Category: Gender Equality

DUST…the future?

Hi all,

These popped in my YouTube feed recently and are worth a watch if you don’t mind a bit of SciFi.

Future Boyfriend https://youtu.be/A_1YHHhry0w is an interesting watch, albeit one that sticks to the trope that women want a man in order to build a relationship.

Whereas the male video that popped into my feed is a man wanting a sexual partner because he is lonely so hires a future prostitute in an android which seemingly has the ability to beam advertising through her eyes. It’s bizarre but quite engaging.

Girlfriend Deluxe https://youtu.be/SM-sxE3h4S4

Both videos remind me of that movie from early 2000 titled Moon. That was a dark psychological thriller which if you haven’t seen, I highly recommend.

All in all, I am a fan of what DUST is doing and will definitely be going back for more soon.

AES

Ireland, like the rest of us, has a way to go…

Hi all,

I just read the link below. My thanks to Caelainn Hogan for writing the article “Ashling Murphy killing has shocked Ireland – but will it change a culture of misogyny?” as found in Guardian Australia.

Please have a read of the link below and make up your own mind.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/18/ashling-murphy-ireland-misogyny-attack-violence

I am not Irish, nor live in Ireland so I can’t comment directly but I can comment briefly on the prevailing attitude to women in this country – Australia.

Less than a year ago thousands of protesting women called it out in this country after failure upon failure in regards to women, their safety, their opportunities in society and for many other reasons. The last straw in breaking the camel’s back, was the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in no lesser venue than…our fucking Parliament House!

Our Prime Minister, who is is on record as saying something occasionally on women and their plight and then largely doing something a smidge above nothing is up for relection in a few months.

Frankly, I hope the women of Australia collectively vote his arse onto the opposition backbench. Have a read of the article linked below as reported on SBS Australia today if you want to understand the anger felt in regards to his “fiddle around the edges approach” on women’s issues.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/deadline-for-feedback-on-plan-to-end-violence-against-women-extended-after-backlash

Anyhoo, as shite as things are for half the population at times, times are a changing.

But they don’t change by themselves. You need to get involved because democracy, the engine of change – not unlike a sourdough starter, is a beast that needs to be fed regularly.

Mr Jeff Sparrow, a freelance journalist and one time breakfaster on Melbourne’s 3RRR (magnificent diverse radio) summed it up best in yesterday’s article in Guardian Australia;

“Democracy isn’t an institution. It’s a practice – and, as such, it becomes stronger through use”.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/18/in-an-era-of-rightwing-populism-we-cannot-destroy-democracy-in-order-to-save-it

I really enjoyed this article above as it highlights somewhat for me why the apathy towards politics exists that I have seen in the general populace for a long time. Hint, we aren’t being listened to.

Please, get involved and let’s make change together.

Cheers

AES

Manic Street Preachers – If You Tolerate This, Then Your Children Will Be Next

Lacey & Flynn Have Sex via The Guardian.

Hi all,

This is a bit of interesting…

I highly recommend that you read the article below as there’s a lot to process in it. Coco Khan has done a fantastic job in listening to this couple and doing them justice in the article.

Essentially, Lacey & Flynn are putting themselves out there via podcast to talk about all things on sex and their relationship. Apparently they actually have sex during the podcast!

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/15/panting-moaning-and-pussy-gazing-the-couple-who-podcast-their-elevated-sex-sessions?

I have read the article a couple of times and whilst I applaud them both in taking on a massive subject such as sex, it’s probably not a pod I could see myself listening to.

Why? Well I think the older I get the less interested I am in sex with another human. It’s hard work especially navigating the emotional side that one must confront if you want more than a one night stand.

I may though check out an episode or two from Flynn where he is talking about male sexuality. That is something I definitely relate to at present

All that said though, this pod is recommended if you have the energy and are willing to put yourself out there (in a more difficult time than usual).

My thanks to Coco for this article. It’s a good read and I hope you get something out of it.

Cheers

AES

Bjork – Big Time Sensuality

If Women Don’t Want To Be Treated as Sex Objects, Why Do They Dress Provocatively?

via Medium by Katie Jgin.

Hi all,

I really enjoyed this read. I think Katie has produced a well-balanced article worthy of as many pairs of eyes as possible.

It spoke to me in many ways but this paragraph amongst many in the article definitely stood out;

“But one thing that remains constant across various periods and patriarchal societies is the assumption that the female body exists, first and foremost, for male sexual and viewing pleasure.”

As a male of 50 years of age, this is a crystal clear statement to me. I have seen women treated poorly ever since I first could comprehend it. And FACT – It’s still going on right now. 43 women died at the hands of men in 2021 apparently. How many men died at the hands of women?

But don’t get me wrong, there is a silver lining. I have seen a lot of change and yes, things are moving forward still but it’s doing so at a glacial pace.

Thankfully in Australia we have a major election soon and discussion around women has been front and centre so it will be interesting to see if it resonates loudly enough with enough of the electorate to influence some faster change.

The link to the article is below but you are going to need a subscription to access it. I think Medium have a trial like many sites and that maybe a way to access it.

But as I have said many times, I think that a Mefium sub is extremely worthwhile because there is something for everyone on Medium. It’s a great place to learn from others.

https://link.medium.com/Z6fc87YVgmb

Anyhoo, that’s me for this one. Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks for stopping by this odd little blog that I really enjoy writing.

I hope you find something that excites a few neurons and takes you on you own journey as it has for me over a number of years now.

Cheers

AES

Green Day – Basket Case

Libido – An explainer (thank you Dipsea) :-)

Hi all,

Libido…the main attraction at all of our respective showgrounds. The proverbial rollercoaster!

Not a day goes by (as a male) where I not up and/or down in regards to this bodily function, especially now as I get older. One upon a time I could spank the monkey four times a day, sleep for 8 hours and repeat without an issue.

Now, it’s like once a day at best. And frankly I am completely fine with that. Because for once in my life I can occasionally break that life-cycle and save up that precious orgasm so it’s volcanic when I reach climax. Damn…that be some good times!

Dipsea – being the amazing sex positive company that it is, have a good explainer on libido which you will find at the link. It’s worth a few minutes of your time if this is something that interests you. I found the article an enjoyable read.

The main takeaway for me is that libido is something that we should never ever stress about. There’s enough in this life already to stress about, and then some.

And I really liked the self-care advice regards masturbation. I hold strong opinions on masturbation as a tool that can really keep you on a level and it’s great for a good nights sleep also.

Anyhoo, that’s me for this short and sweet post.

Have a great Christmas or however you celebrate the season and I will see you back here for another year of stepping ever so gently through the minefield that is human sexuality.

Merry Christmas

AES

Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby

If you really care about the safety of sex workers like me, let us make our own choices (via The Guardian Aust).

Hi all,

I enjoyed this article, again from The Guardian Australia also.

They are putting up some good stuff on all things sexuality of late.

Georgie Wolf is on the money in this post as linked below.

And I am for anything that shines sunlight on the oldest profession in the world because it very much needs it but that change as Georgie aludes to needs to be led by those on the ground, doing the actual work, not by politicians in offices far removed from reality.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/25/if-you-really-care-about-the-safety-of-sex-workers-like-me-let-us-make-our-own-choices

The Reason Party here in Victoria, led by Fiona Patten is doing great things in this space, but also the Vixen Collective and others, who I am not across and apologies in advance on that, are also helping to bring light to a profession that needs it, to educate those who use services such as sex work and help to remove the stigma’s that very much still exists in this country when it comes to anything sexuality.

All in all, we are getting there slowly, beating back the bigots and blinkered and I for one am stoked to see small incremental change happening.

AES

Jamiroquai – Bad Girls

The secret to great sex? It’s not what you think …(via Guardian Australia).

Update: this post has gone a bit crazy so it’s high time I mentioned the author.

Linked article by: Alexandra Jones.

Hi all,

A good’n below tis…(translates as there is a good post below).

Found this on The Guardian Australia and after reading it, I felt there was some good stuff in the article that needed to be further shared.

At 50 years of age, I completely get the need for quality sex. 34 years in training surely is enough time to dot your i’s and cross your t’s on this important human activity.

I enjoyed lots about this article, especially the mind and how important it is, being present and also opening your mind to all the possibilities that intimacy offers.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/26/he-secret-to-great-sex-erotic-intimacy-study?

Anyway, as always, if human sexuality is your bag (baby – Mr Austin Powers), then this article above will be a moth to a flame moment for you, and I will be the other moth circling the light totally engaged with it also.

And I promise to say hi as we dance around it, wings outstretched, totally enamoured by its beauty.

Enjoy people,

AES (for N’s Oma)

Donna Summer – Love To Love You Baby

The Women Bringing Sex Ed to the Arab World – New York Times via @inkl

Just wow!

Oh…hi all.

I just came across this and it has knocked me out temporarily. This post is going to end here, but please read the NYT article at the link.

https://inkl.com/a/PLqjXWiGwRb

Ok, it’s a day or so past when I posted this and I am still a little shocked, but happy that education about sex is finally trickling down.

I am also extremely 🙏 for living in a secular country.

Women here are still fighting an uphill battle in many of these areas but things are changing for the better by the day.

Mad props to Mona Eltahawy for what she is doing also.

Check her out on Patreon if you can and please support her work. She is sticking it to the man and I, as a man, love this.

All in all, my heart goes out to any and all women who are oppressed and who can’t get access to simple sexual education. I do hope things keep changing in your countries and communities.

AES

Affirmative Consent…more support needed.

Hi all,

The article at the link below is a potent read and I implore you to venture down this rabbit hole if you, like me are tired of the multitudes of stories in which men (largely) are left wanting in this area of human sexuality.

I have been carrying on like a pork-chop for years on this blog about the need for robust, comprehensive and mostly better sexual education in this country and its clear in reading this article that – we ain’t there yet.

But on the positive tip, things are getting better. 2021, as Saxon mentions has been a year in which change has trickled down and left those of us who care deeply about this and many other issues around gender feeling like the winds of change are rising.

https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/12928/cIJGuT9

But they can only rise to a level where genuine change can happen (legislation) when enough people want change and are prepared to give up some of their time to vote and chaperone that change past and through the many obstacles in its path.

A federal election is coming (and I will post more on that soon) and so I ask;

Will you stand still and allow the standard you accept to move on by or will you step up and say something?

I hope it’s the latter. For everyone’s sake.

Regards

AES

Dan Savage: ‘When politicians leave sex alone, I’ll leave politics alone’ (via The Guardian Aust).

Hi all,

Dan Savage ROCKS!

He has single-handedly shown us how to build robust walls to protect those of us grasping at any one time with the many issues that make up human sexuality, against the conservative tide that seeks to erode sexuality to a lights off under the covers 5-minute wham-bam, thankyou ma’am exercise.

I used to read his column back in the day and always looked up to him as someone who wasn’t afraid to speak a truth that was being hushed daily whack-a-mole style by way too many blinkered fools.

I loved reading this article and I hope you do too.

He is a fantastic human being and I thank him for his contribution to humanity and sexuality.

Kind regards

AES

A Good Read – The New World Of Sex That Awaits Us (via The Atlantic).

A Better Way to Write About Sex – The Atlantic via @inkl https://inkl.com/a/wEpzjXHqYrz

Hi all,

I really enjoyed this read above (thanks Inkl). It’s tops of a big last four weeks in human sexuality here in Victoria, Australia.

We have had the bill passed to legalise sexwork (thanks to Fiona Patten, her team & those who supported the bill) which is massive in itself for all and sundry involved in this industry and then a couple of days ago, the Victorian parliament approved laws around sexual consent (stealthing etc.) which is also a huge step forward in gender equity.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/12/affirmative-consent-laws-to-be-introduced-in-victoria-in-incredible-step-forward

Then about 20 minutes ago the article linked at the top of this post popped up in my Inkl.com feed.

I mean who knew that the inventor of Kelloggs conflakes was also negative about self-pleasure & masturbation?

If we had met, he & I would have surely had words, because masturbation is the bomb IMHO and is something I plan to do until my dying breath.

Anyhoo, have a read of the article if you are interested in venturing down this rabbit hole and maybe you will take an offshoot tunnel in the article and look into one of the books referenced in the article?

All in all though, I am stoked that we are making ground on the subject of sex slowly and surely whilst also leaving room for everyone to find their happy place in the many cul de sac’s on La Rue De Sex.

Enjoy people,

AES

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

Radical anti-women groups like ‘Incels’ on the rise, via SBS.

Hi all,

I have had this one simmering away in the background for a while and it’s way about time it saw some sunlight.

But first, two definitions;

misogyny/məˈsɒdʒəni/ (say muh’sojuhnee)

noun 1.  hatred of women.

2.  entrenched prejudice against women.Compare misandry. [Greek mīsogynia]
–misogynist, noun
–misogynistic, adjective
–misogynous, adjective

Usage: This word which entered English as a gloss of the Greek word in the 1600s, acquired a pair in misandry in the 1890s, The extension of meaning from def. 1 to def. 2 occurred during the 1900s, notably in feminist discourse.

misandry/mɪsˈændri/ (say mis’andree)

noun 1.  the hatred of men.

2.  entrenched prejudice against men. Compare misogyny. [late 1800s from Greek mīsandria]
–misandrist, noun, adjective

Usage: This word has considerably less frequency than misogyny, but extended its use from def. 1 to def. 2 in a similar fashion in the 1900s.

The third link below directly references these words above but they won’t be to far away if you are reading anything to do with the rise of the incel.

Have a read of all three below if you have time and you will start to see why this behaviour needs further discussion at all levels, amongst all cultures and all religions.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/radical-anti-women-groups-like-incels-on-the-rise


https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/16/social-networks-struggle-to-crack-down-on-incel-movement

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/18/i-feel-hurt-that-my-life-has-ended-up-here-the-women-who-are-involuntary-celibates

What do I make of this new group of (largely) men?

Men, in my view have had this coming for a long time, and whilst I will always feel sympathy for any individual that I get to meet and understand their specific circumstance, I refuse to generally respect those that gather in groups and be disrespectful to women.

In my life thus far I have come to see men as being their own worst enemy in a lot of ways, in particular the macho way so many of us still go about our day to day business. There clearly is a cohort of powerful men who clearly make things worse for other cohorts and so the cycle turns, but now with the added rise of women in the mix and thus, the incel is born.

As I have aluded to on many of these posts, it makes for interesting times, and things may well stay this way for a while if not forever because clearly, the aforementioned cohort of powerful men are not interested in the slightest about the plight of those who for whatever reason don’t share or desire their abilities be they inherited or built.

Anyway, this is yet another massive subject that I can’t do justice to in just one post, so please, lean in and offer your thoughts in the way of a comment and maybe I will bring them together in a second post and you never know, we might just be able to crack this nut, so to speak.

Until then, adios.

AES

RHCP – The Power Of Equality

Happening review – sex and abortion on the new frontline in 60s France (via Guardian Australia).

Hi all,

This looks good.

And Happening is especially relevant at the moment with Texas and its new laws regarding abortion.

In Australia, the backwater that it can be at times, we also have a conservative government who can’t or won’t get its collective (pardon my use of that word. I understand it doesn’t apply to conservatives) head around women and their place as equals in society.

Check out the review above and maybe it appeals, or maybe not?

Either way, it highlights an issue we very much need to confront and work through in both genders.

Adios
AES

Ani DiFranco – Tiptoe

I walked 6km’s in the Hawaiian sun to buy this album “Living In Clip” which I had heard first on 3RRR Melbourne – Off The Record (Saturday morning’s at 9am).

It was so worth it.

OnlyFans to ban adult material…WTF!

Update 25th Aug – decision to remove pornographic material has been suspended…

Hi all,

You may have missed this or maybe not. I didnt.

Firstly, I will admit to never venturing onto Only Fans but I am clear in understanding it to be a step forward for humanity in finally acknowledging our rampant sexuality and hitting online free porn with a sharp uppercut in the process.

As Tim says below, it enabled sex-workers and other individuals to monetise their art safely and also as I have said above, hitting back at free-porn (which is an indidious evil run by a handful of individuals that exists only to exploit people and is I would contend not a step in the right direction for sexual freedom and individual liberties).

If you’ve never heard of OnlyFans at all, it’s a site where people share images and video, which fans can access after paying a certain amount per month. It’s become popular with sex workers and online performers because it allows them to build a safe relationship with fans without having to just upload their work to the public internet. Of course, it’s popular with fans of that kind of content too because they can support and communicate with performers directly.
It’s $US5 billion so far, $US2 billion in the last year, of which 80 per cent went to creators. But porn makes people nervous (and exposes thorny issues, with OnlyFans saying last month it deactivated 15 accounts for posting images of underage people); big investors and banks don’t want a bar of it. Like Twitch with its clothing policies or Tumblr’s anti-queer pivot in 2018, the internet loves to support sexual freedom and expression, unless it gets in the way of perpetual growth.
via The Age, Melbourne

This link from the Guardian provides an update on what happened with Only Fans and why they have taken the action they have.

And here’s another article to get you up to speed;

https://www.inputmag.com/tech/onlyfans-is-banning-porn-the-very-thing-that-made-it-big

Tumblr went the same way in cutting out sexual expression when they decided to go all draconian on creators and what they were saying through their posts.

I had a Tumblr account and I was happy to pay a price to check out sexy posts from people that had a particular sexual bent that I found interesting.

Just imagine the potential here people. If done right with the right regulation and settings in place, sites like Tumblr and Only Fans and others that have come and gone over the years might have even got as far one day to coax sexuality like beastiality and other weird shit that I personally would rather see regulated and available to those who want to pay for that stuff rather than on the dark web with us the tax-payer continually chucking cash in the law enforcement bucket to chase these evil people down and prosecute their arses only to rinse and repeat next month.

I mean, c’mon…really? Surely one day we can fucking well acknowledge who we are as humans and all the fucking weird shit that we think about and make it available for those that are interested such that people of all ages, races and cultures stop being exploited by a few rich arseholes across the world.

Is that really too much to ask?

Anyway, sorry for the rant. There’s a bit of information for you which I think clearly outlines where we are in regards to sexuality (still) and where we need to be if we are to see real change in humanity and the way we generally perceive sex.

Regards
AES

‘An artist in search of good material’: being a receptionist at an Auckland massage parlour (via Guardian Aust).

Hi all,

This looks like a rollicking read.

Its a book by Megan Dunn and the link below will provide you with an extract from it.

The story goes that she took a job at a Auckland, NZ “massage parlour” as their “receptionist” and the book goes into quite some detail about what she experienced whilst doing the job.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/23/an-artist-in-search-of-good-material-being-a-receptionist-at-an-auckland-massage-parlour

I will grab a copy because firstly the extract reads well and also because, for a short time many years ago, I was one of the people feeding receptionist’s like her at “massage parlours” with clients.

In between jobs I did a stint of taxi driving and whoooo…mama, that 18 odd months was an eye opening experience into vagaries of the human being.

Anyway  I am looking forward to reading another perspective about another facet of sex-work essential to the running of “massage parlours” and all that it entails.

The good, bad and downright hilarious.

Cheers
AES

Weddings, Parties, Anything- For A Short Time