Course disputes idea that heterosexual sex is ‘natural’

Eugene Lang College is offering a “Queer Ecologies” course this fall devoted to countering “heterosexist” explanations of animals and nature. According to the instructor, common scientific practices like using the terms “male” and “female” when describing reproduction among plants and animals contributes to the perception that “queerness” is “unnatural.” By Toni Airaksinen Eugene Lang College, …

What’s The Difference Between Kink And Fetish?

By Cara Sutra What’s The Difference Between Kink And Fetish? With increasing awareness of and interest in BDSM, much of the related jargon and terms have made their way into common parlance. Two such words are ‘kink’ and ‘fetish’. They’re often used interchangeably, but as they are two different words it’s natural to wonder what the actual meanings are. What’s the difference …

Gay or bi men who disclose sexual history may get better healthcare

By Anne Harding Young men who have sex with men (MSM) who disclose their sexual orientation or behavior to a health care provider are more likely to receive appropriate healthcare, new data suggest. Dr. Elissa Meites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and her colleagues studied 817 MSM, ages 18 to 26, …

Deciphering the sex scenes in Spain’s medieval churches

Experts meet to discuss the meaning of highly explicit sculptures made 1,000 years ago By Manuel Morales Why is that man showing off his enormous phallus, which seems to be pointing straight at us? What about that other bearded fellow who is apparently masturbating? And what is the meaning of that woman who is exhibiting …

Relationship Boredom Isn’t Necessarily A Problem, Therapists Say

  By Shana Lebowitz A relationship won’t always be passionate and spontaneous, therapists say. It’s normal to sometimes feel bored in your marriage. But there are ways to spice things up, like planning to do something “illicit” with your partner. If there’s one “problem” relationship experts hear over and over again, it’s this: The passion …

Pelvic floor physio: Treating pain during sex and other common women’s health issues

By Maryse Zeidler Pain during intercourse. Incontinence. A prolapsed uterus. Pelvic floor physiotherapist Anniken Chadwick helps her clients with problems rarely discussed at the dinner table, but that are common nonetheless. “Mostly my job is oriented around women’s health, and we just don’t do that well with women’s health in our medical system,” Chadwick said, …

Turns out the best sex actually doesn’t come from hot-blooded passion

By Leah Fessler Spontaneous sex—clandestine encounters, afternoon delights, and one-night stands—is fantastic. But more often than not, the mind-boggling orgasms of this kind of sex are a myth you read about in magazines. The alternative, planned sex, doesn’t sound particularly exciting. Sending a calendar invite for sex is about as sexy as sending a calendar …

A Sexuality Researcher Explains a Big Unanswered Question in Sex Studies

By Cari Romm Most of the time, the people who ask how you’re doing will be satisfied by the rote, two-word reply: I’m fine. I’m good. Really, it was the question that mattered, not the answer. Every so often, though, you’ll encounter someone who truly wants to know about the state of your emotional/physical/spiritual existence, …

10 questions you should ask your partner so your relationship can thrive

Questioning your expectations and compatibility is key, researchers claim By Sabrina Barr How do you know when it’s the right time to take a relationship that’s in its early stages to the next level? Asking the right questions could be the key to embarking on a more serious and meaningful relationship, according to a study …

Here’s why having sex gives you meaning in life, according to scientific research

Just another reason why sex is wonderful…  By Rosie Fitzmaurice There are a number of health benefits that have been associated with having sex, both physical and mental. And new research suggests having sex could also give you a greater sense of meaning in life. A team of researchers at the George Mason University set out to …