Hello, friends. Welcome to today’s class about enhancing your sex life. First thing to know: Lube is your vagina’s best friend. Second thing to know: Flavored lube is your mouth’s best friend. Why is flavored lubricant so great, you ask? For one, you may find that different tastes enhance your arousal, pleasure, and presence during oral sex and sex play.
Read more on Cosmopolitan.
Many people nowadays are looking for the best lotion for jerking off that will enhance their self-pleasure moments while not harming their skin.
Because the skin on your genitals is sensitive, the goal of this lotion is to reduce friction during masturbation. The best lube for jerking off will give you the most pleasure while also protecting your skin from rashes or unwanted friction.
However, if you’re new to the world of masturbation lotions, selecting the right one can be a challenge. It’s natural for some people to feel overwhelmed when trying to find a suitable brand of masturbation lotion due to the abundance of options.
Read more on The Washington Independent.
Oral sex is an art form. However, despite being a beautiful, age-old tradition that has been practiced since the dawn of time (probably), I’m here to let you in on a little secret: It can get even better. If you’re thinking, “HOW?!” good for you [wink], but let’s think about your partner. It’s fair to say that all sex is better when your co-star is thoroughly enjoying themselves. When your partner(s) are super into you and passionately perform an act of love, it’s even more of a turn-on—and that’s where flavored lube comes into play.
Read more on VICE.
We hope everyone’s PRIDE month was loud, proud, bold & beautiful. This month is also chock-full of PRIDE as we enter Non-Binary Awareness Week. Non-Binary Awareness Week, which runs July 11th – 16th, is a week dedicated to raising awareness about the lives, needs, and visibility of those who don’t identify with the traditional gender binary. July 14th is International Non-Binary People’s Day! This day was created and observed to celebrate the wide spectrum of folks who identify as non-binary.
I’m sure some of you may be wondering, what is non-binary? The term non-binary refers to individuals who fall outside of the gender binary as we know it. Some folks who are non-binary see themselves as neither man nor woman, or as both man and woman. And some other non-binary folks see themselves as something else not on the traditional binary. Something else important to express is that while there are many folks who are non-binary that also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people identify as such. Non-binary can also be an umbrella term for folks who identify as bi-gender, genderqueer, genderfluid, etc.
For some folks, this information might not be new or common knowledge – so let’s break down being non-binary, and what it means, by talking about the difference between gender identity and gender expression. Gender is a complicated system of social identities, roles & expressions, commonly assigned based on one’s genitalia, assigned at birth. However, gender as we know it is a wide spectrum that goes further than man and woman. Identity (internal – what you feel on the inside), is one’s own sense of gender, personally. identities also have a vast spectrum; folks can be and identify as transgender, cisgender, 2Spirit, non-binary, etc. Gender identities, as we continue to see, are unique to every culture. Gender Expression (external – how we want to be viewed), usually, but not always, reflects a person’s gender identity. This is, you guessed it, also on a very wide spectrum. Folks can express/present masculine, butch, androgynous, femme, etc. And those are just a few examples of ways that folks express themselves!
As mentioned before, non-binary people who identify outside of the gender binary. Have existed in other non-western cultures and societies for many centuries. We are living in a revolutionary time where people are decolonizing their understanding of what we know, including gender, sex, & sexuality, and embracing our full authentic selves! Maybe you already have someone in your life who is non-binary. If not, chances are one day you will meet someone who identifies as such. Here are a few tips and ways to be a better ally and supporter to your non-binary siblings. As always lovelies, thank you for learning with us and remember to #heauxresponsibly.
If you didn’t already know, June is PRIDE month! Celebrated annually, across the United States, Pride month commemorates a huge victory for LGBT+ liberation. Started by the Stonewall Riots in NYC in 1969 that Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera led. Just a few years before that, on the other side of the country. Transgender women and drag queens led the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot. In 1966 in San Francisco. Both of these historic moments were prompted by the discrimination, violence, and mistreatment of LGBTQ+ folks. In their respective communities, as well as all over the country. The first PRIDE celebration was a year later in 1970 and was observed on the last Sunday of June. Today, PRIDE is celebrated all month long with marches, parades, performances, and other amazing events. To honor LGBTQ+ people of the past, present, and future! While there are many individuals doing great things to help support the LGBTQIA+ community. There are also a number of amazing organizations doing wonderful work. Let’s explore some!
support LGBTQ+ by purchasing our Sliquid Sparkle lube
The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. It is the largest one in existence in the world and accessible to youth all over the country. The Trevor Project has 5 programs through their organization: Crisis Services, Peer Support, Research, Advocacy & Public Education. Their organization centers on diversity and inclusion and youth centricity. Making sure to analyze and research what the community needs and respond accordingly. You can support The Trevor Project by volunteering or donating directly to their website. If you or someone you know is struggling or in need of support. click here to get connected to a counselor.
This amazing organization is a trans-run and operated grassroots hotline and micro-grants non-profit. They offer direct emotional and financial support to transgender people in crisis. Founded in 2014, just after Trans Day of Remember (November 20th), a group of folks realized that they needed access to support and care that was free from police and institutions. Merging with Trans Assistance Project in 2016 – Trans Lifeline has turned into what it is today, an incredibly vital and important resource for folks in the transgender community. You can support Trans Lifeline by volunteering or donating directly to their website. If you would like to get connected click here to get info for the hotline.
GLAAD is a non-governmental media monitoring organization that was founded as a protest against inaccurate/defamatory coverage of LGBT+ people. It was founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, Jewelle Gomez, and Lauren Hinds when they noticed that the New York Post was posting sensationalized and homophobic media coverage of the AIDS epidemic. Since then, GLAAD has vastly expanded its scope of advocacy and community support. Their current programming includes Entertainment Media, Transgender Media, Latinx & Spanish-Language Stories, Southern Stories, Global Voices, and News Media & Rapid Response. Their main purpose and focus are to make sure information is accurate, respectful, and a vehicle of mainstream acceptance. If you would like to support GLAAD, you can donate directly to their website.
The GSA Network is a non-profit organization that supports, empowers, and trains queer, trans, and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize in school and community settings. One of their main values and driving forces in the organization is focusing on not only gender and sexuality justice but also referencing the racial intersectionality of these experiences as well. They are a grassroots organization that works with youth, for youth – in school communities by making sure accurate, inclusive, and factual gender and sexuality education and GSA support are accessible and available to youth in their respective schools and communities. You can support the GSA network by registering/starting a GSA program, volunteering, and donating directly on their website.
This PRIDE month, if you are someone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, we hope you take this time to celebrate, reflect, and gather with your loved ones and community. If you are an ally, or someone who does not identify with the LGBTQ+ community, please take this month to educate yourself on ways to not just be an ally, but a co-conspirator and accomplice to the community. Find ways to give support directly to those in the community other than just donating money to organizations. Time, action/advocacy, and tangible donations are just some of the ways that people in the LGBTQ+ community can use your support. With all of the attacks against individuals and groups in the LGBTQ+ community happening around the country, now more than ever – it is important that we stand together, stand strong, and keep one another safe. Happy PRIDE! Celebrate your freedom and liberation, not just today, but all 365!
Sure, any old lube can get the job done, but when you’re in the mood, the best lubricants for women make everything better — and wetter. The only hitch? Amid a sea of seemingly endless options, putting in the time to find the right one is quite the turnoff.
Read more on Glamour.
Water-based lubes are perhaps the most popular sub-category in the burgeoning world of lubricants. If you’ve already begun your search for the best water-based lube, you clearly know just how important lube is – for both sex and masturbation. It banishes the friction you might feel when being penetrated by a penis, dildo or rabbit vibrator – which in turn mitigates the risk of injury, discomfort and tearing. And intensifies your orgasm.
Read more on Glamour UK.
June is a month full of excitement, love, and fun, and the summertime is just heating up! June is mainly known for being PRIDE month, but it is also National Men’s Health Month. 13th starts the beginning of National Men’s Health Week. During National Men’s Health Week, similarly to that of Women’s Health Month and Week. We often get the same messaging that many men & masc-identified folks are often bombarded with daily. “Maintain a healthy diet and exercise to be strong!”. This is great information and a wonderful friendly reminder for everyone to live by. However, the health needs of men are much more than just “be healthy and exercise!”
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 13.2% of men are either in poor or fair health. While that is only a small portion of the population. That is still quite a significant number of people who are not on top of their health and wellness. As mentioned before, health should be holistic and focus on all aspects of a person. Which includes: sexual wellness, mental wellness, and emotional wellness. Let’s start with physical health since we’re already on the topic. While a good chunk of folks in the United States feels reluctant to go to a doctor. To receive medical care due to a variety of factors. Men are least likely to go to a doctor. Even for routine physical wellness exams and screenings, or to seek support for common illnesses.
Reproductive health is equally as important as general physical wellness. One extremely important aspect of that for men is prostate health. According to WebMD, “The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate is just in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate. From the bladder to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body. The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.” It is recommended to get a prostate exam at age 45. If you are at high risk for prostate cancer and 50 for those at lower risk for prostate cancer. However, just like your testicles – it is essential to monitor. Do self-checks to make sure you catch anything that might be out of the ordinary. That being said, let’s talk a bit about testicular health.
The testicles, also known as testes, according to Healthline, “are two oval-shaped organs in the male reproductive system. They’re contained in a sac of skin called the scrotum. The scrotum hangs outside the body in the front of the pelvic region near the upper thighs.” It is recommended that you begin checking your testicles MONTHLY. From the age of 15 until the age of 40 for any changes that may occur. These exams are best performed after you take a hot bath or shower.
Something that a lot of folks don’t realize is that while we are much more open conversational about sexual health. A lot of that conversation leaves men out of it. Yes, when we think about sex as a whole – it usually prioritizes men or penis owners and their desires. However, sexual wellness and mental health are two things that are rarely discussed for men and masc-identified people – especially intersectionally. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when penis owners cannot get or keep an erection and is extremely common. ED is not necessarily the issue but rather the symptom or side effect of another issue. When folks experience ED it is usually a sign of a psychological or physical condition change.
ED is so common that 1 in 10 penis owners will experience it in their lifetime! As said before, it is closely tied to mental health and something that is considered taboo is men. Masc-identified people seeking therapy and taking care of their mental wellness. Men and masc-identified people need support and emotional care just as much as anyone else. They don’t deserve to be looked down upon for it. Men experience depression, anxiety, and eating disorders at high rates and are often not supported or represented. In these spaces when it comes to seeking and receiving help. Due to social stigma and cultural norms, men are often seen downplaying their struggles. Symptoms or reluctant to talk about them freely.
We hope that this post is a friendly reminder that being a man, manhood, and masculinity is on a spectrum. The health and wellness needs of men and masc-identifying people are vast and unique. Go beyond that of just bulking up and eating right. Sexual and reproductive wellness, as well as mental wellness, are an important part of holistic health. For men and masc-identifying people and is often completely ignored. This National Men’s Health Week & Month and beyond, take time to check in on the men and masc-identifying folks in your life. Speak more openly about mental wellness and support folks. By sharing resources, educating, and encouraging spaces for men to be more open about their needs.
https://www.mhanational.org/infographic-mental-health-men
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mens-health.htm
https://www.instagram.com/menofmanual/?hl=en
Written by Alessandra Isabella on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Lube is one of those magical products that seems to improve everything it touches. Running into any discomfort or pain during sex? Throw some lube on there. Having trouble getting turned on, because of stress from work, mental health struggles or constant doomscrolling? Put down your phone and pick up some lube. Bored of masturbating in the same old ways? Add some lube — or try a different one. It’s like the hot sauce of sex in that way (although please don’t confuse one for the other).
Read more on MEL.
There’s a long-standing social consensus that incorrectly associates arousal with natural wetness that’s to blame for any stigma surrounding artificial lubricant, said Davis. “Someone can be super aroused yet on the dry side due to the menstrual cycle, overall hydration, their birth control method, stress, menopause, alcohol, and medications,” she said. “Partners can help by reaching for the lube first, [thereby] normalizing its use.”
Read more on Huff Post.
