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Showing posts with label academic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label academic. Show all posts
A Brief History of the Vibrator
We kinda love history. From the history of burlesque to dildos, we're a fan of understand the past and how it effects us today. Ever wonder how you lil' buddy came into being? We have already covered the history of the dildo, blow job, and Burlesque. Now it's time to discover where the vibrator came from! Dr. Jenn, (also known as Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD) gives us a quick and witty history of how this wonderful toy, or necessity, became a reality.
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Imagine it is 1880 and you are a London housewife. You are unsatisfied with your life, easily irritable, depressed and experiencing insomnia, so you seek a doctor for assistance. If you can afford Dr. Robert Dalrymple and his protégée Dr. Mortimer Granville, you would be diagnosed with “hysteria.” This was considered a plague of their time, a “disabling condition” for at least half the women of London. The cause of this plague? An “overactive uterus.” Here’s the best part: The treatment for hysteria was…(wait for it)…having your clitoris manually stimulated by your doctor until orgasm. I’m serious. This was a medical treatment to address the nervous system and help put a woman’s uterus back in order.
The history of the vibrator is confusing and truly ridiculous by today’s understanding of sexuality. Despite dabbling in serious topics, Hysteria takes a romantic comedy approach that is entertaining and accessible, but certainly not earth shattering. I recommend it as a worthy rental to tickle your sexual funny bone. And what movie about vibrators wouldn’t have a happy ending?
The Birth of the Modern Gay Rights Movement
After finding a slightly sexist but hilarious meme that we posted on Facebook (which was approved by our gay and straight friends), it dawned on me that I knew very little about gay culture. And the gay rights movement for that matter. We care about and support gay marriage. So we should know the history of the gay rights struggle. In the United States, as well as other countries, the LGBTQ movement has come a long way. Luckily, GetLusty's Mary-Margaret Sweene is here to review some of the milestones that have led us to where we are within the American gay rights movement.
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When politicians and pundits talk about the modern gay rights movement, it is often in a way that obscures the long and lumbering, laborious and lovely, struggle for equal rights. It's easy to forget that groups of gay activists have been making noise for quite some time.Homosexuality has, indeed, been observed as far back into history as we can reach, across cultures and continents. The Greeks are often called to mind. But when did an activity become an identity, a census check box, a political movement? Historian John D'Emilio begins his book Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities in November 1950, in a Los Angeles living room. Five men met at the home of Harry Hay to discuss "the heroic objective of liberating one of our largest minorities." This gathering eventually led to an organization called The Mattachine Society, the first established gay rights group in history.
Of course, this didn't just pop out of history at random. As the nuclear family changed, the mandate of procreation curbed. WWII scattered young people of marrying age. Men hunkered down together in fox holes; women donned pants and operated factory equipment. People moved away from their families to big cities. For the first time, men and women had a real choice in who they would pursue. The Kinsey Report, published first in 1948, disrupted long-held assumptions about sex.
For years, people with same-sex attractions found refuge in big cities, and in underground clubs and bars. Police raids often shut the establishments down, and photos of patrons arrested were published to humiliate. Yet despite the terror of being revealed to friends and family in the morning paper, those who longed for a community continued to flock to these bars.
The Stonewall Inn was one such place.On June 28th 1969, gay and transgender patrons gathered at The Stonewall Inn. The evening had a somber tone, as a gay community icon, Judy Garland, had just passed away. And during their evening of mourning, celebrating, and fellowship, the police conducted a raid. The usual routine of violence against patrons while a paddy wagon idled outside began to unfold. But this time, the bar patrons fought back.
The NYPD quickly lost all control of the situation and a riot ensued. The cries from the bar drew the attention of surrounding Greenwich Village gay residents and the riot grew into the streets. It continued into the next day.
It reignited several days later. This was the start of something big. Within months of the riots, multiple gay rights organizations had formed and began jockeying for political visibility. Several newspapers and magazines catering to a gay community came into circulation. In June of 1970, the first parades were held in New York, LA, and Chicago. We still celebrate Pride at the end of June to mark the beginning of the modern gay rights movement.
Why is this important? Because it's estimated that between 30-40% of gay teens have attempted suicide. They yearn for acceptance in a world too slow to change. Knowledge, as they say, is power. I will never forget my first Women's Studies course in college. I sat with tears in my eyes, realizing that while I had grown up learning that men had built our world, in reality many women had a hand in the undertaking as well. The next semester I took an African American history course and felt embarrassed that my experience as a white female had precluded my knowledge of the Africans Americans who built our nation. But then I looked around the room and I saw black students experiencing what I had felt in that Women's Studies course. We were people with rich histories. And we didn't even know it.
Earlier this year, a family member of mine came out. He said that when I'd taken him to the Chicago Pride Parade, he overheard me mention "the riot 40 years ago." "I didn't know what you meant," he said. "It's my history, and I didn't know it."
Here's to knowing. Here's to pride.
For further reading and to get the full, inspiring story of the gay rights struggle, check out the following sources:
John D'Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The Making of a Homosexual Minority in the United States, 1940-1970
George Chauncy, Why Marriage?: The History Shaping Today's Debate Over Gay Equality
Films: Before Stonewall (released 1985); After Stonewall (released 2005)
She spends inordinate amounts of time thinking, reading and writing about feminist issues, punctuated by brief respites to enjoy good tea and good beer. Contact her at editorial@getlusty.com or follow her on her brand new shiny Twitter, @MMMcSweene.
The Blowjob Historically: Why The World Loves Head
We've talked about blowjobs quite a few times. We've given blowjob recommendations. And also some things not to do during blowjobs and even more things not to do during blowjobs. Also, Camille Crimson gave us 5 reasons to give a good blowjob, as well as Camille's top 5 tips for giving a blowjob. But where does the idea of blowjobs come from, anyway? How has this coveted act been portrayed over the centuries? Bethany Kibblesmith is back with a well-researched two-part series on blowjobs: a historical perspective.
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Fellatio. What a great word. Rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t? It might surprise you, but the blowjob is older than you could guess.
But where did the blowjob come from? As well as I can guess, it has likely always been a part of mammalian sexual practice. Not across the board of course. Some of you might have heard of bonobo apes before, a close relative to chimps and, well, to us. Anthropologists and biologists, as well as sexologists, are basically obsessed with bonoboes, because of their extensive recreational sexual behavior. They have sex for fun, females exchange oral sex, and they do indeed engage in fellatio. Just like us!
Scientists have also seen fellatio while watching fruit bats have sex. They found that if the female fellated the male, sex lasted significantly longer. Many, many other kinds of animals engage in licking behavior, but I’m not confident enough to label this an exclusively sexual behavior. As for humans, the very first recorded mention of something resembling fellatio would be the myth of Osiris and Isis in ancient Egypt. Long story short, Osiris was killed and cut up by an evil jealous brother. His penis was missing, so they made him a fake one and his wife, Isis, used her breath to bring it to life. Sounds like a blowjob to me!
The word fellatio is derived from Latin, from a word simply meaning ‘to suck’. Further, the one doing the sucking is referred to as a fellatrix if female, a fellator if male. The word ‘fellatio’ first appeared in print in 1887, but the act itself is older. Way, way older.
In fact, the Romans distinguish between two types of oral sex with a male partner; there is fellatio, which is a blowjob where the purpose is for the fellatrix/fellator to arouse their partner or stimulate them to the point of ejaculation.
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The Romans also had a name for oral sex where the penis was more forcefully inserted into the receiver’s mouth and stimulated via hip thrusts. This is called irrumation. This kind in particular was used to establish dominance and to shame or punish the fellator or fellatrix, often a slave or person of lower status. In the ruins of Pompeii, there are frescos on the walls of brothels and bath houses depicting both kinds of fellatio. In Rome, as in Greece, the blowjob was seen as a taboo, an act only prostitutes or lowly people performed. There are also various pieces of pottery from Rome and Greece showing blowjobs, some from as early as 510BCE.
The blowjob, in all its glory, could not possibly be contained in the Mediterranean. The Moches, a Peruvian civilization, also used fellatio as decorative element in their pottery. Another fabulous fellatio vessel from a different Peruvian culture shows how common this sex act was among these people.
It might surprise you to know that the blowjob, in the Kama Sutra, was not elevated to the almost spiritual status of other sex acts. In unspecified circumstances, it was acceptable, and Indian art of this time extensively details contorted ways to fellate, but it was still seen as a dirty act, practiced mostly by eunuchs, lower-class women and lusty women. The practice was still described in extensive detail, including a mention of 69ing (Congress of the Crow!), but was seen as inappropriate for married women to perform.
This is merely part 1 in a two-part series on the history of blowjobs. Find out more in our next edition!
We're very excited to have Bethany Kibblesmith as GetLusty's newest writer. She's passionate about keeping it sexy inside and outside the bedroom in her own relationship and in yours.
Bethany is twenty-two and an English major. When she isn't scrambling to finish homework, she's with her boyfriend, reading, doing yoga or cooking. She enjoys the finer things in life like, secondhand clothes, warm showers, and socks without holes. She writes plays when she isn't writing for school or GetLusty. And if you meet her she will, without question, make a sex joke at some point. Email her at Bethany@GetLusty.com if you have any questions!
Our Top 10 Favorite Sex & Relationship Therapists
Every therapist has certain areas of expertise and are suited to council people in different arenas and if you have ever considered looking into sexual or relationship therapy we encourage you to do extensive research on who might be the best therapist for you. Below are 10 professionals that we believe are exemplary sex positive therapists, researchers and counselors. GetLusty for Couple's Rachael Milton reports.
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#1 Enliven Couples Therapy: Kimberly Sharky, LMFT, CST and Amy Freier, LPC make up Enliven Couples Therapy. Enliven is a great resource based in Chicago that focuses on couples therapy, sex therapy and relationship coaching. A great resource for couples therapy in our home base, Chicago! #2 Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD.: An advocate of frank sex talk, Dr. Rachael (pictured left) is an accomplished medical doctor and sexologist. She has been a guest on many different TV and radio shows, quoted in magazines, and recently published her first book Down Right Feel Right – Outercourse For Her & For Him.
#3 Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D.: Dr. Greenberg treats couples that have "issues of trust, communication breakdown, loss of intimacy, and destructive ways of relating. I focus on attachment and communication styles as well as respect, creating intimacy, deescalating conflict, and constructive expression." She has an impressive history in academia that you can view on her website.
#4 Joy Davidson, Ph.D.: Dr. Joy specializes in relationship counseling and sex therapy with topics ranging from sexless marriages to resolving conflicts and fights. She has written several books, her most recent being Colors of Passion: Awakening Desire, Rediscovering Pleasure which you can purchase here.
#5 Joe Kort, Ph.D., LMSW: Dr. Joe Kort is the founder and director of The Center Relationships and Sexual Health. He specializes in Gay Affirmative Psychotherapy and IMAGO Relationship Therapy, which he describes as a "program involving communication exercises designed for couples to enhance their relationship and for singles to learn relationship skills".#6 Cynthia Lief Ruberg, LPCC, LLC: Cynthia (pictured left) has an extensive history in treating sexual and relationship issues and believes that "each partner is affected by the other's sexual concerns and that a couple's sexual concerns commonly impact their relationship and vice versa." We agree Cynthia!
#7 Dorree Lynn, Ph.D.: Dr. Lynn believes that sexually satisfying relationships can be achieved no matter how old you are so she founded the website Fifty and Furthermore, which provides information and advice on sexual health and relationships for the over-50 crowd.
#8 Michael Castleman, MA: Michael Castleman is a journalist, sex therapist and sex educator. The goal of Great Sex After 40 is to inform people that "with a little information and some erotic adjustments, sex after 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 can be quite enjoyable, possibly the best sex of your life."#9 Roger Libby, Ph.D.: Dr. Libby (pictured left) is an internationally recognized sexologist, social psychologist, sociologist and a board certified sex therapist. Dr. Libby has an extensive CV and is also an author, radio host and professor.
#10 Dr. Janell Carroll: A sexologist and professor, Dr. Carroll encourages open discussion surrounding the many aspects of sex and relationships. She is also an accomplished author with a wide selection of greats books that you can check out on her website.
Have you heard about the next version of GetLusty for Couples? Our beta launches December 7th. Sign up to be a part of it. From Chicago to the world, you'll find advice, date ideas, ways to improve your communication skills and yes, continued recommendations on the hottest things to spice up your couple.
Open Sexuality: a Historical Perspective
We talk about polyamory occasionally. We started off with an exploration into polyamory. We answered 6 questions about polyamory. In past articles, Technogeisha has explained some of her sexuality as a being a polyswinger. In this article, Technogeisha explores polyamory from a historical perspective.
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“Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right.”
There has been a lot of talk lately about the level of insanity brought about by the coming election versus open sexuality. It became a hot topic amongst the Swingset this week. I felt compelled to write about the current state of things and maybe provide a little bit of historical perspective.
Open sexuality was suppressed. One hundred years ago women were fighting for the right to vote and there was little to no sex education. People with any radical views risked being persecuted, jailed or killed. While that is still true somewhat today, we have a much easier time living freely than in the past, just not as easy as we would like. We are always fighting to maintain each freedom that we gain. One thing to keep in mind is that societal norms ebb and flow, sometimes changing radically other time subtly. We will take three steps forward then two steps back. That may seem like a terrible way to more forward but it is forward progress nonetheless.
We’ve had times that were more open (Hellenistic Era, Renaissance Era, Post Revolutionary France, Jazz Age, 1960’s) and times where repression ruled (Late Middle Ages, Puritanical Colonial Era, Victorian Era, 1950’s). It’s been a tug of war across the ages. The important thing to remember is that every time we’ve been pulled back by restrictive behavior the reaction is to push against it. Battling conservatism has been with us for a long time. It’s been in the US ever since the Puritans left England seeking the freedom to pursue their restrictive religion.
We seem to be in a two steps back era right now. Religious conservatives are asserting that the US must live according to Christian ideals and morals, separation of Church and State be damned. In a secular nation they can’t control people using fear of damnation. If they can’t control people with faith they will try to control with faith-based government. . It’s tough trying to win against a group that believes their actions in this world will be greatly rewarded in the next. It makes it easy to convince people they’re being punished for not living according to the laws of God when the nation is struggling economically. Unfortunately, living a virtuous life does not necessarily create jobs or put food on the table. How does Sex Positive Team America (yes, I’m stealing that title from the podcast) survive and get through the election year without loosing both our minds and our freedom? Someone recently asked Ricky Gervais on Twitter (@rickygervais) how does he respond to someone who thinks there is a conspiracy against religion. His response, “There is. It’s called education.” We live in an era where we can podcast, blog, film, write, teach and be in general a rather squeaky wheel. Most of you are already doing this but you need to get your information outside of your positive social network and out to the conservative public. Recent studies have shown that often in social media we only interact with people who share our values and opinions.
To effect change, you need to reach the people with the differing opinion. Support local government so we can have sex positive politicians working in city and state level. Support activists that are working out in the open, especially if you feel you can’t, so they can work locally and nationally to educate and inform. Make sure that there is access to sex positive books and materials in local libraries and bookstores. Support resources like sex education websites, classes and support groups. Support groups that are working towards equal access to education and information.
Work towards persuading the media to better portray people in alternative or ethically non-monogamous relationships. Support and promote films, TV shows and web content that show positive role models. You can even strive to provide that content. Write and petition against politicians and groups that are trying to take away rights. When you see false information being distributed or when politicians are openly lying make sure the news outlets find out and get them to report on it. You can volunteer at an organization or a cause. Start a support group or just help an individual that is struggling. Teaching children to be open-minded will create open-minded adults. Even just starting a positive conversation on-line in the grocery store can get people to think about things differently.
As quickly as times have changed, it may take hundreds of years to evolve. We could de-evolve in the future like the film “Idiocracy” or positively evolve like the openness of Doctor Who’s 51st Century We may spend a lot of time in a constant push me/pull you environment. We survive by not giving up, not giving into fear and when they tug, we tug back harder.
Originally posted at Life on the Swingset.
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