Archiving Black Feminist Sex Therapist Dr. June Dobbs Butts
Psychology Today
by Araya Baker, M.Phil.Ed.February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Dr. June Dobbs Butts was a trailblazing Black feminist sex therapist and scholar whose groundbreaking work in sexual education challenges us to rethink how we approach sex, race, and justice today. Born in 1928, she became the first Black sex therapist trained at the Masters and Johnson Institute, later shifting her focus to serving predominantly Black patients and advocating for culturally adapted sexual health resources. Her life’s work, which spanned over five decades, included pioneering research on gendered racism nearly a decade before intersectionality entered academic discourse, as well as developing national sex education programs and writing influential columns in Ebony Magazine. Dr. Butts’ archive is not just a historical artifact but a vital source of moral courage for modern advocates fighting against sexual silence, sex negativity, and reproductive sexism.
During her career, Dr. Butts worked alongside civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., conducting research on Baptist ministers, and later earned a master’s thesis that interrogated the intersections of race and gender in America. By the 1970s, she had become a prominent figure in sexual health advocacy, hosting a call-in radio show, writing for Essence Magazine, and consulting with the CDC. Her work at historically Black universities further solidified her commitment to addressing the unique needs of Black communities in sexual health education. She also presented at the First National Conference on Black Women’s Health Issues, where she emphasized the importance of comprehensive sex ed that acknowledges cultural taboos around sexuality.
Dr. Butts’ legacy is particularly relevant today as current social policies roll back progress on reproductive and sexual rights. Her archive serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equitable access to sexual health resources and education, especially in marginalized communities. Her writings, such as her essay “Growing Up: An Essay on Human Emotions,” highlight the long-term consequences of sexual silence, urging parents to engage openly with their children about sex without judgment or abstraction. By emphasizing the importance of building a supportive framework for young people’s sexual development, Dr. Butts challenged societal taboos and laid the groundwork for inclusive, culturally sensitive sexual health practices.
Her work remains politically relevant in today’s climate, as modern policies continue to undermine access to comprehensive sex education and reproductive healthcare. Dr. June Dobbs Butts’ archive is not just a historical record but a call to action for advocates working at the intersection of racial justice and sexual health. Her life’s mission to debunk sexual stigmas and biases continues to inspire those fighting for equitable, inclusive approaches
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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/25/2026