeys.

Cultivating pleasure

The following resources contain suggestions for ways to notice pleasure, explore preferences and find ways to let our pleasure guide us. Some of the activities in these guides are specifically aimed at supporting sexual wellness, while others are more general.