Praise for Sex After Grief
“Joan Price has crossed taboo boundaries again—this time about the impact on sex of loss and grieving. All of us who cope with rebirthing sex after facing loss of a beloved wish we had a roadmap to follow. This book lights a path that sets us on the journey to recovery, with content that is relevant, necessary and inspiring for grievers and the helping professionals that serve them. It is truly a gift to humankind!”
—Patti Britton, PhD, co-founder of SexCoachU.com, known worldwide as the Mother of Sex Coaching
“Price’s latest book begins a much-needed conversation on what
has long been considered a taboo question: what happens to your sex life after the death of a partner? Price offers valuable advice
and guidance in an accessible writing style that brims with passion and compassion.”
—Dr. Justin Lehmiller, author of Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life
“Joan Price is one of the smartest thinkers around about sex, regardless of your age—or hers!”
—Dan Savage
“With her characteristic clarity and insight, senior sexpert Joan Price zeros in on an experience that many people navigate but very few discuss: the experience of reclaiming sex after the death of a beloved. Sex After Grief is a profoundly compassionate, deeply personal, and exceptionally practical guidebook for moving forward after loss with both purpose and joy.”
—Lynn Comella, PhD and author of Vibrator Nation: How Feminist Sex-Toy Stores Changed the Business of Pleasure
“Deeply, honestly sourced in her own experience but aware that other people’s mileage may vary, this wise, compassionate, moving, sex-positive, and so necessary book breaks silence and lucidly tackles an all-too-common source of pain and shame. Author Joan Price has stitched ‘patches of [her] grief quilt’ together with other bereaved lovers’ insights and experiences woven throughout. It will prove a source of comfort for those who are grieving, and advice and support for those who are ready to open back up to sex, pleasure and love.”
—Carol Queen PhD, Good Vibrations sexologist, co-founder of Center for Sex & Culture, San Francisco
“I always love Joan’s books because they are real, honest, inspirational, and audacious. Sex After Grief will advise and surprise you, whatever your age, gender, or orientation.”
—Betty Dodson, PhD, author, artist, sexologist, orgasm educator since the early 1970s
Copyright © 2019 by Joan Price.
Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.
Layout & Cover Design: Elina Diaz
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Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2019938544
ISBN: (print) 978-1-64250-033-2, (ebook) 978-1-64250-034-9
BISAC category code: 2019905277
Printed in the United States of America
I dedicate this book to:
•My great love, Robert Rice, who lives in my memory and in my heart.
•Mac Marshall, who shows me that joy is possible after grief.
•All the grievers who generously shared their stories and opened their hearts so that this book could happen.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Why a Book about Sex and Grief?
Chapter 2: Myths about Sex and Grieving
Chapter 3: My Own Struggle with Sex after Grief
Chapter 6: For Non-Grievers Who Want to Date Us
Chapter 7: It’s Okay If You’re Not Ready
Chapter 8: Your (New) First Time
Chapter 9: It’s Not All or Nothing
Chapter 10: The Pilot Light Lover
Chapter 11: Friend with Benefits
Chapter 12: After Caregiving Your Partner
Chapter 14: Sex of Many Stripes
Chapter 15: Journaling Your Journey
Chapter 16: Grief Counselors, Sex Coaches, and Support Groups
Why a Book about
Sex and Grief?
“I