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Website Offers Education on Asexuality
May 31, 2011
One in one hundred adults have no interest in sex, and they don’t consider a problem. In fact, it’s how their brains are wired in terms of sexual orientation. The following quote is from the online resource center of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network.
“An asexual is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who we are. Asexuality does not make our lives any worse or any better, we just face a different set of challenges than most sexual people. There is considerable diversity among the asexual community; each asexual person experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently. Asexuality is just beginning to be the subject of scientific research.”
Asexuality is different from being celibate or abstinent by choice. It also differs from lack of sexual desire, which is an emotional state experienced by some people due to medications, health issues or psychological issues like relationship problems, low self-esteem, poor body image, fear, prior poor experiences, etc. People who identify as asexual may have romantic attractions, and they may have sex to express emotional closeness; however, they typically do not have a hunger to engage in sexual activity.
Asexuality is another way of living in the sexual sphere of human sexual experience. Some of us are attracted to people of the same sex, another sex, more than one sex, or to none of those groups. The AVEN website is rich with information for people who identify as asexual and for their families and friends. If you’d like to learn more about asexuality, visit the Asexual Visibility and Education Network here.
Tennessee Shame: Don’t Say Gay Bill Passes
May 22, 2011
Shame on Tennessee for thinking that talking about homosexuality is akin to “teaching homosexuality.” The state Senate voted 5:4 to allow legislators to introduce a bill that would ban teachers from discussing homosexuality in their classrooms. The House will take up the issue next year.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Stacey Campfield, is reported to have called the bill a “neutral” tool that will allow discussions about sexuality to be decided by families, not K-8 schools. Contrary to Sen. Campfield’s claim of neutrality, this bill isn’t neutral. It is based on the assumption that being straight is natural and normal; therefore, teachers may not discuss any other orientation. This “neutral” ban actively promotes heterosexuality.
- Lessons about non-straight sexual orientation don’t teach kids to be gay. We may experience varying romantic or sexual feeings during our lives, but our basic attraction template is pretty well fixed regardless of what we’re exposed to.
- Censoring teachers hurts kids. Children with gay or lesbian parents, friends or relatives won’t have those loved ones publically recognized. Children who question their sexual orientation won’t be able to ask questions of their teachers or school counselors.
- Censoring promotes bullying. If teachers can’t discuss homosexuality, they can’t teach students to respect people of all orientations. The bullies will have free rein.
Let’s call this bill what it is: an unabashed attempt to eliminate homosexuality by pretending it doesn’t exist. Sen. Campfield, your ignorance and prejudice are showing, and you should be ashamed.
Actor George Takei, of Star Trek fame, created a video related to the Tennessee bill. It proves that you can rise above foolishness and take action that may save a life. Watch the video here.
Free Webinar on Talking with Tweens about Puberty
May 19, 2011
“Setting the Table: Healthy Transitions Through Puberty” is the title of a free webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, May 23, that will provide the utensils parents need to talk about puberty with their tweens. Parenting a child through puberty shouldn’t be like eating brussel sprouts. Through this webinar, parents can receive updated information, resources and support that will help them set the table for healthy communication about puberty.
This free webinar is offered by Answer, a national organization dedicated to providing and promoting comprehensive sexuality education to young people and the adults who teach them.
Two Ways to Register:
1. Online
2. By phone: Call 732-445-7929 and ask for Patrice
You’ll receive a confirmation 72 hours before the webinar with directions for how to log in. Answer thanks the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (GCAPP) for sponsoring this webinar.
Sports Stars Teach Accepting Language
May 18, 2011
If your kids use the term, “That’s so gay” as an insult, it’s time to help them turn off the homophobic language. If they enjoy sports, have them watch this YouTube video featuring NBA stars Grant Hill and Jared Dudley, with music by the Beastie Boys. You can view it here.