How sex cemented (and stigmatized) the gay community

— The history of discrimination and persecution against the LGBTQ+ community led many people to seek safe meeting spaces A march for LGBTQ+ rights in New York City in 1994, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. By Álex Maroño Porto Nico is a 30-year-old American who moved to Pamplona, in the north of Spain, …

How Queer, Disabled People Are Finding Pleasure and Community Through Kink

— For decades, kinky disabled people have been creating intentional, accessible spaces where their own sensuality, agency, and erotic connection is at the center. By Sara Youngblood Gregory Artemis and Greta met in 2021 at a Brooklyn rope jam, a type of casual, low-pressure community event where people gather to hang out and practice rope …

Shakespeare’s Obsession With Queer Desire

William Shakespeare Memorial Statue at Westminster Abbey in London, England. By Will Tosh Where should we look for an LGBTQ+ icon from the Elizabethan age? How about the playwright Christopher Marlowe, a dissident who scorned those “that love not tobacco and boys” and wrote a historical tragedy about England’s queer king Edward II? Or have …

Condoms are no longer a fact of life for young Americans.

— They’re an afterthought Condoms are made available to students at the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. By Devna Bose It’s hard to miss the overflowing bowl of condoms at the entrance of the gym. Some University of Mississippi students walking past after their workout snicker and point, and …

5 reasons why abortion is health care

— Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy. A patient speaks with a midwife at Chingussura health center in Beira, where MSF connects hard-to-reach communities with safe abortion care and other sexual and reproductive health services. At Doctors …

What doctors wish patients knew about pain during sex

By Sara Berg, MS Experiencing pain during or immediately after sexual activity—known as dyspareunia—is a condition affecting many women, yet it remains a topic often shrouded in silence. This medical issue, which can affect both physical and emotional well-being, is more common than many may realize. Understanding and addressing this condition is crucial for promoting …

What does the ‘plus’ stand for in LGBTQ+

— And what is the history of the acronym? by Adam Bloodworth If you’re wondering what the “plus” means in LGBTQ+, you’ve come to the right place. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and “plus” represents all other sexual identities including pansexual, asexual and omnisexual – amongst many others. It’s the accepted and …