A shout out to my LJ friends...

Who may be making it over this way for the first time. *waves* Nice to see you! Take off your coat, have a seat and stick around for a while. It's usually quite cozy.

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #36 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

You can download the podcast HERE!

Today's podcast is a quickie.

It's a brief blurb about the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. I mention it's origins as a brain child of Dr. Annie Sprinkle that the Sex Workers Outreach Project ran with and turned into an international event.

I discuss my reasons for supporting this day, namely, the human right not to be hurt or killed while working just because someone does not approve of your line of work or thinks you aren't really human.

Please give it some thought and definitely give some thought to the many people who have been hurt or killed simply because they were (or were thought to be) sex workers.


Annie Sprinkle offers Ten Things You Can Do to Participate(from the SWOP Web site)

Absolutely EVERYONE is invited to participate. Here’s how.

1. Organize (or attend) a memorial in your town. Simply choose a place and time to gather. Invite people to bring their stories, writings, thoughts, related news items, poems, lists of victims, performances, and memories. Take turns sharing.

2. Hold (or attend) a candlelight vigil in a public place.

3. Do something at home alone, which has personal meaning, such as a ritual memorial bath, or light a candle.

4. Call a friend and discuss the topic.

5. Send a donation to a group that helps sex workers stay safer. For example, some teach self-defense or host web sites that caution workers about bad Johns.

6. Go to the Sex Worker Outreach Project’s, www.swop-usa.org, read it, and add something to the site. Do let others know about any planned Dec. 17 events by listing them on the SWOP web site.

7. Spread the word about the Day to End Violence Towards Sex Workers and the issues it raises; or blog, email, call, send a press release, or forward this text to others.

8. Go to Washington DC. This December 17, 2008 there will be a National March for Sex Worker Rights. People will converge from all over to take a stand for justice and safety. Info at www.swop-usa.org

9. Organize a panel discussion about violence towards sex workers. Procure a community space and invite speakers like sex workers, police, and families of victims.

10. Create your own way to participate.


Intro and Outro music is Melody Gardot-Wicked Ride




Wanna talk to me outside of the podcast?

Email: postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PMSexgeek

My Space: http://www.myspace.com/postmodernsexgeek

RSS Feed URL: http://marieb.libsyn.com/rss

And I HALPED!

Leo mac.jpg
Originally uploaded by postmod_sexgeek

This is my cat, Leo attempting to help me scour the intarwebs for more fascinating sexgeek info.

Happy Human Rights Day from the Bush Administration

Final Regulations Changes to H-2A Guestworker Program Are Out

The long anticipated regulation changes to slash wages and reduce worker protections under the H-2A agricultural guestworker program are out. The changes, proposed by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were revealed on the DOL website late Monday evening but have not yet been officially published in the Federal Register. The changes are horrible. At a time when the jobless rate is at a 15 year high, they reduce obligations for growers to effectively recruit U.S. workers before applying to bring in guestworkers for these jobs. They lower the wage rates for all farmworkers by changing the program's wage formula and, in an industry known for labor abuses, they eliminate or reduce government oversight.

Isn't it lovely that the same year we elect our first African American President we also tell the people who harvest our food "Fuck you". * Found thanks to Nezua over at The Unapologetic Mexican. Technorati Tags: human rights, farmworkers, friends

Remember this day

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - Home

December 17th is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe. Originally thought of by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and started by the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington. International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers has empowered workers from over cities around the world to come together and organize against discrimination and remember victims of violence. During the week of December 17th, sex worker rights organizations will be staging actions and vigils to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers. The assault, battery, rape and murder of sex workers must end. Existing laws prevent sex workers from reporting violence. The stigma and discrimination that is perpetuated by the prohibitionist laws has made violence against us acceptable. Please join with sex workers around the world and stand against criminalization and violence committed against prostitutes.

Technorati Tags: sex workers, violence, women, human rights

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #345 Return of the Brain Dump!

For direct download of the show CLICK HERE!

Today's show is even more randomness from yours truly. Today I discuss:

• International Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  
• Day without a Gay
• Proposition 8 (personal disclosure)
• Sexism on Obama's staff? And sorry folks I got the blog wrong on this one in the podcast, it was actually Shakespeare Sister not Feministing, although they did give me the link to the actual post.
• Control of Women through threats of violation/violence (more personal disclosure)
• One more example of society and the media trying to control women: Amanda Palmer's Belly is Too Fat???
• The resulting Rebellyon takes off right here

And here is the infamous fat belly video, Leeds United. I don't know about you but I think Amanda looks pretty goddamned hot just as she is!




Wanna talk to me outside of this podcast?

Email: postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PMSexgeek
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/postmodernsexgeek
RSS Feed URL: http://marieb.libsyn.com/rss

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #34: Brain Dump!

Direct Download HERE!

Yes, I know it's been a while. For the sake of making sure you all don't forget about me, I am recording a nice, neurotic brain dump for your listening pleasure. Please don't hurt me! Well OK, you can hurt me but we have to negotiate the terms first. *wink*

The topics, in no particular order:

• The Game, found thanks to Benchilada
• Knock out boobs in Uganda
• My Amazon Wishlist and their cool new Universal Wishlist Button
• YAY FOR PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA!!!!!!!!
• The Eye-Fi: a Wi-Fi SD Card for your camera!
• Porn Hub: Because you can never have too much free pr0n
• Find me on Flickr
• Discussions about Polyamory and other non-traditional relationship configurations

Email: postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PMSexgeek
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/postmodernsexgeek
RSS Feed URL: http://marieb.libsyn.com/rss


Intro and Outro music is Disturbia by Rihanna

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #33: What happens when you Google "sex and politics"?

Direct Download of the podcast: CLICK HERE!


So in an attempt to have some red meat for my podcast *nudge nudge* I googled "sex and politics" and here is what I found:

• Sexy Politics: Learn more about the issues and see nearly nakie people!


• Votergasm: Have sex for the cause!

I also rant about Sarah Palin, who has a very special place in hell waiting for her.

Wanna talk to me outside of the podcast?

Email: postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PMSexgeek
My Space: http://www.myspace.com/postmodernsexgeek
RSS Feed URL: http://marieb.libsyn.com/rss

Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex Show #32: 3rd in the 7in7 Challenge!

Today's is a shorty! Sorry for missing a day, I've been feeling like death warmed over all week and finally started feeling human today. Yay!

Today I read a sexy, political flash fic piece done by erotica author and fellow podcaster and friend Nobilis.

Got comments? Suggestions? Complaints? Lemme hear them! postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com

Direct Download of the MP3: CLICK HERE!

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #31: 2nd Show in the 7 in 7 Challenge

Episode 2 in the Sex and Politics themed 7 in 7 challenge via the Freak Network. Today I discuss:

• More about the challenge


• Sex related reasons to vote including this Palin related issue about rape victims paying for their rape kits


• Corrections from yesterday's podcast regarding the case about sodomy in Texas and sextoys in Texas


• ZOMG! The Debate!


• VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!


• *nudge nudge wink wink* at Nobilis about his political erotic short

Need to contact me? Send me lists??? postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com

Direct download of the podcast is here!

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex #30: 7 in 7 Baby!

Yes! It's another episode of the Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex! Crazy Girl that I am, I'm participating in Pizzababe's 7 in 7 podcast week which means I will be trying to get 7 podcasts out each day for the next week. We shall see how well that works!

New disclaimer: If you're not 18, you might want to go visit Scarleteen.com since this podcast can be a bit...adult. ;)

I mention that I am currently working on getting Crista to co-host a few podcasts with me. *nudge nudge* We shall see how that goes.

I mention the insanity that is currently the US economy. Check here, here and here for more info.

I mention the current fight over a draft of an proposed HHS rule that clinics, hospitals etc may not refuse to hire someone who believes that contraception is abortion and that that person may refuse to provide services if it is against their beliefs.

I also mention Jose B's newest podcast on Babalu Bistro: Desi Arnaz vs. Elvis


And the rest is a bit of babble. It's a shorty but then, one can only record one's own voice for so long without going a bit crazy!

Intro and outro music is Filthy Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters. Enjoy!

Direct Download HERE!!!!

Daily Kos: Educating the GOP: A Photo History of Community Organizers

Daily Kos: Educating the GOP: A Photo History of Community Organizers

That these bastions of the GOP would denigrate the importance of community organizers on the same night their party nominates its first female vice presidential candidate shows an utter disrespect for the people of this country and a laughable ignorance of the power we wield. This is what community organizers do...



They change the world. Block by block, city by city, state by state, nation by nation...

So, GOP, meet community organizer Susan B. Anthony. She helped guarantee women's suffrage in the United States by giving public speeches and uniting with fellow advocates of change...

Meet community organizer Martin Luther King Jr. He helped end racial segregation and discrimination by inspiring a nation to come together and realize their dreams...

Meet community organizer Cesar Chavez. He helped farm workers secure labor rights and fair wages. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy called him "one of the heroic figures of our time." ...

And really, this helps point out the issue that the current GOP has with community organizers, they help the powerless, the poor, the dark skinned and disenfranchised stand up to the true elitists: the rich, straight, white men holding positions of power and that is an unforgivable gaffe. When you allow the people at the bottom to see the power they wield, understand what can happen when they unite and speak truth to power, they are no longer scared, they are no longer easily cowed and they are no longer easily controlled. They will hold you responsible for the crimes and injustices you have committed against them in your quest for ever more riches and power and you will be forced to answer to them. Perhaps that is why the GOP have trotted out this self loathing, well trained attack dog, AKA Sarah Palin. They're hoping all her barking will help keep people scared and easily swayed but as Obama said, there is something stirring in this country now and we, the people, will no longer be so easily led by the corrupt elitsts in power.

Texas Sexuality Education Law and Policy

SIECUS - Texas State Profile

Texas does not require sexuality education. However, Texas Education Code states that if a school district does teach sexuality education, HIV/AIDS prevention, or sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention education, then it must:

• present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior for unmarried persons of school age;
• devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;
• emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity, if used consistently and correctly, is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;
• direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS);
• teach contraception and condom use in terms of human use reality rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content;
• not distribute condoms in connection with instruction relating to human sexuality; and
• separate students according to sex for instructional purposes.

Sexuality education and STD/HIV-prevention education are also included in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education, which are written by the Texas Education Agency.

Sounds all lovey dovey and Christian like doesn't it? And yet when you look at the real life stats about teens and sex behavior, it's a lot scarier and messier:

The Status of Adolescent Sexual Health
During the last year, a series of data concerning the sexual health of adolescents has filled newspapers, startling the public as statistics reveal a quarter of female adolescents have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and for the first time in 15 years the teen birth rate is on the rise.
Also disturbing, the worst health outcomes are often segmented along racial, ethnic, and geographic lines, with minority communities and southern communities experiencing the highest rates of STDs and teenage birth. These communities, already made vulnerable by cultural and structural barriers, experience the worst sexual health outcomes.[2] By examining the major data released throughout the last year, this becomes more apparent.

This is why I am constantly bitching and moaning about this. We have spent millions of dollars on abstinence only funding and yet despite this, STDs/HIV prevalence and incidence are not improving and in fact are worse than we thought. And while I know some people might be tired of the whole "race issue" (because of course it isn't really an issue XD) I can't help but believe that a huge part of the problem is that people perceive that this is all a problem faced by poor, young, black/brown people and hence those in charge of funding decisions don't really give a damn. After all, if only we "hot blooded" types would learn to curb our sexuality like all those nice, Christian, white people do-*cough*Larry Craig Eliot Spitzer*cough*- then we wouldn't have these issues! *sigh* The major problem with all of this is tha tit has to do with sex and especially with the sexuality of young people and nothing freaks out Americans more than that combination of topics. As a whole, we are incapable of discussing and confronting issues related to sex without making all kinds of moral/religious/highly subjective judgments regarding "other people" and their sex lives. It is almost impossible to get implement sound, sane sensible health policy as a result and that means more STDs, more HIV, more teen pregnancies and all the ensuing complications which in the end, hit the most vulnerable among us the hardest: young people, poor people, people of color.

Wow, a voice of reason in the wilderness of sordid reporting

I had an exchange with someone on my Friends list about this recently. I agree with the author of this piece but my friend seemed to feel that a person's infidelity was relevant to their campaign. I continue to strongly disagree with that and I would be more than happy to see the media keep out of politicians' sex lives. Aside from it being none of our business or irrelevant, it's just not something I want to know. Seriously folks, who else felt they needed to bleach their brain after the details of Monica and Bill's escapades were released?

It’s high time to leave the sex out of politics

Basing your vote on a candidate’s sex life is a dicey proposition in any election. Not only because it’s hard to have knowledge about such things, but more important because it doesn’t seem to be a good indicator of a person’s performance as a public official. Many people voted for Bush in 2000 because of his pledge to "restore honor and dignity to the White House" after Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. So far, the Bush administration has been a grand success in this regard. Not even one hint of sexual indiscretion. Of course, the war in Iraq has lasted longer than World War II, we have the largest trade-deficit of all time, a budget surplus that was turned into the largest budget deficit of all time, a devalued currency, high unemployment, a housing and financial market meltdown and subsequent bailout, stagnant wages and record gas prices. You might lose your house, but at least you can be comforted in knowing that the prez is not fooling around with the interns.

Technorati Tags: politics, sex, scandal, ew

Violence against women: It's all in your head

No really. It is. We women are well known for making up such stuff and becoming drama/attention whores about it all.

Everyone knows it's all made up and that in reality we have nothing to fear. Right?

/sarcasm


I am constantly amazed how frequently people meet legitimate concerns women have for their well being with "OMG you're such a drama whore shut up!" as if somehow the numbers of rape, stalking, harassment and domestic violence are all made up. Even worse are the men who laugh at us for being such silly girls and then drag out the usual bullshit about how "men get raped too and you don't see me worrying about it so much!"

Uh huh. With the exception of prison, the numbers of male rape do not begin to compare with female rape victims. Add to that the fact that from the time we are old enough to understand danger, we women are taught that we are prey and that we must be careful lest something we do/wear/say causes some vicious animal of a man to attack us. A rather effective means of control, dontcha think?

This new attitude of "it's all in your head" is a new take on the whole issue. If we get assaulted, then it's our fault. If we express concern about assault, then we're being attention whores. It's a no win situation and the next person who tells me that having a forum of men saying that you should be raped and discussing how they have been keeping tabs on your whereabouts is no cause for worry shall be summarily kicked in the gonads.

Seriously folks, this is not rocket science. Stop being so goddamned disingenuous.

Late Night Food Therapy

Recipe: Gazpacho de Andalucia

gazpacho…a light tomato soup made simply with tomatoes, bread, olive oil, vinegar and garlic.

When it comes to late night/early morning food therapy, nothing beats Gazpacho de Andalucia. Here in Texas, it's tomato season so y'all need to try this recipe because OMG. It is DIVINE! Even at 2 AM when you are drunk on vodka and sleeping pills this stuff is like a bolt of lightning on the road to Damascus. And even better? It is so simple as to be ludicrous.

Trust me, it is so worth it. The utter fail of my day has been reversed by the luscious, tart, garlicky goodness that is this recipe.



Technorati Tags: recipes, tomatoes, gazpacho, food therapy

HIV PRevention Strategies: Pay attention to science

AIDS 2008 | Governments Overlook Behavior Change in HIV Strategies, Experts Say at AIDS Conference - Kaisernetwork.org

Jorge Saavedra, director of Mexico's HIV/AIDS program, said political leaders worldwide need to follow epidemiological and scientific evidence when planning HIV strategies

Imagine that. We should listen to the facts and the evidence in order to do prevention and not ideology and religion. What a novel concept.



Technorati Tags: hiv, aids, prevention

The Postmodern Geek's Guide to Sex Show #29: I'm BAAAACK!!!!

That's right sexgeeks! I'm back. Today's podcast is a random hodge podge of things and is basically just me coming back and saying hello and letting you know what's up in my world. Some of the things I discuss are:

• Why I've been gone so long and some changes I am planning to make


• The Presidential campaign (OBAMA 2008!)


• Paris Hilton Spanking McCain


• HIV Incidence is worse than the CDC thought


• 2008 Olympics


• Men pretending to be women in the Olympics? (I saw this first in VB's blog)


• Where to find me: My Blog, Twitter , email postmodern.sexgeek@gmail.com

Intro and Outro music is Temple of Love by Enigma




~*~*~*To download the podcast directly, click HERE~*~*~*

Men aren't from Mars?

Turn-ons, turn-offs, desire varies widely among men

Among the revelations from their focus groups in which men talked about what influenced their sexual desire and arousal: one man's turn-on is often another's turn-off; an erection doesn't always signal arousal; and not every guy wants to jump into bed at the drop of a hat.

OMG! You mean men aren't the Borg? They actually, like, you know, have individual preferences and stuff? What a novel concept...

Really, if you are someone who has sex/falls in love with men, I'd say this is hardly news despite all the (often sexist) jokes we may make to the contrary. And thank god for variety because that means there really is someone for everyone.

What I really loved was this:

And for many men, a self-confident partner was also more desirable than one who didn't feel good about herself. In addition to a nice body and a pretty face, many men found intelligence "really attractive" and "a big turn on."

Imagine that, a woman with confidence is sexy. Go figure. Now I've been as guilty as the next woman of having poor body image and feeling really ugly/fat/too old/etc. but even on those days, I know that this is a truth. Yes, guys (and girls) really do make passes at sexgeeks who wear glasses.

What I do think is interesting is that studies like this are done so rarely. I think our society does men a disservice by trying to paint them all with a broad brush when it comes to discussing men's sexuality. And this study was only done with predominantly white men who were all straight. Can you imagine the richness of variety they would find if they were studying men of all ethnicities and orientations?



Technorati Tags: men, sexuality, kinsey, arousal, turn-ons

U.S. Study Says H.I.V. Infection Is 40% Higher Than Estimated

U.S. Study Says H.I.V. Infection Is 40% Higher Than Estimated - NYTimes.com

MEXICO CITY — The United States has significantly underreported the number of new H.I.V. infections occurring nationally each year, with a study released here on Saturday showing that the annual infection rate is 40 percent higher than previously estimated.

And yet the president has asked for a cut in HIV prevention funding for the US. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

And a point of clarification: This isn't info from a study. It's information from a new form of HIV surveillance that is now a permanent part of our stat gathering here in the US.



Technorati Tags: hiv, aids, incidence, US