Kink On Tap

Virginia school district ponders banning cross-gender dress | Reuters

maymay — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:20:48 +0000

Showcasing how ignorance is a life-threatening, clear and present danger, a "Virginia school district is considering banning cross-gender dressing in a move proponents said aims to protect students from harassment," Matthew Ward reports. The ban is being considered "after teachers […] said some male students were dressing like girls, prompting complaints from other students."

Although wanting to protect youth from harm is noble, misguided bans on expression are functionally equivalent to censorship, and serve no protective purpose. Worse, ignorance of gender diversity "could actually make the students more susceptible to bullying," not less, according to the executive director of Equality Virginia, James Parrish. "They're calling it cross-dressing, but if [one wears] clothes that reflect their gender identity [then] that's appropriate gender dressing," he said.

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Update: A grass-roots petition to oppose the ban has been circulating on Tumblr. A vote is expected in March. Hopefully, the petition along with the threat of legal action from the ACLU of Virginia will be enough to deter this dangerous violation of student’s freedom of expression.

Equal Access to HIV Treatment Could Finally Slow the Black Epidemic – COLORLINES

maymay — Tue, 31 May 2011 01:00:58 +0000

A sad fact too few realize is we have the tools to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but not the political will. This month, results from a clinical trial known as "HPTN 052" were released and "confirmed what many public health experts have long believed: early HIV treatment not only benefits the person infected, but also reduces the likelihood that he or she will transmit the virus to sexual partners," Rod McCullom reports.

The reduction in transmission rates is an astonishing 96%, lighting a fire under health officials to fundamentally reevaluate approaches to treating the disease. Termed "treatment as prevention," the more aggressive stance on treatment and early testing "could help finally break the back of the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic," particularly among hard hit groups, such as the Black community, who "represent only 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for 45 percent of new HIV infections."

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Study: Employment Ads Perpetuate Traditional Gender Roles | Duke Today

maymay — Sun, 29 May 2011 02:17:57 +0000

Gendered language in job ads "may lead some women away from occupations they may otherwise have found interesting," thereby perpetuating employment discrimination, according to a new study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology:

The clues come in the form of gendered words like competitive and dominant (male) versus compassionate and nurturing (female), the researchers report. Both men and women show a preference for job descriptions matching their gender, women more strongly so. But no one in the study was aware of the effect, the researchers discovered.

After examining more than 4,000 recent job ads, senior author Aaron Kay and his team wrote their own. "When we used more masculine wording, the traditionally female-dominated jobs became more appealing to men," Kay said. This unconscious behavior could explain gendered disparities in jobs like nursing. Moreover, genuine attempts at diversifying could be undermined if job ads have gendered wording.

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SaferProducts.gov U.S. Consumer Web Site Aims to Enhance Sex Toy Safety: Scientific American

maymay — Fri, 27 May 2011 06:10:38 +0000

Sex toy safety is finally being taken seriously by the US government. Long have these "novelty" products been relegated, rather than regulated, using "buyer beware." However, from "March 11, disgruntled sex toy users at least gained access to an empowering new outlet: a searchable public database for all kinds of products at SaferProducts.gov," Regina Nuzzo wrote.

Due to stigma, products like vibrators have been treated differently than, say, blow dryers. In some states, sex toys are considered "obscene"; their sale illegal. But with manufacturers coming under pressure from safety advocates for the dangers of ingredients like phthalates, and with their increasing ubiquity, why shouldn't toys be just as safe? "We take it for granted that our hair dryers won't send us to the emergency room and our toothbrushes won't make us go numb," Nuzzo writes.

We just hope reviews of all toy sorts will be there. Remember, leather floggers are porous, too.

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Abortion Rate Increasing Among Poor Women, Even As It Decreases Among Most Other Groups

maymay — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:52:13 +0000

As if we need more evidence of class warfare, a new study by the Guttmacher Institute found that despite a decrease in abortion rates from 2000 to 2008, abortion rates among poor women actually increased. Study author Rachel K. Jones notes reasons including contraception restrictions, which then result in unintended pregnancy, and the economic downturn as potential contributing factors. "Antiabortion restrictions and cuts to publicly funded family planning services disproportionately affect poor women, making it even more difficult for them to gain access to the contraceptive and abortion services they need," she said.

From the Guttmacher press release:

In addition, when confronted with an unintended pregnancy, women who might have felt equipped to support a child or another child in a more stable economic climate may have decided that they were unable to do so during a time of economic uncertainty.

Abortion: where class warfare and the culture war meet.

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D.C. Abortion Funding Ban Begins To Rear Its Ugly Head: DCist

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:40 +0000

Since DC's ban on funding abortions was put into effect, 28 women were informed as of midnight their abortions would no longer be funded by Medicaid. The DC Abortion Fund is sending out the call to raise money for these women.

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On our difficult language, and the calling-out of same. « Two Whole Cakes

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:39 +0000

Leslie Kinsel talks about the activist culture of Tumblr, the most productive ways to engage people that disagree with marginalized groups, and how not to fear the call-out.

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John Norman, the philosophy professor who created the barbaric world of Gor

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:38 +0000

io9's interview with the creator of the Gor series of pulp novels, John Norman. When not writing the novels, Norman teaches philosophy at Queen's College CUNY. In this wordy interview, he talks about what inspired the novels and whether the Gorian world is about BDSM.

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Landmark Study Finds Bisexual Population Underserved

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:37 +0000

A study by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission claims that bisexuals "make up the largest population within the LGBT acronym, but are also the most underrepresented".

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Etsy’s privacy Valdez: opt-out policy exposes users’ real names and purchase histories – UPDATED – Boing Boing

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:36 +0000

Etsy, in a move to make their site more Facebook-like, revealed their buyers' real names and shopping histories. People who had shopped for handmade sex toys under fake names now had their shopping history show up on Google searches.

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The unsexy world of porn wrestling – Pornography – Salon.com

Community Contributor — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:33:34 +0000

Tracy Clark-Flory attends a live taping of Ultimate Surrender at the Armory. The kind of bodies she saw competing, and the types of people she saw watching, were not what she expected.

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Constitutional Law Prof Blog: Banning (Male) Circumcision: San Francisco Ballot Measure

maymay — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:33:28 +0000

Banning male circumcision is the goal of a group of San Francisco “intactivists,” lead by Lloyd Schofield, who have successfully placed a measure on the local ballot for November that would make it “unlawful to circumcise, excise, cut, or mutilate the whole or any part of the foreskin, testicles, or penis of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years.” The ordinance contains an exception for religious ceremonies, which is interesting as it pits two frameworks of “rights” against one another. On the one hand, religious freedom, and on the other, basic human and youth rights.

The key, as noted by the Constitutional Law Prof Blog, is how one conceptualizes the argument: “Conceptualized as the child’s right to be free from harm, the First Amendment religious freedom arguments become less persuasive.” As they show, legal precedent is mirky, and some debate over whether the group’s motivations are a “hostility to religion” or a resentment that they were circumcised have arisen.

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U.S. State Department Response to UN Human Rights Council Working Group UPR Report « www.harlotsparlour.com

maymay — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:17:32 +0000

The US State Dept. published a response to the UN's Universal Periodic Review in full support of Recommendation 86, which says "no one should face violence or discrimination in access to public services based on…their status as a person in prostitution". The Woodhull Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group who worked with the UN’s US delegation praised the statement. "We are especially happy to note that the Obama administration is taking human rights abuses against sex workers seriously," RJ Thompson, Woodhull's Human Rights Program Director said.

But many US sex workers, who face discrimination and violence from US police forces, expressed skepticism. A sex worker rights advocate and blogger who writes under the name elrond said: "Will this mean sex workers can get tested for STDs in the US without fear of arrest? While cities like New Orleans who imprison sex workers for long sentences, I some how don't think so."

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Kink On Tap 70: Playing on the Edge

maymay — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:07:06 +0000

How is it that BDSM play is deeply connecting? What can we learn about how people in general construct intimacy with others in their lives by analyzing sadomasochistic communities? On this special episode of Kink On Tap, sociologist Dr. Staci Newmahr joins us to discuss her new book, Playing on the Edge: Sadomasochism, Risk, and Intimacy. Drawing on disciplines as far ranging as criminology to gender theory and beyond, Dr. Newmahr offers a rigorous conceptual framework in which to understand “What It Is That We Do,” the value of risk itself, and even the fluidity of identity.

Unlike the typical fare of sexuality news and articles and a roundtable discussion, this time I sat down one-on-one with Dr. Staci Newmahr to talk about her ethnography of the people in “Caeden,” a public BDSM community in America, for the entire 2-hour show. The book—and, therefore, this show—has personal and sentimental meaning to me not only because it articulates in academic language much of what I’ve been experiencing in my time as a part of numerous BDSM communities, but also because Staci is a personal friend. Her book therefore chronicles some of my own time in “Caeden,” and offered me a window into my own (often painful) past.

Although Kink On Tap is still not returning to weekly shows, that doesn’t mean there isn’t stuff coming up! First of all, if you have questions for Staci or comments about our conversation, leave a comment or fill out the Feedback form on our website. Also, there are a number of fantastic events scheduled where I hope you’ll say hi to me, including KinkForAll Providence 2 in Rhode Island and the Atlanta Poly Weekend (where I’m slated to give a presentation on anti-censorship best practices for sex-positive publishers) in Georgia.

Finally, if you like Kink On Tap or any of my other work, you can help me keep doing it by chipping a few dollars into the hat at the Kink On Tap Donate page, or bringing me to speak with your students or community group. Your contributions and invitations really do help a lot!

New technique to help catch sexual offenders: Scientists detect condom lubricant on fingermarks for the first time

maymay — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:34:36 +0000

A new technique that's able to detect condom lubricants in fingerprints may offer law enforcement personnel and prosecutors new ways to establish the presence of a suspect in an alleged sexual assault. The technique, developed at Sheffield Hallam University, uses MALDI-MSI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging), a technology used to map fingerprint ridge patterns, and is able to detect lubricant in fingermarks that have been left for several weeks before analysis.

"Offenders are increasingly aware of forensic issues and it is common now for condoms to be used and removed from the scene of a sexual assault," Dr. Simona Francese said. "If condom lubricant can be detected in fingermarks it would improve the evidence for the prosecution by establishing the assailant's presence at the scene and, crucially, having had contact with a condom. This would enable forensic scientists to provide further support to the evidence in alleged cases of sexual assault."

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Kink On Tap 69: Trinity of Sex Education

maymay — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:57:21 +0000

Government censorship of Wikileaks highlights decades-long repression of sexual speech, Australian censors feed the labiaplasty industry, the MPAA thinks subtle cunnilingus should be rated NC-17, backlash against the TSA’s security theatre is only in the mainstream thanks to a privileged white dude’s junk, and Italian religious courts validate sexual thought crime.

Forget the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! The trinity from Screw Smart in Philadelphia offer many more things to say “amen” to! Kira Manser, Rebecca Alvarez, and J.D. Ackerman, the three sex positive queer women who founded this sex education collaborative joined me for a far-reaching conversation about their work as gynecological teaching associates, new media sex educators, and community builders in Pennsylvania. Hitting insights about American culture and its obstinate refusal to explore touch, whether sexualized or not, free market sensitivities (or lack thereof) to people of different body size and shape, and more, this “trinity of sex education” offers knowledge and asks questions with grace and class.

Also, as you may have noticed, this episode was recorded almost two months ago, which goes to show how incredibly understaffed and overworked I am. But I’m still interested in continuing Kink On Tap in some form or another, so I’m leaving the volunteer opportunities page up and I encourage you to get in touch with me if you’re interested in working together. I’ve done a lot in my time, and rather than throw in the towel, I’m actually gearing up for a whole lot more. Watch this space. :)

Ugandan gay rights activist murdered weeks after court victory | World News | The Guardian

maymay — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:06:59 +0000

David Kato, one of the earliest and most prominent gay rights activists in Uganda, was murdered in his home Wednesday. The killing comes shortly after Kato won a permanent injunction against the Rolling Stone tabloid from publishing names and pictures of Ugandans it claims are homosexual. Kato himself was pictured in an earlier run of the tabloid under the headline "Hang Them." When asked for comment, the tabloid's managing editor Giles Muhame said he had "no regrets" about the publication—or the murder.

It's worth forever remembering the intimate role American Christian fundamentalists have played in this murder, as "visits from several American preachers renowned for their homophobic views," reported Xan Rice, helped create a climate of fear and prejudice in the country.

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On Passports, Mother and Father Will Soon Be ‘Parent 1′ and ‘Parent 2′

maymay — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:13:37 +0000

The terms "mother" and "father" on US passport applications are being replaced with the gender-neutral terms "Parent 1" and "Parent 2". Jennifer Chrisler of the Family Equality Council said the change "allows many different types of families to be able to go and apply for a passport…without feeling like the government doesn't recognize their family." Naturally, anti-gay hate groups like the Family Research Council are outraged, saying the change "violates the spirit if not the letter of the Defense of Marriage Act."

The change also highlights a staggeringly underreported issue: the technological infrastructure our society uses to classify people. Changing terms on forms costs real dollars, but perhaps counterintuitively, a gender-neutral infrastructure is not just more humane, it's more cost-effective, too.

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Kink On Tap 68: Transgender Day of Remembrance

maymay — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:34 +0000

At the initiative of Maaya Hitomi, a University of Windsor student and transgender activist, we discuss the recent Transgender Day of Remembrance and some of the news stories about it with friends of the show xMech and Shanna Katz.

Kink On Tap 67: Fuck Your Health

maymay — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:40:05 +0000

Kelli Dunham and Jessica Halem discuss Fuck Your Health, a queer healthcare advocacy project. Also, a special, albeit sad, announcement about the uncertain future of Kink On Tap from maymay.