As I discussed in my blog post about how better knowledge of bodies makes for better public policy, bathroom access is a public health issue that disproportionately affects women, transgender people, and other people on who are agender or non-binary. This is one reason why I’m incensed about Indiana’s Senate Bill 35, which makes ” it […]
sexual health
Genitals, Stigma, & Shame (or why camel toe needs to die in a fire)
I don’t know whether to blame lack of universal, accurate sex education in America, or the more general sex-negative and sex-phobic lens of mainstream American culture, but it seems to me that people don’t know what’s up with their genitals. Things having to do with genitals are largely seem as shameful, and hence too stigmatized […]
Abortion Exceptions and Medical Marijuana: An Uneasy Parallel
I was struck by a sense of unease when I saw the news that a Senate committee is backing legislation that would allow VA (Veterans Affairs) doctors to recommend medical marijuana for their patients. I’m in favor of legalizing medical marijuana for a host of reasons (harm reduction primary among them), but this seemed weird […]
My Family Made Sex Normal, and I’m So Grateful
As I add to my blog post series on the case for sex ed (part 1, part 2, part 3, & part 4 are all available), I thought I’d leap in with a slightly more personal reflection on how informal sex education can be normalized and how this can benefit everyone. I was fortunate to […]
Syphilis in the Social Sciences Classroom
A lot of the work I do as a sex educator is in the college classroom. I haven’t taught a Human Sexuality class yet, or done a campus Sex Week yet, but in designing and teaching classes in anthropology, gender studies, and folklore programs, I emphasize many basic themes and topics in sex education, such as […]
A Body-Literate Society (The Case for Sex Ed Part 2)
In continuing my series making a case for sex education (see part 1 here), I’d like to make the point that we need sex ed in order to ensure that we live in a society where everyone knows how their bodies work. This includes anatomical functions like puberty and pregnancy, STI transmission, orgasm, and much […]
Lady Business Vending Machines
What if we had women’s self-care kits available in vending machines in public restrooms? The Lady Business Self-Care Kit explores this idea, with smart packaging designed to be unobtrusive yet snappy. These kits would go beyond period supplies, into safer-sex supplies, pregnancy test kits, STI test kits, UTI relief kits, and more. This project is […]
Implications of the FDA Blood Donation Policy
Since 1977, the FDA has not allowed blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the FDA has just announced that it’s considering lifting the ban, and making an exception for men who have sex with men who’ve been celibate for one year. On the one hand, it’s estimated that this will increase […]
If You Can’t Talk About It, You Probably Shouldn’t Be Doing It
I was browsing sexuality forums recently, and saw somebody giving the advice: “If you can’t talk about it, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.” This notion intrigued me, so I decided to explore it further, considering how being able to verbalize one’s desires and actions can impact one’s sexual experiences and health. First, there’s your […]