A glimpse at comprehensive sex ed

As most sex ed programs in the U.S. continue to push abstinence, a gutsy teacher from a Quaker prep school in Pennsylvania is showing everyone what comprehensive sex education could look like — and it looks very promising. Al Vernacchio (“Mr. V,” as his students call him) teaches an elective class for seniors entitled ”Sexuality and Society” at the Friends’ Central School.

The in-depth New York Times Magazine article about Vernacchio’s class recounts the roots of sex ed in America — the original concept of “proper sex” between a husband and wife only — and the winding path it has taken, including a stint in the ’70s and early ’80s when sex ed was pretty comprehensive in response to AIDS and teen pregnancy. Now, of course, sex ed has become a highly divisive, politically-charged issue, and most classrooms rely on an “abstinence is best” message. Vernacchio’s doesn’t. In fact, his syllabus covers many subjects surrounding sex:

Sexuality and Society begins in the fall with a discussion of how to recognize and form your own values, then moves through topics like sexual orientation (occasionally students identify as gay or transgender, Vernacchio said, but in this particular class none did); safer sex; relationships; sexual health; and the emotional and physical terrain of sexual activity.

Vernacchio is in the business of busting myths and making his students think. He is constantly tackling gender stereotypes — by explaining that men are not naturally hornier than women, or by asking students to examine the myriad ways in which the sex-as-baseball trope is problematic. He also shows his class close-up photos of vulvas and penises, which leads to discussion about genital variation. He even screens a medical research video of a woman ejaculating — an act that is virtually never discussed in sex ed classes.

There’s also an anonymous question box in Vernacchio’s classroom. One day, a girl submitted a note asking whether her urge to pee during sex could lead to female ejaculation.

He laid out a plethora of explanations for the feeling, everything from anxiety about having sex to a bladder infection to the possibility that the young woman was getting “some really good G-spot stimulation” and in fact verging on ejaculation.

And that is perhaps what is most amazing to hear: the way the students have benefited from the course. To them, “Mr. V” is both a teacher they can trust to tell them the truth, and a confidant they can talk to about sensitive subjects. It is clear the kids have learned a lot about relationships, pleasure, and how to navigate their sexualities.

The school’s administration is pleased with Vernacchio’s course, and so are the parents of the students, who have never complained.

Check the article out — it’s a really fantastic read.

  Sex in the News      sex ed  

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Google increases health care coverage for trans employees

Mountain View, California-based corporation and search engine giant Google recently announced a considerable increase in health care coverage for their U.S. transgender employees. Effective immediately, trans employees are now entitled to a full range of procedures and treatment in accordance with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Standards of Care. This includes transitioning procedures such as gender reassignment surgery, facial feminization, pectoral implants, and more, if determined to be medically necessary by a doctor. Google has also increased the maximum dollar amount for transgender health care benefits from $35,000 to $75,000.

Masen Davis, whose law organization consulted with Google about the additional health benefits, said,

We’ve never worked with a company so clearly dedicated to doing the best they can with transgender employees . . . I would anticipate that what they’ve adopted will become the gold standard in the United States.

The increased benefits come just in time for the Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Corporate Equality Index, which analyzes and rates large U.S. employers and their policies regarding LGBT employees. Google was rated 100%, placing them on the Best Places to Work 2012 list. The Corporate Equality Index has proved a motivating force for many companies, according to Todd Solomon, a Chicago attorney who specializes in LGBT employee benefits issues. It has provided the extra push necessary for employers to begin implementing inclusive benefits.

This is not the first awesome thing Google has done for its LGBT employees this year. In June, they fought back against the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act by offering reimbursement to gay employees whose domestic-partner health insurance benefits are taxed as income by the federal government. Google also has active LGBT employee groups — called “Gayglers” — all around the world.

  Sex in the News      health care, LGBT  

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Would you buy a vibrator from a sex toy truck?

Here in Portland, we’re no strangers to food trucks (have you experienced the glory that is Potato Champion?!), but this is something new: a truck that promotes vibrators.

For a few days in July, a Trojan “Good Vibrations” truck parked itself in various spots in Manhattan and Brooklyn, drawing in passersby and engaging them in discussion about masturbation and sex toys.

Trojan’s first order of business was to promote its new vibrator to young people, and they did so by having folks take a “What’s Your Vibe” quiz on an iPad, and by holding a Facebook check-in raffle for a free vibrator. They also gave out condoms and disposable vibrating cock rings.

Although this was a short-lived event based on blatant product promotion, it brings up a pivotal question: what if a sex-toy-peddling truck popped up on the streets of Portland? Would you buy a toy from it? Which food cart pod would it most thrive in? And would the world explode with awesomeness if this truck were set up next to the place selling fried pies?

  Sex in the News     

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Brain scans pinpoint female sexual response

This graphic just about says it all:

60 years after mapping out the male brain in response to sexual stimulation, scientists have finally scanned the female brain. The findings? Stimulation of the clitoris and stimulation of the vagina each activate different regions of the brain’s sensory cortex. And nipple stimulation causes the genital area of the cortex to light up, which scientifically explains the very obvious fact that nipple stimulation is erotic. Thank goodness!

The research was conducted first by a team at University Children’s Hospital in Switzerland, where the team used functional magnetic resonance imaging to pinpoint the area of the sensory cortex that responds to clitoral stimulation. The position of the clitoris on the sensory cortex corresponded pretty closely to the position of the penis in men.

A second team of researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey picked up where the others left off, determining the positions of the clitoris, vagina, and cervix on the sensory cortex as women stimulated themselves. Sadly, they only stimulated “the front wall of the vagina generally,” so no word yet on what G-spot stimulation does in the brain.

This is definitely a “well, duh” news item, but at least researchers are finally taking more interest in female sexual response!

  Fun Info, Sex in the News      research, science  

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LGBT history coming to California school textbooks

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a groundbreaking bill that requires public schools to include the historical contributions of LGBT individuals in their social studies lessons. The law — entitled the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act — could begin taking effect as soon as the 2013-2014 school year.

California will be the first state in the nation to require schools to revise textbooks and procure teaching materials that cover the contributions and roles of sexual minorities throughout history. It will be up to the school boards to determine how — and at what grade level — to implement these changes.

Unsurprisingly, phrases like “homosexual agenda” and “sexual brainwashing” are being tossed about by critics of the bill, and opponents have already begun collecting signatures for a ballot referendum to overturn the bill.

Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco, the author of the bill, had this to say about the bill’s critics:

There is a lot of distortion. Some people are saying we are trying to sexualize education. This is not about sex. This is about history. It’s about a chapter of civil rights that is currently being censored . . . We learn about Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for civil rights, but not about Harvey Milk, who also fought for civil rights and was also assassinated.

It is worth noting that California law already requires schools to teach about women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, American Indians, and entrepreneurs. Other topics, such as the Holocaust and the Irish potato famine, are also required by the Legislature.

  Sex in the News      California, history, LGBT  

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TSA a-okay with sex toys

Two emotions I felt while reading this article: relief and amusement. Finally, acknowledgement from the Transportation Safety Administation (TSA) that, for them, sex toys are no big deal! Even BDSM toys — whips, floggers, chains, leashes, cuffs, and restraints — are fine to pack in a carry-on bag.

Sex toys are not only legal to travel with; they’re expected. Inspectors know a vibrator when they see one, and they will not confiscate it. However, travelers should remember that inspectors are trained to keep an eye out for electronic devices.

The best solution? Just don’t be nervous. If you need a little pep talk, remind yourself that vibrators are common — roughly half the women in the U.S. own one, and vibrators have been around longer than airplanes. If asked about your toy, stay calm and give a straightforward answer; “that’s my dildo” is perfect. Don’t lie about what the toy is.

There is one ominous category of items that is acceptable only for checked luggage, but not carry-on luggage: “billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, nunchakus and martial arts weapons.” This category includes “anatomically correct cylinders of roughly a foot or so in length,” or any sex toy that could be defined as “club-like.”

A prime example of such a thing would be the njoy Eleven, a massive, 2-pound stainless steel dildo. Hilariously, the TSA spokesman was asked specifically about this toy, and he said (presumably in a very official tone of voice), “We would call that a baton-like item. It could be considered a weapon.”

Generally, anything under 7 inches in length does not fall into this category, and thus is fine to bring in carry-ons. Just be sure to remove the batteries from your vibrator and follow the 3-1-1 rule with lube.

  Fun Info, Sex in the News      travel, TSA  

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Swedish guest house offers more than beds

Now this is my kind of hotel: a guest house in Sweden offers sex toys and the services of an orgasm coach to guests. The owners of the Venusgarden guest house are Ylva Franzén, author of Orgasmera Mera (Orgasming More), and her husband, Åke Fridell. The hotel features three themed bedrooms: Kamasutra, Venus, and Tao.

When was the last time you saw something like this in the website description of a hotel room? This one’s for the Venus Room (pictured):

On the exclusive mirrored table there is every imaginable massage oil, lubricant, tickly feather, love game, sex toy and incense to enhance the atmosphere, a tray with aphrodisiacs including a magic pill which will work wonders for him and of course the bible of the house: Orgasming More. You can try the love swing in the ceiling and pick whatever you want to take home with you from the erotic kit.

Another room features an “ingeniously placed mirror where every move can be watched if you like,” and urges guests to “pick your choice of the love toy for the night to take home with you as a memory of the night passed in love.” Or perhaps more than a single night, as another description reads, “relax and make love for three days like the Indian gods.” Well, okay then!

  Sex in the News     

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Third gender category to be added to Pakistani identity cards

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has done something quite radical: they’ve agreed to add a third gender category to their national identity cards. Surprisingly, there has been little opposition to the ruling, neither within the registration authority nor outside it. This may be because trans people — of which there are an estimated 50,000 — are generally accepted as part of the fabric of Pakistani society.

However, life is not easy for trans people living in Pakistan. This BBC article profiles Shehzadi, a Pakistani trans woman who left home as a teenager. While she appreciates living in the trans community, she says, ”People don’t understand, and they abuse us. It’s hard to get somewhere to live, or even to move about normally. I get teased when I stand and wait for a bus.”

Many trans people have trouble finding work as well. Pakistan’s Supreme Court is attempting to remedy this; they recently announced that trans people should be allocated a certain number of government jobs. Shehzadi now works as a tax collector. ”We knock on the doors of people who haven’t paid their taxes,” she says. ”We stand on their doorstep and give them trouble and make a spectacle. Then to stop us attracting attention, they pay. I love the job, life’s going well!”

While these changes are certainly a step forward for Pakistan in recognizing gender non-conformity, they do not change everything. As Shehzadi somberly explains, ”However much we say we are a close community, and call each other ‘sister’ and ‘mother’ it is still a lonely existence.”

  Sex in the News      gender, transgender  

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Your next vacation stop: a penis museum

Need a reason to go to Iceland? Behold: the Phallological Museum, a place where you can witness a staggering 276 penis and testicle specimens preserved in jars of formaldehyde, dried and mounted on the walls, or made into lampshades.

The museum boasts a wide array of phalluses from bears, whales, seals, walruses, and other mammals. Situated in a small fishing town, the museum draws thousands of visitors each summer and is considered integral to the region’s tourist industry.

The latest exciting news from the Phallological Museum is that they have finally acquired a human specimen from a 95-year-old man named Pall Arason. Arason was described as a “funny guy” who “liked to be in the limelight.” Naturally, the museum’s owner (who has been interested in “phallology” ever since, as a kid, he was given a whip made from a bull’s penis in order to herd cattle) is thrilled. “I have just been waiting for this guy for 15 years,” he said.

Outside of the museum is a large tree trunk carved into the shape of an erect penis. If that’s not the perfect photo opportunity, I don’t know what is.

  Sex in the News      science  

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