"My thinking tends to be libertarian. That is, I oppose intrusions of the state into the private realm - as in abortion, sodomy, prostitution, pornography, drug use, or suicide, all of which I would strongly defend as matters of free choice in a representative democracy"

Camille Paglia’s statement expresses a philosophical commitment to personal autonomy and minimal state interference in individual lives. By identifying her thinking as “libertarian,” she aligns herself with a tradition skeptical of government overreach, especially regarding personal and social matters that do not directly harm others. This approach centers on the conviction that competent adults should be free to make fundamental choices about their own bodies and lives, even when those choices are controversial or disapproved of by the majority.

The issues Paglia lists, abortion, sodomy, prostitution, pornography, drug use, and suicide, have long histories of moral, religious, and legal regulation. By grouping these topics together, Paglia signals that her defense is not based on whether these acts are “good” or “bad,” but on the principle that individuals in a democracy should be free to make decisions for themselves about such matters. To Paglia, state attempts to legislate against these choices represent a crossing of boundaries separating public authority from private liberty.

Her emphasis on “free choice in a representative democracy” points to the political and ethical responsibilities of a free society. For her, democracy is not just about voting or majority rule, but about safeguarding individual rights, especially those of minorities and dissenters. State intrusions into private life threaten both the autonomy of individuals and the health of democratic institutions. Paglia’s position implies that true respect for human dignity entails honoring the right to self-determination, even when it leads to actions that some citizens find objectionable or immoral.

This viewpoint challenges both conservative moralism and progressive paternalism, advocating for a legal culture that tolerates a wide range of voluntary adult behaviors. In this vision, the role of the state is not to enforce particular values, but to provide a framework within which diverse forms of life can coexist peaceably.