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Infographic: We need a powerful movement to end violence against...

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:07:29 -0500

Infographic: We need a powerful movement to end violence against women & girls. From PreventConnect

STIs: Pubic Lice & Mulloscum Contagiosum

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:00:28 -0500

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice is a parasitic infection of the genital region. It is a living organism that attaches to pubic hair and lives on the body. It is most commonly spread through close contact with an infected person, however it can also live for a very short time on damp towels and sheets and can be spread through sharing these items. Pubic lice is characterized by mild to severe itching in the genital area. It can be cured with an insecticide, which can be purchased without a prescription

An infected person may be able to see tiny gray lice in their pubic hair or may be able to feel tiny eggs attached to their hair.
When treating pubic lice, treatment directions should be followed exactly and all clothes and bedding used by the infected person should be washed in hot water.
Itching begins about 5 days after infestation

Mulloscum Contagiosum

While mulloscum contagiosum is considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can also be transmitted during nonsexual, intimate contact. It is a derivation of the small pox virus and is identified and diagnosed by small pinkish white bumps on the genital region and thighs that resemble pimples. It does not need to be treated because it goes away on its own, but the bumps can be removed by burning or freezing.

STIs: Trichonomiasis, Gonorrhea, & Bacterial Vaginosis

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:00:29 -0500

Trichonomiasis

Trich is the most common vaginal (as opposed to cervical) STI in women. It is only diagnosed in women, though it can be carried in men as well. It is a parasitic infection caused by a single-cell protozoan. Common symptoms include a frothy green discharge, itching, and frequent urination. Trich is diagnosed after a practitioner examines the vaginal discharge under a microscope. It is easily treated with oral medication.

spread through contact with infected fluid
7 million Americans infected every year
men rarely have symptoms

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is the ‘big brother’ of chlamydia and is also a distant relative of syphilis. It is a bacterial infection that is spread through contact infected bodily fluids. It can be transmitted through oral sex and can cause an infection in a person’s throat. The symptoms are similar to those of chlamydia and include unusual discharge, burning, and itching. Gonorrhea is easily treated with antibiotics, but if it goes untreated for very long periods of time it can cause serious problems such as PID in women and infertility in men.

women experience symptoms within 2-21 days of infection
men experience symptoms within 2-6 days of infection
usually treated with a shot of penicillin (it is resistant to Cipro, the pill that used to be used to treat it)
affects 600,000 people in US every year

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis occurs when the intricate balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. It may occur as a result of sexual activity when foreign bacteria is introduced to the vagina, but can also occur as a result of the use of deodorant soaps, bubble baths, douches, or anything else that changes the pH of the vagina. The symptoms include white discharge and a fishy vaginal odor. BV is diagnosed after a pelvic exam and can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Favorite Figure: Sinclair Sexsmith

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:00:26 -0500

The reason I chose Sinclair Sexsmith as one of my favorite figures is threefold:

First of all, it was through my avid devouring of Sinclair’s original erotica that really inspired me to question and push the boundaries of my own sexuality, and explore many things, including an asymmetric balance of power. The erotica that they write, as well as the collections that they edit, have inspired some intrigue in things that I had previously not considered.

Second, Sinclair Sexsmith has a deep knowledge of so many topics, and can eloquently and enthusiastically speak to a broad range of sexuality. First of all, Sinclair has a masculine-of-center identity, and lives a personal definition of butch identity. They are a top, and can speak to many BDSM practices, and is constantly exploring their boundaries with their partners, including an asymmetrical balance of power and impact play. In the Sugarbutch Chronicles, Sinclair’s blog, they boldly share deep thoughts about how difficult some explorations are. Opening up their relationship and sharing every raw difficulty and wonderful joy for anonymous readers to learn from is a wonderful skill that I appreciate very much.

And finally, meeting Sinclair (see below) and seeing them lecture and perform in person was pivotal in the development in my queer identity, and I began to have a deeper understanding of the identity and roles I wanted to possess, as well as what roles and identities I am attracted to.

STIs: HIV & Hepatitis B

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:14 -0500

HIV

HIV is a viral infection that can be transmitted through infected semen or vaginal fluid, blood, or breast milk. HIV occurs in several stages, and in the last stage, it presents as a disease that compromises the host person’s immune system and makes him or her susceptible to other infections. It is not that common in the college population, but HIV is so important that doctors recommend that every one that is sexually active get tested for HIV once a year.

HIV is the virus, AIDS is the disease that results when the virus reaches the final stage
Tests can be oral swab or a blood draw
Risk of HIV infection is highest during the first few months of infection in a partner, when the infection is likely to be unrecognized
Every sexually active person should have an HIV test every year
HIV test is testing for antibodies that the body builds up in response to the virus, so tests can take up to 3 months after infection to be positive
About 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to CDC in US

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that can be transmitted through infected blood as well as infected bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid. Symptoms are similar to flu symptoms and include fever, tiredness, nausea, and headaches. Hepatitis B also causes jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes and a darkening color of the urine. It is usually vaccinated against in children.

symptoms usually appear 2-3 months after infection.
treatment takes about 6 months
about 78,000 people in US infected every year

Sex/Ed - Crimson Tide

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:00:42 -0500

Sex/Ed - Crimson Tide:

This link takes you to a music video from the incredible sex-positive, LGBTQ-friendly band, Sex/Ed. This music video, Crimson Tide, is eclectic and fantastically weird! The song “No Glove No Love” is doing really well in Japan, and I would absolutely adore if everyone could pass them on!

Here’s the bio:

My sister (a student) and I (a former high school teacher, now librarian) are Sex/Ed, a band that raps about safe sex and sex positivity. We rap about why period sex can be cool, why condoms are necessary, what happens when you get tested and the news ain’t so great, how a little bondage can improve a bad mood, strap ons, romance novels, among other topics.

You can listen to the whole album here on bandcamp.

STIs: Syphilis & Chlamydia

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:00:41 -0500

Syphillis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is not very common in the college population, though my rates have begun to increase in the past couple of years. The symptoms occur in stages, the first stage is the presence of a painless, round sore that can appear anywhere on the body. The second stage is a rash on the hands and feet. If it is not treated, it can go dormant for decades before causing heart and brain problems, blindness, and death in the late stage. The most famous syphilis victims include Christopher Columbus and Al Capone. Syphilis is tested for with a blood draw and easily treated with a shot of penicillin.

enters body through broken mucous membrane (commonly transmitted during unprotected anal sex)
if someone is allergic to penicillin, there are alternative antibiotics
35,000 new cases reported each year in US

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that usually infects the urethra. It can be tested for with a urethral swab or a urine sample. Chlamydia is extremely common in the college population and should be tested for every year in sexually active people. Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotics. If it goes untreated for a long period of time in women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. In most people, chlamydia does not present symptoms, but when it does they include burning after urination, discharge, abdominal pain, and spotting after intercourse in women.

All sexually active women under age 25 need an annual chlamydia test because it can cause infertility and usually has no symptoms
Can also infect eyes, throat, cervix
3 million people become infected in the US every year.

gaywrites: (via Trans Student Equality Resources)

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:28 -0500

gaywrites:

(via Trans Student Equality Resources)

STIs: Herpes & HPV

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:45:00 -0500

Herpes

Herpes a viral infection with two types. One type infects about 66% of sexually active adults and causes cold sores or fever blisters on the mouth or face. The other type infects the genital region and is present in about 22% of sexually active adults. Most people don’t know that they have herpes because usually there are not any symptoms. If the genital version does cause symptoms, they are most commonly swollen glands in the groin and blisters in the genital area. Herpes can be transmitted through oral-genital contact and it can be transmitted even if the host is not presenting any outward symptoms. Herpes is tested for with a blood test and though it cannot be completely eliminated from the body, the symptoms can be treated and controlled through daily suppressive medication.

Herpes Simplex Virus I causes cold sores on the mouth/face
Most people contract this virus when they’re very young
Herpes Simplex II infects the genital region
HSVI of the genital region usually only occurs once
If symptoms develop, they usually do so in 3-7 days after exposure
Herpes lives in the dorsal root of the spinal nerves
Asymptomatic viral shedding- HSVII is spread through skin to skin contact (not necessarily during outbreak
Immune system keeps the virus down, it may be exacerbated by lack of sleep, poor nutrition, stress
Suppressive therapy- a pill taken everyday to prevent outbreaks and transmission (i.e., Valtrex)
Herpes test isn’t included in general STD testing (you need to request it)
Test only looks for type two
Most contagious when sores are open
Sores usually last 1-2 weeks

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

HPV is a virus with over 100 strains. The majority of sexually active women will be infected with at least one strain in their lifetime, though most of the time the body’s own immune system will fight off the infection. Luckily, women can get vaccinated against 4 of the most harmful strains to prevent infection from these strains. Some of the most harmful strains can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. HPV is spread through skin to skin contact and can be transmitted even if the carrier does not have any symptoms. HPV is usually detected through an abnormal pap smear in women.

about 30 of the 100 strains are sexually transmitted (other strains cause common warts on hands, feet, etc.)
men typically serve as carriers of HPV (aren’t at very high risk for cancer because the cervix is the target of these strains, but can have genital warts)
HPV has nothing to do with body fluids, it’s in the skin
HPV infection usually does not present visible symptoms (with the exception of wart-causing strains)
HPV test not given to women under 30 because body will most likely fight off infection
Some HPV infections go away on their own within 8-13 months after infection
20 million people in US infected with HPV at any given time

The Scoop on Semen. There is a list of sources at the bottom, in...

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:19:19 -0600

The Scoop on Semen. There is a list of sources at the bottom, in darker gray, including LiveScience.com, NYTimes, WebMD, and Men’s Health.

Incurable Hippie: Disability and Sexuality Resources

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:00:24 -0600

Incurable Hippie: Disability and Sexuality Resources :

takebacksexuality:

I have been doing some research on sex and disability, and thought I would share some of the links I have found. This will be useful for me in the future as a resource, and hopefully to others too.

Disability and Sex General Links

Disability Dharma: What Including & Learning From Disability Can Teach (Everyone) About Sex

How to Meet, Date and Have Sex When You’re Disabled

Sexual Pleasure & the Disabled Adult

Disability and Body Image

Sex and Disability

Good Sex Positions for Disabled Sex

Let’s Get Physical

Disability and Orgasm: Your Orgasmic Potential

Practical Sex Tips for Disabled People

No Big Deal: Sex & Disability

Self-Advocates Speak Up About Sex

Sexuality and Disability Myths and Facts

Disabled and No Sexual Pleasure

Sex, Disability and the DSP: Ethically Supporting Sexual Choices

Sex and Disability: Impacts of Disability on Sex

Sexual Expression for Adults with Disabilities: The Role of Guardianship

Disability and Sexual Activity: The Mechanics of it All

Contraception for People with Disabilities

Disabled? Discovering Your Sexual Self

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual

Talking About Sensitive Topics

Personal Relationships and People with Physical Disabilities

Physical Problems and Female Sexual Dysfunction

Talking about Disability on a Date

Lovers with Disabilities Become Liberated with Tantric Sex

My Partner is Scared to Try

Getting Assistance: Having Sex and Using Your Sex Toy

Physical Disability and Sexual Intercourse

A Sexuality Policy That Truly Supports People with Disabilities

Two Lovers With Disabilities Need Help

How to Meet, Date and “Do It” When You’re Disabled

Sex and Disability Webliography

Eli Clare - Challenging Our Differences

Sex, Disability and Young People

Sex Education for Physically Disabled Teenagers

Growing Up: A teachers’s guide to Sex and Relationships Education for Young People with Physical Disabilities

Sex and Your Child with a Disability

Talking about sex and relationships: the views of young people with learning disabilities

Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

Sexuality and Persons with Disabilities

Sexuality Meets Intellectual Disability: What Every Parent Should Know

Sexuality and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adolescents

Medications and Sex

Sexual Side Effects of Medications: How prescription and OTC medications can have sexual side effects
Effects of Medications on Female Sexual Response

Researching Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications

Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications

How To Manage Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications

Physical Sexual Side Effects of Medications

Disability and Sex Toys

Top 10 Ideas on Adapting Sex Toys

Making Sex Toys Accessible

Sex Toys and Disability

Disability and Sex Toys

Research Before Adapting Sex Toys

Accessible Sex Toys

Adapting Toys for Decreased Sensation

Adapting Toys for Increased Sensation

Fatigue and Sex Toys

Adapting Toys for Mobility and Motor Control

Paraplegic Sex and Quadriplegic Sex: Good Vibrations

Adapting Sex Toys for Privacy

Sex Toy Accessibility Checklist

Adapting Sex Toys for Fatigue

Sex Toys and Allergies

Fatigue and Sex

Sex and Fatigue: How Do You Stay Sexual When You Have No Energy for Sex?

Sex and Fatigue

Your Sex Drive With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fatigue and Sex Toys

Sex, Fatigue and Depression

Adapting Sex Toys for Fatigue

Multiple Sclerosis and Sex

Multiple Sclerosis & Sex

My husband has MS and doesn’t like sex anymore. Why?

My wife has MS and doesn’t want to have sex anymore. Why not and what can I do?

Multiple Sclerosis and Sexual Problems

Top 10 Sex Tips for Men with Multiple Sclerosis

Sex and Multiple Sclerosis

Arthritis and Sex

Love, Sex and Arthritis

Sex and Arthritis

Spinal Cord Injury and Sex

The ABCs of Sex After Spinal Cord Injury

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Orgasm

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Fertility, Childbirth and Contraception

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: The spinal cord injured female: Sexual Behaviour and Activity

Best Sex Positions for Spinal Cord Injured Women

User’s Guide to the Paralyzed Penis: Sex after Spinal Cord Injury

Paraplegic Sex and Quadriplegic Sex: Good Vibrations

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Erections

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Ejaculation, Orgasm and Coitus

Sexuality in Spinal Injury: the spinal cord injured male: Sexual Drive and Activity

Intercourse & Pleasure With a Spinal Cord Injury

Sexuality and Fertility - Impact on Men with SCI

Sexuality and Fertility - Impact on Women with SCI

Cancer and Sex

Cancer and Sex: How Cancer Affects Your Sex Life

Intimacy and Sexuality for cancer patients and their partners

Diabetes and Sex

Sex and Diabetes

Diabetes and Sex: Does It Have to Doom Your Sex Life?

Sexuality and Diabetes

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments for Patients with Diabetes

Fibromyalgia and Sex

Fibromyalgia and Your Sex Life

Parkinson’s Disease and Sex

Parkinson’s Disease and Your Sex Drive

Parkinson’s Disease and Sex

ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease and Sex

ALS & Your Sex Life

Learning Disabilities and Sex

Talking about sex and relationships: the views of young people with learning disabilities

Sex and Learning Disabilities

Sexuality Meets Intellectual Disability: What Every Parent Should Know

Ostomy and Sex

Sex and the Person with an Ostomy

Continence and Sex

Continence and Sex

Cystic Fibrosis and Sex

Sexuality and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adolescents

Sexuality, Fertility and Cystic Fibrosis: Information for Adults

Back Pain and Sex

Sex Tips for Back Pain Sufferers

Ways to Enjoy Sex While Helping Your Back

Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Sex

Promoting Healthy Sexuality and Safeguarding in Youth who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Sexual Health Education for AAC Users - Speak Up Findings

Promoting Healthy Sexuality and Safeguarding in Youth who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Sexual Health: Knowledge and Skills for People who Use AAC

Sexual Health Issues for People who Use AAC

Resources for Male Survivors

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:00:23 -0600

redqueenxlt:

letstalkaboutrape:

I posted last week asking people if they knew of some good resources for male victims of sexual assault. Here is the list people came up with:

www.malesurvivor.org

www.violenceunsilenced.com

www.rainn.org

www.pandys.org

www.1in6.org

www.soulspeakout.org

http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/

Thanks everyone!

reblog for signal boost

Sex in America: A Snapshot at that who’s, what’s,...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:00:41 -0600

Sex in America: A Snapshot at that who’s, what’s, and when’s of sex. Men’s Health.

These statistics were collected from the National Center for Health Statistics, the 2010 Census Data, National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, and the Durex 2010 Survey.

Aside from the link being named “Is your sex normal?” (face palm), I think it makes for an interesting infographic.

"Not being a rapist should not be a symbol of being a hero; it should be the bare minimum for decent..."

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:35 -0600

“

Not being a rapist should not be a symbol of being a hero; it should be the bare minimum for decent behavior. Refusing to sleep with someone who is too intoxicated to consent or who is being forced into sex because someone is threatening her does not make you a “good guy;” it just means that you pass one of the lowest bars for basic humane treatment.

That these movies are using that act as some sort of shorthand for “hero” is troubling. It implies that these men are doing something extraordinary by resisting the urge (and often it is an urge that they have to resist, especially in the films where they end up having consensual sex with the women later) to rape or take advantage of these women. Ultimately, that narrative helps support the idea that avoiding rape is a difficult thing, something worthy of praise.

The truth is that avoiding rape isn’t hard. If you don’t have consent, you don’t have sex. If you’re not sure that you have consent, you don’t have sex. If you are unable to get consent because of the person’s condition, you don’t have sex. If you get consent and you don’t want to have sex, you don’t have sex.

”

- Balancing Jane: Sexual Consent in Pop Culture: Waiting for Consent Doesn’t Make You a Hero (via naomieve)

"But even if it were possible for a person’s fingers or tongue to move at the speed of a motorboat, I..."

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:39:42 -0600

“But even if it were possible for a person’s fingers or tongue to move at the speed of a motorboat, I don’t always want that kind of breakneck arousal from a fellow human being. Sometimes I want the warmth and passion of a lover, whether that means kissing, cuddling, nipple stimulation or oral sex (all of which, I must note, no vibrator can replicate).”

- - Rachel Kramer Bussel “Is My Vibrator Ruining My Relationship”

A sincere musing on vibrators and masturbation within a relationship from one of my favorite erotica editors. Definitely worth the few minutes spent reading it, and definitely worth some personal reflection.

Self Care for Survivors

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:00:36 -0600

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) compiled a list of self care tips and topics that cover physical needs as well as emotional self care. The complete list is linked above:

Good self-care is a challenge for many people and it can be especially challenging for survivors of rape, sexual assault, incest and sexual abuse. It can also be an important part of the healing process.

Physical self-care is an area that people often overlook.

Food

Food is a type of self-care that people often overlook. People are often so busy that they don’t have time to eat regularly or that they substitute fast food for regular meals.

It’s not always reasonable to expect people to get 3 square meals a day (plus snacks!) but everyone should make sure they get adequate nutrition.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the most overlooked types of self-care. The CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week.

Exercise, even if it’s just a quick walk at lunchtime, can help combat feelings of sadness or depression and prevent chronic health problems.

Sleep

Although everyone has different needs, a reasonable guideline is that most people need between 7-10 hours of sleep per night.

Medical care

Getting medical attention when you need it is an important form of physical self-care.

Some survivors put off getting medical care until problems that might have been relatively easy to take care of have become more complicated.

The whole list is a really good read, and I think I’ll put it into the resources for future use!

SOUNDS AMAZING. From EtB: Sultry body worship, sensuous...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:13:00 -0600

SOUNDS AMAZING.

From EtB:

Sultry body worship, sensuous kissing, playful taunting, sex toys, chemistry, and hard core lesbian fucking are what make Lesbian Curves the genre-busting adult film you’ve been craving. This full length feature is full of luscious skin, bodacious bodies and intense orgasms, brought to you by the fiercest femmes in porn, soaking wet and thirsty for passionate, curvaceous, gritty, real lesbian sex.

Starring Courtney Trouble, Kelly Shibari, Betty Blac, Sophia St James, Sandy Bottoms, Kitty Stryker, Peppermint Fatty, and Eden Alexander and shot in full HD.

Ableism and Kink

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:00:20 -0600

kinkology:

Tough Love Thursdays are about real issues facing alternative sexuality communities. These can be external pressures or internal struggles - not for the faint of heart.

Ableism permeates our culture and alternative sexuality communities are not exempt from participating in a system that makes people with disabilities or different abilities invisible. We do this by assuming that everyone’s mind and body work the same. I was told a story by a top who had to sit down to play. The side-eyes and negative comments implying they were just being “lazy” made them so uncomfortable they left the space with no desire to return. This casual ableism can make a play space unsafe for a person with disabilities or different abilities. Ask yourself:

When you negotiate a scene, do you check in about a person’s physical capacity? Previous injuries? Emotional triggers?
Does your favorite Leather contest provide interpreters?
Is the dungeon equipment spaced to accommodate a wheelchair?
What can you do to address these issues in your community?

Before you judge a scene or person you are not involved with, remember disabilities and different abilities can be visible or invisible… and that unless a scene is harmful or breaks play space rules, it’s not your job to judge.

I’m generally not a fan of statistics put out by popular...

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:17:56 -0600

I’m generally not a fan of statistics put out by popular women’s magazines, but this one is at least a fun read!

The Average Woman on Sex

For all those celebrating Small Business Saturday, or Cyber...

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 22:44:57 -0600

For all those celebrating Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday, remember that if you purchase some sexy gifts from Early to Bed through my link, it supports an amazing independent sex toy store, as well as supports me (and this blog!)

Happy shopping, whether it be for a friend, a partner, or yourself!