Written by Alley @ 6:04 pm

I was browsing around the internet looking for interesting sex-related tidbits, when I came across this post about Durex’s new ad campaign on the Sexist.  If the people in these ads are made of the thoughts that construct their bodies, I have to say this is some of the weirdest, least sexy advertising I’ve seen in a while.  I haven’t been to marketing school, but I’m pretty willing to guess that no one suggests you use the phrase “fatal error” repeatedly to sell your product.  One of the commenters on the Sexist very astutely suggested that perhaps the man had some sort of STI and was preventing transmission through use of a condom, thus allowing the woman to happily deliver a blow job.  Once I considered that, it lessened my dislike for this ad slightly, but overall it’s still highly problematic.

Ideally, if you’re going to have sex with someone, you would both be enjoying yourself.  If you’re about to make a “fatal error”, please, please, just masturbate instead.  Sometimes it’s just not worth it!

In this second ad, the woman is experiencing orgasm, but also her mind reads “paralyzed, confused”.  The man in the ad is primarily just experiencing muscle tension.  Again, not fun, not worth it.

For me the only argument that works to support these ads is this: if you’re going to have terrible sex that leaves you numb, confused, paralyzed, or tense, at least you can walk away without getting pregnant or contracting an STI. Kind of a depressing bright side if you ask me.

Written by Alley @ 2:57 pm

I recently read a blog post by Alex Dibronco, a writer on Change.org.  Alex was recently tipped off that police in multiple cities are using condoms as evidence of prostitution.  New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. all use an unspecified number of condoms as evidence of sex work.

In addition to the fact that this is unnerving for all kinds of people who regularly carry around condoms, it is especially harmful because it discourages sex workers from practicing safer sex and putting themselves and others at risk.

If you would like to take action on this issue click here to go to change.org and sign a petition telling the mayors of D.C., New York, and San Francisco to issue a statement that fighting STDs, especially HIV/AIDS, is their top priority — and that nobody should be afraid carry condoms, because it won’t be used against them as evidence of sex work.
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Written by Cuffy @ 11:26 pm

I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am very thankful for the wide selection of great birth control methods that are currently available. This recent article in Newsweek illuminates contraception’s troubled past, from people using half a lemon for a cervical cap to being arrested for discussing birth control with their doctors–even the married people!

Here you will see pictures of antique sponges, crazy IUDs, and animal skin condoms.
I am glad to say we aren’t using crocodile dung for spermicide anymore. (Not in Minnesota, anyway! We don’t get many crocodiles up in these parts.)

Yay for progress!  Thanks, scientists!

Written by Bear @ 12:01 pm

This post by Audacia Ray is an excellent resource to do some further reading on the topic of sex and consent. A topic, which in my opinion, is always in need of a deeper look. Ray has put together a great jumping off point, highlighting recent events which have brought the notion of consensual sex to CNN and the rest.
I discovered Nancy Schwartzman’s very cool film, The Line, along with a blog/community about the topic from Ray’s list. Where’s the Line has an amazing collection of photos like the one I posted here. I often feel like I talk about consent all the time and am still at a loss when it comes to making consent sexy. I have found these kinds of discussions and resources really helpful in that quest. Take a look.

Written by Alley @ 3:34 pm

When sex educators die, I would like to think they end up somewhere like the Birds & Bees resort. With lush tropical gardens, beautiful rooms, delicious Thai food, and numerous sculptures made out of condoms, it just makes sense.  This resort is half an hour outside of Bankok, so if any one reading this has a fat stack of cash to burn through and would like to fly me to Thailand, call the store and we’ll work out details.  In the meantime, let’s look at some pictures and day dream.

Birds and Bees Resort images from Birds and Bees Resort, and condom sculpture images from adaptorplug (see creative commons info)

If you want to see more condom sculptures check out other people’s pictures on flickr.

Both the Restaurant (Cabbages and Condoms) and the resort were created to provide financial support for the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). Money spent at the resort or the restaurant contributes to Thailand’s rural development, education and scholarships, HIV/AIDS education and environmental protection. Not only are they contributing to Thailand’s rural development, the resort is also an environmentally conscious establishment that recycles wastewater for its gardens and trees. You can check out more about the Birds and Bees resort by visiting their webpage.