Leave it to Twitter and Facebook to create a firestorm of commentary after Bert of the famed Bert and Ernie duo from Sesame Street tweeted that his hair is more “mo” than “hawk.” The tweet was immediately read as a long-awaited, though encoded, coming out for the seemingly gay PBS puppet.
For those unfamiliar, “mo” is gay slang for “homosexual,” and the reaction to Bert’s was fast and furious. One of those commenting the most was Elton writer Ed Kennedy, who wrote a post back in June further outing Bert and suggesting that the tweet was a clever ploy by producers to give a hat tip to gay pride.
But who is it to blame for their initial excitement at the possibility that a responsible and respected outlet would finally include gay characters on a children’s show? Haven’t we all peeked under the carpet in search of all things gay in the myriad images growing up, all of which disappointed us time and again with straight portrayals?
Plus, anyone who ever watched that episode of Sesame Street a la “The Gift of the Magi,” can’t deny that the ultimate act of sacrifice and tenderness between Bert and Ernie has the emotional brevity of a couple in love. If you’re not familiar with the tale, Bert sold his paper clip collection so he could afford to buy a soap dish for Ernie’s rubber ducky, while Ernie sold his rubber ducky to afford to buy a cigar box for Bert’s paper clip collection. Truly heartbreaking and meaningful ... even if it makes one wonder how much rent costs on Sesame Street that Bert and Ernie couldn’t afford simple pleasures and modest gifts.
Perhaps if Bert and Ernie did come out of the closet it would be too cliché. And maybe then we’d complain about how their relationship was just another example of the desexualization of LGBTQ characters on TV. After all, don’t Bert and Ernie sleep in separate beds in the same room? It would be Will & Grace, muppet-style.
I believe that people should have the right to marry or love anyone that they choose. Some people don't care about the issue, some believe its sinful and others support it. But ask yourself this question: Would my lifestyle change if I saw a gay married couple? I happen to think not.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Transgender, Transexual and Intersexed :-O
What's a Transgender?
Transgender is the state of one's "gender identity" (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both) not matching one's "assigned sex" (identification by others as male, female or intersex based on physical/genetic sex). Transgender does not imply any specific form of sexual orientation; transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, or asexual; some may consider conventional sexual orientation labels inadequate or inapplicable to them.
While people self-identify as transgender, transgender identity includes many overlapping categories. These include cross-dresser, transvestite, androgynes, genderqueer; people who live cross-gender, drag kings and drag queens; and, frequently, transsexual. Usually not included are transvestic fetishists (because it is considered to be a paraphilia rather than gender identification). In an interview, artist RuPaul talked about society's ambivalence to the differences in the people who embody these terms. "A friend of mine recently did the Oprah show about transgender youth," said RuPaul. "It was obvious that we, as a culture, have a hard time trying to understand the difference between a drag queen, transsexual, and a transgender, yet we find it very easy to know the difference between the American baseball league and the National baseball league, when they are both so similar.
What is a Transexual?
Transsexualism is when an individual identifies with a gender that is different from their biological sex. A medical diagnosis can be made if a person experiences discomfort as a result of a desire to be a member of the opposite sex, or if a person experiences impaired functioning or distress as a result of that gender identification. Transsexualism is stigmatized in many parts of the world but has become more widely known in Western culture in the mid to late 20th century, concurrently with the sexual revolution and the development of sex reassignment surgery.
The word "transsexual" is most often used as an adjective rather than a noun – a "transexual person" rather than simply "a transexual". Transsexual people prefer to be referred to by the gender pronouns and terms associated with their target gender. For example, a transsexual man is a person who was assigned the female sex at birth on the basis of his genitals, but despite that assignment identifies as a man and is transitioning or has transitioned to a male gender role and has or will have a masculine body. Transsexual people are sometimes referred to with "assigned-to-target" sex terms such as "female-to-male" for a transsexual man or "male-to-female" for a transsexual woman.
What is intersexed?
Intersex in humans refers to intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male. This is usually understood to be congenital, involving chromosomal, morphologic, genital and/or gonadal anomalies, such as diversion from typical XX-female or XY-male presentations; sex reversal (XY-female, XX-male), genital ambiguity, sex developmental differences. An intersex individual may have biological characteristics of both the male and the female sexes.
Some people (whether physically intersex or not) do not identify themselves as either exclusively female or exclusively male. Androgyny is sometimes used to refer to those without gender-specific physical sexual characteristics or sexual preferences or gender identity, or some combination of these. This state may or may not include a mixture or absence of sexual preferences
Transgender is the state of one's "gender identity" (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both) not matching one's "assigned sex" (identification by others as male, female or intersex based on physical/genetic sex). Transgender does not imply any specific form of sexual orientation; transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, or asexual; some may consider conventional sexual orientation labels inadequate or inapplicable to them.
While people self-identify as transgender, transgender identity includes many overlapping categories. These include cross-dresser, transvestite, androgynes, genderqueer; people who live cross-gender, drag kings and drag queens; and, frequently, transsexual. Usually not included are transvestic fetishists (because it is considered to be a paraphilia rather than gender identification). In an interview, artist RuPaul talked about society's ambivalence to the differences in the people who embody these terms. "A friend of mine recently did the Oprah show about transgender youth," said RuPaul. "It was obvious that we, as a culture, have a hard time trying to understand the difference between a drag queen, transsexual, and a transgender, yet we find it very easy to know the difference between the American baseball league and the National baseball league, when they are both so similar.
What is a Transexual?
Transsexualism is when an individual identifies with a gender that is different from their biological sex. A medical diagnosis can be made if a person experiences discomfort as a result of a desire to be a member of the opposite sex, or if a person experiences impaired functioning or distress as a result of that gender identification. Transsexualism is stigmatized in many parts of the world but has become more widely known in Western culture in the mid to late 20th century, concurrently with the sexual revolution and the development of sex reassignment surgery.
The word "transsexual" is most often used as an adjective rather than a noun – a "transexual person" rather than simply "a transexual". Transsexual people prefer to be referred to by the gender pronouns and terms associated with their target gender. For example, a transsexual man is a person who was assigned the female sex at birth on the basis of his genitals, but despite that assignment identifies as a man and is transitioning or has transitioned to a male gender role and has or will have a masculine body. Transsexual people are sometimes referred to with "assigned-to-target" sex terms such as "female-to-male" for a transsexual man or "male-to-female" for a transsexual woman.
What is intersexed?
Intersex in humans refers to intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male. This is usually understood to be congenital, involving chromosomal, morphologic, genital and/or gonadal anomalies, such as diversion from typical XX-female or XY-male presentations; sex reversal (XY-female, XX-male), genital ambiguity, sex developmental differences. An intersex individual may have biological characteristics of both the male and the female sexes.
Some people (whether physically intersex or not) do not identify themselves as either exclusively female or exclusively male. Androgyny is sometimes used to refer to those without gender-specific physical sexual characteristics or sexual preferences or gender identity, or some combination of these. This state may or may not include a mixture or absence of sexual preferences
Friday, October 8, 2010
Methods of Contraception
What is Contraception?
Contraception is birth control by the use of devices (diaphragm or intrauterine device or condom) or drugs or surgery. The principle of contraception is to prevent the union of a sperm and a egg cells.
Your choice of a contraceptive method depends on several factors such as efficacy, safety, personal preference, cost and noncontraceptive benefits. The methods are divided into two categories: hormonal contraceptives and nonhormonal contraceptives.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives contain synthetic hormones and there are two types, combination pills and progestin-only pills. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin and mainly work by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation) and by making the lining of the uterus thinner. They also thicken the cervical mucus, which helps to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. Progestin-only pills primarily work by thickening the cervical mucus and less often they prevent ovulation. Taking birth control pills daily maintains the level of hormones that is needed to prevent pregnancy.
The NuvaRing is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month. The ring releases a low-dose combination of progestin and estrogen to provide month long contraception. The hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and the progestin thickens the cervical mucus, which helps to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. The NuvaRing can be removed for up to 3 hours but if it has been out for more than 3 hours, it should be reinserted and a backup method (such as condoms) should be used until ring has been in for 7 consecutive days.
The IUD is a small T-shaped plastic device. Two types of IUDs are now available in the U.S. The ParaGard IUD contains copper and can be left in place for up to 12 years and the Mirena IUD contains the hormone progestin and can be left in place for up to 5 years. The IUD appears to work primarily by preventing fertilization of the egg. IUDs seem to affect the way the sperm or egg move. The progestin in the Mirena also thickens the cervical mucus. The copper in the ParaGard impairs sperm function.
A health care provider inserts the IUD in the office. Usually there is some cramping with insertion. This method is completely reversible at any time and it is effective immediately after insertion.
The Ortho Evra Patch is a combined estrogen/progestin adhesive patch worn on the skin. The patch is placed in one of four locations-buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or upper outer arm once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a 7-day patch free week. The combination of hormones works by keeping the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and less often by thickening the cervical mucus, which prevents the sperm entering the uterus.
Non Hormonal Methods
The condom, or rubber, is a latex, polyurethane, poluisophrene or natural skin sheath that covers the erect penis and catches semen before it enters the vagina. All kinds of condoms are effective contraceptives. Only latex, polyisophrene or polyurethane condoms, however, can help to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Some people consider it inconvenient to have to interrupt lovemaking to put on a condom before intercourse. Breaking off sexual pleasuring to put on a condom is not necessary, however. Putting on a condom can be incorporated into a couple's sexual activities.
The female condom is a soft, loosely-fitting polyurethane sheath with two flexible polyurethane rings designed to hold the condom in place. One ring at the closed end is inserted into the upper end of the vagina (past the pubic bone) and around the cervix. The second ring forms the external outer edge of the device and remains outside the vagina after insertion. In this way, the outer ring and device material provide some protection to the woman's labia and the base of a male partner's penis. The sheath is coated on the inside with a silicone-based lubricant and additional lubricant is provided with the product. The female condom may be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse, and should be removed shortly after intercourse and before standing up. It should only be used once.
The withdrawal method of birth control, also known as coitus interruptus, involves the man withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation. In theory, this prevents sperm from being deposited in the vagina and subsequently fertilizing an ovum. Typically, a couple has penile-vaginal intercourse until the man withdraws his penis from the vagina when ejaculation is impending. The man must rely on his own sense of forthcoming ejaculation in order to practice this method. While some men do have ejaculatory control, others do not which can lead to not practicing this method consistently. Even though ejaculation may not occur in the vagina the release of pre-ejaculate which is typically released just before ejaculation goes unnoticed by the man and the woman. Pre-ejaculate is unlikely to release viable sperm for a single act of intercourse, but may contain STI.
Contraception is birth control by the use of devices (diaphragm or intrauterine device or condom) or drugs or surgery. The principle of contraception is to prevent the union of a sperm and a egg cells.
Your choice of a contraceptive method depends on several factors such as efficacy, safety, personal preference, cost and noncontraceptive benefits. The methods are divided into two categories: hormonal contraceptives and nonhormonal contraceptives.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives contain synthetic hormones and there are two types, combination pills and progestin-only pills. Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin and mainly work by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation) and by making the lining of the uterus thinner. They also thicken the cervical mucus, which helps to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. Progestin-only pills primarily work by thickening the cervical mucus and less often they prevent ovulation. Taking birth control pills daily maintains the level of hormones that is needed to prevent pregnancy.
The NuvaRing is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month. The ring releases a low-dose combination of progestin and estrogen to provide month long contraception. The hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and the progestin thickens the cervical mucus, which helps to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. The NuvaRing can be removed for up to 3 hours but if it has been out for more than 3 hours, it should be reinserted and a backup method (such as condoms) should be used until ring has been in for 7 consecutive days.
The IUD is a small T-shaped plastic device. Two types of IUDs are now available in the U.S. The ParaGard IUD contains copper and can be left in place for up to 12 years and the Mirena IUD contains the hormone progestin and can be left in place for up to 5 years. The IUD appears to work primarily by preventing fertilization of the egg. IUDs seem to affect the way the sperm or egg move. The progestin in the Mirena also thickens the cervical mucus. The copper in the ParaGard impairs sperm function.
A health care provider inserts the IUD in the office. Usually there is some cramping with insertion. This method is completely reversible at any time and it is effective immediately after insertion.
The Ortho Evra Patch is a combined estrogen/progestin adhesive patch worn on the skin. The patch is placed in one of four locations-buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or upper outer arm once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a 7-day patch free week. The combination of hormones works by keeping the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and less often by thickening the cervical mucus, which prevents the sperm entering the uterus.
Non Hormonal Methods
The condom, or rubber, is a latex, polyurethane, poluisophrene or natural skin sheath that covers the erect penis and catches semen before it enters the vagina. All kinds of condoms are effective contraceptives. Only latex, polyisophrene or polyurethane condoms, however, can help to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Some people consider it inconvenient to have to interrupt lovemaking to put on a condom before intercourse. Breaking off sexual pleasuring to put on a condom is not necessary, however. Putting on a condom can be incorporated into a couple's sexual activities.
The female condom is a soft, loosely-fitting polyurethane sheath with two flexible polyurethane rings designed to hold the condom in place. One ring at the closed end is inserted into the upper end of the vagina (past the pubic bone) and around the cervix. The second ring forms the external outer edge of the device and remains outside the vagina after insertion. In this way, the outer ring and device material provide some protection to the woman's labia and the base of a male partner's penis. The sheath is coated on the inside with a silicone-based lubricant and additional lubricant is provided with the product. The female condom may be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse, and should be removed shortly after intercourse and before standing up. It should only be used once.
The withdrawal method of birth control, also known as coitus interruptus, involves the man withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation. In theory, this prevents sperm from being deposited in the vagina and subsequently fertilizing an ovum. Typically, a couple has penile-vaginal intercourse until the man withdraws his penis from the vagina when ejaculation is impending. The man must rely on his own sense of forthcoming ejaculation in order to practice this method. While some men do have ejaculatory control, others do not which can lead to not practicing this method consistently. Even though ejaculation may not occur in the vagina the release of pre-ejaculate which is typically released just before ejaculation goes unnoticed by the man and the woman. Pre-ejaculate is unlikely to release viable sperm for a single act of intercourse, but may contain STI.
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