Special Coverage: Sex and Relationships

Bristol Palin Says to Teens: Don't Get Pregnant

Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check. January 6, 2009.
Bristol Palin may be way ahead of her mom when it comes to one of the country's most controversial issues.

From the blogs

Cunning Stunt? Porn Industry Wants Bailout

by Lisa Derrick, Firedoglake

Hustler Magazine publisher Larry Flynt has asked the government for a $5 billion dollar bailout package.

Shocking: "Keep Your Legs Crossed, Sluts" Sex-Ed Strategy Fails

by Jill Filipovic, Feministe

The U.S. government has spent more than $1.5 billion on abstinence programs. What a terrible waste.

The Founding of the Church of Gay

by AndyS in Colorado, Daily Kos

Your taxpayer dollars will be used to fund our work overturning all laws contrary to our religious precepts.

Target Women: A Few Takeaway Lessons from 2008

by Staff

Put down that sandwich! Dance like no one is watching! And stop pretending you know where Paraguay is!

Prudish NYT Columnist Condemns 'Hooking-Up'

by Tana Ganeva, AlterNet

Charles Blow has discovered 'the demise of dating' -- and he is not happy about it.

Bush Is Back ... (In Your Pants)

by Tana Ganeva, AlterNet

Dire economic times are making women reconsider paying to obliterate all the hair from their pubic region.

Is Pop Culture Finally Admitting That Women Like to Touch Themselves?

by Jill Filipovic, Feministe

Maybe I'm imagining things, but has anyone else noticed more allusions to female masturbation on TV?

How to Tart Up Your Infant

by Tana Ganeva, AlterNet

For a start, dress them up like a tiny prostitute.

Obama and the End of the Military's Ban on Gays

by John Ridley, Huffington Post

With Barack Obama as president it's not just possible. Thankfully, it's probable.

Maddow Fails to Question Huckabee On His Recent Anti-Gay Statements. Update: Maddow Responds

by Ali Frick, Think Progress

When contacted by ThinkProgress, Rachel Maddow explained her reasons for avoiding the subject of gay rights with Huckabee.

Big Booty Beauty and the New Sexual Aesthetic

Myra Mendible, American Sexuality Magazine. January 6, 2009.
Booty. Rump. Bubble butt. Whatever the term, big backsides -- and people's reactions to them -- tell us a lot about American culture.

The Best Movies About Gays

John Farr, Huffington Post. January 5, 2009.
Here are some outstanding gay-themed films beyond the more evident mainstream titles.

Sex Work Goes Mainstream on Reality TV

Marcy Marzuki, Spread Magazine. December 30, 2008.
Prostitutes, strippers and porn stars are now as ubiquitous on cable as cops are on network TV. Is that good or bad for sex workers?

In Mexico, Gays Defend Their Right to be Catholic

Diego Cevallos, IPS News. December 30, 2008.
In Mexico, Gays proclaim a "right to be who we are, and demand to be respected and acknowledged as part of the Catholic community."

The Fantasy of Acceptable 'Non-Consent': Why the Female Sexual Submissive Scares Us (and Why She Shouldn't)

Stacey May Fowles, Seal Press. December 29, 2008.
There is a guilt and shame among women who have fantasies of their own violation and express a desire to be demeaned.

Will a Fierce Battle Over Gay Rights Split the Anglican Church?

Marcela Valente, IPS News. December 27, 2008.
There is a "serious crisis" as conservative bishops from the United States are fleeing to South America.

Sodomy Laws Are Rooted in British Colonialism

Nergui Manalsuren, IPS News. December 26, 2008.
In many countries, conservatives claim homosexuality came from the colonizing West. In fact, it's homophobia that's a legacy of Western colonialism.

Does the Sinking Economy Spell the Doom of Big, Fat Weddings?

Vanessa Richmond, The Tyee. December 19, 2008.
The average U.S. wedding costs $30,000 -- in today's economic climate, eloping is looking better and better.

Why Is Everyone So Obsessed With Women's Virginity?

Josey Vogels, My Messy Bedroom. December 18, 2008.
The hymen is useless, vestigial tissue. Yet this little piece of membrane has taken on huge societal, religious and moral significance.

Does Sex Addiction Have Any Basis in Science?

Cristian Bodo, American Sexuality Magazine. December 18, 2008.
The evidence is not compelling, and science has often been hijacked to legitimize social control.

Study: U.S. Media Keep People Uneducated About Health Issues

Sarah Seltzer, RH Reality Check. December 17, 2008.
Less than 4 percent of news is health-related. And shoddy reporting on sexual health may be doing more harm than good.

HIV: Still Not Just a "Gay Thing"

Amanda Marcotte, RH Reality Check. December 14, 2008.
What does it take to kill a right-wing myth? Garlic, sunshine, wooden stakes, silver bullets?

How to Make an Open Relationship Work

Greta Christina, The Blowfish Blog. December 12, 2008.
It's surprisingly simple: think carefully about what you're afraid of -- then talk about it with your partner.

Bondage, Cum Shots, Violence -- Sexist Ad Trends That Refuse to Die

Alex Leo, Huffington Post. December 12, 2008.
The advertising world continues to use stereotypes and violence to prey on our most vile desires.

Help Stop Violence Against Sex Workers

Annie Sprinkle, On The Issues Magazine. December 11, 2008.
We must push to get sex workers the same police protection other citizens get without recrimination.

10 Reasons Why It's Awesome To Be Single During the Holiday Season

Simcha, The Frisky. December 10, 2008.
Less family, more booze -- the best way to celebrate the holidays.

Unlike Most Presidential Couples, the Obamas Actually Listen to Each Other

Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay Hendricks, Huffington Post. December 5, 2008.
The future president and First Lady display a new kind of equality and respect.

10 Things To Do Before You Have Sex

Karen Rayne, RH Reality Check. December 4, 2008.
Part of a happy, healthy sexual encounter is taking care of your emotional needs and physical health.

A Message for Sex Educators: Sex Is Not Dirty

Lorraine Kenny, RH Reality Check. December 4, 2008.
Sex ed advocates have unwittingly undermined their message by adopting the language of abstinence-only groups.

Sex Ed for Seniors

Sue Katz, Consenting Adult. December 3, 2008.
Yes, seniors have sex. We need to create resources for them to learn about safer-sex practices.

9 Ways to Halt the Right Wing Culture Wars and Bring Sanity to Sexual Policy

David Rosen, CounterPunch. December 3, 2008.
We have a unique opportunity to overturn the perverse agenda of the Religious Right.

Mormon Homophobia: Up Close and Personal

Sheldon Rampton, Center for Media and Democracy. December 3, 2008.
An ex-Mormon explains how a church with mostly good values can promote hatred and intolerance.

Stolen Kisses: Iran's Sexual Revolutions

Laura Secor, The Nation. December 2, 2008.
Many young Iranians risk run-ins with the morality police in the name of partying and sex. Is their revolt against sexual restrictions political?

Love Bites: What Sexy Vampires Tell Us About Our Culture

Sarah Seltzer, RH Reality Check. November 28, 2008.
Pop culture vampires have always reflected cultural anxieties about sex. "Twilight", the new teen box office blockbuster, is no exception.

How To Get a Date Online

The Frisky. November 28, 2008.
Many of us spend much time in front of a computer. It stands to reason that we might as well multi-task and meet someone there.

Virtual Sex: How Online Games Changed Our Culture

Damon Brown, Feral House. November 27, 2008.
Games like Second Life let you to live your fantasy as a pimp, prostitute or pirate, knight, dominatrix, or any other self-created design you see fit.

Can You Date Someone With Bad Politics?

Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay Hendricks, Huffington Post. November 25, 2008.
What happens when a relationship is derailed by political differences?

LGBT People Have Much To Be Grateful for This Thanksgiving

Deb Price, AlterNet. November 24, 2008.
Despite recent heartbreaking setbacks, things are better for gay Americans now than at any other time in the nation's history.

Is It Wrong to Talk About Michelle Obama's Body?

Tamura Lomax, RH Reality Check. November 22, 2008.
A recent Salon article declared 'First Lady Got Back.' Does the piece tap into racist assumptions about black women's sexuality?

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CSC

The Center for Sex & Culture promotes sex education, advocacy and research, helping advance progressive perspectives on sexuality. The center offers classes and workshops on sexual issues.

CPS

The Center for Positive Sexuality (CPS) arms teens with the information they need to take care of their sexual health. CPS also aims to facilitate dialogue on condom availability and sex education in schools.

PEN

The Prostitutes' Education Network (PEN) is an information service about legislative and cultural issues that impact prostitutes and other sex workers. PEN is a valuable resource for sex workers and activists/educators who study issues of decriminalization, human rights in the context of prostitution, and violence against prostitutes.