Enthusiastic consent
Also known as yes means yesaffirmative consentwholehearted yes
Enthusiastic consent is the standard that looks for a clear, eager 'yes' rather than the mere absence of 'no' — everyone should actively want to be there.
The gist
Enthusiastic consent raises the bar from 'they didn't object' to 'they're genuinely into it.' It treats a hesitant, pressured, or silent response as a reason to pause and check in, not to proceed. Reading enthusiasm — in words and body language — keeps intimacy mutual and safe.
Related
Consent
Consent is a freely given, enthusiastic, and reversible agreement to a specific activity — the foundation of every healthy intimate experience.
Boundaries
Boundaries are the personal limits that define what someone is and isn't comfortable with — the map that lets partners explore intimacy safely and respectfully.
Safeword
A safeword is an agreed-upon word or signal that immediately pauses or stops activity — a clear, unambiguous way to communicate limits in the moment.