This article argues that there is a lack of theorizing about sexuality
within social policy in what is referred to as the mainstream and mor
e surprisingly within feminist social policy. This is particularly sur
prising given the presence of sexuality in recent as well as past soci
al policies as well as in social theory. The purpose of this article i
s not merely to argue that a relationship between sexuality and social
policy should be examined but rather to explore and outline the speci
fic nature of the relationship and its implications for both sexuality
and the discipline of social policy. Specifically, how do prevalent s
exuality discourses inform and constitute social policy and what are t
he social relations involved in this process? Correspondingly, what ro
le does social policy play in constituting what we know to be the 'tru
ths' of sexuality? What exclusions and inclusions result from these do
minant social relations and discourses when 'played' through social po
licy? That sexuality has failed to be analytically incorporated within
the discipline of social policy is addressed. First, reasons for the
lack of theorizing are explored. Specifically, the historical developm
ent of the discipline and the formation of an implicit consensus about
what constitute the real concerns of welfare. Second, there is an exa
mination of the ways feminist social policy has or has not engaged wit
h sexuality. The final section posits an emergent framework for integr
ating sexuality into social policy analyses and critiques.