A shift in religious identity during adulthood is becoming increasingly common. A recent study by the Public Religion Research Institute reports that one in four Amerians were previously followers of another religion than the one they affiliate with now. This represents an increase from the 16% of Americans reported in 2021 (Religion and Congregations in a Time of Social and Political Upheaval, PRRI: ). Changes in religious perspective can prompt a reexamination of all aspects of one’s life: professional, political, and familial. Since one’s sexuality can often be closely tied to a religious practice, faith transitions may create unique challenges as adults navigate a shifting sexual self.

Being human with consciousness—that is, having feelings, thoughts, and memories—means once in a while we will feel anger, frustration, and anxiety in our relationships. It is nothing to feel ashamed and guilty about! The more you form distinctive relationships, the more you’ll get to explore the different faculties of your emotions—including anger and pain. You might find yourself or your partner(s) displaying anger in different ways and motions, both in sexual and non-sexual situations. When this happens, the best thing to do is to take the anger out for lunch, sit with it, and dig into the “whys” and the “hows.” The real challenge is not to stop yourself from feeling these emotions; instead, it is about learning to control and cope with the challenging situations you find yourself in. So, if you relate to experiencing discomfort when it comes to handling anger and frustration in your unique sexual experiences and relationships, I’d say keep on reading…

One of the things I’ve witnessed at the SHA events I’ve attended is how often this organization introduces people—who are often already professionals—to ideas that they have never before encountered. Truthfully, some of this information should be required learning before someone can become a certified therapist, but it’s not. SHA fills a void (especially with their certification programs) to introduce their students and attendees to information that will better help them assist their clients in a sex-positive and safe way. However, these programs and events may not be accessible to everyone, and you can’t always replay a webinar when you need some guidance.

From its origins in the ancient Fertile Crescent, the Dominatrix archetype continued to invigorate culture through the medieval period into the 19th century. The ancient goddess worship of Inana and Artemis Orthia had been violently oppressed as patriarchal religions and concepts of private property came to dominate society. Despite this, the dominant woman archetype persisted in art, literature, and erotica. From a brave knight jousting for his fair lady’s honor, to a governess disciplining her young wards, the Dominatrix archetype remained a constant theme in both art and fantasy.

Red-light Districts are defined as sections of urban areas designated for legal prostitution and sex-related businesses such as sex shops, strip clubs, adult theaters, and brothels. The color red has always held a relationship to sex and sexuality, and the red in red-light districts means “open for business.” While there are numerous red-light districts in the world—including Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Pigalle in Paris, France; Reeperbahn in Hamburg, Germany; and Kabukichō in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan—there is one red-light district that seems to surpass those mentioned in terms of popularity. Perhaps when you think of the term “red-light district,” a mental image of a European-style street painted in fluorescent red signs pops up. This area is known as De Wallen in Amsterdam.

Passion isn’t linear; it grows, changes, and evolves over time. What satisfies a couple’s sexual and romantic needs one day won’t necessarily satisfy them the next. While that can be difficult to keep up with at times, it’s also what makes relationships interesting and dynamic. 

The pursuit of spicing up your sex life is a worthwhile but ongoing process that requires time, attention, and input from both sides. With a bit of patience, curiosity, and communication, any consenting couple can enjoy an active sex life that’s satisfying, exciting, and stimulating, both physically and emotionally. 

Much of our daily life has been revolutionized by the introduction of the internet. I have not watched a cable television program in forever, and have opted instead for the luxury and convenience of streaming services and vlogs on YouTube as my main source of entertainment. Many other people have adopted the same mindset and have looked towards the opportunities the world wide web produces to pass time. The digitized nature of the world has opened the opportunity for new professions and jobs to emerge along with the demand for specific and targeted content. Examples of this include cam models and more recently, video game streamers, both of whom use video streaming as a way to market and promote themselves while engaging in laborious activities to achieve social and economic success. Though they seem like two distinct and separate forms of self broadcasting, a new article discusses how they’re not as different as one initially assumes.