From Channel 4, a documentary about some men's pursuit of the perfect penis. NSFW:
Russell Peters and Howard Stern on penis size.
Probably best not to watch this if you're easily offended. Definitely NSFW language and content.
I came across the following clip while trying to find the one of Russell Peters. It has to be one of the cruelest competitions ever (NSFW). It's weird, though, because Howard Stern almost expresses some empathy for the men they bring on the show to humiliate. And who knows what those dudes were thinking? I can't imagine it being too empowering, but maybe it is in some weird Here it is and I ain't hiding it! sort of way?
No more 'gay panic' defence in California.
From PinkNews:
US: California Governor Signs Law Outlawing ‘Gay Panic’ Legal Defense
The Governor of California has signed a law outlawing the use of the so-called ‘gay panic’ defense.
The defense – which is often used to get more lenient sentences for criminals after assaults and murders – is based around the claim that a perpetrator was “panicked” into committing a violent crime due to an unwanted advance from a gay person.
More recently, the panic defense has also been used to justify crimes against transgender people after discovering their gender identity.
Rights campaigners have long argued that it is deeply homophobic, and last month a bill axing it was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 50-10.
It was yesterday signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, making California the first state in the US to expressly outlaw it.
Jordan Blair Woods, a law fellow at the Williams Institute UCLA said: “The gay and transgender panic defenses did not appear until the late 1960s, and rely on outdated ideas that homosexuality and gender non-conformity are mental diseases.
“Since then, the defense has appeared in court opinions in approximately one-third of the states.” Brad Sears, Executive Director of the Williams Institute, added: “This bill not only changes the law in California, but creates a model for other states to follow to eliminate the use of gay and transgender panic defenses in other states.”
‘Gay panic’ defences still exist in varying forms around the world, and in 2009 a man was acquitted of a double murder in Spain, after he claimed he burned down the home of an engaged gay couple due to “an unbearable fear”.
The best-known case of the gay panic defence was in the murder of US student Matthew Shepard. He was killed in October 1998 on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming, by two men he had met in a bar. Local residents Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, both 21 at the time, were charged with his murder. They told the prosecution they suffered “a moment of insanity” when he allegedly made sexual advances to him. Shephard was robbed, beaten and left to die tied to a fence. Both men are serving consecutive double life sentences.
Vulva cookies gone wrong.
From NewsLinQ:
Mom Bakes Vagina Cookies For Second Grade Class. Wait….What?
The parent of a second grade student brought some very questionable cookies to her child’s class recently. The cookies were so strange that someone in the class couldn’t help but share the story behind them on reddit.
Posting on behalf of the teacher, reddit user JPstudly writes that the teacher asks a volunteer parent to bring snacks in for her students each week to reward good behavior. This week, a parent going by the pseudonym Autumn volunteered to bake some cookies and bring them to the class. When Autumn delivered the cookies, she told the teacher to use them as an opportunity to teach her students about vaginas. What do cookies have to do with vaginas? Our teacher was about to find out. Here’s what happened next.
“Baffled and completely caught off guard I slowly peel the aluminum foil off the pan to behold a plethora of sugar cookie and frosting vaginas,” the teacher writes. “Not just any old vagina, but ALL KINDS OF VAGINAS. There were small, puffy, white, brown, shaved, bald, and even a fire crotch with beef curtains. Perplexed, I give the parent the most professional look I can muster and quietly reply ‘I’m sorry Autumn, but I can’t give these to my students. This just isn’t appropriate.’”
That’s when things got ugly.
Autumn snapped back and said the teacher “should be proud of [her] vagina,” and accused her of “settling for woman’s role in life.” Mind you, all of this happened in front of the students.
The teacher says she had no choice but to “stand and stare at the woman as the word ‘vagina’ is yelled in front of my second grade class about 987,000 times. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, she storms out of the class leaving her vagina cookies on my desk.”
Later that night, the teacher received a scathing email from Autumn. In it, Autumns says the teacher is “closed minded” and “settled for less when you became a teacher because that is known for a women’s job.” She says that women need to stand together and “inform people about the vagina and how to please it.” She closes the email by saying “I hope you end up with an abusive husband that beats on you every night.”
Thursday mail - September 25th.
Have any questions or comments? If so, fire away.
US plastic surgery stats.
Every year, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery publishes national plastic surgery statistics. I love these types of data. Here are some of the highlights from last year (click to make larger):
More PostSecrets.
in Humour Etc.
New male contraceptive.
I've posted about this technology previously, but things have progressed since then. From the Daily Beast:
Male Birth Control, Without Condoms, Will Be Here by 2017 By Samantha Allen
Vasalgel, a reversible, non-hormonal polymer that blocks the vas deferens, is about to enter human trials. How will rhetoric change when male bodies become responsible for birth control?
According to a press release from the Parsemus Foundation, a not-for profit organization focused on developing low-cost medical approaches, Vasalgel is proving effective in a baboon study. Three lucky male baboons were injected with Vasalgel and given unrestricted sexual access to 10 to 15 female baboons each. Despite the fact that they have been monkeying around for six months now, no female baboons have been impregnated. With the success of this animal study and new funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Parsemus Foundation is planning to start human trials for Vasalgel next year. According to their FAQ page, they hope to see it on the market by 2017 for, in their words, less than the cost of a flat-screen television.
So how does Vasalgel work? It is essentially a reimagining of a medical technology called RISUG (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) that was developed by a doctor named Sujoy Guha over 15 years ago in India, where it has been in clinical trials ever since. Unlike most forms of female birth control, Vasalgel is non-hormonal and only requires a single treatment in order to be effective for an extended period of time. Rather than cutting the vas deferens—as would be done in a vasectomy—a Vasalgel procedure involves the injection of a polymer contraceptive directly into the vas deferens. This polymer will then block any sperm that attempt to pass through the tube. At any point, however, the polymer can be flushed out with a second injection if a man wishes to bring his sperm back up to speed.
Strange animal genitals.
Testicles of greek statues.
From Laughing Squid:
Marbles, Photo Series Focuses on the Testicles of European Greek Statues by Rusty Blazenhoff
“Marbles” is a 2013 photo series by London-based photographer Ingrid Berthon-Moine that focuses specifically on the testicles of marble Greek statues found throughout Europe. Feature Shoot states the “work explores masculinity in the 21st century, both the representation of it and the idea of ornamental masculinity which until now had been largely ‘reserved’ to the female gender. It also looks at how masculinity has shifted over time, and how men have had to redefine their identity as society changes.”
via Feature Shoot
Check out the other testicles here.
G-Spot a myth?
From Salon:
The Truth About The “G-spot”: Why It’s Time To Put This Sex Myth To Bed New research suggests that our ideas about orgasms are missing the mark By Anna Pulley
Take a collective sigh of relief, humanity. If you’ve been one of the countless people searching in vain for the elusive Gräfenburg spot (aka the G-spot) or wondering why you aren’t gushing like Old Faithful each time someone makes a “come hither” motion in your vagina, then search and wonder no more. Once lauded as a “magic button” and the ultimate female pleasure enhancer, an Italian scientist’s recent report claims once and for all that the controversial G-spot is nothing but a myth (with a really good PR campaign). The study — published in the journal Nature Reviews Urology by Emmanuele Jannini, Professor of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology at Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy — found that, essentially, the G-spot is just a sensitive area that’s part of the larger pleasure center that includes the vagina, clitoris, and urethra, or as the study sexily put it, the “clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex.”
[…]
The “intimate area” that allows women to experience a heightened sexual pleasure includes the complete reproductive system, the study notes — including tissues, muscles, glands, and even the uterus. “Compared to the male erogenous zones, it is much more variable and complex, and also varies from woman to woman depending on the hormonal cycle,” Jannini told The Local, Italy’s English-written news site.
Jannini’s study is by no means the first to claim the G-spot’s pleasure capabilities have been overblown. In 2012, a study by urology resident Dr. Amichai Kilchevsky published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found no conclusive evidence of the G-spot’s existence. Kilchevsky looked at 96 published studies from the past 60 years, concluding that science couldn’t definitively find the G. “Without a doubt, a discrete anatomic entity called the G-spot does not exist,” Kilchevsky said. But he also notes that women who experience heightened pleasure around the G-spot area aren’t crazy or making it up. Indeed, biopsies of vaginal wall tissue have shown that in some women, there are more nerve endings in the purported G-spot than in surrounding areas, but even those studies are inconclusive. “What they’re likely experiencing is a continuation of the clitoris,” he said, adding that nerve endings alone do not an orgasm make (otherwise far more people would be studying the virtues of the perineum, aka the loner at your body’s prom).
Men get waxed.
Thursday mail - September 18th.
Have any questions or comments? If so, fire away.
Documentary: Unhung Hero.
This documentary did the film festival circuit last year and now is available on Netlflix (thanks for the heads-up Hayley!). Description:
When Patrick Moote's girlfriend rejects his marriage proposal at a UCLA basketball game on the jumbotron, it unfortunately goes viral and hits TV networks worldwide. Days after the heartbreaking debacle, she privately reveals why she can't be with him forever: Patrick's small penis. Unhung Hero is the real life journey of Patrick as he boldly sets out to expose this extremely personal chapter of his life by confronting ex-girlfriends, doctors, anthropologists and even adult film stars. Patrick has a lot of turf to cover on his globe trotting adventure to finally answer the age old question: Does size matter?
Trailer:
Kitty.
in Humour Etc.
Source unknown.
Reddit users sum up first sexual experiences with GIFs.
One woman's experience taking the pledge.
In this piece, the authour recounts her experiences growing up in a church where girls were expected to take the virginity pledge. The piece is extremely critical. The comments at the bottom are worth reading as a counterpoint. Along those lines, it's important to remember that many people who remain abstinent until marriage are happy they did so, and that many people who had sex as kids wish they had waited, or had done so under different conditions or with someone else. Alternatively, there are also many, many people who are happy that they had sex before being married. In other words, this woman's experiences do not reflect everyone's, although I'm sure they resonate with many.
From XO Jane:
It Happened To Me: I Waited Until Marriage Night To Lose My Virginity And I Wish I Hadn't by Samantha Pugsley
[…]
At the age of 10, I took a pledge at my church alongside a group of other girls to remain a virgin until marriage. Yes, you read that right -- I was 10 years old.
[…]
The church taught me that sex was for married people. Extramarital sex was sinful and dirty and I would go to Hell if I did it. I learned that as a girl, I had a responsibility to my future husband to remain pure for him. It was entirely possible that my future husband wouldn't remain pure for me, because he didn't have that same responsibility, according to the Bible. And of course, because I was a Christian, I would forgive him for his past transgressions and fully give myself to him, body and soul.
Once I got married, it would be my duty to fulfill my husband's sexual needs. I was told over and over again, so many times I lost count, that if I remained pure, my marriage would be blessed by God and if I didn't that it would fall apart and end in tragic divorce.
I believed it. Why wouldn't I? I was young and these were people I trusted. Everyone knew I'd taken the virginity vow, of course. Gossip is the lifeblood of the Baptist Church. My parents were so proud of me for making such a spiritual decision. The church congregation applauded my righteousness.
[…]
We were together for six years before we got married. Any time we did anything remotely sexual, guilt overwhelmed me. I wondered where the line was because I was terrified to cross it. Was he allowed to touch my breasts? Could we look at each other naked? I didn't know what was considered sexual enough to condemn my future marriage and send me straight to Hell.
An unhealthy mixture of pride, fear, and guilt helped me keep my pledge until we got married. In the weeks before our wedding, I often got congratulated on keeping my virginity for so long. The comments ranged from curious (how in the world did you manage?) to downright disgusting (I bet you're going to have one busy wedding night!). I let them place me on the pedestal as their virginal, perfect-Christian-girl mascot.
I lost my virginity on my wedding night, with my husband, just as I had promised that day when I was 10 years old. I stood in the hotel bathroom beforehand, wearing my white lingerie, thinking, "I made it. I'm a good Christian." There was no chorus of angels, no shining light from Heaven. It was just me and my husband in a dark room, fumbling with a condom and a bottle of lube for the first time.
Sex hurt. I knew it would. Everyone told me it would be uncomfortable the first time. What they didn't tell me is that I would be back in the bathroom afterward, crying quietly for reasons I didn't yet comprehend. They didn't tell me that I'd be on my honeymoon, crying again, because sex felt dirty and wrong and sinful even though I was married and it was supposed to be okay now.
When we got home, I couldn't look anyone in the eye. Everyone knew my virginity was gone. My parents, my church, my friends, my co-workers. They all knew I was soiled and tarnished. I wasn't special anymore. My virginity had become such an essential part of my personality that I didn't know who I was without it.
It didn't get better. I avoided undressing in front of my husband. I tried not to kiss him too often or too amorously so I wouldn't lead him on. I dreaded bedtime. Maybe he'd want to have sex.
Merkins.
From Wikipedia:
A merkin is a pubic wig. Merkins were originally worn by prostitutes after shaving their genitalia, and are now used as decorative items, erotic devices, or in films, by both men and women. The female version is usually made of fur, beaver pelts, linen or some soft version of cloth, while the male version is usually made of loops, chains or metal, much more closely related to the codpiece.
[…]
The Oxford Companion to the Body dates the origin of the pubic wig to the 1450s. According to the publication, women would shave their pubic hair for personal hygiene and to combat pubic lice. They would then don a merkin. Also, prostitutes would wear a merkin to cover up signs of disease, such as syphilis. It has also been suggested that when male actors played female parts onstage, they would cover their genitals with a merkin so they could pose as women in nude scenes.
Sex-positive parenting.
From the Huffington Post:
This Is What Sex-Positive Parenting Really Looks Like By Lea Grover
[…]
I'm what some people call "sex-positive." That doesn't mean I talk with my 4-year-olds about how great sex is and how good it feels. It means I don't pretend it's something other than it is.
As parents, we lie all the time. About the Easter Bunny or Santa or the Tooth Fairy, about how long 10 minutes is, about whether or not we remembered they wanted to have grilled cheese for dinner again... We lie a lot. But one thing I never lie about is sex.
I don't want them to grow up ashamed of their bodies or confused about what they do. I don't tell them about cabbage patches or storks; I make an effort, always, to be honest about human reproduction. Every aspect of it.
[…]
Because lying to your kids about sex helps nobody. Telling them that sex is "only between mommies and daddies" is a lie that leads to confused, hormone-charged teenagers. Telling them that sex is "only something that happens when two people love each other very much" is a lie that causes hormone-charged teenagers to confuse "love" with "lust," or "obsession." It leads to leaps of logic like, "If I have sex with this person, we must be in love." Or worse: "If I love this person, I have to have sex with him or her." And how many teenage tragedies are based on that misconception?
The truth is that human beings, almost universally, like sex. It feels good. And it's supposed to feel good. If it didn't, the human race would die out. The truth is that sex isn't special and magical just because it's sex. The truth is that you can have spectacular sex with strangers whose names you don't even know. The truth is that just because you can, that doesn't necessarily mean you should.
And that's what sex-positive parenting really is. Not telling my kids lies about sex to keep them from behaviors I don't think are healthy. It's telling them the truth, the whole truth, and letting it sink in so they can make their own good choices.
Go read the rest here - it's a great piece.
Sexual orientation, choice, and allies.
From UpWorthy:
Gay People Made A Straight Man Cry With Their Response To The Question 'Is Being Gay A Choice?' by George Takei
I have always maintained that the fight for LGBT equality can only be won with the help of our straight allies, and this is a noble and fine example. This vlogger (who is straight) changed the life of one young gay man whose own parents not only rejected him when he came out, but subjected him to horrific verbal and physical abuse before tossing him out of his home. The incident brought the vlogger to tears, and his heroic and heartfelt response brought me to them in turn.
Hearts and minds are changed one person at a time. But this shows that one person with his heart in the right place really can make a big difference.
And the clip:
During the section on sexual orientation and identity, we'll be talking about the issue of choice, and what it might mean (it may not be as black and white as it seems).