The Einstein of Sex

By: Sarah Solomon

The movie The Einstein of Sex takes place from the late 19^th century and early 20^th century, during the early stages of the Nazi reign in Europe. This biography documented the triumphs and tribulations of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, the “Einstein of Sex”.

The movie opens with Hirschfeld as a child, drawing pictures of animals having sexual intercourse and performing sexual acts on each other. Immediately, the viewer is made aware that Hirschfeld is no ordinary child. The film then progresses to depict Hirschfeld’s life from childhood until death. He attended medical school to become a doctor through the guidance of his family. His work was revolutionary.

Hirschfeld’s practice was both controversial and illegal. Paragraph 175, the law that made homosexual acts criminalized was enforced throughout his time of practice. Although Hirschfeld made great strides in its repeal, he never lived to see his hard work pay off.

This movie portrayed societal views of sexuality extremely well. The viewer truly got a sense of the severity of Paragraph 175. If caught performing an “unnatural” act, one’s life and career could be over. This in turn caused Hirschfeld to be cautious about his personal life. It seemed as if he was living a double life. When discussing his patients, he was completely open and in favor of homosexual rights, but in the privacy of his own home, he rarely indulged in sexual pleasure. And for good reason.

The Einstein of Sex concludes with the Nazis invading his home and practice and destroying everything. This movie conveys a lot about society as a whole. During the Nazi reign, people that were accused of being homosexual were either executed or sent away to concentration camps.

Although these actions seem utterly severe and harsh to us now, it is important to remember that these events occurred less one hundred years ago. There is a strong movement within the United States to “return to tradition”. The new members of Congress are instilling fear in the American people. Different is wrong. Normal is good.

Faster ,Fatter, Bigger, Cheaper.

Diana.

The documentary, Food, Inc. ripped the blankets off the big, messy, genetically modified bed of food that is served to America. The film did a great job in exposing the ugly truth that most of us are not fully aware of. I am much more aware of advertisements for produce now. The film pointed out that commercials and labels show us a beautiful, sunny farm with happy, fat cows grazing in the fields. This was hardly the picture Food, Inc exposes. What I did not know was that the American food supply is dominated by three to four companies such as Tyson or Swift.

The biggest one in the entire world is Tyson; they own everything about chicken, starting from the egg to slaughter. I am glad that I watched this film because it informed me about quite a bit. The birds are raised in half the time they normally would; it takes them seven weeks to grow. This rapid growth leads to abnormalities in the bones and organs because they cannot keep up with the weight of the meaty chicken bodies. The camera crew got a peek inside a chicken farm, where the dozens upon dozens of chickens are crammed in with hardly any ventilation. I’m sure the frenzy of that coop was nothing compared to the chicken houses owned by Tyson. Those chickens never saw the sunlight. This confused me greatly. Is this a policy because the workers did not want the public to view the living conditions of the chickens? Furthermore if people did take a little peak, it may hurt their revenue.

Revenue is what it all boils down to, or so it seems. The few corporations that dominate our food industry put small farmers out of work. The farmers that work for these companies are struggling to keep up; they have no say in the business and some are in thousands of dollars in debt. The head honchos don’t care much for the nation’s health because they spend their time caring for the health of their wallets. Corn is very cost-effective crop and is in the ingredients of almost anything. I had no idea it is the main component in batteries and diapers! That is wild! Corn is so far removed and basically an illusion of what it used to be. The cheap corn is like a super hero; farmers feed it to cows, fish and chicken, fattening them up which drives down the price of the meat.

All of this efficiency is leading to problems for the American population and hurting the livestock. If we fed our cows grass, which they should be eating, that will shed 80% of the E. Coli found in the meat. If the E. Coli was eliminated from the picture, then we would not have to cleanse the beef with ammonia. Brilliant idea! According to the film, 100% of our meat will be cleansed with ammonia. I don’t know about anyone else, but that scares the crap out of me. Instead of fixing this problem from the root cause, the corporations are slapping on another cheap, quick, toxic way to correct it.

Everything is skewed and pushes us to eat unhealthy, chain food. This is because the chips, fries, and burgers are heavily subsidized; they all come from the cash crops. The mass produced food is hurting our population, the animals and workers of the factories. 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will get diabetes. The workers or illegal immigrants are exploited in meat packing industry; with wages cut, they are made to produce faster and work in dangerous conditions.

This whole delicate system that we have going on seems like it is bound to tumble out of control. Although this film left me with tips on how break the system and stay healthy, I still feel that something has to give. My trust has also been affected very much; even when I read the ingredients and buy organic, I wonder if I am being lied to. It is hard for college students to eat organic or to buy produce from farmer’s markets. It is also hard for American families to eat the healthier, more expensive option while they can get quantity for a lot less money. 

"Practice Makes Orgasm"

This is Sophie.

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

As I began reading Susie Sexpert's Lesbian Sex World by Susie Bright, it occurred to me that I am unaware of much literature on female sexuality, especially a woman pleasing herself, and also especially lesbian pleasure and desire.  I suppose I have not put much thought into it because our culture seems to repress such sexuality, however it is really shameful that a lot of women do not even know where their G-spot is...we do not even know our own bodies...we are ashamed of knowing our bodies in a sexual manner.  In a culture that objectifies women to such a great extent, I wonder why female sexuality is taboo.

It her article, Bright appeals to lesbian women (and the greater female population) saying "For those who sealed their Pandora's playbox, or who never opened it to begin with, now is the time to redeem yourselves." (pg 18)  Bright's liberal and liberating recommendations for female sexuality remind me of The Vagina Monologues which encompasses various monologues with an overall theme of the vagina as a means of female empowerment.

One of the monologues that I was reminded of while reading Bright is entitled Reclaiming Cunt and is narrated by a woman who takes back the word cunt and emphasizes that it is in fact a lovely word despite its crude connotations that are typically associated with it.  I was reminded of this because of Bright's use of the word cunt in her article.  Bright uses the word nonchalantly claiming that "our cunts are strong individualists [and] you have a G-spot, but that may not be your cup of tea." (pg 22)  She emphasizes the importance of using a dildo, ourselves, and our partners to experience our sexual fantasies and desires.

A Trembling Identity

Diana.

The documentary, Trembling Before G-d exposes the inner thoughts and fears of a sexual minority practicing their religion of Judaism. The men and women the film interviews shares their stories of how they deal with being a homosexual and a follower of the Jewish faith.

But honestly, how does one reconcile two opposing forces like this? How does one include both aspects that make up who they are, in a coherent lifestyle? Many people from Orthodox families reject the member that is openly homosexual because it goes against what they are taught in their faith. This film shares the raw pain and conflict that has erupted in men and women’s lives.

 We are all such complicated creatures; people are a mishmash of endless characteristics, interests, desires, emotions and beliefs. The human experience is multidimensional so how can we expect people to be one or the other? Individuals take endless roles all at once; a person can be a mother, a sister, a daughter, a servant, a boss, a Jew, and a lesbian. The possibilities are infinite and individual identities are complex.

Religious beliefs don’t dictate what a person’s natural sexuality is and vice versa. Those are separate entities; however the rules of certain religions can inhibit the expression of an individual’s inner feelings. The rules that are dropped on a person can either make or break them. Some interviewees in the film kept their identity a secret where as others showed their face and spoke freely. I imagine that this is very liberating and comforting for a viewer who is going through a similar situation.

Although the men and women are under attack they become closer to their religion. This really resonates with me. The same this is evident with the individuals in the documentary A Jihad For Love. The intense conflicts they suffer through and alienation they feel, the majority of men and women still hold tight to Islam or Judaism. I think it shows a lot about them as believers and independent persons; they do not want to repress themselves any longer. Although the road is very tough, these people dispute the thousands year old tradition and they strive to make a life that includes everything that they believe in.

"What is Natural Cannot Be Immoral"

This is Jamie.

            The Einstein of Sex is a film about a German, gay, Jew living in 19^th Century Berlin.  He becomes a doctor who studies the science of sexuality and fights for Gay Rights.

            The first scene shows a young boy drawing sexual pictures of animals with crayons.  When the pictures are brought to his father’s attention, he is encouraged to look at the world however he should please and never to be ashamed.   With this boost of acceptance and encouragement he grows up to study, write and investigate sexuality in school and out. 

            As Magnus Hirschfeld sat through a lecture during his college career, he learned all of the physical properties a homosexual male might possess.  His professor brought a nude, blindfolded, gay man in front of the entire lecture hall, poking and pointing at him like a pet turtle in an elementary school show-and-tell.  He described Homosexuality as a disease that is either inherited or caused by “debauched living”.  Magnus wrote in his notes that it was all “RUBBISH!”  His frustration with the institution likely caused him to shift his scholarly focus on to something a bit larger than he had expected to take on.  He wanted to change his university and the whole world.

            Dr. Hirschfeld is credited with discovering Gay Rights.  After successfully achieving his educational goals, Magnus becomes a Doctor of Nervous Disorders, Psychological Complaints, and Natural Remedies. He founded the first gay political group or the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee and established the first medical practice for gays.  His failed attempt to repeal Paragraph 175, which would decriminalize homosexual acts, was only a minor setback for Dr. Hirschfeld.  The Commissioner of Police goes to a costume party for what seemed to be a community of LGBT friends.  He dresses up and dances with another man dressed as an Empress.  This was exciting because the manliest of men enjoyed his evening despite his apparent loathing for that particular community.

            As he grew older, the Doctor studied testicular surgery for men who wanted to be women.  He continued to share his sexual education with as many people over Germany as he could.  Without money people could be treated because the only thing he wanted was to help people.  He was however, a little pressed for cash and asked his Aunt for his deceased Uncle's inheritance money in advance.  Instead, she made the wise decision to give it all to the Zoo, for a new home for the rhinoceroses.  

              He continued to write books and cut off genitalia throughout his career.  He eventually formed the Institute of Sexual Science Public Library.  This film really captures the story of his struggle and success and explores the man who truly was the Einstein of Sex.  

BABELAND

Jennifer:

Photo courtesy of moonbattery.com

Clothing stores aren’t the only ones with great Thanksgiving weekend sales! While most people got up bright and early to wait on long, unpleasant lines in order to get the newest electronics at Best Buy, their second bra half off at Victoria’s Secret, or to get 40% off their purchase at Express, I thought it way more pleasurable to see what Babeland had to offer its loyal customers. As a first time customer, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. However, the store itself was just as done up with Christmas glitter as any other store. In fact, it was much more bright and sparkly than I would have imagined.

Upon entering, you are greeted with a small screen featuring their newest gadgets. It was quite entertaining to watch as the mysterious hands dressed in black gloves demonstrated how each toy could be used. After the brief introduction, I began my tour around the store. The possibilities were endless. On the right was their selection of vibrators. I was especially intrigued by the ones disguised as animals. Your guests wouldn’t even give that rubber ducky sitting on your bathroom shelf a second glance.  Although more obvious, they even displayed vibrators with attached rabbits for simultaneous internal and external stimulation.

I continued exploring, fascinated by the world of pleasure toys, and soon reached the dildo table. Look no further! Here is where the real deals are! Move over Victoria’s Secret! Dildo, harness, lube, and even a small vibrator made to insert into the harness—all for $80! Now, that’s a deal you can’t refuse!

Bound

By Melissa

If Corky(Gina Gershon) and Violet ( Jennifer Tilly) don't get your heart racing in the movie Bound then I don't know what will. The sex scenes in this movie really know how to keep you interested in the plot. It does not matter if you are straight or gay male or female, this movie will turn you on.

The story begins with Corky who is a handy-woman who has recently been released from jail. She begins some handy work for a man connected to the mob. Violet is a woman who is kept, in all sense of the term, by a man named Caesar ( Joe Pantoliano). She is unhappy staying with him and expresses her will to leave him.  They planned and successfully stole 2 million dollars from the mob together in this crime thriller.

Caesar doesn't even think of Corky as a potential threat to the relationship between him and his woman until it was too late. Corky stole Violets heart and formed a practically seamless plan with her to steal from the mob. There were so many twists and turns in this movie I almost didn't think they were going to get away with it. Caesar states that you can't trust the Gays, and in this case it was so true. They stole from right underneath his nose.

It is the classic bike, fem scenario. Corky is the macho type male in the relationship while Violet is the sensual seductive feminine aspect in the relationship. In all this was a thrilling movie that had a solid mobster plot with just enough sex to keep you on the edge of your seat. Violet seduces Corky and through doing so she seduces the audience into a classic tale of lovers triumph. They collected dirty money and drove  off into the sunset together.

MoSex

THE MUSEUM OF SEX!

By Melissa

Let me just start off by saying this is a wonderful museum. MoSex takes a closer look at all sex, human and animal alike. It addresses all from mainstream sexuality to the extremes of the sexual boundaries. When you walk into the museum entrance you are emerged in the gift shop. Here they sell sex toys, all types of books on sex, specialty condoms, and much more. Within the gift shop one may purchase tickets for the actual museum.

When you enter the museum you are greeted by at least 100 screens projecting images of porn throughout the ages. One may see the progression of the porn industry from light poor, to snuff films, all the way up to modern day sex films. The first room is dedicated to heterosexual porn wile the room next to it is dedicated to gay and lesbian porn.  Here you learn that the museum has three floors to it.

Upstairs you will lear about the history of the condoms. What they were are made up of in the past and what they are made up of now. You will also learn how they are tested for durability. Up here there is also art and fashion surrounding the use of  the condom.  A portion of the second floor is also used to address STD's and how they effect the human body.

The Third and final floor addresses the sexual behaviors of a variety of different types of animals. Not all animals are heterosexual by nature as you will learn on this floor. Animal sex rituals aren't that different from the rituals human beings place around sex. There are tapes of animals engaging in fornication plastered on the walls of this floor. It really makes you think.

For those interested a new cafe has opened in the basement of this museum. It is an aphrodisiac cafe called Oralfix.  Every elixir sold here is supposed to make the human consuming it have an increased sexual desire. I believe it worked on my friends and I. This is definitely a place worth stopping with a love interest.

When entering this museum you might not have the urge for sex but as my friends and I discovered, you will definitely have the urge after you exit this odd museum.

PUBLIC SEX

By Melissa

Is it an issue of moral purity? Sex that is. Is sex only right if there is a man and a woman in the missionary position? Why does society try to tell people who and what they are? Does pornography promote violence against women? These are all valid questions brought up within the introduction to Pat Califia's book Public Sex. 

Lesbians were denied a place in history because writers were ashamed to address the fact that they even existed. How can we acknowledge the trifles of a people if we can't even recognize their existence in our past. Women as a whole have always been considered "less than the male" half of our species in every way it counts. Women can resist male dominance and even the restrictions of heterosexuality without being lesbians.

Females have been killed, mutilated, imprisoned, and suffered hundreds of other penalties for searching sexual satisfaction with each other and denying man. Feminist have no write to dismiss any lesbianism as a tool used within patriarchy. Believe it or not all women, regardless of their sexual orientations, are fighting the same fight for sexual freedom and equality. Women's sexuality can only be addressed in terms of death and disease. Things must change. A new sexual revolution must begin on behalf of all women everywhere.

 "Drug abuse is a gay issue because drugs work even better than orgasms to ease the pain of being different." Powerful words that reflect a harsh reality. if gays are excepted as equals within our society, then they would not have to tern to other means to ease their pain. Drug abuse is societies problem for all people who feel as though they don't belong. Read about the issues. Get in the know. Take a stand and be the change we wish to see in the world.

Gotta Love Susie Sexpert

By Melissa

Lesbian advice columnist Susie Bright gives a lesbian perspective to sexual activities and sex toys. In her own way she empowers women to enjoy sexual satisfaction through any means necessary. This also  includes use of sex toys. She makes a few valid points on this issue stating that fucking knows no gender. It is true, no matter who or what you choose to have sex with, your are still having sex.

 Not only are her opinions on certain issues fun to read, but she also uses a lot of knowledge base to answer these questions to their fullest potential. Susie Sexpert fuses witty ideologies with cunning facts on sexuality to prove her point. One of her strongest theories states that women and men are more sexually similar in their biology that our culture implies. This is so true, we all have the natural urge to fuck, men are just allowed in our society to share that urge openly while women are forced into their ideal "virgin" like pure state.

"Our cunts are strong individualists." True words from a wise woman. Her articles have spread throughout the LGBTQ community and have been enjoyed by heterosexuals as well. Her advice is great for sexual issues but most of it can be applied to other parts of life. When responding to the vibrator addict ( a woman who is afraid she is addicted to her little friend) she states that we live in an addiction-prone culture. So it isn't surprising that a person could get "addicted" to their vibrator because we don't perform activities if we can't get hooked on them. This is BRILLIANT.

Go Susie Sexpert and continue to help the fight for sexuality for all free from guilt!

Religious Affiliation's Influence on Views Regarding Sexuality

By: Sarah Solomon

I have a strong affiliation with both religion and issues regarding sexuality. My religious denomination conveys a strong affiliation with views concerning homosexuality. Both my parents were raised in homes with polar opposite religious practices: my mom, Greek Orthodox and my dad Jewish. It was very important to my parents that my sister and I had some form of spiritual guidance throughout our youth. They decided to raise us under the Unitarian Universalist faith. It seemed to be the perfect fit for our family because it seemed to mesh with their political and moral beliefs. Being a Unitarian Universalist has undoubtedly had an effect on my views on sexuality. I was taught that acceptance was the norm and discrimination of any sort was not acceptable. My religious education classes conveyed the idea of universal rights for all. Being a Unitarian Universalist has brought to light things I would otherwise not be exposed to. In fifth grade, I had a religious education teacher that was a transgender. Because of my early exposure to things outside of society’s norm, I have acquired openness for all things “different.” It was comforting to have a group of friends with the same religious background as I did. The majority of my UU friend’s parents grew up with different religious backgrounds, much like my parents. I grew up in a town where the vast majority of the population is either Christian or Protestant. Being part of a religious denomination gives one purpose and it is easy to see how it would influence their moral views.

Strawberry Chocolate

By: Mary Beth & Professor Nerio

     Strawberry & Chocolate (1995), is a Cuban film that illustrates the blossoming friendship of two men during communist rule. Their friendship is unique because it is not meant to be a friendship at all. In fact, David, a young revolutionary, only pursues interest in a friendship with Diego, a gay man, to further investigate his subversive ideology. Under the rule of Cuban President, Fidel Castro, homosexuals had been sentenced to prison. Although some advancements had been made in regards to gay rights since, David still saw an opportunity to turn Diego into the government. Yet, after spending much time together, David is intrigued by Diego's way of thought and a genuine friendship is established. 

     The beginning of the film was a bit unexpected, considering it started off with a full-on porn scene between David's ex-girlfriend and another man. For the movie having been described as a comedy, this threw me off guard. Yet, in turn, became quite comical, as my father happened to be in the living room at the time. "You're watching this for school?!..." he asked. To which I explained, even though it may not be the most conventional education, it was not all about porn and polygamy, but rather, the ideology behind such things.
    Yet, after David's ex-girlfriend is considerably out of the picture, the true story begins. Moping alone at a cafe, Diego approaches David. He orders strawberry ice cream as opposed to chocolate, which makes David suspicious of Diego's masculinity. This suspicion is the result of cultural conditioning pertaining to gender roles and stereotypes. Why can't a straight man order pink ice cream? Is it because the color pink can only be associated strictly with the female gender? Either way, Diego does not fit the gender stereotype, and in fact, has no shame about his nonconformity at all. 

      Skeptical of Diego at first, David dismisses all of Diego's ideas as "wrong." One of the most interesting scenes, in my opinion, is when Diego explains how he became "a fag." David is completely caught off guard and visibly uncomfortable. David even tells Diego that "it must be his family's fault for not taking him to a doctor because his homosexuality is something absorbed in the glands." Yet, by the end of the movie his perspectives have changed. He becomes more comfortable with Diego and more open with ideas of homosexuality. Diego convinces him that it is a sexual behavior that has been normal since the beginning of time, and that society is the only thing keeping it from being considered normal today.
       One way that Diego exposes David to homosexuality is through the use of art. Diego owns many pieces of art, which are not supported by the Communist government in place. David is intrigued by the art and all that it symbolizes. The politics within the paintings and sculptures open his mind to what life could be like outside Communist rule.
       From my perspective, the relationship between David and Diego symbolizes the evolution of the gay movement. At first, there was very little acceptability of such behavior, yet, as time goes on, contemporary society has become more and more comfortable with the idea of homosexuality. They are challenging governmental conservatism on the issue, just as Diego sought to do, and most importantly, they are succeeding.

Shame

This is Charisse.

Last week in class, professor Nerio asked us about shame. As a country with deep protestant ties, the idea of shame is a familiar one. Even though society has become more and more tolerant of certain things, there is a deeply rooted set of values. There are things that are seen as proper behavior and things that are not. Some of my generation thinks nothing of premarital sex, of living with a partner before marriage, or of never getting married at all. However, there is still a feeling of rebellion associated with these behaviors.

I will not try to speak for others, but I would assume that I am not the only one that feels this way. I believe that people should be free to live their lives in whatever way pleases them. However, I constantly resist the urges that I have to do certain things. I have become quite adept at setting aside my Christian upbringing when it comes to judging others, but not when it comes to restricting myself. I always hesitate before reading curse words and a part of me is saddened by the fact that before I college, I never cursed and now I barely notice when expletives escape from my lips.

I did not drink alcohol before I turned 21 and even now, I hesitate to order a drink. When I do order one, I feel as if I am doing something rebellious, like I am taking part in something forbidden. I still have take solace in the fact that I have never been out to a club or been intoxicated. I hold onto these things as something that defines me. I do not know why these things are important to me, but I wonder how many other people feel this way.

Earlier this week, I visited the post secret website and I saw the following post card:

 

The girl who wrote this secret feels guilty about shaving certain areas of her body. I cannot imagine that someone explicitly told her that shaving her vaginal area was something bad, but it is the idea that she may be shaving for someone else that prompts her to feel this way. She felt the need to stress the fact that she is a virgin, even though the post card was sent anonymously. Even in her confession, she cannot escape the part of herself that feels guilty about her action.

We live in a society where sex sells, where chastity is very rarely discussed. Why is it that despite this, there are still people that feel guilt about certain sexual behaviors, about drinking practices, etc.?

This idea of shame is an important one. Perhaps we need to take a closer look at the lasting effects of a Protestant reign.

Angels in America - Freewrite

This is Charisse.

After watching, Angels in America, I decided to do a free write. This is what came of that:

Roy Cohn makes the claim that he is not a homosexual because homosexuals are men who do not have power. This made me think of the feminist claim that lesbian is a political statement that has little to do with who one does or does not sleep with. Sexuality is completely bound in politics. The sanction of certain sexual acts, the condemning of others, the ability for some to publicize their sexual desires and the reason that others keep them hidden. All of these things are dependent on politics.

In early Greek societies, the term homosexuality and pedophile did not exist. Older men had sex with boys and this was simply an accepted act. Time and government have put limits on people’s sexual activity. What has this done to the human psyche? Are these limitations harmful?

Freud made the claim that the more civilized we become, the more restricted we are. We lose our individuality and our ability to do what we please. The things which we desire, the things which bring us pleasure, are now subject to the approval of society. Not only must my partner be male, but my sexual behavior is confined to a few “okayed” acts. This is the price we pay for civilization, for order, for unity.

We live in a nation that is based on the idea of freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom of press. Freedom to assemble peaceably. America is a country where anyone can prosper. No matter your economic background, ethnicity, race, religion, etc. Everyone has the same opportunities to succeed in life. If I sound out of tune with reality, then I am talking to the right audience.

America is a country founded on the basis of giving certain freedoms to certain people. The words of the first amendment are simply that, words. They are words that must stand up to a system that first wrote them for white male property owners. They are words that have to push against the racism and sexism that this country has perpetuated from its conception. These mere words have to find a way to hold ground against a homophobic, anti-anyone not Christian, classist system.

Belize, a homosexual black character in Angels in America, says that, “The white cracker who wrote the national anthem knew what he was doing. He set the word 'free' to a note so high nobody can reach it. That was deliberate.”

He has a point. In a nation that is so based on freedom, we are severely restricted. This quote not only encompasses the themes of our class, but it also helps to answer the question of why we didn’t go as far as we could have.

Our education system is controlled by the same rules that our personal lives are. There are certain thing that are appropriate for classroom discussion and others that are not. I don’t think that anyone was watching our class, waiting to jump out if we mentioned something that was inappropriate. However, I believe that Foucault was on to something when he wrote about the Panopticon. I believe that we no longer need someone to watch us; we police ourselves.

We were not restricted by our teacher or prudish classmates, but I’m sure that someone simply felt that they could not be the first one to cross that line. Almost every time a question was asked, it was met with silence. Slowly, after some prodding, there would be some responses. Why was this? Was it the fear that we might labeled as “that” student if we were the first to bring up sexuality, drugs, and other taboo subjects? We signed up for a class designed to explore pleasure and desire and yet, we were afraid to do this.

We read peer reviewed, accepted academic texts on topics. We discussed them in a remote, unattached manner, and when something personal was shared, it was not usually about one of the more touchy subjects. There is a reason we were asked to write a post about our favorite food and not our secret sexual fetishes.

We live in a country that functions on the idea of restricted freedom. A major part of this class focused on pleasure and desire. Are we free to pursue the things that we desire, the things that give us pleasure? Is limited freedom really freedom?

Alcohol's Pleasure in Politics

Photo taken from wineaccess.ca
By: Chris Valletta

Often times in the United States, we have seen pleasure's impact on certain laws and legislations. Adam Housley of Fox News speaks about House Bill HR 5034 in his article "The Battle Over Booze." House Bill HR 5034, if passed, will give states more power in regulating direct shipping and control over alcohol. Those in support of this bill include large-scale alcohol wholesalers. The states believe they should be able to control their own boundaries regarding what comes in and out, while simultaneously taxing on what is being shipped into their boundaries. In addition, the large-scale wholesalers claim there is unfair competition since they are being taxed, but the consumers who are purchasing the product are not.

Cameron Hughes of Cameron Hughes Wines believes that "The bill that is proposed takes away consumer choice. It's an anti-choice amendment." This is an intriguing comment, for now the aspect of pleasure begins to shape in the political argument. Now Hughes points out freedom of choice regarding a substance that enhances one's pleasure. Alcohol has long been a desirable substance for its euphoric feeling after consumption, but at the same time it has been deadly for millions of Americans due to its abuse. Alcohol has been the chosen topic of discussion because of its pleasurable effects and no other reason. Because of its pleasurable effects, people desire it and crave it, which results in money for its producers.

The overarching theme, as in almost any case, is money. The bill would result in a tax for the consumers of the product and also give the government more control. This sounds unreasonable, but since the substance is alcohol, people's desire for it will overcome any additional money. For as we have seen in history, people will find a way to satisfy their desires. Another interesting thing to note with this bill is an example of government and society seeking to repress desires for something pleasurable. This bill only increases a negative stereotype for alcohol since it puts a restriction on it in almost a way to deter people from buying it. However, this is not a surprise since anything to do with pleasure is always going to have a negative stereotype tagged onto it's back.

Thanksgiving Pleasure



Photo taken from moneyning.com
By: Chris Valletta

Has anyone ever stopped and wondered why Thanksgiving is such a pleasurable day? Well I did that today, and I came up with a few things on my list that helps answer this question:

1. Spending time with friends and family.
2. Eating an insurmountable proportion of good food.
3. Football is on television all day and night.
4. Almost everyone is off from work and school.

These are the top four reasons that I could think of that give me pleasure on this holiday, and I would assume this follows suit for many others as well. Its interesting to actually sit down and think about the things you receieve pleasure from after experiencing it for so many years. It helps to see the bigger picture in life and the direction that you are heading in. At the same time however, circumstances change and people change, such as when we all age and grow older. Holidays in general used to mean so much more to me as a little kid, but nowadays with so much responsibility and things to do, I'm thinking ahead to what I have to accomplish before I get back onto campus this Sunday rather than sitting back without a care in this world.

The Lesbian Wall

Photo taken from topnews.in
By: Chris Valletta

In Pat Califia's book "Public Sex: The Culture of Radical Sex", she discusses breaking the boundaries of sexual discussion in her time. She describes this time as "fuming and fussing about sexual repression and censorship, bragging about my search for an ever more forbidden way to have an orgasm" (pg. 11). As one can deduce, Califia touches upon the repression of sex, illustrating an orgasm as an almost secretive desire. Califia identifies herself as a sex radical, where she is both defiant and deviant. She has understood that there is something that is not right about the way sex is talked about in our society. She also notes the fact that society seems to turn all sexual matters into an issue of morality.

Califia takes us through her initial stage of writing about lesbian sex. She was tired of what she heard and wanted to take a stand. She was tired of hearing that people like her did not exist; yet she had these very feelings that people condemned. In regards to pornography, people around the United States have condemned it. On the other hand, Califia see's pornography as a problem simply because there is not enough of it. In her writing, Califia focuses on lesbian sex as a way that two women could give pleasure to each other, rather than just another paradigm of a female relationship. Lesbians were not given their due in the public sphere, and it was time for someone to step up and show the world who they really were.

Califia describes here fellow lesbians as not wanting to be directed away from new ideas for sexual pleasures. Lesbians clearly want to explore their sexual options, trying to enhance their fun and to make it less scary for them. Another important fact Califia notes is that contrary to popular belief, no lesbians are all the same and there is no average lesbian. Most often the diverse community of lesbians is left out of the picture, due to the writers ashamed attitude of portraying these individuals in our society. This leaves us with no room for advancement and assimilation of lesbian culture into society as a whole.

Califia also looks to examine why sex is talked about in society with such secrecy and shamefulness. She compares sexual talk to almost that of speaking of a disease, such as cancer, where no one wants to acknowledge that fact. It is not an option in this society to even come close to celebrate the natural act of sex itself. In regards to homosexual activity, it is ironic that the pleasure of this cannot be spoken of, for it was this very pleasure that spread HIV to so many of its participants. These people don't even have a chance to describe anything good about this pleasure; rather they are forced to deal with the negative and deadly impact of HIV. As a result, Califia believes "this hypocrisy and prissiness robs the gay press of much of its old feistiness, earthiness, and power to rock the world" (pg. 21). This has kept gays down in society, but working together through adversity and breaking barriers one step at a time will eventually lead to its dismantle.

The most interesting part of Califia's book came with her analysis of the relationship between gays and drugs. These two entities actually go hand in hand, because drugs can help ease the pain of being different. Drugs, in fact may even help ease the pain of being different, even more than an orgasm. However, there has never been a gay civil-rights organization that has done anything for drug prevention. It seems as though we don't want to take responsibility for our own pleasures, as this illustrates, which appears to be a trend among all of our desires. The gay community is guilty of being queer as a result of our society and the propaganda that comes along with it, which in effect has kept a seemingly impenetrable barrier.

My Beautiful Laundrette

This is Sarah. I watched the movie The Beautiful Laundrette for class. This movie discussed social issues ranging from sexual orientation, race. gender, religion, social class, gender, and power. I was surprised at how radical this movie was because it was made in the 1980's, the decade of conservatism.

The Beautiful Laundrette took place in London, England in 1985. Johnny (Daniel Day Lewis) and Omar (Saeed Jaffrey) come from two completely different backgrounds. Johnny is an English hood rat and Omar comes from a successful Pakistani family. The two have a sexual relationship, but are forced to keep it a secret. Omar's family runs a laundromat in which they deal drugs. The laundromat is solely a cover up.

Johnny and Omar's relationship is a roller coaster throughout the movie. Social pressure is the thing that keeps them apart. Omar's Pakistani culture forces him to get married to a woman. Women in Pakistani culture are treated as inferior. Omar's father had a mistress and treated his wife like garbage. Johnny is never fully accepted by Omar's family.

The climax of the movie is when Omar's cousin runs over Johnny's old friend's foot. This action shows the power of social class in society and the status's it instills. Johnny's friends then went to the laundromat and beat up Omar's cousin. At that moment, money did not matter. Power meant nothing. The inferior group had the authority.

The Beautiful Laundrette also conveyed the social issue of immigration. The Pakistanis moved to England from their home country for better opportunities. Now, that the immigrants were making more money than the English, the issue of power came into question.

It is apparent that no matter what circumstance, there was always be a power struggle. This movie is a fantastic culmination of many social issues. Its message is strong: intolerance will only breed hate.

Let It All Hang Loose!

Photo taken from professionalmuscle.com
By: Chris Valletta

Sexpert Susie Bright let's it all hang loose in her take on the lesbian sex world through much of her own personal experience in "Susie Sexpert's Lesbian Sex World." For lesbians in the 1980s, it was hard to let loose and to fit in with straight women, especially when it came to talks about sex toys. However, Susie Bright neglects this fact and urges all women, including her fellow lesbians, to get out and use a vibrator! She wants them to let loose and to explore those secret desires that they have but are afraid to let it out in the open. Bright makes the argument that obviously, you do not need a vibrator to survive, but you also don't need to have fun to survive, or need incredible sensations to survive.

Bright's philosophy then follows that if one is not restricted in achieving fun and desires with no holds barred, then why not go ahead and explore? The survivalist view of life is one way to look at things, but Bright suggests everyone to concern themselves with "our wants, dreams, impulses, and most particularly, desires" (pg. 18). Why should there be any sort of repression? Why not achieve pleasure to the max while we are here on this earth? Nonetheless, Susie Bright has a compelling argument. There is no harm in giving things a shot and trying. While we are alive, we might as well try what we can and enjoy it while it lasts, rather than not acting and wondering what could have been for the rest of our lives.

As Bright goes into her discussion on dildo's, she reveals that this is an excellent tool for women to use to enhance their sex life. There should be no reason why women, in particular lesbians, should hide their curiosities or wants to use a dildo on themselves or with a partner. Simply put, the use of a dildo is penetration, and penetration involves both heterosexual and homosexual activities. Bright compares the use of a dildo to simple kissing, for this knows stricts no gender. The dildo is at the mercy of its user for only its own pleasurable needs. What could be better than that? Bright is so confident in the dildo's pleasurable effects that once a woman uses one, she predicts they will soon own a small collection.

In addition to the dildo, Bright also touches upon the anatomy of the vagina and where the pleasure stimulates from. Although all females have the same composition, every women differs in how they would prefer their clitoris to be handled in order to get them to achieve maximum pleasure. Also to enhance the pleasure, there needs to be an absence of fear and limits and there needs to be a willingness to completely give in to the desire that is touching upon the surface. As Bright illustrates her point, she states: "Sexual repression and lack of sensual feeling are what's epidemic and sick in our little world" (pg. 27). After all, with the opportunity for great desire and sensations, there is no down side to let it all hang loose!