BDSM for beginners – a former dominatrix guides you and your partner through S&M

By Miranda Kane Let’s start in a very clear, very concise manner. I’m going to assume you are two adults who want to try a bit of kink or BDSM, and you’re looking for a bit of helpful advice. I’m going to make that caveat because I’m tired of seeing advice columns labelled ‘How do …

What BDSM might teach us about affirmative consent

By Brain & Behavior A new study by Northern Illinois University psychologists suggests that evidence for the effectiveness of the “Yes Means Yes” affirmative-consent movement, which has taken hold on many college campuses nationwide, might be found in an unlikely subculture—the BDSM community. While some critics of BDSM associate it with sexual aggression, and particularly …

Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are: Why Oct. 11 Matters To LGBT People

by Robbie Medwed Coming Out Is The Single Most Powerful Political Strategy We Have It’s Pride Weekend here in Atlanta, one of my favorite weekends of the year. It might seem odd to you that the largest Pride festival in the South and one of the largest in the country is in October and not …

Tips for Coming Out As Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming or Gender Fluid

By Sarah McBride Almost five years ago, I came out as transgender to my family, friends, and, eventually, my broader community.  I was blessed with a warm and welcoming response from those who loved me.  Since announcing my news and living openly, I’ve met countless transgender people and heard a range of coming out experiences. …

Cancer patients and survivors can have trouble with intimacy

[P]eople who survive cancer treatment — a growing group now topping 5 million — often have trouble with intimacy afterward, both from the actual treatment and physical recovery and from the psychological damage of feeling so vulnerable.(Photo: Getty Images/Comstock Images) In the mirror, Kelly Shanahan looks normal, even to herself. But she does not feel …

Meet The Photographer Using Rope Bondage To Create Incredible Art

by Colette McIntyre Art has a long history of drawing inspiration from the otherwise underground world of BDSM. The custom goes as far back as 1928, when the surrealist artist Man Ray captured an image of a woman sensually reclining while bound in ropes and a harness. Robert Mapplethorpe famously stunned the ’70s art establishment …

How to successfully navigate friends with benefits

by Shannon Dengos [T]he idea of having a friends with benefits relationship—two friends who have sex without a romantic relationship or commitment—can be very temping and convenient while in college. Due to the fact that students live away from their parents and in close proximity to many other people their age, friends with benefits relationships …

What is consent? Many college students aren’t sure

College and university students remain divided over what consent actually means By Kelsey M On June 3, 2016, I found myself outraged and ready to throw my phone at the wall. After reading the Buzzfeed News article that featured a heart-wrenching letter penned to Brock Turner in the Stanford rape case, I was in a state of …

13 Ways Non-Monogamy Has Made Me a Better Partner (and Person)

By Maya M [I]n our culture and many others, the typical relationship narrative goes like this: You date around a little, eventually finding one true soulmate—the one person you’ll grow old with, raise children with, and the one and only person you’ll have sex with. But there are a lot of people who don’t subscribe …