I’m a young gay man. Here’s how sex-ed class failed to represent students like me

Sex ed taught me little about LGBT relationships, so I went searching on my own By Nathan Sing “Don’t have sex, because you will get pregnant and die.” Before today, this exclamation by the pedophiliac health teacher Coach Carr in the iconic film Mean Girls formed the bulk of my understanding of sex-ed class. But …

Being paralyzed does not mean I can’t have sex…

and six other myths about sex and disability debunked By Poorna Bell Despite pockets of progress, such as online fashion retailer ASOS recently releasing wheelchair-friendly clothing, there is a long way to go when it comes to representation of people with disabilities. Ignorance abounds because of narrow depictions of living with a disability. Nowhere is this …

The 6 Most Common Female Sexual Fantasies and Why Women Have Them

By Alexia LaFata In 1973, it was believed that only men had sexual fantasies. In fact, Cosmo even opened up a feature article that same year with, “Women do not have sexual fantasies, period. Men do.” Much has changed since then, of course. While we still live in an age where female sexuality is more taboo …

We’re Queer And We’ve Been Here

Rediscovering Buddhism’s LGBT history of gay monks, homoerotic samurai, and gender-nonconforming practitioners and gods By Dr. Jay Michaelson It’s no secret that many LGBTQ people have found refuge in the dharma, and it’s easy to see why.  It helps us work with the wounds of homophobia, recognizing internalized self-hatred for the delusion and dukkha [suffering] …

From stone dildos to sexbots: how technology is changing sex

By Dave Parry As the TV series Westworld wraps up its second season, the show continues to spark discussion about a potential future that involves lifelike sex robots. Meanwhile, Australia’s largest adult sexuality and lifestyle expo, SEXPO, is making its way around the country with the theme “Feel the Future” – a nod to all …

6 Things Every Transgender Person Should Know About Going to the Doctor

You deserve sensitive, comprehensive care. By Nathan Levitt, FNP-BC [T]ransgender patients often experience tremendous barriers to health care, including discrimination and an unfortunate lack of providers who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to this population. As a result, many transgender and nonbinary people avoid seeking care for preventive and life-threatening conditions out of fear. According to …

Want to figure out the rules of sexual consent? Ask sex workers.

by Jessie Patella-Rey [T]he #MeToo movement has pushed issues of consent to the foreground of our cultural zeitgeist. Confoundingly, though, some of the movement’s most vocal champions seem to be the worst at respecting the very conventions they are espousing. Shortly after now-former New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Hollywood producer …

How Do You Figure Out What You Really Want From A Relationship, Anyway?

By Kasandra Brabaw [M]any times, the advice that sex and relationship experts give to anyone who wants to have a great relationship or sex life boils down to one main principle: communication. People have to ask for what they want out of a relationship and/or sex, and then keep talking to their partner about how …

Can You Get An STI From Anal Sex?

That itch in your butt? It may not just be a harmless rash. By Isadora Baum [W]hen you think of sexually transmitted infections, symptoms like vaginal itching and pelvic pain probably come to mind. But the same STIs that threaten your health down below can infect other body areas. They’re typically transmitted through oral sex or anal sex, but some can be picked …

Gay and bisexual male teens use adult dating apps to find sense of community, study shows

June is PRIDE Month By Darcel Rockett [F]inding one’s community is integral to adolescent development. The members of that community create space for relationships to grow. For some teens, that community is found on dating apps meant for adult gay men — apps that only require a user enter a birth date that coincides with …

Queen Mother of the South: My Life as a Transgender Parent

By Evonne Kaho [T]he Southern part of the U.S. has to be one of the more conservative regions in the nation. Rooted in traditional, religious, and conventional values, it is often referred to as the “Bible Belt.” Southern traditionalists marvel at their old-fashioned ways and high moral standards. These standards are applied to every aspect …