What do Cara Delevingne, Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe Cherry, and Miriam Margoyles all have in common? They are all featured in our first-ever Lust List of Sex Positive Icons: inspirational, taboo-busting personalities who have shaped and normalized the conversation about sexual identity, gender, and pleasure in the past year.

We handpicked the list of people who have positively shifted the dial of sex positivity in 2022.
The diverse and eclectic Lust List includes some of the biggest names in popular culture, such as Dua Lipa; pansexual actress and model Cara Delevingne, and Madonna, who this year has reissued her iconic 1992 “Sex” book.
Outspoken and unpredictable lesbian actress Miriam Margoyles, 81 is perhaps a surprise inclusion.

1.Megan Thee Stallion

The August 2022 release of Megan’s latest album, Traumazine, promoted sex-positive messaging through its feminist-first lyrics. Megan actively advocates for women to reclaim their sexuality and celebrate female empowerment.

2.Cara Delevingne

Cara came out as pansexual in 2018 and has since been outspoken about her personal struggles when coming to terms with her sexuality. Cara recently launched her BBC series, Planet Sex where she explores the world of porn, sexual identity, and erotica.

3.Madonna

Madonna has reissued her iconic “Sex” book featuring provocative imagery and written text by the artist, which proved controversial at the time of its release in 1992. Why? Because it showed a woman being in charge of her sexuality and engaging sexually with other consenting adults to fulfill her fantasies. Throughout her career, Madonna has promoted sex positivity, challenged parents to take charge of their children’s sex education when AIDS was ramping up and continues to utilize her platform to advocate for positive discussion around sex and those reclaiming their sexuality.

4.Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa has spoken out against sexism within the music industry and advocated for equality amongst the LGBTQ+ community. Her lyrics also encourage open discussion surrounding sex and pleasure.

5.Chloe Cherry

Former porn star Chloe found mainstream fame when she was cast in Season 2 of Euphoria this year. Rather than hide from her past, she has continued to speak out as an advocate and ally for the rights of sex workers.

6.Miriam Margoyles

Non-Brits may only know her for her role in Harry Potter films, but Miriam is rightly a national treasure in the UK for her carefree and unfiltered approach to discussing sex and sexual identity. Miriam went on her first Pride march this year at the age of 81 and seemed to love it.

7.Kim Petras

Kim was the first trans pop star to make it to Number One in the US and UK charts. Her collaboration with non-binary artist, Sam Smith, Unholy, came out in September 2022. She has spoken out about her aim to make sex-positive pop music and be a role model to trans girls with the dream of becoming a pop star.

8.Jessica Stoya

Jessica Stoya is a writer, performer and pornographer. She is the author of the 2018 series of essays, blog posts and stories, Philosophy, Pussycats & Porn, published by Not A Cult. Stoya has continued to promote positive discussion surrounding sex and intimacy. This year she shared her early experience in the porn industry in the Financial Times’ Hot Money Podcast, as she’s been a first-hand witness of how “free” online porn transformed the adult industry forever.
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9.Alok Menon

Alok Menon is a gender non-conforming Indian-American performance artist, writer, and educator. With their poetry, Alok became the youngest recipient of the prestigious Live Works Performance Act Award. Alok constantly questions binaries of gender and sexuality and is a key advocate for LGBTQ issues.

10.Karley Sciortino

American writer, television host and producer and founder of Slutever – a website focusing on sex and sexuality. Writing about sex and relationships for Vogue, Karley is taking sex positivity to the mainstream.

There were so many inspirational public figures to choose from 2022. In a year when sexual freedom and identity have been challenged around the world, I’m excited to see a new wave of sex-positive changemakers come forward. Yet we should also salute and celebrate those such as Cher and Miriam, whose attitude is not defined by their age. In fact, if Miriam would like to be a part of one of our future projects, she just needs to get in touch.”