Tag: Sexuality
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In the Blog
How STD Stigma Shapes the Masses
Please note this post contains some spoilers for Season 2 of Sex Education. Over the past 10 years, the ‘sex-positive’ movement has grown dramatically. The movement advocates for embracing sexuality as an important part of identity and health, regardless of age or social constructs. In other words, it says sex is human, and you’re human, so it’s a healthy part of your life. Educate yourself, and embrace it. Another interesting trend is the growth in sexually transmitted … READ MORE
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In the Blog
When Will We Get the Queer Representation We Deserve?
It’s always wonderful to see myself, a queer woman, represented in mainstream movies and TV shows, but at what cost? At the overly graphic sex scenes, the lack of racial and gender diversity, and the absence of body inclusivity in the characters and cast? We want representation, yes, but we deserve the kind of representation that is authentic and real: queer people come in all races, body sizes, genders, and abilities. Showcasing only thin, white, feminine-presenting women and calling it “representation” is almost as harmful as not having any representation at all. READ MORE
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In the Blog
The harmful effects of slut-shaming in school
Content Note: This blog post discusses slut-shaming and mentions sexual violence, rape culture, self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide. READ MORE
“The first time I was slut-shamed, I was only 13 years old. I did not even realize what it was, I just felt immense shame and humiliation. I was wrongly accused, threatened, punished by school authorities, and ridiculed by my peers — all for sitting on a boy’s lap in a classroom (with other people present).” READ MORE
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In the Blog
That Time I Wrote a Play About Consent and Didn’t Know It
Content warning: Discussions of consent and situations involving sexual abuse of minors About a year ago, a wondrous thing happened to me: a theatre company wanted to produce one of my plays. Scratch that: two theatre companies wanted to join forces and produce one of my plays. In the glamorous and lucrative world of playwriting, we call this “eating dinner”. I was thrilled. I love dinner! Scratch that: I was not thrilled, really I was terrified. … READ MORE
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In the Blog
A Short History of North American Witchcraft
Witchcraft is a concept that Western culture and society at large has been obsessed with for as long as it has existed. Its idea represents the ultimate “other” from a dominating patriarchal, Christian society: a collective of women free from shame and imbued with power, grace, and sexuality. In this dominating society, the idea of a free community of Pagans proved unacceptable, the most notable example being Salem’s oppression of real or imagined witches. However, … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Caribbean Tales Film Festival: Queer programming
The Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) is presenting its 11th collection of films this year in Toronto from September 7-17th at the Royal Cinema (608 College Street). The films featured focus on those that represent Caribbean content and creativity from the region and the diaspora. This year, there are 5 films that take on queer realities, identities and experiences. They are: My Silky Blue Frog Shortz by Lezlie Lee Kam (Trinidad/Canada); Cold by Salvador Sol Valdez … READ MORE
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Blog Series
Sex-Positive Doesn’t Have to be a Dirty Word: Feminists Analyze the Notion Sex-Positivity
Please note, this post has been updated since first published as the original version uploaded did not properly display the entire post. So I have a partner, going on 9 years, and I still feel awkward and scared to masturbate in front of her. I know, TMI. But that is exactly my point. In this dominant western culture, we have a problem with openly talking about sexuality, being openly sexual, and women’s racialized and queer sexualities themselves. We … READ MORE
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Blog Series
Queer Brown Girl Trying to Be a Parent – Polyamory and Parenting
It’s a social experiment but we are making the blog series “Queer Brown Girl Trying to be a Parent” into a column! So get ready for a monthly blog about all things Queer, Brown and Parenting! This month’s blog: Polyamory and Parenting. READ MORE
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In the Blog
The Invisible Bi Woman
You’ve probably heard that stereotype about bisexual people just being confused. Well I was confused for a long time. In high school it slowly began to dawn on me that I found certain women attractive, even though the heartthrob hall of fame on my bedroom wall told another story. It was filled with popular celebrities at the time like Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor and Toby Maguire. READ MORE
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Youth Voices
Biphobia and Bi Erasure
An exploration of biphobia and bi erasure in LGBTQ+ communities and western culture. READ MORE
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Blog Series
Sex and Parenting
It’s a social experiment but we are making the blog series “Queer Brown Girl Trying to be a Parent” into a column! So get ready for a monthly blog about all things Queer, Brown and Parenting! This month’s blog: Sex and Parenting. READ MORE
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In the Blog
The Kids Will Be Alright: Youth Positive Sexual Health Services Across Canada
I really like sexual health related stuff. I’ve written about how much I love IUD’s, and amazing sex ed programs for youth like Queering Sex Ed. If you’ve ever had a conversation with me, I’ve probably brought up something sexual or reproductive health related just because of who I am as a person. Anyways, I have more things to say in light of the “controversy” of Ontario’s update of sex education curriculum, as well … READ MORE
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In the Blog
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Do-It-Yourself Smut: Writing the Erotic
A couple years ago, I ran a workshop called “Writing Our Desires: DIY Literotica.” I was thrilled and happily scandalized by the way folks threw themselves into the discussion and activities, calling out sexy words and body parts and constructing scenarios and storylines that made other participants go “Oooh.” The workshop confirmed my suspicion that lots of us want to write smut and will gladly do so when given the time and space. Erotic writing can take the form of fiction, journaling, songs, poems, love letters, sexts and more. If you can write simple sentences, you can write erotica. I dare you to try. READ MORE
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In the Blog
Film Review: 52 Tuesdays
52 Tuesdays (Directed by Sophie Hyde) is a sweet film about Billie (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), a teenage girl in Australia, and her mother, James (Del Herbert-Jane), who is transitioning from female to male and asks Billie for a year on his own to get accustomed to transitioning. The duo agrees to spend every Tuesday night together for a year, so they can still stay in touch. Both James and Tom - Billie’s Dad - are young … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Review: Girlhood (Bande de filles)
In one of my favourite classes I took last year, my professor told us a story about her then toddler aged son. His hair was long and he wore it in a braid, and some of the other kids at the daycare asked him if he was a girl or “why he had long hair like a girl”. He responded sombrely, “There are many ways to be a boy in this world”. I tell this … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Leslie Feinberg: Transgender Warrior for Life
As a young femme birthed into queer community in the 2000s, I thought I didn’t need Leslie Feinberg. I came up with the birthing of gender-neutral washrooms, trans men in my community and regular drag king performances at local gay bars (that were gay all week long, not just on Saturday nights). Leslie Feinberg eluded me. I didn’t know hir experience. I didn’t live it either. As a brown femme I had my own Brown Femme … READ MORE
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In the Blog
The Feminist Politics of Sailor Moon
“Fighting evil by moonlight, winning love by daylight, never running from a real fight.” Many young people who were of elementary school age during the mid to late 1990’s will most likely have the remainder of following lyrics memorized. These lyrics were the first few lines of the opening song for the English dubbed Sailor Moon anime television show READ MORE
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In the Blog
Cross-post: Asexuality: A Minority in Need of Understanding
When I told my therapist “I think I’m asexual,” she told me it was my depression that made me feel that way. She informed me that the proper treatment would “clear that right up.” READ MORE
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In the Blog
Toronto event: Tease Project
ASAAP and SAVAC would like to tease you starting at 5:30pm on Nov 6 at Beit Zatoun. The Tease Project is an initiative by and for South Asian youth focusing on arts and health. We aim to share a space with youth to challenge social perceptions around gender, culture, sexuality and identity. Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, this art exhibition and booklet launch will be showcasing all the artwork the youth have created in the … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Maybe You’ll Meet Someone Nice
by Denise Reich I was talking with my mom - who, aside from this issue, is a hip and cool sort of parent - when I mentioned that I was taking walks with my pets around my neighborhood. She said, very hopefully, “maybe you will meet another animal lover!” This is situation normal, unfortunately. Over the years well-meaning relatives have optimistically wished that I would “meet someone nice” or “find a life mate” at sporting events, concerts, … READ MORE
