The Wall Street Journal published an article last week entitled, "Why Women Don't Want Macho Men" that dives a bit deeper into the reasons why women are attracted to different types of men.
Referencing the study Faceresearch.org, Jena Pincott discusses how of 4,800 women from 30 different countries preferred either manlier or more feminine men based on the their World Health Organization mortality rate, life expectancy, and the prevalence of communicable diesease.
There is a new female condom out on the market that was approved by the FDA a year ago and Chicago is leading the pack in terms of promoting the new method for STD prevention and contraception.
The Chicago Female Condom Campaign is a combined effort of area AIDS and reproductive health groups to educate women about taking their sexual health into their own hands. They are calling the campaign Put A Ring On It because the condom features two rings, one that anchors the condom inside the vagina and another that rests outside. See the training video below for more details on how it works.
Hearings were held yesterday regarding President Obama's agenda to repeal the United States' Military's ban on homosexuality. Department of Defense secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullens spoke, saying that there would be measures taken to alter the current Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.
This may be how I spend my weekend (after the Nouvelle Vague concert tonight, of course). After reading the New York Times profile of John Bowe today, I'm sold. A romantic at heart, I'm moving this collection of 44 stories about Americans in love to the top of my list, sorry Game Change.
Since its release on January 5th, US: Americans Talk About Love, has come to much critical acclaim. Champion rom-com writer, Judd Apatow calls it, "Funny, brutally honest, quirky, devastatingly painful, and hopeful all
at the same time. Every story is a small movie I wish someone would
make."
"Sex is something I really don't understand too hot. You never know
where the hell you are. I keep making up these sex rules for myself,
and then I break them right away."
- J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
This may not be the sexiest post I've written in my time as SATWC bloggeress, but I couldn't let the death of one of the most influential American authors of the 20th century pass without noting the date.
Along with most other moody adolescents, I was struck by the character of Holden Caulfield and Catcher in the Rye. Salinger managed to capture a brand of discontent specific to high school aged people. He swore, he dealt with sex, girls, parents, and siblings. He created a character that had the balls I wished I'd had in my teen years.
Jerome David Salinger died yesterday at age 91. He wrote his masterpiece, Catcher in the Rye in 1951. You can read his full obituary here.
Nature International Weekly Journal of Science published an article on January 13th by researchers at MIT who found that the male Y chromosome has evolved over the past 6 million years to be 30% different than that of our closest animal relatives, chimpanzees. Women and chimps differ by only 2%.
This news is ground breaking because prior to this study researchers suspected that the X chromosome was evolving more quickly and that the Y chromosome was in danger of extinction.
Today marks the 37th anniversary of the historic Supreme Court ruling that granted women the right to terminate a pregnancy.
Though only literally granting women the right to abortion, Roe v. Wade was ground breaking in that it further signified a woman's right to treat her own body as she wishes.
Today in Washington D.C. both pro-abortion rights supporters and opponents have organized on the steps of the supreme court.
According to Telegraph.co.uk, one of the many benefits to gettin' it on is that it can reduce the risk of heart attack for males.
In a study on male aging, conducted by the New England Research Institute in Massachusetts, 1,000 men between the ages of 40 and 70 were monitored over 16 years. One of the researchers findings showed that the risk of heart attack was decreased in men who engaged in sexual activity at least twice a week by as much as half. The results were published in the American Journal of Cardiology.
If there weren't enough reasons have sex before, here is yet another. And if you think about these findings, they totally make sense. Doing it gets your heart rate up and counts for a little bit of aerobic activity during the week.
Also, if you read the article, you'll see that other studies have found that more sex in the winter can boost your immune system! Hells yes Chicago-get it on to fight cold season and stay warm this winter.
Oh Right, the temperature here was probs about -20 degrees with windchill (maybe an exaggeration, but that's how it felt okay).
and Capital Improv in D.C. rode public transportation yesterday sans bottoms. I'm sure it was similarly cold in both of those places, but hey, if you're an exhibitionist, you're an exhibitionist. But I say, "why not wait until the summer time?" I guess it would take away the element of surprise a little bit. Lady partakers would just be able to hike up their skirts and be pantless.
I can't imagine doing this in Chicago, but that's mostly because I avoid being outdoors at this time of year. BRRR....
Lady Gaga at Rosemont Theatre (5400 N. River, Rosemont, IL): Nothing says sexy like the Gag-ster, as my roomie, Amanda and I like to call her. If you don't have tickets already, I wish you good luck and happy scalping! She's here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and the show starts at 7:30. Kink at The Annoyance Theatre (4830 N. Broadway): A musical comedy depicting the closeted sexuality of a suburban family. Show runs on Saturdays through March 6th. Tickets are $15 and only $10 if you catch it on Saturday for it's final preview.
Leather Archive and Museum (6418 N. Greenview Ave): The mission of this museum, housed in a former synagogue, is the "The compilation, preservation and maintenance of leather lifestyle and related
lifestyles [including but not limited to the Gay and Lesbian communities], history,
archives and memorabilia for historical, educational and research purposes." Check out exhibits dedicated to leather in fetishism, sadomasochism, and other alternative sexual practices. Open Thursday-Friday 11am-7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 11am-5pm. General admission is $10 and $5 for students and seniors.
I wrote a post a few weeks back addressing the proposed anti-gay legislation under debate in Uganda.
The New York Times published an article on Sunday addressing the role of American missionaries in the creation of anti-homosexual legislation in Uganda.
Apparently, last March, three American men, touted as experts on homosexuality, spoke to Ugandans about "curing" gays and "the threat homosexuals posed to Bible-based values and the traditional African family."
Acclaimed performer, Lady Gaga's, January 7th concert at St. Louis' Fox Theatre is being protested by Westboro Baptist Church (www.godhatesfags.com) out of Topeka, Kansas. The church, led by Reverend Fred Phelps, will be demonstrating on the grounds that Lady Gaga is "immoral and pro-homosexuality." The article published on KSDK.com is full of the other hate speech the organization is using to rally their troops...but honestly, the real kicker is the flier above.
How judgment and fear-mongering at this level is considered more "Christian" than enjoying a Lady Gaga concert, I'm not sure.
The United States government has finally put an end to
abstinence-only sex education funding in schools. An omnibus spending
bill passed last week redirected these funds to be spent on medically
sound programs designed to prevent teenage pregnancy.
Previously, some states refused federal sex
education funding because of the abstinence only program. The states
that favored a broader approach to sex-ed have recently shown reduced
abortion rates.
The $114 million initiative will be used by the
newly formed Office of Adolescent Health to support "medically accurate
and age appropriate programs."
To quote the New York Times, "Ideology, censorship
and bad science have no place in public health policy. It is a relief
to see some sense returning to Capitol Hill." I'm glad to see that a
shift is being made from our ineffectual, and puritanical views on teen
sex to acknowledging that raging hormones are hard to contain. Though
intelligent, we are animals after all.
The Ugandan government is debating legislation today that suggests that gay sex with minors, disabled persons, or while infected with HIV/AIDS is punishable by death. Calling it "aggravated homosexuality." Consensual gay sex is also addressed in the bill has a proposed punishment of life imprisonment.
Much of this bill is stemming from a strong, evangelical christian sentiment in the legislature of the country. Claiming that it will protect the heterosexual family in Uganda and uphold their Christian values.
The obviously inhumane bill is largely supported by the Ugandan public and will most likely be voted into law in 2010.The London Times quoted an Ugandan citizen saying:
"Homosexuality is not natural and it's not African," said Arthur Owori, a
43-year-old technician. "What next? Will people start going with animals?"
This quote I pulled is unreal to me. Owori claims that homosexuality isn't African...like Evangelical Christianity is?!?!?! I've written before about my feelings against involving religion in any sort of state affairs, and though I'm not well versed on Ugandan law or their constitution, it sounds like they are running a seriously veiled theocracy over there. It is just more proof to me that a bulk of the hate in this world is birthed by organized religions and their purported "value systems."
Most of the kickback against this bill from European governments to human rights groups is being largely ignored by Ugandans. James Nsaba Burturo, the Minister of State for Ethics is quoted as saying:
"What is all the fuss about? You people in the West have no
respect whatsoever for our traditional values."
Westwood is a time-tested, British designer who made her name selling fashion based on sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. A true punk pioneer, she worked with bands like the Sex Pistols to revolutionize both music and culture.
Congratulations to Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. City. Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the United States with about 2.2 million residents made history by electing Parker to be Mayor in a run-off election on December 12th.
Parker, who has been open about her sexuality throughout her political career, acknowledged the obviously historical moment then said, "But now, from this moment, let us join as one community."
Check out the Time bio of this politician to watch in 2010.
Sorry this is so quick and dirty friends, the holidays are keeping this lady sup busy...But not to busy to round up some great news for you all. Enjoy!
The gay republican group, GOProud is set to sponsor the 2010 Conservative Political Action Conference in D.C. this February.
GOProud's press realease quotes executive director Jimmy LaSalvia:
"GOProud's
participation at CPAC is one of the most important things we will do
all year," continued LaSalvia. "This gathering of the nation's most
influential conservatives gives us an incredible opportunity to deliver
our message. GOProud
looks forward to continuing to work with the conservative movement to
promote policies that will improve the lives of all Americans -
including gays and lesbians."
The CPAC is a conference, known most notoriously for its 2007 event where Ann Coulter called John Edwards a faggot. Several of GOProud's co-sponsors at this year's event also have strong anti-gay missions. While on one hand it seems like a very brave undertaking for these gay conservatives to be active amongst the very same people who seek to limit their rights, on the other, I'm wondering what exactly GOProud's message is? Their website speaks mostly to conservative politics and very little to the currently tumultuous politics surrrounding marriage equality and LGBT civil rights. Their about page doesn't even discuss marriage equality as a part of their agenda.
What do you think of this Chicago? I'm all for conservative queers, but if they aren't trying to break through to their straight counterparts who are vehemently against their equal rights as American citizens. What is the point?
I am a true language nerd. I love everything to do with words, in English or in any other language, so as I was cruising the ole New York Times this week I was immediately struck by this Modern Love column written by Jennifer Percy.
Titled "Even in English, a Language Gap," Percy writes about how hesitant she is to believe her German speaking boyfriend's declarations of love to her. She wonders:
"Could it really mean the same thing for him to say "I love you" in
English if he spoke German? He said it did, of course it did. But I
sensed that when he cursed in English it was just a sound to him,
because when I curse in a foreign language it's just a sound to me. Why
should saying "I love you" be any different?"
I have to say, First Friday at the MCA was not at all what I expected. I was thinking there would be some cocktails, a little art, and maybe some eye-candy; a fabulous event for us urban, arty, twenty-somethings. The reality was more hipsters + weird old dudes, $9 drinks, and eating egg rolls and tater tots (the touted Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres). While the people watching was great, the whole singles mixer aspect was not. My friend Liz, who accompanied me was told by one guy as she ate a piece of cheese, "You know, you are what you eat." What?! Who says that to someone they don't know? It was more of the same from the other guys there.
One funny and chance meeting did occur, when my friend eyed a guy she thought was cute. I said, "We'll ask him to take a picture of us for SATWC, easy ice breaker." Sure enough said cute guy was Stephen Markley, fellow ChicagoNow blogger.
As great as this event concept is, I don't know that I would go to First Friday again. By the end of the night it just sort of felt like a meat market as opposed to a cool way to meet like-minded people, but "A" for effort MCA.
Chicago is bustling with holiday cheer this weekend and week! Check out a few of these:
First Friday at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 East Chicago Avenue) From 6-10pm every first Friday of the month, the MCA pulls in the happy hour crowd for art, music, Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Home to the only iMac G5 digital dating bar, and featuring the work of a new up-and-coming Chicago artist each month, the MCA's First Friday is good for a taking in a little culture and hopefully some talent as well. $16 for non-member ( $8 for non-members). Buy advanced tickets for $11 here.
Added Bonus: I will be at First Friday tonight!!! Catch me snapping pics and look for them and a review of the evening sometime tomorrow!!!
Check us out on the WGN 720 AM on Saturday at noon or here for the live stream online.
Sex and the Windy City and All the Single Ladies are both blogs about sex, dating, and relationships in Chicago. We'll be talking about more of the same on Saturday! Tweet in your questions to @chicagonowradio or call in to 312-591-7200.
This popped up in my work email inbox this morning. Oh Tiger, one of the last stand-up American icons, the epitome of politeness and good behavior, a GOLFER for god sakes, has been turned into total tabloid fodder after his post T-gives, 2AM car crash. I guess there was no food coma for him.
While, of course, I'm disappointed to find out that there is yet another cheating man in this world, what I am more curious about is his lack of discretion. Obvi he wasn't planning on a car accident, or his wife beating him with a golf club, but would any of this have happened if Elin hadn't found out in the first place? It seems he wants to stay married to his wife, so why didn't he cover his lying ass?
The Economist published this chart on November 25th in an article titled "Gay Couples in America: Same Difference." Discussing the heated topic of marriage equality and LGBT rights in the United States.
This graph shows where most of the same-sex headed households exist and to no surprise the trend is predominately coastal, in the liberal northeast and in California, Washington, and Oregon. The largest concentration of same-sex headed households is in D.C. where there are 14 for every 1,000 households.
That's right, last night began the New York State Senate debate on same-sex marriage and it seems like the legislation has a decent chance of passing. Check out the deets here.
UPDATE: The NY State Senate squashed the same-sex marriage bill 38-24. You know what they say, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again."
That's right Chi-town, today, December 1st, is World Aids Day.
Currently there are 33.4 million people world wide who are HIV positive! That is no small number! Today, take a minute to re-educate yourself on HIV statistics and learn what you can do to increase awareness and help fight HIV and AIDS.
Victoria's Secret announced the results of their Chicago's Sexiest poll, conducted in honor of the opening of their new flagship store at 734 N. Michigan Ave. Check the results after the jump.
Also, today from 4-6pm uber hot Angel, Alessandra Ambrosio will be at the flagship posing for pictures with customers. 1 per person by professional photographer only!
The major political agenda of many gays these days is for marriage equality. Wanting to have a union legally recognized and protected is huge for life partners who can receive tax, health care, and other benefits if joined to the woman or man they love.
Legalizing same-sex marriage is important because it also legitimizes same-sex divorce. Currently dissolving a same-sex union or marriage is a tricky endeavor, than can mean having to move to Massachusetts the same way Betty Draper had to head off to Reno in the final episode of Mad Men.
After ABC cancelling Adam Lambert's Good Morning America performance post AMA's, he was quickly picked up by CBS's The Early Show. There he told his interviewer that he thought much of the controversy surrounding his Sunday night performance is stemming from the fact that he's openly gay. Catch the clip above.
WTF is everyone's problem about Adam Lambert's American Music Awards performance? I mean, why can Madonna go around kissing every teen idol she sees with no recourse and an openly gay man can't? Why is it that two girls kissing considered sexy and two guys repulsive?
I mean, I'm truly baffled. I feel like this is a "no,duh," moment and folks are saying he has to be concerned about losing fans. Hello, have you met pop-stars and the gays? They love each other. Adam Lambert's star is only beginning to rise and his immense talent could put him among the ranks of stars such as Christina Aguilera and Cher. Get over it America, he's here, he's gay, get used to it.
Last night was a big night for Heidi Klum. Not only did the season finale of Project Runway air (btw, I do not like Irina or her style), but also, she made a surprise appearance at the 2009 Victoria Secret Fashion Show. Heidi "The Body" Klum just had her 3rd baby 5 months ago. but is still looking phenomenal as always.
The show will air on CBS on December 1st at 9pm and will feature the culmination of the Victoria's Secret Model Search as well as a performance by the Black Eyed Peas.
The new, Michigan Avenue store has caused quite a stir around town and on December 1st they will be announcing the winner's of their What's Sexy Now, Chicago a poll for the sexiest people and places in the Windy City.
It's a sexy and newsy day here at SATWC, and even though this one is a little late, it's a story we've been following since the start.
Congrats to Caster Semenya who gets to keep her gold medal from the 800 meter run at the World Championships in Berlin. The IAAF is not releasing results of gender testing being done to determine her sex and eligibility, but have determined that her win in August will be upheld.
I personally am very excited for this 18 year old. At a time of such transition in one's life, regardless of gender, it must have been horrifying for her to withstand the media storm that surrounded her questionable gender. Well-done Caster!
I can't say I'm suprised that Carmen Electra has a sex tape, even a lesbian one at that. It's not as if former Playboy Pin-up/Baywatch babe has ever been bashful about her sexuality.
If you've already started your holiday shopping, you may want to throw one of these trusty Carmen Electra Professional Pole Dancing kits on the list. A perfect gift for any lusty lady. WHAT?! This news is so not shocking.
I love my Flavorpill emails. They keep me up-to-date on what is happening in the world of art and culture in Chicago, and in the world. Today's Flavorwire email brought with it this fabulous exclusive on Julian Hibbard's new photography collection, The Noir A-Z.
Publisher Mark Batty bills it as: "an abecedary unlike any other, pairing a word with one of his
photographs for all twenty-six letters in the alphabet. The resulting
book evokes a shadowy, sexy and voyeuristic noir aesthetic."
When Glee returns from its mid-season break in January it will air on the same night as American Idol. How much more lovable lesbian can America get on a Wednesgay night?
There's rumor of an all Madonna episode of Glee in the works...
To me, Dolly Parton is beyond awesome. I mean, when my friend Tripp put her greatest hits on my iPod it was pretty much the end for me. "Jolene" is one of my favorite songs.
My love of Dolly aside, it is great that she is out advocating for the gays with Joy Behar on CNN.com , saying, "I always say, well sure why can't they get married, they should suffer like the rest of us do."
Is it just me or is Joy being a little dismissive of Dolly? Does she not understand the majesty she is speaking with. She's probs just jealous of Ms. Parton's endlessly youthful beauty.
Yesterday the U.N. population fund suggested that giving away condoms and promoting other methods of birth control is one way we can make a global effort to be more green, reports Huffington Post on Wednesday.
Undoubtedly the growing population on our planet is effecting climate change, but are free condoms really the way to mitigate the issue?
I mean, is latex bio-degradable? I did a little research on the environmental impact of condoms and found some great 411 at Tinychoices.com regarding just this matter. No, condoms are not bio-degradable, though they are lauded as an effective method of birth control and STD prevention.
Have you ever been through sex therapy? Do you have an interesting story to share about your experience? A freelancer from Woman's Day magazine wants to hear about it by tomorrow...
Yesterday the Huffington Post put up a great blog post on the merits of sex over love and how women create their identity according to what they expect to get out of sex.
Penned by Lisa Guest, the article is written from a feminist vantage. About to turn 50, Guest chronicles her hunt for the illusive female orgasm from her twenties to the present. Explaining that, though she is still single, it is not only passion, but the complete package she is looking for in her love-making. Check the article out here.
-Reeling 2009: The Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival One of the oldest festivals of its kind, Reeling is dedicated to bringing artful and relevant LGBT films to Chicago. See them at 4 venues throughout Chicago. CLOSING THIS WEEKEND. Tickets $6-$12.
Ole Dick Durbin hollered at me today. He told me that a public health care option is happening whether we like it or not, and asked me to give my two sense. I thought, hey, every day is a good day for civic duty and answered a few questions here.
You may be scratching your head and asking what does health care reform have to do with sex? Well I'll tell you, when your privates are rubbing up against someone else's privates your health is definitely at stake. If you've done some baby-making, more than just your health is at stake. Take a minute to think and Chi-town, have your say.
Hello Chicago, yes, it's true, Sex and the Windy City was down, but not out! Under new authorship I am here to bring you the low-down on all of Chi-towns sexiest haps, answer any and all emails with the best and most well-informed advice I can give, and just generally offer my day to day experience with dating, relationships, and of course, doin' it.
I can almost guarantee I am not as well stacked as Anna but I'm sure you will find equal doses of humor and good-ness, with maybe a hint of sass thrown in there. Who are we kidding, tons of sass.
Tweet me up @Kiki25 or email me at ekeane1@gmail.com, and start checking back daily for some of your old faves (Wednesgay News, Sextra Sextra) and some new posts too. Basically, my hot plan is to bring a little sexy fun to your daily blog breaks. So strap one on Chicago and get ready for the return of SATWC!
Today the Chicago based American Medical Association voted at their interim meetin in Houston, TX to oppose the United States Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and also spoke out against gay marriage bans.
The AMA claims that these policies pose a health risk to GLBT citizens, saying that because of their inability to be honest with their military doctors, health issues go undiagnosed and untreated.
They also believe that laws preventing same-sex marriage and denying the rights of the married to GLBT couples can cause negative effects on health due to lack of insurance, as well as lack of payment of life insurance, social security survivor benefits, and tax breaks that make life easier financially. Lord knows financial stress is enough to give anyone more than a few health problems.
I say three cheers for the doctors of this country who are using their lobbying clout to make a stand for gay rights. Everyone deserves to be happily and healthily themselves, no?
Check the Tribune for more deets on the meeting in Houston and other legislation this extremely influential professional organization is discussing.
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and fellow Chicago Now Bloggers, Feast of Fun are hosting a forum on gay men and sex. Aimed at switching the paradigm of gay sex from one of disease to one of pleasure and love.
I'll never forget a conversation I had in my freshman year of high school. Sitting with my friend Jackie on the bus, somehow we started talking about gay men. Sadly, Jackie immediately equated being gay with having AIDS. In her mind, the two were synonymous. Of course, I politely corrected her. DUH, Just because you like it in the bum, doesn't mean you have the HIV or any other disease for that matter.
This forum is aimed at gearing the discussion of gay sex away from STDS. RSVP to join Fausto Fernos and Marc Felion and an expert panel at the Center on Halsted (3656 N. Chicago) at 7pm.
It has been a pleasure servicing you as the resident blogger at Sex and the Windy City, but tomorrow, my lady and I are packing up the proverbial U-Haul and heading to San Francisco. I am currently trying to teach myself not to call it "Frisco" or "San Fran" which will apparently get you publicly caned, and not in a sexy way.
Please be kind to the next blogger who takes up residency at Sex and the Windy City. They won't be as good or funny or as well stacked as me, but Sex and the Windy City is too good a legacy to let stagnate and die.
Hit me (baby one more time) at www.annapulley.com to keep up you knowledge of strap-ons and to learn if Oprah will ever warm up to the idea of our everlasting love. Or if she's at least unblocked me on Twitter. And, if you're not at work right now, listen to this wildly inappropriate Feast of Fun interview I did with the fagtastic duo, Marc Felion and Fausto Fernos this week, where I may or may not have insulted Whitney Houston. Among other things.
Velvet Park, a lesbian blog based in New York recently published a very touching collection of letters titled: ThreeWay: Love Letters to Caster Semenya, in order to show their support and respect for Semenya during an increasingly intolerant outcry of negativity, threats of violence and general assholery aimed at everyone who doesn't neatly fit into the socially prescribed gender binary. After the International Association of Athletics Federations leaked the results of Semenya's sex testing to the media, it's being reported that the teenage athlete has since been put on suicide watch.
What better way to counter this kind of discrimination than with letters of adoration and support? Some excerpts:
As I mentioned yesterday, Join the Impact Chicago is holding a fundraiser to benefit the March for Equality
This Friday's "Friday Night Du Jour" at Juicy Wine Company (694 N. Milwaukee) plans to donate a percentage of their proceeds to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Speaking of AIDS, this year's World AIDS Day posters are using Hitler
as their mascot. Can we please retire him as the epitome of all evil already?
Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer yesterday at the age of 57. From his heartthrob moments in Dirty Dancing to the tough-yet-tender roles in The Outsiders and Ghost, Patrick Swayze was truly an amazing force. Whether he was playing a surfer, hockey player, drag queen or bad boy, Swayze will always be remembered as an icon. Watch video clips of some of his sexiest performances below:
Have you seen the homoerotic Star Trek clip between Spock and Kirk? I think the craziest part is that someone actually put this together from VHS footage.
An FDA panel backs Gardasil (an HPV prevention shot) for men
xkcd gives us an Anatomy lesson (NSFW, kind of, in a cartoon way)
Oprah's vajayjay inserted its dominance as she took over the Mag Mile
Embattled runner Caster Semenya got a makeover. This, unsurprisingly, has not diminished the amount of news referring to her as a hermaphrodite, man, monster and freakshow.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Caster Semenya, the South African track star who has been subjected to invasive gender tests because she doesn't fit our stereotypical notions of femininity.
I wrote, "What's really at stake here is not whether Semenya is female, but whether she is female ENOUGH to pass our culturally rigid definitions of femaleness. And instead of honoring a remarkable young woman's achievements, the argument hinges on the notion that she's too GOOD to possibly be a woman."
Just a few days ago, Semenya was photographed for the cover of South Africa's You Magazine, wearing what can be described as femme drag - nail polish, hair styled, make up, jewelry and in a designer black dress.
There'll be no Wednesgay News this week because Oprah won't return my calls because she's been busy wooing the Black Eyed Peas and that makes me too depressed to be gay. Instead, please enjoy this homoerotic video between Spock and Captain Kirk to the tune of Nine Inch Nail's Closer.
According to Forbes magazine, Oprah Winfrey is not the most powerful celebrity in the world anymore. She's ranked #2, having been bested by bajillionaire and Womb Raider Angelina Jolie. I guess being able to spawn yourself an army does have its merits, but could Jolie shut down the Magnificent Mile for two whole days? I don't think so.
As Oprah prepares to take over Michigan Avenue for the taping of her 24th anniversary show, I am reminded of what an indomitable force Oprah truly is. She has inspired millions to eat acai berries, broken several glass ceilings and I'm pretty sure she's just about the only one that's making our country read things that aren't printed on the sides of cereal boxes.
Aside from those feats, what has really impressed me about Oprah is how she has singularly convinced half the world's population to start referring to their genitalia as "vajayajay."
Playboy recently came out with a list of 10 sex acts that should be retired, and while I agree with some of them - Sex in the Shower, Candle Wax - I can't help but argue with a list that tries to "do away" with threesomes.
Dear smut mongers, lolly and jolly gaggers, pillow princesses, butch bottoms and leather lovers,
Your time is at hand. The Leather Archives &
Museum has just issued a call for submissives, I mean submissions, for its publication Leather
Times:
Published four times per year, Leather Times is distributed to members of the
LA&M, made available for download and is currently offered
in the EBSCO GLBT Life product in full text format. EBSCO is the premium online
information resource for libraries, colleges and universities, medical
institutions and more. Contributing articles of one to
two pages are sought. Submissions selected for publication will receive a $50
award.
After reading this post, a commenter (that I subsequently deleted) said that no man will ever want to sleep with me. My girlfriend says she's fine with that.
Ben and Jerry's changed their ice cream flavor Chubby Hubby to Hubby Hubby in honor of same sex marriage. As if we needed another reason to love ice cream?
Have ya'll seen the two minute video about this blog? Well, you should, and not just because there's nudity. If that's not enough nudity for you, then watch the outtakes [all safe for work btw].
Also, read activists' reactions to Kennedy's death on Joe.My.God
My post on Caster Semenya last week generated some great comments on gender testing and the complicated ways we view sex and gender. Check it out.
The Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman takes conservatives to task by asking them to name the "horrible" societal changes that will occur if gay marriage is legalized. He asked them to:
"make simple, concrete predictions about measurable social indicators -- marriage rates, divorce, out-of-wedlock births, child poverty, you name it."
Looks like I might have to sign up for HBO, and you know, acquire a television since I don't own one currently. Chicago native Dan Savage, of the syndicated advice column Savage Love, is in LA filming a potential TV show based on his column.
According to The Stranger's blog, or "Slog" as they call it - which is, strangely, the same term I used when I was three to describe my first experience with a ghost. But that is neither here nor there -
The Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) has teamed up with the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) for a new program to help women get back on their feet. Recovery Rags aims to help homeless and precariously housed women in the Cicero/West Side Chicago area gain access to new/gently used clothing, toiletries, and makeup. The women in this area will be able to trade in their old clothing and accessories for "new" items that you donate.
Also, every Recovery Rags participant will gain access to a wide variety of on-site health-promotion and HIV-prevention services, as well as referrals to other programs whose assistance they need (employment assistance, housing services, counseling, violence prevention, etc.) All donations are tax-deductible. They can pick up donated items on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month. (and other times through SWOP Chicago).
You know you've been meaning to clean out that closet anyway. Now you can do so AND support women who need some extra assistance.
My girlfriend and I made a video (not that kind, you dirty birds!) - Watch an intro video about Sex and the Windy City. Then, once you're done ROFLing, watch the outtakes.
According to the Sun-Times, the average age for low-income kids to lose their virginity is 12. The phrase, read it and weep is coming to mind. [Chicago Sun-Times]
New sex classes from Early to Bed are coming soon: The Art of Feminine Dominance, Man Below the Belt and Rock Her World [Early to Bed]
Speed daters - your time has arrived once again (and will just as quickly pass). The next FastLife events are coming up soon. For Chicagoans, go to Cagney's in Lincoln Park on Saturday, September 5th. If you are in the suburbs, check out KeyWester in Naperville on Tuesday, September 1st.
Instead of celebrating her recent victory, track and field Gold medalist Caster Semenya is undergoing invasive and pointless testing at the prompting of the International Association of Athletics Federations. Why? To prove she's a woman.
Even worse than the humiliating accusations Semenya is receiving at the hands of the media and the IAAF are quotes like this from The New York Times:
"These kind of people should not run with us," Elisa Cusma of Italy, who finished sixth, said in a postrace interview with Italian journalists. "For me, she's not a woman. She's a man."
Mariya Savinova, a Russian who finished fifth, told Russian journalists that she did not believe Semenya would be able to pass a test. "Just look at her," Savinova said.
I'm sorry, Losers of this Race, can you please make these grapes more sour? Not to mention the pretty blatant racial profiling going on here and the fact that these "women" don't know the difference between sex (the biological make up of one's body) and gender (the socially and culturally prescribed roles that men and women are supposed to follow).
Grace Chu, via Twitter, asked what celebrities fall under your gaydar that haven't come out (yet). If you read my love poem to Oprah yesterday, my answer won't surprise you [Grace the Spot]
Revenge porn is a relatively new term. According to Details magazine, it's been around since October 2007 and means: "homemade porn uploaded by an ex-girlfriend or (usually) ex-boyfriend after particularly vicious breakup as a means of humiliating the ex." There's even a website that exists called revengeporn.net. Whatever that could be about.
A Chicago woman, who thankfully remains unnamed, is the latest victim of this terrible and petty form of vengeance.
Playboy gets some...new staff, specifically a new Editor for its Chicago offices (I keep writing nude instead of new. Freudian slit...I mean...dammit.) [PR Newswire]
Tonight and tomorrow is Belles and Whistles, a two-day burlesque extravaganza [Sex and the Windy City]
If you want still more striptease, Vaudzilla is putting on their Absolut Sexy Show Saturday, August 15th at Exit (1315 W North Ave) [Hollywood Chicago]
Illinois sex offenders are banned from social networking sites [ChicagoSphere]
As an advice columnist, I hope my name never ends up on Erin Bradley's "Awesome Advice" column, where she schools people who give terrible guidance. Except, of course, when I get a plug for submitting one m'self about YourTango. Shameless swoon! [Nerve]
Don't forget about the Bisexual Health Summit, in Chicago through Aug 18th [Sex and the Windy City]
Next week, I'll be a guest on The Steve Cochran Show on WGN radio, talking about Sex and the Windy City for 10 glorious minutes. I don't know what we are going to talk about, but I have a feeling it will be sin-sational. Details are forthcumming, so stay tuned. Until then, what should I wear?
Just kidding - I already know what to wear!
Other news:
As I alerted you to yesterday, this is the best thing ever: That's Gay [Sex and the Windy City]
FedEx filters think "gay" and "porn" are the same thing [Lez Get Real]
Since I'm getting over a cold and have the functioning brain power of a sexually precocious third grader, please enjoy this video by my new favorite person ever: Bryan Safi, of That's Gay. The same TV network that brings us Sarah Haskins' Target Women each week, Current, is now exploring gay (mis)representation in the media. The latest one is about gay characters in TV commercials:
Women on Wednesdays is a monthly social networking night at the Center on Halsted for women to meet other women in a more laid back atmosphere. This Wednesday though, August 5, Women on Wednesdays will offer a sneak preview of CENTERcircus, an upcoming series of circus arts classes. WOW, indeed.
Knowing how to juggle has gotten me laid approximately 1.5 times, so I can attest to the usefulness of circus arts in the real world. I'm sure that number would go up if I added trapeze skills to my sexual resume.
From their press release:
"Learn to spin plates, perform classic clown routines, hang from a trapeze, and at the end of CENTERcircus, you and your classmates will star on stage at Center on Halsted in your very own circus show!"
CENTERcircus classes start the second week of September. Tickets to the sneak peek are $10. For details and to RSVP, contact Tom Ballentine, Director of Community and Cultural Programs, at culture@centeronhalsted.org or by calling (773) 661-0763.
I highly recommend you read the reviews also: "I'm told the pillow was modeled after Brad Pitt, and I believe it! When I first nestled against the soft, but firm chest of my new 'husband' I slept better than I ever had before."
In case you missed it, a Chicagoan won the key to The Bachelorette's commercialized sham marriage, I mean, heart [Show Patrol]
This is by far the most douche-tastic phone message in the history of voice recordings [Entertonement]
How to confront rape jokes. I found the comments to be more insightful than the actual article, surprisingly [Mother Jones]
There's an iPhone app to rate how good you are in the sack. That's whack. [Scanner]
Will this deter anyone from harassing people on the streets? Probably not, but I like the idea.
A friend also suggested combating cat-callers with deadpan politeness. "I find it funny and the offender finds it bewildering, so it's really a win-win. The best response to "gimme a piece of that ass" is something to the effect of "Oh thanks, but I prefer to keep my ass intact!"
We interrupt this edition of Sex and the Windy City to bring you something far hotter:
Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of serving on a panel with four other talented women writers as part of the Association of Women Journalists cocktail reception on the eve of BlogHer's 2009 Conference in Chicago.
Panelists included snarky bacon lovers, culinary experts and feminist moms, but despite our varied interests, we were all fellow bloggers-in-arms. I highly encourage you check them out:
AskMen and Yahoo! Shine unveiled their Great Male and Female Surveys today on sex, relationships, lifestyle, fashion and so on. More than 50,000 men and 19,000 women answered between 40 and 100 questions. I started to take the survey myself, but stopped when I got to the question: "What weapon do you use to attract men?"
But, in case anyone still thinks these two websites are relevant sources of information, here are some of the survey results.
84 percent of men look for wife potential in a girlfriend
85 percent of men believe that they should pay for the majority of dates at least until a relationship is established
American men have greater moral qualms about living with a partner before marriage, are more likely to fake an orgasm, and are more concerned about global warming than their male counterparts in Australia, UK and Canada
Wait, men fake orgasms? I guess if you were wearing a condom you could fake it, since your partner is probably not going to do a routine inspection, and if so, you probably have bigger concerns. Men, please weigh in.
Come see the all-female roller derby team Windy City Rollers this Saturday as they battle the Philly Roller Girls. With names like Val Capone and Hoosier Mama, the event is sure to be a knock out.
The always funny Breeder's Digest provides insight into why gays love royalty, including Queen Latifah, natch
Calling all bartenders, servers, baristas and all you other service industry gals! Vavoom Pinups, Chicago's premiere pin-up and boudoir photography studio, is announcing an exclusive pin-up makeover, hair styling and photo shoot for ladies in the service industry.
Speaking of pin-ups, want a burlesque primer on the Chicago scene? Then look no further.
Come to tonight's event at Empire Liquors: Stigma, a fetish and rock n' roll party hosted by the Chicago Mistresses.
Other news:
Teen pregnancy and STDs are on the rise according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Barring gold star lezzies, I know ZERO women who haven't had at least one pregnancy scare during their sexual lifetime. Thankfully, for those ladies 18 and over, getting emergency contraception is going to be much more accessible. Today, the FDA approved Plan B One-Step, a morning after pill you only have to take once. And because of a court ruling a few months ago that said pharmacists can't deny people birth control because of their personal beliefs, you'll be able to get it over-the-counter within the next month. The Reproductive Health Hub has more details.
Alexia Alejada-Ruiz alerted us to recent news from gay rights pioneer, Tila Tequila, who claimed she was responsible for legalizing same-sex marriage in California. She is now writing letters to Obama on Don't Ask Don't Tell, with the inspiring slogan, "Discrimination is so 2000 and Late!"
Get your drink and kink on at this month's Pleasure Salon, a melding of the minds and mouths of Chicago's sex-positive community. This is the fourth installment of Pleasure Salon, presented by SEX+++andSWOP Chicago for a night that's sure to whet your appetite, whatever that may be. So come out, (come again?), enjoy a Shiner Bock and join sex-positive individuals for a night of drinking and clit chat (bad puns optional).
The Deets: Tonight, July 7th from 6-10pm Villains Bar & Grill 649 S. Clark Street
We've been in a recession for 18 months now (Man, that seems like a long time) and pretty much every sector has been hit - even the porn industry asked for a federal bailout - but those in the dating biz have seen a recent boom. According to yesterday's Chicago Associated Press article, Dating downturn: Hearts flutter when markets stutter:
Some singles are now hunting for dates with the same fervor others are showing hunting for jobs. On matchmaking Web site eHarmony, membership is up 20 percent despite monthly fees of up to $60, and activity has soared 50 percent since September at OkCupid.
It makes sense. No one's going to stimulate your economy for you. You have to put yourself out there and start dating if you're going to have any success.
So apparently Carl's Jr. is holding a contest to see who can best rim a hamburger. All you need is $5, a vagina and a video camera. Unless you're ugly, then don't bother. This contest is for "Hot Chicks" only.
I don't know what's more offensive - that hundreds of people will no doubt submit videos of themselves blowing Jalepeno Burgers, or the astonishing rate which fast food ads are becoming really tacky porn.
Today marks the first day of Chicago's Black Pride, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a six-day extrava-gay-nza featuring poetry slams, workshops, concerts, information sessions, parties and more.
As Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz mentioned in the RedEye, there was a divide two years ago among organizers, so there are now two festivals--Windy City Black Pride and Chicago Windy City Black Pride-SGL. The organizations' main festivals are July 5th at Sherman Park (1301 W. 52nd St.) and Rainbow Beach (77th Street).
We've all heard the expression "Men are from Mars, Women are from Just Shut Up and Give me your Money," or however it goes. Well, it turns out that the latest dating research from Northwestern University shows that dating roles for men and women may not be so stereotypical after all. (You're shocked, right?)
Researchers recruited 350 undergrads for the study's speed-dating events. Half the time, the women rotated from partner to partner and the other half they stayed put and were approached by different men. The study found that women and men were just as choosy when selecting a partner, debunking the notion that men are less picky when deciding who gets to wear their coveted Letterman jacket.
Remember Roy and Silo, the two male penguins from the Central Park Zoo in New York, whose gay canoodling caused quite a stir in the media, and a book deal (that was soon to be black listed)? Turns out that Roy and Silo are now Ex-Gays. They, thankfully, underwent Heterosexual Reconditioning at the Church of Latter-Day Penguins. At least that's the reason noted on the press release. Word on the street is that Roy left Silo because he never replaced the toilet paper, and even when he did, he let the dangling square unroll from the bottom. Can you believe that?
If that doesn't scare you enough, watch this Perez Hilton video about The Clap (aka gonorrhea). The Clap itself isn't that scary; I'm referring to Perez Hilton in a speedo.
A few of Chicago Now's esteemed bloggers, including What's a Boy to Do's Michael Lehet and RedEye contributor Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, have mentioned that there will be new restrictions for this year's parade. This is supposedly because last year a dancer fell from a float and broke her leg. But I think I've discovered the real reason there will be barricades this year. Behold: Pride Moms!
You may have seen the above ad for Steve Clark's latest film, The Last International Playboy, but chances are you haven't since they have been taken down in several major cities, Chicago included, due to the offensive nature of Lydia Hearst pretending to read an actual book. Just kidding - the ads are being pulled because of her salacious posing.
Is this really so shocking though? Are you offended? And, is it any more searing than this ad of George Lopez, which haunts my dreams nightly?
In addition to offering real estate tips and the latest on Twista's new album, each summer Chicago Magazine also plays matchmaker to a handful of high-profile Chicago singles. This year's crop includes a right wing for the Chicago Blackhawks and a former Miss Illinois beauty queen, as well as less glamorous professions like lobbyist, legal analyst and a two-time Grammy-nominated musician. (Only twice? Pfft). Last Friday, the singles gathered, along with over 1,200 people vying for their affection, at Summer Lovin, the Chicago Singles annual mixer held at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (Proceeds from the event went to brain tumor research, lest you think this is all booty and no duty).
The cover story of today's RedEye is all about polyamory. Other articles include a glossary of poly lingo and a resource guide for Chicagoans on, among other things, where poly peeps go to sing karaoke:
The PolyChi
Yahoo! Group, founded in the late '90s, has more than 1,000 members and
hosts a monthly PolyKaraoke night at Sidekicks, a karaoke lounge in
Irving Park.
Like bisexuality, which has been around since the dawn of orgies, polyamory is one of those topics that gets "discovered" every few months or so by mainstream media outlets. The comments usually goes something like this Yelp thread:
On first dates, I always tell people that I only take my pants off for two types of people: those who are "funny ha ha" and those who are "funny queer." Which is why, I am frequently pantsless aroundEllen DeGeneres, who happens to be performing at the Chicago Theatre tonight, June 17th, as part of Just for Laughs Chicago, which fellow Chicago Now blogger Chilarious has been covering in greater detail. Aside from being a twelve-time Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, and host of the The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she is also my patron Saint and the reason I have short blonde hair.
Chastity Bono, now Chaz, offspring of celebrity couple Sonny and Cher, issued a statement recently about his decision to transition from female to male. His publicist told reporters:
Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity ... He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago.
An outspoken proponent for LGBT rights for more than two decades, Chaz's coming out as trans marks the first time a celebrity has done so. Grace Chu from AfterEllen thinks Chaz's decision could be a big step for increasing awareness about trans rights:
"Call me overly optimistic, but Chaz Bono's announcement may turn out to be a pivotal moment in the transgender rights movement, much like Ellen's coming out, which, despite some initial rocky moments -- such as the cancellation of her sitcom, was eventually seen as a turning point for the mainstreaming of gays and lesbians."
Judging by the slew of hateful comments on TMZ, Perez Hilton and Towleroad, however, many of them by lesbians and gays, I'm inclined to think that we still have a very long and bumpy road ahead of us. Perez Hilton goes so far as to write that Chaz changed his gender in order to bypass a Prop 8 loophole, because being trans is clearly only useful for a gift registry at Crate and Barrel.
I'm ashamed to admit that I missed remarking on International Ms. Leather competition a few weeks ago and that Rockford native, Pony, was crowned International Ms. Bootblack. I've been flogging myself (to her photo) ever since I found out. Thankfully, Jason Heidemann over at Time Out Chicago did a bang up job of covering the Ms. Leather festivities, as well as how women's inclusion is shaping what once was a predominantly gay male community.
"Case in point: At Chicago's fetish joint Jackhammer, people of all
sexual orientations and gender expressions are welcome in the basement
playground the Hole, provided they're wearing proper attire."
Frankly, I am Illinoyed. Last week, hundreds of Chicagoans marched in protest of Prop 8 in California for upholding the gay marriage ban instituted in November. Then, as of Sunday, once again the Illinois Civil Unions Bill was not passed in the General Assembly. This is not the first time the Civil Unions Bill was stalled due to other legislative issues, like Blago's impeachment, budget demands, tax reform, etc. I'm not saying those weren't important issues by any means, but if the General Assembly can pass a bill that requires Chicago Public School students to wash their hands with antiseptic before meals at school, then by jove, can we not grant some basic civil rights to families who love each other?
Awesomely fagtastic blog, TheSword, recently published an article on which cities have the most tops and bottoms, based on a survey of Craigslist M4M ads. Who comes out on top, and by that I mean bottom? Houston, do we have a problem?
The fact that Houston has 73% Bottoms is slightly surprising. I mean, it was illegal to buy sex toys in Texas until, like, yesterday and frankly I'd be amazed if most Texans have ever even SEEN their assholes, let alone done much else with them.
Hundreds of people turned up at the Center on Halsted in Boystown, despite dreary conditions -- both the rain and the recent California Supreme Court decision to uphold the gay marriage ban instituted in November. From Chicago Pride:
After a short rally that included speakers from the Gay Liberation Network,
the crowd marched south on Halsted through Boystown to Fullerton
Avenue. Carrying a mix of rainbow flags, protest signs and umbrellas
the protestors chanted "they say Prop 8, we say stop hate."
May is an amazing time to be in Chicago. The sun is finally out, people are growing beards to support the Blackhawks, and best of all, it's time once more for the world's hottest leather-clad men to come together to compete for the title of International Mr. Leather 2009. This is IML's 31st Anniversary, and activities go on all this weekend: Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25th in Chicago.
"About 400 gay leathermen gathered in Chicago in 1979 for the first International Mr. Leather contest. Today, the event has grown to be an annual tradition for thousands in the leather community - drawing contestants and attendees from around the globe. Once an event for 'hardcore' leathermen, IML has expanded in recent years to include a more diverse crowd - from the experienced to the curious."
In a week's time, Chicagoans will no longer be able to get their kicks on Route Sexty-Sex, since Craigslist is getting rid of their erotic services ads. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office told the Associated Press that, "Existing ads on Craigslist will expire in seven days."
Gone will be the days where one's posterior is graphically displayed using keyboard characters!
Getty Images: Sam Ronson at 2008 Lollapalooza Music Festival
Sam Ronson, otherwise known as "that girl who is maybe or maybe not getting a restraining order against Lindsay Lohan" is coming to Chicago tomorrow night. She'll be performing an acoustic set at Pete Wentz' pub, Angels and Kings (710 N Clark St) at 9pm. For FREE.
This last week or so has been a real bummer, what with Golden Girl Bea Arthur's death and the whole swine flu "epidemic" in Chicago. On the bright side, however, these two news items alone have single-handedly kept the mainstream media employed for almost two straight weeks. Also, May is National Masturbation Month! What better way to counter the crisis of nine people throwing up than by engaging in some hand-to-gland combat? While you may have missed the masturbate-a-thon, there are still several ways to get in on the action this month. One of which is to get those hands moving...by writing a self-love haiku and submitting it to Early to Bed, Chicago's awesome feminist sex toy store. They'll post the Top ten on their blog. And they'll have sexy prizes for the top three. Visit their blog for more details.
