Special Coverage: Sex and Relationships

Sex From a Can

Joyce McFadden, Huffington Post. July 4, 2008.
Most representations of sexuality in pop culture are not sexy or sexual, erotic or arousing; they're shallow and laughable.

From the blogs

The side-effects of abstinence-only education.

by Tala Dowlatshahi, American News Project

Teen pregnancy is on the rise in America for the first time since 1991.

Watermelon is the New Viagra

by Lindsay Beyerstein, AlterNet

USDA-funded research helps Americans put some pizazz in their picnic baskets this fourth of July.

The Myth of the Opt-Out Revolution

by Kathy G

Women have kids and jobs, just like normal people!

Pregnancy Pact Myth Refuses to Die

by Amanda Marcotte, Pandagon

Social conservatives refuse to give up on titillating conspiracy theory.

High School "Pregnancy Pact" an Urban Legend

by Lindsay Beyerstein

Rumors of reproductive conspiracy greatly exaggerated.

Do Jerks Get Laid More?

by Jill Filipovic, Feministe

Ev psych strikes again.

The F Word: Of Wedges and Weddings

by Laura Flanders, Huffington Post

GRITtv host Laura Flanders on equal marriage and political vision.

Same-Sex Marriages Are More Egalitarian

by Jill Filipovic, Feministe

Are same-sex marriages emotionally healthier for those involved?

The Sexual Politics of Sex and the City

by Amanda Marcotte, Pandagon

Sexist criticisms of Sex and the City miss the point.

San Francisco Mayor: Civil Servants Cannot Deny Marriage

by Keninny , Down With Tyranny!

Like pharmacists, civil servants should not allow personal politics to undermine job performance.

Our Government: Powerless to Outlaw Guns, Able to Outlaw Sexual Expression

Dr. Marty Klein, Sexual Intelligence. July 2, 2008.
Why is the government allowed to jail people for selling videos of adults having (consensual) sex?

The New Face of Sex on Television

Greta Christina, The Blowfish Blog. July 1, 2008.
Two new shows present people with alternative sexualities as ... actual people.

Cuba Cancels Gay Pride Parade

Sue Katz, Consenting Adult. July 1, 2008.
Organizers of the parade intended to demand a government apology for past and present repression of LGBT people.

Seeking the Hairless Porn Star Ideal

Heather Wood, Sirens Magazine. June 30, 2008.
The temptations and hype surrounding the Brazilian wax turn into a case of buyer's remorse for this author.

In Egypt, "Prostitute" Is a Slippery Term

L.L. Wynn, American Sexuality Magazine. June 26, 2008.
In Egypt the label "prostitute" is often applied to women who defy traditional social and sexual codes of conduct.

What We Should Take Away From the "Pregnancy Pact"

Ellen Goodman, Truthdig. June 26, 2008.
We spend too much time arguing with each other about teens and sex, and too little time talking to kids about healthy sexuality.

Tough Economy Tightens Surrogacy Market

Molly M. Ginty, Women's eNews. June 26, 2008.
Increasing numbers of infertile people have been using surrogacy to have children, but a tougher economy is pushing it further out of reach.

Vagina Anxiety: The Rise of the Labialplasty

Jennifer Armstrong, Sirens Magazine. June 24, 2008.
Rich people, their plastic surgeons and the always-scrupulous mass media are foisting more body issues on women.

Gay Marriage Is Supported by a Majority of the Public

Deb Price, Creators Syndicate. June 23, 2008.
One of the most exciting things about the delightful first wave of gay weddings across California was how much the nation took it in stride.

Nerdy Girls Have Attained Sexy Status

Vanessa Richmond, The Tyee. June 21, 2008.
A growing breed of young women are claiming the nerd label for themselves, challenging the notion of what a geek should look like.

The Unsexiest Movies About Sex

Lauren Wissot, Spout Blog. June 20, 2008.
Five movies that would make for a wonderful addition to those abstinence-only programs George W. loves so much.

Swift Boats Aimed at Obama on Sex Ed

Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check. June 19, 2008.
Conservatives are starting to spread misinformation about Obama's stance on sex education.

Judges, Hide Those Porn Collections

Dr. Marty Klein, Sexual Intelligence. June 18, 2008.
An interest in porn now disqualifies someone for a federal judgeship? That's obscene.

Finally, Marriage Licenses for All

Susie Bright, SusieBright.com. June 18, 2008.
The legalization of gay marriage is a huge milestone in the fight for equal rights. Still, it begs the question: why do people get married, anyway?

Myths About Gay Marriage

Peter Montgomery, People For the American Way Foundation. June 17, 2008.
It's important to correct these misrepresentations and get back to celebrating.

Sexual Orientation and Choice

Greta Christina, The Blowfish Blog. June 12, 2008.
When I hear people defend gay rights by saying "It's not a choice, who would choose to be queer?" I raise my hand and say, "Me. Over here. I would."

GLBT Youth Fight for the Right to Party at Prom

Sue Katz, AlterNet. June 11, 2008.
Even with the law on their side, GLBT students still have to struggle to take same-sex partners to prom.

Is It Time for Gay Arranged Marriages?

Sandip Roy, New American Media. June 10, 2008.
Some conservative Indian parents are telling their kids that it's OK to be gay -- as long as they are not single.

What Kind of Adulterer Are You?

Andy McSmith, Independent UK. June 10, 2008.
There are 17 reasons people cheat, Mira Kirshenbaum says in her book "When Good People Have Affairs," and they're not all selfish or immoral.

Hollywood Tells Women to Settle for Schlubby Losers

Natalie Krinsky, The Frisky. June 9, 2008.
When are we going to see a slacker, overweight female lead who's married to her bong score with a hot, successful dreamboat?

Sex and Drugs -- Are You Interested?

AlterNet. June 7, 2008.
Want to know why enforcement of pot laws is finally easing up, and learn about the war on our sexual freedoms? Check out AlterNet's coverage.

Progressive Religious Leaders Drowned Out in Conversations About Sex

Lara Riscol, RH Reality Check. June 6, 2008.
Mainstream media perpetuate the false assumption that sex and family values don't mix by only talking to conservatives about religion and sexuality.

Maybe We Should Outsource Our Sex Education to Mexico

Sue Katz, Consenting Adult. June 4, 2008.
Bush's abstinence-based sex education programs are failing. No kidding.

How Our Sexuality Is Being Restricted One Bad Law at a Time

Dr. Marty Klein, AlterNet. June 4, 2008.
Sexuality is considered a public health menace, and many people want tough (albeit illegal) laws to battle the epidemic.

The Indestructible Male Libido

Paul Festa, Nerve.com. June 3, 2008.
Despite the fear of imminent sexual decay, getting older has its benefits.

Fewer Sexually Active Teens Are Using Condoms

Marissa Miley, Huffington Post. June 3, 2008.
What should we do about this alarming trend? We could rend our garments and cry to the heavens. Or we could talk to teens about safe sex.

He's a Stud, She's a Slut: The Sexual Double Standard

Jessica Valenti, Seal Press. May 30, 2008.
"Slut" is applied to women engaged in any activity besides knitting, praying, or sitting perfectly still lest any sudden movements be deemed whorish.

Online Matchmaking Sites Court U.S. Muslims

Hanady Kader, Women's eNews. May 29, 2008.
A growing online matchmaking movement has many Muslim women elbowing aside courtship traditions.

Why One Queer Person Is Not Celebrating California's Historic Gay Marriage Decision

Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, AlterNet. May 28, 2008.
The gay marriage movement should not be fighting for a 1950s model of white-picket fence "we're just like you" normalcy.

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AlterNet's "Sex and Relationships" coverage includes stories about sexuality, love and relationships.

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