Intentionally Intersectional: Putting Race at the Center of Sexuality Studies

In this essay, we argue for greater intentionality in incorporating race into research on sexualities. We highlight how race and sexuality are coconstituting social categories shaped by fluctuations of power in society. Celebrating existing work that significantly addresses race and its impacts on sexuality, we offer directives for how the sociology of sexuality should move forward in the contemporary moment. Finally, we argue for a greater focus on pleasure, joy, and desire in future sociological work on race and sexuality.