I want to start by answering your question about whether it's normal or common for bisexual people to doubt their orientation, because it's something I've seen often, both in my experience as a volunteer here at Scarleteen and as a person with a lot of bisexual friends and acquaintances. I'm not...
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- Ida Kovčin
Ida Covcin talks about growing up in Poland and what that meant for her ideas about and experiences with sex and possible pregnancy, and participating in the powerful abortion bans that have taken place there over the last few years.
- Siân Jones
Hi there! It sounds like you're describing a build-up of smegma* - that's dead skin cells mixed with oils and fluids produced by your genitals. The good news is that this is totally normal! Vulvas and penises alike can produce it. Regular, gentle washing should be enough to manage it. The clitoral...
- Gabriel Leão
Sex educator and therapist Dr. Lexx Brown-James talks talks about her line of work, how Covid-19 is rampaging peoples’ emotions, and how the work of POC sex educators continues to be devalued, stolen and co-opted.
- Siân Jones
Hi Parvati, It's great to hear that you're trying to be a good ally, and doing some of the self-examination and learning that comes with that! Since you helpfully broke your question down into three parts, I'll go through them one by one. 1. Is gender really only a social construct? The short answer...
- Siân Jones
Hi Susan, It sounds like you have two separate things going on here. We can break it down into smaller pieces and talk about them individually. 1. Your friend likes you, but you don't like him like that. The most immediate thing is that your best friend has expressed a romantic interest in you...
- Ruby Seago
- Sam Wall
- Heather Corinna
It really sucks that during something that can make us feel lonelier than ever, the most dangerous thing is being close to other people. It is still safest to limit our up-close-and-personal contact, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still safely seek out and experience intimacy with new people, nor that there aren’t things you can do to make it safer if you do decide to get physically close to someone. Here are some basics to get you started.
- Tasha Fierce
We've got a million reasons to be in the streets. But not everyone is okay with — or even able to engage in — active protest right now. But because of COVID-19, many people, especially sick and disabled folks, may be hesitant to bring their bodies together as a show of force. Here's how to make in-person protest safer and how to pitch in from your living room or bed instead.
- Gabriel Leão
Machismo is an expression of exacerbated masculinity that has caused lingering pain and trauma to generations of Latinx people. Many young people are still struggling with it today.
- Sara Brezinski
Are people experiencing the “quarantine hornies,” or is sex entirely off the menu? The answer is yes; both; all the above. Here's some help for dealing with changes in libido and sexuality, how you express them, and sexual safety for right now.
- Lisa Laman
You can read a book. You can read a map. But reading people, that’s difficult in any situation. Reading people to figure out if they’re actually into you romantically or sexually is even more difficult. Lisa Laman is here to give fellow autistic readers a little help.
- Heather Corinna
Hi there, Lilly. I think I can help you with this. First, I want to assuage some of your fears. Just because your young siblings are having a hard time understanding this doesn’t mean the whole of the LGBTQ+ community does or will. For sure, biphobia is, unfortunately, still alive and well in plenty...
- Heather Corinna
Hey there, lost. I'm so sorry that you had to experience that abuse, but I'm very glad you survived it, and have started to be able to look towards healthy, wanted intimacy in your future. Let's see if I can help get you started. First, I want to alleviate a fear that could get in your way. You don...
- Sam Wall
I wish I could find out who is spreading the idea that thinking about sex often, masturbating fruequently, or using sexual media indicates someone is on a path towards "sex addiction." You're far from the first person to ask about it in our direct services. I'd like to have some harsh words with...
- Ellen Friedrichs
If you are a teen or young adult who lives at home during COVID-19, and are dating or sexually active with a partner, navigating this part of your life -- with your partner, with parents or guardians -- is complicated. A lot of households and families are having to negotiate what the new dating normal looks like. Here are some ideas to help make those discussions smoother.
An organization that uses technology to facilitate the safe navigation of people fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes a database to help people locate local, safe, and vetted resources.
- Jacob Mirzaian
Sorry-not-sorry, but this sucks! I know it and you know it; maybe it'd be best if we let it show.
- Alice Draper
For as long as I can remember, I have worked on cultivating strong and meaningful friendships. It’s through these friendships that I have discovered what I hope to get out of romantic relationships. My friendships teach me the importance of trust, communication, and commitment.
A resource dedicated to connecting rural LGBTQ people to build community, visibility, knowledge, and power. They offer a mutal aid network and funds for those living in the Northeastern United States, remote support groups (including yoga and crafting), and a phone tree.
A TBuddy™ is the friend and support system that every trans masculine person needs! Whether you are having an amazing day, or you're feeling down, your TBuddy™ will be there for you. TBuddy sessions are conducted by text, phone call, Skype and in-person. Sessions are 100% free and we can be reached...
- Hannah Malina
Sex positivity should have given me the courage to ask for what I wanted. Instead, I thought it meant accepting what I got.
- Lane Lewis
Thinking about trying low-dose testosterone therapy? Lane Lewis gives you the scoop on what that means, some options, making the decision, and working through your feelings throughout.
- Mo Ranyart
First off, I'm so glad that your family has shown you so much support. Everyone deserves to have loving support from friends and family if and when they choose to come out to them, and it's great that your family's standing behind you right now. Their acceptance and support of your bisexuality is a...
- Jamie J. LeClaire
When it comes to sex and dating beyond the binary, not only are we given no blueprint, no representation, and no guide whatsoever, but we’re also working against the heteronormative messages we’ve all been indoctrinated with by media and culture from birth. Here are five ways I’ve learned to safely and creatively navigate dating spaces as a nonbinary person.
- Gabriel Leão
"Those of us that identify within the QTBIPOC community cannot take off our skin the same way we cannot remove our gender and/or our sexuality. We have to continue to have conversations about all of the disparities that are going on. There is not just one way we are affected."