I’m fairly certain you will agree with me when I say this: Sex is (almost always) fantastic. It’s fantastic and it’s everywhere. It’s in our media, it’s on our phones, it’s in department stores, and occasionally it’s in our bedrooms (or perhaps theirs.) Yet strangely, considering how rampant innuendo is in our society, blatantly speaking about sex is still somewhat taboo.
A little over a year ago, I left the relatively safe and comfortable confines of Google’s Chicago office after working there for three years. I left to do something different. I left to change healthcare so it would be better. I’m proud to say that the team of people I work with every day has done a fantastic job of having an impact in that area, but there’s a barrier to making it big: how do we educate people about something that they don’t want to talk about?
April is STD Awareness Month. Join me in breaking down the barriers that prevent people from being healthy. Be safe, and encourage others to do the same. Safe sex means using protection, being educated about what’s out there, and knowing your status. Remember, the worst thing that can happen is not that you get an STD, it’s that you get an STD and don’t do anything about it. Many can be cured, and none of them mean the end of the world if cured.
So go out there and have a “ball” (or two), and for fuck’s sake, get tested. And if you want to try our new approach to STD testing, use the link below to get $50 a complete sexual health checkup.
Sure, this may not come as a surprise to many of us. As my good friend Cara said – there has been speculation about this for years. There are even the very revealing paparazzi photos of him in his skimpies on the beach with one heck of an attractive man. Perhaps this is a convenient time to come out, when he isn’t at the height of his career, when public acceptance of homosexuality is common and growing, and when it is seemingly trendy for celebs to come out. There’s a lot of sarcasm flying around about the topic, and even some bitterness; why?
It’s been a decade since I was outed to my family, but I still remember all too clearly the burden of keeping mum about being gay. It’s certainly not something that is fun to do. In a way, being mad at someone for remaining in the closet is similar to disliking them for being gay. Society makes it quite a hassle to be gay, it would be easier to just be straight, and similarly being in the closet is a horrible experience, and it would be much more liberating to live life unhidden. People remain closeted for a reason, and it’s important not to lose touch with that fact.
I’m not much of a celebrity follower. I love the art that musicians, actors, writers, and performers create for us to consume. I don’t need to and in many ways don’t want to know who they are dating or what they look like fetching the paper. The exception is when a celebrity comes out. Celebrities have a fantastic power to change the opinions of a large number of people. When someone of that status comes out, their fans and followers notice. Some fans will become former fans, and some formerly ignorant fans will become enlightened. We should commend artists that take the risk and lovingly encourage others to follow.
I ask my friends and readers to respond to this news not with vitriol but with compassion and appreciation.
I thank Ricky Martin for his bravery, and I wish the best for him and his family.
I mean, 2010 could mean three months or it could mean fifteen. Still, reading this got me all wet in the panties… (read from bottom to top)
Former child star Teddy Ruxpin has been on quite the Hugh Grant-like spree lately, reportedly being spotted at several locations frequented by prostitutes in cities across the US. The latest rumors to hit the rags indicate that not only has Ruxpin picked up a nasty case of pink eye, but also has managed to get a nasty case of Chlamydia from a prostitutes drool.
At least he didn’t go down the drug path…
This article argues that women wanting to get pregnant should look for an ugly guy because they are likely to produce more sperm. I look at it differently: pick the hot guy AND you have less risk of having children. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Did you know that condoms, although recommended for use during anal sex, have never really been tested clinically for that purpose? In hindsight it makes sense. Condoms have been in use for a much longer time than anal sex has been considered acceptable and although science is often pushing the limits of social acceptability this one was way out in left field until recently. So it is good to read that someone is finally taking this on. The initial data sounds very promising, 0% viral permeability vs. 5% for most condoms, less breakage, and on top (haha) of it all – it feels better. Still, mass production of the condom is a long way off – consumer markets won’t see it until at least 2014. Not that you ever want to rush something like this, but sometimes it does seem like the FDA is just a little too difficult to maneuver when developing promising new products that will really have a positive impact on the health and welfare of Americans.
Within the past few hours news has begun breaking that Obama is expected to announce the extension of benefits to the partners of same-sex employees of the federal government. So to be fully clear what this means is gay employees of the federal government will be able to provide things like healthcare to their same-sex partners.
This is clearly a response to the growing pressure from the general public surrounding the President’s handling of gay rights issues thus far. In addition to pressure from the media, several big names including HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse and gay blogger Andy Towle have pulled out of an upcoming gay-centered fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. So Obama clearly had to do something.
So, while this is certainly a welcome move, it is not enough. Sorry, Mr. Obama, but LGBT rights are not a slot machine and you can’t just pull the arm and hope your nickel gets you out of this mess. Unless the media outlets are wrong and you are announcing something major tomorrow, understand that it isn’t good enough. There is no appeasement any longer. No small gesture to show that you are still our “fierce advocate.” The only action at this point is strong and swift action on all fronts. Tomorrow, come to the table with the following, or come to the table with the knowledge that you are no friend of an equal America:
- An executive order immediately ending Don’t ask, don’t tell and a timeline for legislation to be introduced to permanently repeal the policy including sponsors in both the House and Senate.
- A clear condemnation of the abusive and offensive language used in last week’s brief supporting DOMA along with a timeline for introducing legislation to permanently repeal DOMA, sponsors in both the House and Senate, and the immediate dismissal of all staffers involved in allowing this version of the brief to be issued.
- A date in the next two weeks for the return of the Matthew Shepard Act to Congress for immediate vote and a promise to sign the bill into law no later than the anniversary of the Stonewall riots on June 28.
- A publicly-announced policy shift supporting full same-sex marriage equality.
- The immediate appointment of a top-level adviser on gay-rights issues.
Sources:
AMERICABlog – Obama not to address any of his eight promises tomorrow…
The New Civil Rights Movement – Obama extends benefits to Federal LGBT Employees’ Partners
The Rachel Maddow Show
