Pioneering Black Feminist Sex Therapist Dr. June Dobbs Butts Celebrated

Dr. Butts' archive highlights her trailblazing work in sexual education and advocacy for racial and gender justice.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Dr. June Dobbs Butts was a groundbreaking Black feminist sex therapist and educator who challenged sexual stigmas, stereotypes, and biases starting in the 1960s. Her archive, which includes writings, speeches, and media appearances, is being celebrated for its historical significance and continued relevance to issues of reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and racial equity.

Why it matters

Dr. Butts was an early pioneer in the field of sex therapy, becoming the first Black sex therapist trained at the renowned Masters and Johnson Institute. Her work advocating for comprehensive, culturally-adapted sex education and her intersectional approach to addressing sexual violence and HIV/AIDS in the Black community make her an important figure in the history of sexual and reproductive health.

The details

Throughout her career, Dr. Butts taught at several historically Black universities, wrote a sex education column for Essence Magazine, consulted with the CDC, and presented at the First National Conference on Black Women's Health Issues. Her writings explored topics like sexual silence, rape culture, and the need for honest, holistic sex education for both children and adults. She also advocated for addressing sexual violence on HBCU campuses and challenged homophobia in Black communities' responses to the AIDS crisis.

  • Dr. Butts was born in 1928.
  • In the 1960s, she began her pioneering work in sexual education and advocacy.
  • In 1970, she became a board member of Planned Parenthood and was trained at the Masters and Johnson Institute.
  • In the mid-1970s, she established her own private practice, with a focus on serving Black clients.
  • In 1983, she presented at the First National Conference on Black Women's Health Issues at Spelman College.

The players

Dr. June Dobbs Butts

A Black feminist scholar and sex therapist who was a trailblazer in the field of sexual education and advocacy for racial and gender justice.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Butts' childhood playmate, with whom she conducted the Baptist Ministers Survey research study in college.

William Masters and Virginia Johnson

The couple who founded the sexology field and at whose institute Dr. Butts became the first Black sex therapist to be trained.

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What they’re saying

“Many men believe that the vagina is nothing more than a receptacle for his pleasure rather than an active organ in its own right. They don't know that this part of the woman is quite resistant to penetration unless and until she is psychologically 'turned on.'”

— Dr. June Dobbs Butts (Ebony Magazine)

“...bisexuals who camouflage themselves...do not see the prevention messages about transmission of HIV infection that acknowledged homosexuals see everywhere they go. Bisexuals cannot turn to friends and loved ones to vent their fears about AIDS. And they dare not 'blow their cover' by suddenly taking the precautions of safer sex practices at home.”

— Dr. June Dobbs Butts (Op-ed)

What’s next

Dr. Butts' archive is being preserved and made available to researchers and the public, providing an important historical resource for understanding the evolution of sexual education, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Black community.

The takeaway

Dr. June Dobbs Butts' pioneering work as a Black feminist sex therapist and educator challenged harmful sexual stigmas and biases, advocated for comprehensive, culturally-relevant sex education, and promoted intersectional approaches to addressing issues like sexual violence and HIV/AIDS. Her legacy continues to inspire and inform contemporary efforts towards sexual and reproductive justice.