Premarital s-x. S-x without love. S-x for pleasure not procreation. S-x with blindfolds and knots. S-x five times a week. Have you ever been accused of engaging in these activities and condemned as a morally corrupt or chaotic person? Or told that you have “lost your innocence” and along with it, the core values you learned growing up? If you’re anything like me—breathing promiscuity more than oxygen—you’ll relate!

If you've spent any time on the internet in the past couple of years—especially in queer spaces—you might have heard the term queerbaiting being thrown around. The term highlights how mainstream media continues to capitalize off of queer people for their own gain, without actually representing them. Meanwhile, certain queerbaiting allegations have also been critiqued for prematurely pushing people out of the closet. 

Essentially, queerbating is when a celebrity or media producer capitalizes on building an image and suspicion that they or one of their characters might be queer—without any intention of explicit confirmation. With an estimated $3.7 trillion purchasing power among LGBTQIA+ consumers, it is no surprise companies or celebrities want to make capitalistic gains off of being relatable to this demographic

September—a month to celebrate resiliency, power, and love. You may be asking: “what’s so special about September? It’s just an ordinary month!” Well, reader, I’m here to tell you that September holds a high level of importance for the LGBTQIA+ community, and more specifically for the bisexual community. September is Bisexuality Visibility Month, an annual celebration for the bi (a shorthand for bisexual) community. This month is a time to uplift the voices within the bi community and bring light to the struggles this community faces, as well as an occasion to admire the strength of the bisexual community and to educate yourself on the different aspects of bisexuality. 

The more we learn and explore our s-xual lives, the more we’re able to understand that we can have wholesome s-x routines, both pleasurable and healthy. If you’re anything like me —someone who loves to engage in adventurous s-xual interactions but who also wants to launch into safer s-xual practices—you’ll want to take some time today to celebrate World Contraception Day! 

Observed every year on September 26th, World Contraception Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the existence and the improvements in contraceptives or birth control available to us. The World Health Organization further recognizes this day as an opportunity to emphasize on individuals’ rights to independently make decisions on the number and spacing between their potential kids. I mean, hell yeah!

On September 16th and 17th, the Sexual Health Alliance hosted an incredibly illuminating and truly sexceptional summit, learning more about the science behind relationships. We were joined by a range of professionals—in the field of psychology field and beyond—such as Dr. Marie Thouin, Dr. Lisa Neff, Dr. Sarah Stanton, Dr. Bill Chopik, Laura Vowels, Dr. Dylan Selterman, Dr. Nicole Prause, Dr. Taylor Kohut, Dr. Christopher Agnew, and Dr. Lisa Diamond. A special thank you goes out to Dr. Rhonda Balzarini both for her powerful lecture and for organizing this summit. Our students extended their knowledge of traditional attachment theory and learned more about some key predictors of committed, successful, and satisfying relationships. The tools and knowledge acquired through this weekend experience are sure to aid our students both in their careers as clinicians and other helping professions as well as in reflecting on their own personal relationships.

The anticipation is building, the excitement palpable, and the day you've been waiting for is just around the corner – the upcoming in-person sexological conference. For many, this conference isn't just a chance to learn, but also an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share experiences. As you gear up for this unique experience, here are some valuable tips to ensure you make the most of it while maintaining a welcoming and professional atmosphere.

The shift toward the neurodiversity paradigm (named and outlined by Nick Walker) is an attempt to depathologize neurotypes (such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.) deemed “atypical” and “non-normative” by dominant culture and instead frame such neurotypes as naturally occurring variations in cognitive function.

Just as affirming care models for LGBTQIA+ persons move away from medicalization of identity and instead operate on a minority stress model—thereby treating not the identity itself, but the effects of the stress caused or exacerbated by the explicit or implicit negative social reception of (and reaction to) the identity—the neurodiversity paradigm shifts away from medicalizing neurodivergence and toward a focus on acknowledging and mitigating the stress of being neurodivergent in a world designed by, and for, neurotypical persons.

Many of us grew up in a culture where porn was condemned and hushed—which, for many, has only made this topic more exciting. Social norms, the appalling state of our sexual education, and a general taboo around porn have left many of us with little actual knowledge about the topic. Is it good? Is it bad? This lack of open conversation makes it harder for us to reflect on whether we even like porn, what we want from it, how it makes us feel, etc. Lack of intention and awareness when engaging with pornographic content can lead to uncomfortable encounters and shameful feelings. We, the Sexual Health Alliance, have compiled a non-exhaustive list of questions to reflect on so that your encounters with porn remain pleasurable. 

If you have a vulva and are sexually active, you probably know the drill: pee after sex or risk getting a UTI. But peeing after sex is not a magic bullet. Sometimes, you can follow the rule and still get a UTI.

Despite our best efforts to prevent UTIs, sometimes you just can’t stop them from coming. Due to the nature of the urinary tract, and its shortness in length, persons with vulvas are unfortunately quite prone to UTIs. At least 50% of individuals with vulvas will experience a UTI, often more than one. Some individuals even suffer from chronic UTIs, experiencing 3+ UTIs a year. 

So let’s break down how to prevent UTIs—because sometimes peeing after sex isn’t enough. 

You might have already heard about PrEP and PEP (pre and post-exposure prophylaxis), which can help significantly reduce the risk of catching HIV after being exposed to it. If you're like me, you read about these drugs and immediately thought: great, but what about all the other common STIs? Could they have a similar alternative? Well, I am pleased to tell you that recent research reveals that they could—and they do (kind of)! Doxy-PEP and PrEP are currently emerging as a “Plan B” option to reduce the risk of catching syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia after being exposed. 

So, you're thinking about diving into the world of sexology? Buckle up, because you're about to embark on a fascinating journey that's all about understanding, educating, and breaking taboos. Being a sex educator isn't just about sharing facts; it's about opening minds, fostering healthy conversations, and making a positive impact. 

At Sexual Health Alliance, we provide the progressive and radical education you need to be an amazing sex educator. If learning from world-class experts is your jam, you don’t want to miss what SHA has to offer. Sex education changes the world and you are taking your first step to being a rockin’ sex educator. Here are some down-to-earth tips to help you pave your way as an aspiring sex educator.

Alright, let's talk about a seriously important shift that's shaking up the world of sex education – inclusivity and diversity. We're talking about breaking down those old-school barriers that left a bunch of folks out of the conversation. This isn't just about throwing around fancy words; it's about making sure everyone gets the knowledge they deserve. Traditional sex ed? Yeah, it had its issues. A lot of people felt like their experiences and identities didn't matter. But guess what? Things are changing, and they're changing for the better. At Sexual Health Alliance, we go the extra mile to make sure our programming is diverse and inclusive. SHA is always learning and growing, taking those extra steps to make sure everyone’s voice is heard in the sexuality community. 

As a Sexuality Educator, I’m often asked for my top tip for improving your sex life.  My motto is, “Embrace the Awkward!”  It’s a response that suits a multitude of situations.

Human bodies are magical - and sometimes gross.  The degree of gross depends upon your constitution, of course, but I tend to believe the more comfortable you can become with natural bodily functions and fluids, the more present you can be in the moment.  

One of my partners early on in my sex life helped me so much. I was mortified that my period started smack in the middle of the act.  He grabbed a warm washcloth to clean us both up, and led the way to making sure we were both satisfied despite the mid-coitus horror movie scene.  We laughed about it for years after.