According to this recent study done by Dr. Nanette Gartrell and published in the Journal Of Pediatrics purports that children of lesbian parents are better behaved.

Now, one would think that they’d be fairly on par with straight parents, or single parents, but according to this research, using Child Behavior Checklist, and going on for [...]]]> Who’d have thunk?

According to this recent study done by Dr. Nanette Gartrell and published in the Journal Of Pediatrics purports that children of lesbian parents are better behaved.

Now, one would think that they’d be fairly on par with straight parents, or single parents, but according to this research, using Child Behavior Checklist, and going on for 25 years, the children of lesbian parents were better adapted, and behaved better than those of other oriented parents.

I wonder what this study would look like in another 25 years?  I mean, 25 years ago, how many lesbians were parenting, and how “unusual” was it for kids to grow up with two moms (or two dads)? As someone who is in her mid 20s, I remember that my private elementary/middle school was one of the few in my area that welcomed LGBTQ families.  I wonder if lesbian parents were over-trying on their kids, encouraging model behavior even more, because of the immense scrutiny on them. Perhaps the study, redone with today’s parents, would show all kids to be more in the middle of the behvior. Or maybe there really is something to be said for lesbian parenting — who knows?

I can say that our cats, growing up with queer parents, are pretty much in the middle; sometimes, they’re little angels, and sometimes, the destroyers of cities (well, not that bad).

Thoughts?

-Shanna

This post, Lesbians Raise Better Behaved Kids, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on June 8, 2010.

I think that this study, and the hype around it, is dangerous itself.  I [...]]]> There is a new lube study out there, that the media has really picked up on.  According to it, and the media, water-based lube used during anal sex is dangerous, and IF one is to use lube at all, they should use silicone.

I think that this study, and the hype around it, is dangerous itself.  I see a backlash of people choosing to not use lube during anal, which is dangerous. I see people using silicone lube with silicone toys, not know that this is a bad plan. I see doctors telling patients not to use silicone toys because they aren’t silicone lube compatible. I see a lot of issues. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to post something about this.

In the mean time, Dr. Charlie Glickman recently wrote a great blog post about it this whole subject, and I really think you should read it until I’m ready to post about my thoughts. He has a lot of similar views as I do regarding this, and is an over all sex education rock star.

So for now, I believe that people should still use water-based and/or silicone-based lubes for anal sex, because there are better quality lubes out there than KY and Astroglide that weren’t done as part of the research. Because Maximus, and Sliquid Organics and other great lubes out there are still great lubes. Because not using lube during anal play can tear the anal tissue and increases the risk of infections and STI transmission in and of itself.

Is the research possibly valid? Yes. Does there need to be a LOT more research on this and the interpretation of what said research means before I think people should stop using water-based lubes before anal sex.

More to come (no pun intended)…

-Shanna

This post, What to do about LUBE, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on May 31, 2010.

As you may remember, I was working (and still am) on an anthology about sexuality and disability, tentatively titled Sexual Ability. I posted a Call for Submissions, I had people repost it, but got very few essays.

For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. Similar anthology calls were getting dozens [...]]]> Hey all!

As you may remember, I was working (and still am) on an anthology about sexuality and disability, tentatively titled Sexual Ability. I posted a Call for Submissions, I had people repost it, but got very few essays.

For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. Similar anthology calls were getting dozens if not more pieces submitted. I’d made sure to mirror mine in a very professional, academic way, covering many of the topics, and all of the requirements.

And a few months back, a message I got on FetLife answered my question. And I feel so stupid for having not realized this.

Because of the subject matter, I was screwing myself over. I wanted people who had disabilites to write about their struggles with them, and how it was sometimes difficult fitting sexuality into their lives…in an academic way, with lots of thoughts and edits and _____.

There are many problems with this. First of all, it was a classist call. Why? Because not everyone has the background and/or ability to write an academically styled essay. If you didn’t have the opportunity to go to college (none the less grad school), how would you even know where to get started?

And secondly, I’m asking people for who (in some case) they may get completely drained just getting to the kitchen to put forth a huge amount of thought and effort. How unfair is that?

So I re-examined, re-looked at my concept, and have decided to do a survey of people with disabilities and their partners, where they can just fill in a sheet of questions when they feel up to it, as much or as little in the way of answers as they’d like. And then I will put this information I gather in this informal qualitative survey and put it together into a book celebrating sexuality and dis/ability. Thank you to Tristan Taormino for her suggestions on survey length, approaching people, etc.

So without any more rigamorale, here is the Sexually Able Call for Participants. Please feel free to re-post anywhere and everywhere. I’d love to get not only a large number of responses, but also a very diverse one.

-Shanna

This post, Call for Participants: Sexually Able, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on May 9, 2010.

There is a call for submissions out now for an anthology on gender non-conformity, whatever that [...]]]> Are you gender non-conforming?  Perhaps you’re queer, trans, a genderfucker, a gender bender, a cross dresser, a drag king or queen, or someone else whose gender does not conform with that society says that it shoud.  Big group of people, right?

There is a call for submissions out now for an anthology on gender non-conformity, whatever that means to you, and how YOU identify.  They are looking for submissions from people of all different genders, orientations, ages, races, abilities, backgrounds, experiences and more, and would love to hear from you.

Want more info? Click here now, or read on for a longer 411.

Call for Submissions:

Working Title: Stalled
Editors: K. Bridgeman and A. Lee Crayton
Contact: stalled.the.book [at] gmail [dot] com
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2010

The range of gender non-conforming folks is broad. We are men, women, genderqueers, two-spirits, trans women/transwomen, trans men/transmen, intersex, bois, grrrls, butchs, faeries, FtMs, MtFs, tomboys, drag queens, transvestites, transexuals, queers, none or maybe all of the above?* In a society that preaches gender as rigid, fighting for gender self-determination can be challenging. For some the process is finite, traveling from point A to point B, while others wade continuously through the mire or transcend altogether. But despite the trajectory of our own personal journey, we all experience the polarizing demands of the binary.

One way these demands are evident is in sex-segregated spaces: changing stalls, detention centers, restrooms, group homes, homeless shelters, locker rooms, and security checkpoints.* These places can be hard to avoid, and interaction with them demands we make a choice about how we will present ourselves. With this anthology, we want to explore the sometimes difficult, layered, isolating, heart breaking, frightening, awkward, frustrating, challenging, funny, and/or queer experiences people are faced with in these settings. Stalled is a space for us to share our stories.

Gender-nonconforming individuals of all ages, published and unpublished, are encouraged to contribute to Stalled. We welcome submissions of all types: stories, poems, photos, art pieces; however you feel most comfortable expressing your personal experiences around sex-segregated spaces. Submissions should be non-fiction and based on actual experience. However, we respect the author’s prerogative to maintain characters’ anonymity.

*We recognize these descriptions are not exhaustive and are not intended to be restrictive. We encourage and hope to engage a broad range of experiences and identities.

Submission Instructions:
• Submissions should be sent via e-mail to stalled.the.book@gmail.com.
• Written submissions should be 1500 words or less, and submitted as a .doc or .docx file with pages numbered. Illustrations should be submitted in jpeg format.

• You may submit up to 2 different pieces of work.
• We welcome both published and unpublished authors; however, if the piece you’re submitting has been published, please note where and when.
• In your cover email, please include Author’s Name, Pen Name (if applicable), Title of Submission, email address, and a brief Bio (150 words or less).

Submissions will be accepted throughout the year. The final deadline is December 31, 2010 (11:59:59 pm EST). All submissions will be responded to by the end of April 2011. Early submissions are encouraged.

This post, Stalled – An Anthology on Gender Non-Conformity, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on March 28, 2010.

I [...]]]> Last week, Fox News 10 ran a story on Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder as part of a story on a drug trial in Phoenix that is looking to find a cure for lower sexual arousal in women.  They called Fascinations for some info, and were kind enough to let me speak as the Resident Sex Educator.

I was really impressed that they had such a sex positive spin on it, and let me talk about there is more than just sex to sexuality, but also connection, communication, intimacy, etc.

So good job Fox for putting on such an all inclusive and fairly sex positive segment, and for not cutting me to sound like an idiot. Color me impressed!

Click here to see the short video spot.

This post, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder Newspot on Fox, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on February 16, 2010.

-Shanna

Engaged volunteers needed!

I am looking for volunteers for a study of attitudes towards marriage and parenthood among engaged couples.  The study consists of a 25-30 minute online survey. To qualify [...]]]> This is not my research project, but I think it’s very important that they find participants. If interested, contact email is at the bottom of the page.

-Shanna

Engaged volunteers needed!

I am looking for volunteers for a study of attitudes towards marriage and parenthood among engaged couples.  The study consists of a 25-30 minute online survey. To qualify for the study, you must be 20-35 years old, live in the U.S., and plan to marry or have a commitment ceremony within the next 365 days. You and your romantic partner must not have children, and this must be the first marriage for both of you.

You can:

-Help a doctoral candidate;
-Increase the pool of scientific knowledge;
-Support research on marriage and families; and
-Spend some time thinking about your relationship!

I am working with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.  This study has been approved by the University of Virginia Institutional Review Board #2009025800.

If you and/or your romantic partner are interested in participating or want further information, please email me at survey.couples@gmail.com.  I will send you a link that you can use to access the study.

Thanks!

Cristina Reitz-Krueger
Doctoral Student
University of Virginia
(434) 243-8558
survey.couples@gmail.com

This post, Research Study for Same-Sex Engaged Couples, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed -- Sexuality Educator on January 23, 2010.