Health meets fad

Anyone with access to the internet has now seen the ever growing trend known as the ice-bucket challenge. The challenge is simple, choose either to donate $100 dollars to an ALS charity or dump a bucket of ice water on your head and share a video of it to raise awareness.

I have seen a number of responses to this phenomenon, both positive and negative. A number of celebrities and frat-bros likely with slight attention-seeking motives, articles criticizing the fad aspect and rebuttals from ALS families. You know what I think of it all. It is all good it is all necessary. We need to be a culture that talks about health issues. We do need to try and understand what it is like, and unify over common causes of support and progress. There will be fads and viral videos no matter what. I would much rather see videos of people trying, if in an arguably odd way, to raise awareness for a very real and under-known about illness.

At the very least it gives name recognition to ALS. More than that, many people will see their friends, or favorite celebrities video and hopefully look up ALS, put a face and story on the issue, or donate towards the cause.

I do not see a negative. I say direct all the fads to raise awareness for real issues. Continue mass head-shavings for cancer, make people walk brace-legged for cerebral palsy, eat a tablespoon of salt for Addison's Disease. The action hardly matters, the point is to get the word out there, to humanize disease , sure raise some money and if people have some fun in the mean time, then good for them.

Disgust at Radfem transphobia

I am disgusted. Apparently at a Radfem Respond conference in Portland, radical feminists stated that they "insist on regarding transgender women as men, who should not be allowed to use women’s facilities, such as public rest rooms, or to participate in events organized exclusively for women." I statement that is completely transphobic and utterly anti-feminist. 


True feminism fights to defend equality towards all genders including trans*folk, and men. True feminism does not disenfranchise those already disenfranchised based on their chromosomes (the same rational for the start of feminism). True feminism supports minorities and leads change to provide for protection and equality for every individual. True feminism wants EVERYONE to feel safe when using the restroom.

The bathroom issue in particular drives me crazy. A few reasons why:

• I personally wish that bathrooms were not segregated at all.
•  In many locations women have extraordinary wait times to use the toilet compared to men
• If there are stalls, there is no exposure anyways
• If there is exposure, so what! Urination is not a sexual act (typically), and I do not understand why a woman seeing another vulva is acceptable, but it is not okay to see a penis.
•  I personally use both gender bathrooms (I am fully aware that not everyone has the safety or confidence to do this), and have never gotten any grief for being a woman in the mens room, why the double standard? 
• Trans women are not men masquerading as women in order to attack other women
• Trans women face an incredible amount of societal stigma and personal distress. It is not a choice, it is who they are.
• Trans women are not the same as Queens
• Yes there may be crossover between the identities
• Yes, both (and all) gender presentations should be respected
• However the public seems to have the view that trans women are all excentric performers, which is far from the truth.
• Men are not the enemy
• We should not assume that men are designed to harass women
• Trans women already face a lot of fear and danger for something as simple as using the restroom
• For many trans*folk neither bathroom feels comfortable or safe
• It should fall within our duty as feminists to ensure the same safety for trans*folk as is desired for women 

A local article http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-31950-radical_feminists_and_the_war_on_trans_women_plays_out_in_portland.html and a New Yorker article http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/04/woman-2 on the issue.

Footnote: not identifying as a trans woman myself, I try to speak to the best of my knowledge about the trans* community, but am open to suggestion or re-interpretation.

Living Sex Positive

To me sex positive means that I embrace and not afraid to talk about all aspects of my sexuality. Of course, within the bounds of situations where it is appropriate, I love talking about bodies and sex. It took me a while to become used to that idea. I grew up in a house where sex was not talked about in any circumstance. I received a book, instead of receiving "the talk". When I finally realized that sex was not something to inherently shy-away from, I embraced my own exuberance and self-image. I love who I am now, love feeling free and talking about sex, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

In my life sex-positivty manifests itself as:

• Nude beaches are my jam. Being the only woman on the beach, even better.
• Everyone knows I have a dildo named Just-in Beaver
• When I by a new vagina trimmer that I am excited about, all my friends hear about it. I love being able to talk freely about the frustrations and techniques involved in female body hair. We all deal with it, why not get some advice and some laughs out of it.
• My best friend and I will get down on the floor and demonstrate our favorite sex positions on each other.
• I try to make all my compliments individual and honest.
• It has become a tradition of sorts that a nearly every party I throw, someone will request to see my dildo and harness, so I will strap on and do a little show for everyone.
• I am not afraid to look like an idiot on the dance floor.
• I feel good showing a lot of cleavage....so that is what i do.
• I encourage my friends to talk about their bodies and sex lives to their comfort level, and often get a response of "wow, I never feel this comfortable talking about this kind of thing"

Read about how one mom interprets sex-positivity for her daughter
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lea-grover/this-is-what-sex-positive-parenting-really-looks-like_b_5516707.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Feminism, Altruism, Environment and BOOBS (Song)

A heard this song this morning and immediately fell in love. Not only was it stuck in my head all day and made me giggle but is a pretty good auditory manifestation of my brain.

Confessions Tim Minchin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bEGLbCNRqw

Why I am a Feminist. A Defense of Feminism Against "Women Against Feminism"

With every political ideal comes a number of lunatics who take the issue too far and tend to delegitimize the core group. Feminism is of course not immune to this phenomenon, however i feel that feminists get far more grief than they deserve.

Historically Feminism has made innumerable steps towards the political, economical and social equality of women. New issues for women have developed, and many of the old problems are still at large.  According to the US census bureau (as well as every source I have seen that shows actual research), the wage gap between men and women is a very real thing. This means that on average, in the United States, women who are working the same type of position with the same experience as a man, will earn less than him. Our Supreme Court has made it legal to withhold access to medications for sexual health for women, but not for men. Women are still blamed to their rapes. Gender inequality is still a very real issue in our society.

The really cool part of third-wave feminism is that feminst still fight for equality for women, but they have expanded their focus to include seeking equality for other minorities as well. Third wave feminism tries to ensue equal rights for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or ability.

Women Against Feminism http://womenagainstfeminism.tumblr.com/ is a tumblr that has erupted as a response to third wave feminism.  Some common arguments that the women on Women Against Feminism make, and defenses for feminism:

• Feminists hate men: True feminists work towards male grievances as well as female. Feminists work to reduce rates of rape, including rape towards males. Feminists work towards equality of all minorities, gender, sexuality, race, and ability minorities, all of which include men. 
• I like my role as a housewife/I like a strong man: That is fine. Feminism does not contradict those assertions at all. Feminism merely wants to provide other options, options provided to men. If a woman wants to be a housewife then she should be able to, as well as a that a man should be allowed that option, or a woman should be allowed to focus on her career or not want to be mother.
• I like 'natural birth control methods' because they remind me that I am a woman: Again, by providing women with other options does not restrict the options which already exist. Every woman reserves the right to decide how she views her own femininity. Having control over what I choose for my own body personally makes me feel very confident in my femininity. I appreciate being able to choose a life that does not include debilitating cramps and the fear of an unwanted pregnancy. All women should have the opportunity to be educated about all of their options and have reasonable access to whatever resources they deem best for themselves.
• Rape culture does not exist: Rape culture most certainly exists. I know rape culture exists from my friend who survived rape, who instead of receiving support, was torn down by her entire community for ruining her rapists life by pressing charges. I know rape culture exists because of guys telling me that testosterone makes them need sex in a way a woman will never understand. I know rape culture exists because women are still being blamed for being raped based on clothes, alcohol and sexual history. I know rape culture exists when Blurred Lines is the top song in the country despite mimicking the words of actual rapists. Want to read more: http://time.com/40110/rape-culture-is-real/
• I like being treated like a princess/ My man treats me right: Everyone likes being treated like they are special and loved. In my relationships I do like being treated like a princess at times, but I also like treating my partner like a prince or princess. I like feeling special, as well as want my partner to feel special, and feminism is by no means against that. Once again, just because some women appreciate a relationship dynamic where they are the submissive partner, women who want a different, more equal, or dominant dynamic should be able to pursue that without judgement. Personal choices and values should remain a personal choice, and no one option should be forced onto all women.
• Women are not victims based on their gender: Feminism hopes to empower women, not victimize them. Feminism wants to ensure For women who have been oppressed or assaulted and want help, it should not be denied to them

Read another article talking about some of the missed notions on Women Against Feminism:
http://www.vice.com/read/women-against-feminism-have-a-strange-fixation-on-jars-723?utm_source=vicefbus

Commentary on "Sex without Fear"

Today I read an article about a drug which, when taken consistently, prevents the spread of HIV. As a nurse, and a proud queermo, this is definitely a topic of interest. I have a flock of gay boys, who I love dearly, and who all have had various struggles with STIs. Luckily none of my closest friends have contracted HIV, however it is still a huge concern within the community, and weighs on them as a concern daily. The original article touches on a number of different points. The idea that this medication will allow people, in particular gay men, to have more personal freedom and peace of mind. The flip side of which is that the medication may promote promiscuity and give the illusion that condoms are no longer necessary. An analogy was used that introducing this medication is align with birth control compared to the Plan B type treatment often being used now to prevent HIV.

I am very much in the camp of personal choice when it comes to this issue. I think that women should have the right and reasonable access to whatever birth control they deem necessary for their bodies. If they use it for their health, if they want the peace of mind, if they choice to be promiscuous, or they choose not to use it, each option is just that, THIER CHOICE. This medication should fall in a similar perspective. HIV is a prominent health issue, which should be addressed, within the gay male community. Gay men, along with women, are still a minority, especially in the context of healthcare, and it is our duty as a society to not continue to marginalize them by making decisions for them. All available options should be made available and education provided, so that each individual can determine what is best for them.

From a nursing perspective, I have a very love-hate relationship with drugs. So many drugs can drastically improve quality of life, or be essential to life. However, modern medicine is so recent in the grand scheme of things. Drugs are constantly changing and being reevaluated. Used in the wrong way or quantity, drugs can change quickly from the realm of positive force to negative. With this HIV-preventing drug, there is the worry that condoms will go out of favor and rates of other STIs will increase. If taken incorrectly the drug may lead to resistance which would hinder treatment if HIV was contracted. Additionally, every drug added to the body has potential side effects and complications, when considering treatment one must think of alternatives and if the benefits out way the costs. I still believe each individual retain the choice to determine his actions, but full education of the drug, and the benefits of condoms should be included in the excitement.

Read the original article here:http://nymag.com/news/features/truvada-hiv-2014-7/

Sexy Project Day (NSFW: ass pic)

I am known for my projects. I get completely sucked into them. I get an idea and it becomes my obsession, I really have no ability to stop myself from pursuing whatever inspiration I feel. Well, today that happened. I brought out my fabric scraps with the intention to make a headband to keep my irritatingly not-short-but-not-long-hair out of my face during runs. Well I made my headbands, and then my hands kept moving and made some gladiator-strap inspired panties. 

Now the craftsmanship is nothing to brag about, but these panties got me excited. I mean I was turned on by them, but also they got me pumped to delve into the the creative world that is sexy clothing. 

When I move into a more permanent housing situation in a month or so, my grandma has already promised me her sewing machine. I am feeling a lot more panties, tops, and corsets in my creative future.