Asexuality - 12/5/12

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I've been wanting an episode of The Sex and Tell Show about asexuality since the beginning stages of this show, and I'm so happy to be able to finally have someone motivated to talk about it with me. Hopefully there will be more episodes about asexuality that we do, but today we wanted to cover some basics: definition of asexuality, the difference between asexuality as an identity and a behavior, and the asexual community and the LGBT community.

The major point of the episode is acceptance and visibility though. The asexuality community is one of the only LGBT communities that simply isn't seen, or isn't acknowledged, but we can change that. Check out some of the resources below and educate yourself on some basics about asexuality, because chances are you might know someone who is asexual, or you yourself might identify it.

If you have any questions or want some more resources, feel free to contact me.

Useful resources:

1. Beyond (a)sexuality, the grey area
2. Beyond Straight and Gay - Why Asexual Visibility is Important
3. Asexual via Wikipedia
4. Asexuality.org
5. Why Should The Sex Positive Community Promote Asexuality Awareness?

Music you heard:

1. "Golliwog's Cakewalk" by Claude Debussy
2. "Booster's Tower" from Super Mario RPG by The One-Ups
3. "1 AM" from Animal Crossing GC

See you next week! 

Menswear for Female Bodies - 11/27/12

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Today's episode I had my friend Tasha on the show, who also is quite a dapper individual, and someone I can express my deep love for men's footwear and blazers with.

This is a topic that is very close to my heart, and something that I want more people to feel comfortable about and exploring. We all are ultimately looking to feel comfortable in our own skin, and our wardrobe can play a huge part in that. When I'm wearing a shirt or tie that fits me, it makes me feel like a new person. A more confident person. A person that can tackle anything. If I'm not comfortable in my clothes, I feel a lot less confident and sexy.

The hardest part about exploring dapper clothing is the judgement that you might face from store employees, other customers, or whomever. It's not easy, but the more often you do it, the more often you succeed, and the happier you can be with your wardrobe.

If you want any tips or suggestions about looking for clothes, feel free to shoot me an e-mail or comment!

Useful links:

1. Saint Harridan Kickstarter
2. Kreuzbach10 IndieGogo
3. DapperQ
4. Autostraddle: How to Wear Skinny Ties For Femmes and Bois and Everyone in Between
5. Casey Legler Interview

Music you heard:

1. "Alligator" by Tegan and Sara

See you next week!

Happy Obama! - 11/7/12

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Although my show this week was a bit scattered, I am so pleased to share it with you. Instead of 4 years of regression and the destruction of the equality that we have been striving for, America was smart enough to elect President Obama for a second term. This means progress, hope, and to be blunt, getting shit done.

I don't have much else to say, but enjoy the episode. 

Music you heard:

1. "6PM" from Animal Crossing OST
2. "Time Is All Around" by Regina Spektor
3. "Change" by Podington Bear
4. "bamboo cactus" by i, cactus

Useful links:

1. Obama's Victory Speech

Bullying Part 2 - 10/10/12

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Welcome to week 2 of Bullying Awareness Month at The Sex and Tell Show!

When it comes to bullying, the major idea is that students feel safe. If they don't feel safe, they will not report bullying when it happens. They won't know who to trust, and they won't feel comfortable talking about it with just anyone, because maybe THEY will bully them too. Even the smallest things can help, like having a rainbow flag sticker on your door, or an HRC sticker on a water bottle. Having materials (brochures, etc.) in your office will let students know that they can talk to you. Kids pay attention, and they notice more than you think they do. 

Another important thing that I think all schools should do, is to provide some sort of informational assembly (or multiple assemblies), regarding the LGBT community. Have someone explain what queer means, or what being transgender means. Inform your students, and they will be less likely to bully, because they will UNDERSTAND. Same thing with adults, which is a reason why I have this show. When people are more educated on a topic, they are more sympathetic. They are less likely to say something offensive.

Music you heard:

1. "Eugenia" by Scott Joplin
2. Zeki Müren (forgot the song sorry!)

Useful links:

1. LGBT Youth Tip Sheet
2. 4 Steps Schools Can Take to Address Anti-LGBT Bullying and Harassment
3. Gay Bullying - National Youth Association
4. Transgender people and bullying

I hope this was helpful, and I hope it inspires you to stop bullying, in whatever form it takes. Tune in next week when we talk about fetishes!

Older LGBT Adults - 8/15/12

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Today's show I interviewed Kathleen LaTosch, the special projects consultant for Affirmations, about a very interesting topic, and probably not one that's on your radar: LGBT older adults. The elderly community itself is something that younger generations sometimes don't think much about (until they are part of it), but everyone needs to do their part to make their issues known.

Older LGBT adults have a lot of problems not only with housing, but with typical aging services, such as retirement homes, assisted living, hospice, etc. These are major issues for heterosexual adults, but for LGBT individuals, it can create a whole host of problems. Maybe they're severely closeted, and don't trust others to come into their home for fear of being outed. Maybe they are living with a partner, but cannot live in the same retirement community because of discrimination (which is allowed in Michigan by the way).

Please realize that this could be an older person that you know. Maybe someone at your church or temple. Maybe it's your next door neighbor. An important point that I want to make is that simply talking about the issues can solve the problem, and can make people more aware. If you know an older person, have them take this survey. I also have it linked below. This can help change the discrimination we face in Michigan, and discrimination specifically faced by older LGBT individuals.

Useful Links:

1. LGBT Older Adult Coalition
2. LGBT Needs Survey
3. Affirmations of Ferndale, MI
4. Relevant article from the New York Times

Music you heard:

1. "Easy Living" by Billie Holiday
2. "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" by Louis Armstrong
3. "To the Gateway" from Super Mario Galaxy OST

Tune in next week! And don't be shy about leaving a comment or shooting us an e-mail! We love e-mails!