Author Archives: Guest Post

Women Have Prostates Too…Sort Of

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Guest Post

We’re so delighted to share this post with you from our friend Dave at theohface.com. Dave writes for theohface.com, a blog that discusses sex, gender and sexuality issues from a sex positive perspective. His mission is to help create safe spaces for dialogue about these issues and to diminish the stigma surrounding them. Reach him at theohface.com or on Twitter at @theohfacedotcom.

So it’s halfway through the month of November, which means that most of the men participating in the Movember fundraising are sporting more than just the peach fuzz that we’ve been subject to over the past couple of weeks. November is prostate awareness month, although as Hector Villeda-Martinez writes the only thing we seem to be aware of is its potential for cancer. There is very little being said about its potential for pleasure. Villeda-Martinez also brings up the point that, from his perspective, Movember feels like a straights-only affair, and I can definitely feel him on that.

But none of this is what I really want to talk about. I want to talk about something that few people associate with prostates: women. Yeah, women have prostates too, they’re just not called that. They have what’s called a Skene’s gland which, when you’re a little XX foetus, is made out of the same tissues as the prostate is in the little XY foetus.

And these two glands have a lot in common. They both produce a chemically similar fluid and it is believed that women who can ejaculate are ejaculating fluid from their Skene’s gland.

It is also thought that the Skene’s gland may be or be related to the G Spot, which would make a lot of sense since stimulating the prostate in men can cause orgasm and is often referred to as the P Spot. It’s also interesting because Skene’s glands can vary significantly in shape and size and in a number of cases are so small that they seem to be completely absent. This could explain why it has been so hard to determine the existence of the G Spot, because it’s different in every woman’s body and some women don’t even appear to have one.

Because they are so similar and essentially made from the same stuff, a number of researchers have stopped referring to it as the Skene’s gland and are instead calling it the female prostate. So remember, Movember isn’t just about cancer, it’s about awareness. Be aware of all the joys (and potential pains) of prostates both male and female – and if you can’t grow a moustache just draw one on.

(Originally posted at theohface.com: Women Have Prostates Too, Sort of)

The Frightful Search for a Halloween Costume

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Guest Post

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: Naughty Nemo

As our Planned Parenthood is throwing the biggest and most awesome Halloween party in the region on October 27, a lot of people are probably starting to think about their costumes. Who’s in the news right now? What are some classic options? And what can I wear that doesn’t expose my entire nether region?

First let me emphasize: this will not be an post written for the purpose of “slutty clothes shaming.” This is NOT directed at the adults who embrace racy at Halloween time. My rant is against the companies – and that means the vast majority of the Halloween costume companies – who produce costumes that I simply won’t, can’t, never ever would I wear. And how on earth did we get to a place where all costume makers assume that every single woman on the planet is thrilled to be nearly-naked on Hallows Eve?

Truly, I love Halloween. From the ages of 6-18, I lived in a place so remote that the closest house was nearly half a mile away. Thus, the only way I could participate in trick-or-treating was if downtown merchants held a small event for the rural kiddies such as myself. So as an adult I’ve grown to expect miracles out of Halloween. But my Achilles heel has always been deciding what to wear – more so as I’ve aged and the costumes have gotten decidedly smaller.

Seriously, who thought of Naughty Nemo? Sexy Ninja Turtle? Sexy Potato Head? Or Sexy Plumber? Really??? (I could go on and on about “The Shocker” but we don’t have enough time for that.)

So if you put the word “Sexy” in front of anything, you’ve got a viable women’s costume. Again, when it comes to adults, I don’t see anything wrong with going all out – whether your preference is to frighten, to gross out, or to get as hot as the law may allow. But when did Halloween become “more strip club than storybook”?

This article from Slate suggests that the roots of sex & Halloween were planted during Halloween parades in New York City’s (predominantly gay) Greenwich Village in the early ‘70s. The gay community embraced the event and the parade soon became famous across the country.

Whether you see it as Halloween or All Epidermis Eve, the most critical decision you’ll make (beyond choosing a reliable designated driver) is your costume. If you’re like me, looking for a little more modesty this Halloween, here’s a list of classic costume ideas that you can adapt to any comfort level. And here’s a site where most of the hemlines seem to approach or even exceed the knee.

So Feronians, how do you feel about today’s Halloween costume options? Let us know!

Fun Friday – 10 Weird Human Sex Facts

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Guest Post

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Happy Fun Friday, kittens! We hope you’ve had a good week and have exciting plans for the weekend.

In honor of Fun Friday, courtesy of The Frisky, here are 10 weird sex facts that prove we’re civilized here at the top of the food chain and yet still pretty freakin’ gross …

Sporting Sexism: Gender Injustice at the Olympic Games

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Guest Post

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Today’s Guest Post comes from a member of our affiliate interested in gender studies.

The glorious feats of human athleticism on display during the Olympic games can be a fantastic break from some of the more mundane routines of our everyday life. The games give people something to look forward to, something worthwhile to train for, and something that coworkers, friends, and family can talk about together. But if you are paying close attention, the Olympic Games can also serve as an ideal nexus for viewing and discussing many of the intersectionalities of asymmetric power relationships that pervade American society.

To me, the argument is simple: if you are the best at an internationally recognized sport, you should be allowed to compete in the event regardless of how you are categorized regarding gender, sex, sexual orientation or religious affiliations, and you should receive equal media coverage for equal success. Isn’t that what the Olympic Games should be about? Pitting the best athletes against each other and equally lauding their prowess?

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are a lot of examples from the Olympics which demonstrate the contrary. Not only are women and intersex individuals relegated to a lesser status regarding their physical acumen, there are a barrage of mitigating factors which serve to dissuade these individuals from taking part in sports all together.

While the Olympic Games are absolutely stunning, we should not lose sight of the fact that we are viewing the games through the framework provided by NBC, the company which serves as distributor and gatekeeper for a majority of the content Americans receive regarding the games. Since the data for this year’s games hasn’t been released yet, we can look to the 2010 games for more insight to avoid overt editorialization. An analysis of NBC’s prime time coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics found that men were far more likely to be promoted and advanced than women athletes. The study ‘What’s The Gendered Story? Vancouver’s Prime Time Olympic Glory on NBC’ goes on to argue that, “(a) when excluding mixed-gendered pair competitions, men received more than three-fifths of the remaining airtime, (b) 75% of the most-mentioned athletes were men, and (c) sportscasters again employed dialogue differences in key areas including that men were more likely than women to be portrayed as succeeding because of their experience, while women were more likely than men to be depicted as succeeding because of courage and failing because they lacked commitment.” Not only was the amount of airtime vastly different depending on the athlete’s gender, the cultural narrative presented by NBC was vastly different as well. NBC is given the honor of presenting excellent athletes, and they do so in a way that overlooks the accomplishments of women.

Not only are these asymmetric power relations reproduced via the media; sexually discriminatory practices are built within the Olympic Games themselves. A poignant example of this sort of discrimination in practice was seen during the qualifications for short hill ski jumping in 2010. Even though the Olympics finally outlawed mandatory sex-testing of athletes for the 2000 Olympic Games (opting instead for “suspicion based testing”), Lindsey Van, the vagina-owning-individual who held the world record for short hill ski jumping, was not allowed to compete. In defense, President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge stated that the decision “was made strictly on a technical basis, and absolutely not on gender grounds.” The world record holder for short hill ski jumping was denied access to the Olympic Games because of her gender, based on the “technicality” that there weren’t enough other women competitors in that event. Even though Lindsay held the world record, beating both men and women.

A group of athletes sued the Vancouver Organizing Committee and the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that this exclusion was illegal gender discrimination. Unfortunately, the court had no authority over the International Olympic Committee. The only way Lindsay could compete would be is she underwent a two-year-long medical procedure to change her gender and then provided the appropriate government documents proving that she had changed her gender. She declined the change and lost her record in 2010. Fortunately, because of the press coverage she was able to procure for this injustice, women’s short hill ski jumping will be an event for the 2014 Winter Games.

For a plethora of reasons, the Olympics can be a much-needed release from everyday life for a large cross-section of Americans. But there are a lot of regressive elements that manifest during these events, and if we are to hold these institutions in such high regard as a society, we must act with due diligence to correct these injustices.

(For more information, please see What’s The Gendered Story? Vancouver’s Prime Time Olympic Glory on NBC in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media Volume 56, Issue 2, 2012, by James R. Angelini, Paul J. MacArthur & Andrew C. Billings.)

Fun Friday Quiz: Birth Control Brand or Star Wars Character?

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Guest Post

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Happy Friday, kittens!

We know you’re up on sexual health issues but, in honor of Fun Friday, we thought we’d test yer mettle with this super-fun quiz: Birth Control Brand or Star Wars Character?

Make Chewbacca proud!

Contraceptive Coverage is Here … Mostly

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Guest Post

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This guest post provided by our Medical Director.

A hard-fought day is finally here! Today, mandatory 100% coverage of a number of women’s preventive services, including the frustratingly controversial contraception provision, will go into place for many women. If you have an insurance plan written on or after today, it will now have to cover the following women’s preventive services with no copay:

Well women visits
HPV DNA testing
STI – including HIV – counseling
Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
Domestic violence screening
Contraception and contraceptive counseling

These are in addition to all the other preventive services that must already be covered. Not everyone will instantly have coverage today, though. First, you must already have insurance, and then you might have coverage right away if your insurance plan chooses. You might not have coverage until your plan renews. And if you work for a religious employer, you will probably have to wait another year as they have until August 2013 to implement the regulation. But woman are gaining ground.

However, there are still threats to contraceptive coverage. Two weeks ago, a federal judge dismissed a suit filed on behalf of seven states (Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas) who claimed that the contraception mandate violated their religious freedom because (I’m going to just directly quote from the Huffington Post, because the argument is convoluted):

“The states claimed that the contraception mandate violates religious freedom rights under the First Amendment by only carving out an exemption for those religious organizations that primarily serve and employ people of their own faiths. A Catholic charity, the attorney generals contended, would have to stop serving people of other religions in order to avoid having to pay for its employees’ birth control, and then those unserved people would have to turn to the state for assistance.”

And there are still two dozen other suits from religiously affiliated institutions such as universities that are pending. One of these was recently dismissed, but there are many more to come. And this past Friday, the birth control mandate suffered its first court loss in Colorado. But for the most part, for now, the contraception mandate is safe and we can celebrate one more step in the right direction for reducing the health disparities between men and women.

Planned Parenthood Recommendations for Breast Health

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Guest Post

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Today’s guest writer is our very own Medical Director.

Recently, because of conflicting recommendations, there has been controversy about what evaluation and testing women need to keep their breasts healthy. Additionally, we know that once the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is implemented women will have better access to health care, but you may be wondering what will be covered in the face of the conflicting recommendations.

Planned Parenthood, as a major provider of breast cancer screening in the U.S., has taken a look at the recommendations of all the groups and the available evidence. Here is what we recommend to our patients, as well as some information about what will be covered under the ACA:

1) Breast self-awareness. This is different than the monthly self-breast examinations that were recommended in the past. Breast self-awareness means being aware of how your breasts normally look and feel, and also knowing your history. Simply looking at, touching and feeling your breasts from time to time should be enough to help you notice any changes. If you notice any change in your breasts, you should have them checked out by a health care provider as soon as possible. Breast self-awareness also means knowing your family history, if it’s available. If you know you have a family history of breast cancer, you need to let your health care provider know.

Health care providers used to recommend that women do breast self-exams every month. The reason we have stopped recommending monthly self-examination is that two large studies found that monthly self-examination leads to an increased number of biopsies – but not decreased deaths from breast cancer.*

2) Annual mammograms starting at age 40 years. This recommendation is in agreement with the American Cancer Society and recommends earlier and more frequent mammograms than the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends mammograms begin at 50 for women without a family history. Beginning mammograms at an earlier age means more false positives – abnormal mammograms in women without cancer – but, after evaluating the evidence, Planned Parenthood found that this drawback was outweighed by the increased number of cancers detected. Annual mammograms for women over the age of 40 must be covered at no cost by insurance under the ACA.

3) Clinical breast exam every 2-3 years for ages 20-39 year and annually for women ages 40 years and older. This is a breast exam performed by your health care provider. Well woman visits must be covered at no cost under the ACA.

We know that navigating the world of health care, with sometimes-conflicting recommendations, heated discussions in the media, and politically charged atmosphere created by the passing of the Affordable Care Act, can be frustrating and even scary. Planned Parenthood is here to help; visit our website for comprehensive information about a variety of health topics.

*Kösters JP, Gøtzsche PC. Regular self-examination or clinical examination for early detection of breast cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003373. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003373. Assessed as up to date: October 9, 2007

A Final Look at ’50 Shades’: Jealousy and Relationships

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Guest Post

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Today’s guest post is from “Erin” who is a graduating student of Women’s and Gender Studies at a local university. She specializes in sexuality as it relates to gender and her main focus is reproductive rights history.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” has intrigued the nation, including me. I think everyone is highly aware that it is a raunchy novel about the budding sexual relationship of Christian Grey, a BDSM Dominant and self-made billionaire, and Anastasia Steele, a young, naïve woman graduating from university. Though Christian wants Anastasia to participate in a BDSM relationship as his submissive, she is not sure whether this is the life for her, though she finds she likes participating in the sex play that goes along with the lifestyle. Here at the Feronia Project, we are sex positive. We believe that any consensual sex is perfectly all right, including BDSM. In fact, another take on “50 Shades” is that it has great benefits as erotic literature. Throughout the trilogy, there are countless hot sex scenes that empower women to go after their desires and realize that female sexuality exists, for one, and is just as potent as male sexuality. From a feminist perspective, the sexual empowerment is amazing; that said, if this were a movie, it would not pass the Bechdel test.

Jealousy is a pervading theme in the novels. Christian is constantly concerned, frustrated and angry about the other men in Ana’s life; and Ana is perpetually worried about all the women who swoon over Christian’s devastating good looks, not to mention Christian’s “Mrs. Robinson.” According to Psychology Today, “As emotions go, jealousy is neither subtle nor kind, but it is definitely complex, encompassing feelings from fear of abandonment to rage to humiliation. It strikes both men and women when they perceive a third-party threat to a valued relationship, and that distinguishes it from envy, which involves wanting something someone else has. Conventional wisdom holds that jealousy is a necessary emotion because it preserves social bonds, but it more often destroys them. And it can give rise to relationship violence.” Or as Havelock Ellis put it succinctly, “Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive.”

If you have ever experienced romantic jealousy, you know it is a horrible feeling, which often makes us react irrationally. It comes from within and usually has nothing to do with the other person’s actions. It stems from insecurity, low self-esteem, and lack of trust. The only way to effectively overcome jealousy is to have open and rational communication, as well as taking a serious look at the underlying emotional issues (namely insecurity, low self-esteem, and lack of trust). The problem with jealousy is that it’s a slippery slope from there to violence. According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center:

• 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime

• Almost 1 in 3 women murdered in the U.S. was killed by an intimate partner

This means that domestic abuse is real and serious. The first step to take to end an abusive relationship is to recognize that it is an abusive relationship. There is a typical pattern that abusive relationships take called the cycle of abuse:

Not all abusive relationships follow this linearly, so if you find yourself in a relationship that looks somewhat or even minutely abusive, please seek help. There are also different kinds of abuse: emotional, physical or sexual. These can be intermingled or separate. There are definite warning signs to look out for – I’ve always called them red flags throughout my dating life:

Jealousy and Possessiveness: This can manifest as isolating you from your friends and family, rifling through your belongings, wanting you to drop all your friends (especially of the same sex as your partner), and/or expecting you to spend all your time with him/her.

Controlling Behavior: This can manifest as calling or texting you constantly to keep tabs on where you are and what you’re doing, showing up at your work or school to check up on you, checking mileage on your car, bossing you around, giving you orders, making all the decisions, disregarding your suggestions and wishes, discounting your feelings, making you feel trapped or crazy, blaming you for all his/her problems and making you feel his/her behavior is your fault, withholding approval, and/or putting you down and calling you names.

Hypersensitivity and explosive behavior: This can manifest as bursting out in anger unpredictably, and/or making you feel like you’re walking on eggshells.

Threatening and using violence: This can manifest as grabbing, pushing, shoving, slapping, shaking, kicking, punching, and/or choking you; pressuring you for sex; breaking or destroying objects, especially those you value; making your friends and family concerned for you and your safety. If you or a friend find yourself in an abusive situation, here are some resources, local and otherwise:

• The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay –> Tampa

• CASA- Community Action Stops Abuse –> St. Pete

• SPARCC- Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center –> Sarasota

• RAINN – Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

• Domestic Violence Resource Center

• Dial 2-1-1 for 24/7 Crisis Hotline and Resources

Back to ‘50 Shades’

The relationship between Christian and Anastasia includes some “kinky fuckery” that uses inflicting pain in order to enhance pleasure. This is defined as sadomasochism. These sexual experiences are consensual and they use safe words – even if the safe word is simply “stop.” The only times when Anastasia is not comfortable with the sadomasochistic practices that Christian so dearly desires is when his intention is to discipline her, not to pleasure her. These are the times when she removes herself from the situations or uses the safe words. Because the interactions between Ana and Christian are always consensual, I do not find anything wrong with their portrayal of BDSM relationships in the novels. It is only the jealousy and controlling behaviors that are alarming. When life is a little less ideal than an erotic fantasy novel, these behaviors may lead to other less endearing ones, namely abusive behaviors. Don’t be afraid to get help if you need it.

What did you think of “Fifty Shades of Grey”? There are so many interpretations out there already, but I want to know yours.

More on 50 Shades of Grey (or Taming of the Grey)

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Guest Post

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I didn’t want to do it but everyone else was … From television to Facebook, newspapers to a gazillion blog sites, it seemed that everyone was (and still is) talking about “50 Shades of Grey,” the erotic novel by E. L. James. The three-book “Grey” series has become a literary phenomenon. In May, the books occupied all three top spots on The New York Times Bestseller List and tens of thousands of people had them on hold at libraries across the country.

The series has spurred a spike in sales of “kinky” sex accessories (including anal toys) and bondage materials. There are “Shades of Grey” passion parties being held around the country and the series has more than 168,000 fans on its Facebook page, where comments range from “best books I’ve ever read” to “OMG I read, LOVED and can’t wait to read them again.”

A screenplay is in the works and now there is talk that the author will re-write the books from the point of view of the male lead, Christian Grey.

Not all of the feedback has been rosy: The books were pulled from library shelves in Melbourne, Florida (but were soon returned due to public outcry). Critics have been harsh in their judgment of the quality of the writing and some have faulted the depiction of BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, [Dominance and Submission], Sado-masochism) as setting a bad example for healthy, consensual sex. Many are up in arms at what they see as the degradation of the lead female character, Anastasia Steele (and, thus, all women).

It has been called “chick lit” and “mommy porn.” Women worldwide are sighing – and sharing. Even my mother’s book club (all ages 65+) read and discussed the first book. So I gave in and read it. My take? Truthfully, beyond the titillation of the frequent and varied sex (resulting in about a gazillion mind-blowing orgasms), what I really think this book’s main theme is that any man, even one as screwed up as Christian Grey, can be changed – fixed, even – by the right partner.

As a woman who has grown up strongly believing that no opportunity should be out of reach, and that no woman needs to be dependent on anyone else for her “keep” and/or happiness; and as a proud staff member at Planned Parenthood, where we work to educate patients and community youth about healthy relationships and consensual sex – perhaps I should have hated this book. But while many claim to be appalled by the so-called “anti-feminist ideals” of “Shades,” I’m not.

As rigid as Christian is set up to be, Ana always gets her way. By the end of the second book, Grey has fallen in love, is overcoming some of his hang-ups, and the romance blooms, complete with a marriage proposal. Ana can resist Christian’s will and even roll her eyes with impunity. The sex is always consensual and Christian is adamant that Ana use “safe words” when she feels endangered.

And as for the sex, “Shades” shows that erotic lit has come a long way since the awful romance novels that were popular decades ago – covers featuring a bare-chested Fabio (or a Fabio look-alike) and using phrases to describe the body such as “throbbing” or “raging manhood,” “rigid shaft,” “pulsing member,” “heaving bosoms,” “dew-moistened petals,” “honeypot” and more unbearable prose. I won’t even go into the euphemisms for orgasm. (Let’s just say that love juices are often in great supply.) “No” didn’t always mean “no” in those books (although rape never seemed to prevent the female main character from falling in love with her attacker later on). And I may be dating myself, but the big erotic novel of my adolescent days was “Flowers in the Attic,” in which siblings abandoned for years in an attic by their neglectful mother and tended to by a psychotic grandmother have their sexual awakening – with each other. Eeeeewww.

So how might intelligent and socially aware women feel about this book? Probably that it’s not great literature. Maybe (depending on one’s sexual orientation, of course) that the sex is pretty hot – I mean, who wouldn’t like to come every single time? Definitely that Ana had choices and got her way in that the relationship was never the subservient, slave-based affair that Grey had initially demanded – and that she even ended up saving his wounded soul.

My generation grew up while “Second Wave Feminism” was in full force. Many women were questioning patriarchy and gender equality, broadening the struggle to include areas such as sexuality, workplace issues, and reproductive rights. From the National Organization of Women to smaller, localized organizations, women were fighting against a powerful system of male dominance. (Major achievements during my childhood included the passage of Title IX and ‘Roe v. Wade.’ Not too shabby.) So once you move closer to equality with men, what could be better than … being sexually submissive to a man (but getting what you learn you’ve been wanting the whole time)?

In the end, “Grey” is about love; sexual awakening and learning how to ask for what you want and need; and having the power to change even the most powerful and rigid man. Ana shows who is really in control as she changes Christian through the power of love; now if only I could get my partner to change out the empty toilet paper roll …

Love is a Many Gendered Thing

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Guest Post

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Today is a guest post from one of the other members of our affiliate who also works with a gender studies department at a local college.

When I first decided to come out, I was prepared for people to say a lot of different things to me. There was one reaction that I never expected but, unfortunately, it’s one of the ones that has kept on popping up over the years, despite the many gains that we’ve made for LGBT issues:

“But you don’t exist.”

People who tell me that bisexuals are a myth are a demographically diverse bunch: I’ve gotten this reaction from straight folks and from members of the queer community; from people younger than me as well as from folks in my grandparents’ generation; from medical and community health professionals; and I’ve gotten it when I’ve been in relationships with women, with men, and while single. After almost two decades of being out, it’s kind of funny: since I’m still around to hear it, isn’t that inherent proof that I’m really here?

Now on one hand, being told that I’m a figment of my own imagination is a mildly surreal experience. But I’m not Tinkerbell and I don’t need anyone to clap and shout “I believe in bisexuals” in order for me to stay alive. So why write about it?

I’ve gotten pretty immune to the weirdness that comes with these comments, but they’re still having a real impact on people’s lives. At a recent queer event, a bi teenager talked about what coming out was like for her, and the fact that she “didn’t know that [bisexuality] was an option.” She felt like she had to choose but she couldn’t, so she thought there was something wrong with her.

Someone else recently sent this card to PostSecret – the text on the card reads:

My friends love and support me as a Lesbian they would disown me if they knew I’m really bisexual.

She added on the back of the card “and it kills me inside.”

Some of this gets at larger questions of social norms: in a heteronormative society that sees gender as binary, a shift from ‘John likes women’ to ‘John likes men’ challenges the belief that everyone’s straight … but not much else. Changing ‘John likes women’ to ‘John likes people’ brings more assumptions out to be dismantled, and it therefore encounters more resistance. Given our culture’s current attitudes to gender and sexuality, that reaction isn’t unexpected, but we need to address these issues if we ever want to get rid of that resistance.

There are a lot of other issues around bisexuality that I’m not getting into here: the reactions men get when coming out as bi and how they differ from the reactions women get; the increase in the number of public figures who are out as bi (and the fact that a majority of them are white cisgendered women); and the discussion of whether the term ‘bisexual’ reinforces ideas of binary gender or not. BiNet USA and The Bisexual Index have a lot more information and are worth checking out, if you’re interested.

The fact that these issues exist within both straight and queer cultures can be disheartening, but visibility, acceptance and understanding are ongoing processes. As more people know someone who’s bi (or realize that they already know some of us), myths and assumptions get dismantled. For Pride this month, I’ll be celebrating the strides we’ve made as a community. I’ll also be wearing my ‘Love is a many gendered thing’ t-shirt, and will be looking forward to the progress that we’re going to keep making as we move ahead.