Sex Positive

Not “myths,” but lies.

Katie Couric recently embarrassed herself during an interview with psychologist David Ley about pornography. When he calmly described to her what a range of scientific studies say about porn’s effects on behavior and our brain—that it’s minimal—Couric raised her voice, rolled her eyes, and said she was sick of science. “Can’t we use some common sense here?”

Actually, no. Common sense clearly tells us that the Earth is flat. Want some science with that, Ma’am?

In contrast, Couric believed the fact-less, emotional rantings of her other guest—because they fit Couric’s existing beliefs. Like all morning TV hosts, her job is to say bland things, not to think. At least Couric didn’t lie; she’s just uninterested in facts.

Some people do lie. Here are some popular lies about sex that are easy to believe because they make “common sense”—and because some people are making a lot of money and maintaining large support bases promoting these lies.

Not “myths,” but lies.

Katie Couric recently embarrassed herself during an interview with psychologist David Ley about pornography. When he calmly described to her what a range of scientific studies say about porn’s effects on behavior and our brain—that it’s minimal—Couric raised her voice, rolled her eyes, and said she was sick of science. “Can’t we use some common sense here?”

Actually, no. Common sense clearly tells us that the Earth is flat. Want some science with that, Ma’am?

In contrast, Couric believed the fact-less, emotional rantings of her other guest—because they fit Couric’s existing beliefs. Like all morning TV hosts, her job is to say bland things, not to think. At least Couric didn’t lie; she’s just uninterested in facts.

Some people do lie. Here are some popular lies about sex that are easy to believe because they make “common sense”—and because some people are making a lot of money and maintaining large support bases promoting these lies.

Recently a blogger of note accused me of 'pandering to men'. Keep in mind that 'pander', to be precise, means to 'gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit of a person with such a desire).'...

By now you've probably hear about the brutal attack on sex worker Christy Mack alleged to be the work of her ex-boyfriend, Jon Paul Koppenhaver aka War Machine. The model and adult porn star releas...

I'm not ashamed to pay for sex—and other men shouldn't be either

An antipornography campaign in China has netted many young female writers of danmei, erotic fiction focusing on relationships between gay men, a popular outlet for those seeking to escape stifling social identities, scholars say.

...Danmei is part of an ‘‘ongoing sexual revolution’’ with feminist characteristics in China, perhaps the country’s first, said a Chinese academic who requested anonymity. China is currently undergoing a crackdown on pornography that has netted danmei writers and website managers, and closed some sites, sexual rights advocates said. ‘‘The campaign is really having an impact,’’ the researcher said.

Creating and consuming danmei is a way for women to explore their long-repressed sexuality, said Ms. Jacobs.

‘‘I think Chinese culture is still harsh on women in terms of how far they can go in developing a fantasy life or erotic art forms,’’ she said. ‘‘I think they have to be very careful in coming out with their fantasies. The norm is stifling.’’

Karley Sciortino has parlayed her raunchy, witty blog into a Vice video series and a Vogue column, one that raises all sorts of questions about feminism’s modern-day tightrope act.

The stir caused by Victoria Bateman's portrait raises serious questions about current attitudes to women, writes Zoe Pilger

We assign a cultural significance to sex; it is for procreation and the preservation of the family unit. We are told it is to be cherished and not commodified, but meanwhile sex screams at us from every billboard and TV channel. It seems sex can be u...

Porn stars aren't typically labeled as feminists or women’s studies majors, but Belle Knox, a Duke freshman who made headlines recently after she was outed by her classmate, is both. Whatever you make of Knox, her story offers a lot to think about.

After being outed for her work in pornography, a student is explaining her professional choice, but not abandoning it. Her words reveal our own unfounded stigmatization of sex workers.

A row about children’s books exposes sharp cultural divisions in France.

"When culture wars break out in France, they are usually to do with protecting art-house films or the French language. Political battles over family values are a lot rarer, thanks to a fairly relaxed liberal consensus. Abortion in France, for instance, is legal and free. Couples can enter into official unions (PACS) without getting married. Gay marriage was legalised last year. And there is also cross-party agreement in favour of a strict form of secularism, known as laïcité and entrenched by law since 1905, which keeps religion out of public life.

Yet the country has recently found itself torn apart by virulent quarrels about the role and nature of the family. The most recent concerned several books designed for children of primary-school age, bearing such titles as “Jean has two Mummies”, “Daddy wears a dress”, and “Everybody naked!”, a volume that shows, page by page, family members, a baby-sitter, a policeman, a teacher and several others all taking their clothes off (see picture)."