Sex (and Sexuality) in the News: Weekly Roundup — Oct 02, 2023
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Stay informed and entertained with our curated weekly roundup of 'Sex (and sexuality) in the News.' Explore articles, updates, and trends related to human intimacy, relationships, and identity, including insights into legislation, law, and censorship, as well as engaging topics such as enhancing your sex life and experiencing deeper levels of pleasure. Article summaries were co-written with the help of ChatGPT.
I studied the sex industry for 7 years — and it forced me to face an uncomfortable truth in my own life
The author, Madeline Toubiana, reflects on her seven-year study of the sex industry, which challenged her preconceptions about objectification and feminism. Initially, she believed that resisting objectification meant rejecting popular culture and media's portrayal of women's desirability. However, her research revealed a different truth. Women and transgender entrepreneurs in the sex industry were carving out unique spaces for themselves, embracing their desires, and becoming subjects rather than objects. Toubiana shares four key lessons: exploring content created for the female gaze, embracing imperfections, defining personal boundaries, and seeking supportive, autonomous relationships. She acknowledges her own journey toward self-discovery and the importance of honoring one's desires and subjectivity.
Huffpost • Madeline Toubiana
How growing up in purity culture impacts sex
The article explores the pervasive impact of purity culture on individuals' sexuality and how the associated shame-based narratives can hinder the full experience of pleasure. The author highlights that purity culture messages are omnipresent, even for those not explicitly raised in religious environments, affecting sex education and social attitudes. The focus is particularly on female sexuality, where expectations of chastity and being a moral foundation for society are emphasized. The article discusses how these messages, even if rejected later in life, can lead to trauma responses during sexual activity, affecting the mind-body connection crucial for experiencing pleasure. Five tips for overcoming purity culture's impact are provided, focusing on healing, embracing emotions, seeking community, professional help, and practicing conscious self-discovery through masturbation.
Mashable • Gigi Engle
BONUS: Listen to ST&C co-founders share their experiences with purity culture:
United States scores a C on global LGBTQ+ human rights scorecard
The United States, graded "C" or "persecuting" in LGBTQ+ human rights and ranking 31st out of 136 countries in the Franklin & Marshall Global Barometers Report, faces an alarming trend of potential decline. This is largely fueled by a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ bills, particularly impacting transgender youth. Dr. Anu Kumar, president and CEO of Ipas, an organization advocating for reproductive rights, underscores the global ramifications of U.S. organizations like Family Watch International exporting homophobia. Earlier this year, Ipas released a report implicating Family Watch International in fueling anti-gay policies in Uganda. This revelation accentuates the urgent need to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting a disturbing erosion of human rights standards. The report serves as a vital call to action, stressing the interconnectedness of LGBTQ+ rights with broader issues of democracy and economic growth, necessitating comprehensive efforts to ensure equality and protection for LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.
them • Kate Sosin
Tinder select is a $499 per month plan for tinder’s 1 percent
Tinder's unveiling of the invite-only subscription, Tinder Select, priced at $499 per month, has sparked concerns on multiple fronts. The premium plan introduces a comprehensive application process, the "5-point Select Screen," mandating a verified photo, a detailed biography, five interests, a minimum of four images, and specified relationship preferences. Successful applicants are awarded an exclusive Select badge and gain access to heightened visibility and messaging privileges.
However, the emphasis on messaging features, enabling subscribers to contact users they haven't matched with, raises significant privacy concerns for individuals not aligned with the premium tier. Simultaneously, the premium tier's exclusivity, targeting less than 1 percent of "extremely active" users, prompts questions about the potential creation of a socioeconomically stratified environment within the app's community. The combination of these factors underscores the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences of introducing such features on user equality, privacy, and the overall dynamics of the Tinder experience.
The Verge • Sheena Vasani
Unlock your erotic blueprint and unleash your sex life
As a somatic sexologist and creator of the Erotic Blueprints, Jaiya Ma focuses on revealing the diverse erotic languages of arousal to enhance sexual chemistry. The framework introduces five Erotic Blueprint Types – Energetic, Sensual, Sexual, Kinky, and Shapeshifter. Similar to love languages, discovering your pleasure language involves understanding your individual type, empowering couples to communicate their unique pleasure languages. The Erotic Blueprints not only provide a guide to individual types but also offer insights into enhancing your partner's pleasure landscape, emphasizing the importance of building a pleasure map akin to Dr. Gottman's concept of lovemapping. The article underscores the significance of recognizing and embracing your Erotic Blueprint for a fulfilling and vibrant sex life, emphasizing the uniqueness of each person's pleasure experience.
The Drop by Rythm • Jasmine Daniels, Bo Bonilla
3 ways bondage can bring you closer together
Unveiling the sensual world of bondage, this article challenges common misconceptions surrounding this intimate art. It highlights the benefits of bondage in three dimensions: cerebral, involving compassionate dominance and submissive liberation; physical, grounding sensations in the moment; and emotional, creating a secure container for connection and communication. The piece emphasizes the importance of safety, research, and communication in bondage play, offers tips and techniques, and invites readers to embark on a journey that promises to enhance intimacy, pleasure, and emotional connection in ways they may not have imagined.
Poosh • Casey Murphy
25 kinky sex ideas to make your sex life, well, kinkier
This article delves into the subjective nature of kink and vanilla sex, highlighting the individuality of these experiences. It explains that vanilla sex is often considered traditional, while kink provides opportunities to explore beyond one's comfort zone. The article offers 25 expert-approved kinky sex ideas, encompassing various activities such as sensory play, role-playing, and group experiences. It emphasizes the importance of communication, consent, and safety when exploring kink. Additionally, the article discusses the concept of aftercare, emphasizing its role in emotional safety, physical recovery, and bonding after engaging in intense sexual activities.
Cosmopolitan • Tatyannah King
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