Can ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Relationships Work?

By Gabrielle Kassel The phrase “don’t ask, don’t tell” may bring to mind the discriminatory policy from the ’90s that kept LGBTQ+ folks in the U.S. military from sharing information about their sexuality or non-cis gender. But the phrase has another meaning in polyamorous circles: a non-monogamous relationship structure that allows some kinds of physical, …

What Is A ‘Financial Dominatrix’?

By Desirée O There’s no doubt that every relationship has its unique dynamic, which is part of what makes them all so special. However, some share the same fundamentals, attractions, and particular preferences. For instance, there are various kinds of female-led relationships, including ones that can end up being quite financially lucrative. That’s especially true if …

A new morning-after pill to stop STDs could also make the problem worse

By Fenit Nirappil Public health officials are deploying a powerful new weapon in the war against rising sexually transmitted infections: a common antibiotic that works as a morning-after pill. It is the latest advancement as the sexual health field shifts to preventive medicine — not just condoms, abstinence and tests — as the best hope …

Here’s How Sex Toys Can Improve Your Sexual Wellness Beyond Providing Pleasure

By Aliyah Moore Sex toys haven’t always been connected to a multi-billion dollar market; for a long time, consumers widely purchased back massagers with an off-label use as a vibrator or simply didn’t interact with the products at all. But thanks to changing perceptions and awareness about pleasure’s role in sexual health, which is integral …

7 Ways To Spice Up Your Sex Life in a Monogamous Relationship

— Because, Yes, Familiarity Can Breed Boredom By Lia Avellino, LCSW For years, studies have shown that Americans are having less sex, whether they’re teens or in midlife. While researchers posit several different reasons for that—the lasting social effects of a pandemic that encouraged isolation, and more reliance on our devices over human connection, to …

How to boost your libido if you’re taking antidepressants

— Trust us, it’s not gone forever BY Holly Berckelman If you take antidepressants and have found your libido’s dropped off a cliff, fear not, there are GP-approved steps you can take to bring it back. There’s a lot of stigma around antidepressants Due to the formerly hush-hush nature of mental illness and misconceptions spread …

How Can I Set and Actually Maintain a Boundary?

— We all know the theory. But the importance of setting boundaries is real. By Hannah Shewan Stevens Boundaries protect our well-being and foster functional and healthy relationships, but to be effective, the foundation has to be applied correctly. Those who were raised without the education of psychologists on TikTok may be used to people …

What Happens When You End Up With the Wrong Person in a Polyamorous Relationship?

— When it comes to affairs of the heart, we are all beginners. Some of us, however, at least speak with authority. Introducing Shon Faye, author of The Transgender Issue (2021) and the forthcoming Love in Exile (2025), whose advice caught our eye. By Shon Faye Dear Shon, I am in a long-term and loving …

So, You Want To Open Your Monogamous Relationship?

— Here’s Where To Start By Eliza Dumais We’re a post-monogamy generation in more ways than one: Our fridges house anywhere from two to 16 varieties of “milk.” We select television programs from 11 competing streaming services. Come dinner time, we opt between hundreds of regional cuisines, all available to us within minutes. We’re spoiled …

Queer Reading

— SF State prof sees reasons for rethinking LGBTQ history by Brian Bromberger For Marc Stein, professor of history at San Francisco State University, queer history is a calling, realizing he is part of a network and a community of gay intellectuals. Many U.S. college history departments don’t even define queer history as a bona …