Ah I knew this would happen. Every time I'm open about my sex life on TSR I get a bunch of people slut shaming.
This idea that people become less valuable if they've had more sexual partners is very worrying. It implies that someone's worth rests in their genitals and not in their heart or mind; also that everyone has a set amount of sexual partners they're allowed to have, and once they've run out that person should never sleep with anyone else ever.
In reality, there is no upper (or indeed lower) limit on the number of partners you're allowed to have. How much sex someone has does not determine how intelligent or compassionate or humorous or interesting or honest or generous someone is; why should someone's sexual history influence your judgement of them more than these personality traits? Conversely, how much sex someone has can't tell you how selfish or cruel or stupid they are; if you knew the circumstances of those sexual encounters it might tell you something, but an out of context number...no.
I have a steady partner who I've been with since I was 15, though we didn't open up our relationship until I was 18. I have a whole bunch of friends who I adore, and some of them (not all, I do have some purely platonic friends) I sometimes sleep with. They are all people who share my view of sex: that it's something fun and social that doesn't imply deep commitment, so none of us get into awkward "ooo I think I'm falling for you" situations. The boyfriend has his own partners, though he tends to not become close friends with them like I do. He and I have put the legwork into working out how to take care of our sexual health; we talk about it openly and get tested every few months. So far the worst thing testing revealed was bacterial vaginosis, which you get from soap: it isn't an STD.
So that's my life. As far as I'm aware everyone involved in it is pretty happy. I'm not sure why some people feel the need to stomp around passing judgement when it doesn't affect them either way.
Also, Converse, that's a good point, I hadn't thought of it like that. Probably a better phrase would be enjoying sexual NOVELTY. (More accurately, I enjoy novelty in all parts of my life - I like watching new films, eating new food, going new places, meeting new people, etc. It extends to sex.)
PS: there are some very intelligent, thoughtful prostitutes and porn stars out there who have my deepest respect. You can't shame me by comparing me to them.