Sexuality: Can You See It?

Often enough, people become uncomfortable when confronted with the topic of human sexuality.  Until we get over this discomfort we’ll remain unable to intelligently and intentionally direct social and political policy. 

Sexual Futurist often meets people who think that the term “sexual” refers exclusively to “sex” as in “sexual intercourse.  But human sexuality is so ubiquitous that it might as well be in the air that we breathe.  Consider one day’s newspaper stories in what was clearly a very sexual day.  Not that US media is any more comfortable than the majority of us, but virtually every single news genre and every single page was sexual: business, science and health, crime, education, and yes, even the comics.

Just today, the funnies went for the most serious stuff (and were hysterically funny): Dilbert and Doonebury both address choice, the Personhood Initiatives promoted by opponents of terminating any pregnancy, and the US Republican drive to eliminate even birth control.  Dilbert’s Wally describes how, before he dies, he will place some of his skin cells in a Petri dish with enough nutrients that they will survive within a robot long after he dies.  Since “by law” some of his body will still function, his robot will enjoy the “full benefits of personhood.”  Best.  Satire. Ever.

Doonesbury’s crackerjack reporter Roland Hedley (at left) gets a shot at asking Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum (all in that order) how they would complete the sentence, “The problem with America today is we have too many….”  Their answers, in order, “Regulations.”  “Roads.”  And from Rick Santorum?  “Condoms.”

Yes there were the usual stories on sex crimes, including one of an avalanche of teachers having sex with students.  There was the health and science story: “Oral HPV clearly spread by sex.” An updated religion story that, for once, didn’t include Vatican cover-ups: “Religious employers must cover birth control says Obama Administration.“  And finally, a political story of sorts in that US Congressman Barney Frank is going to marry his partner Jim Ready.

Having a hard time thinking about how to begin a conversation about sex with your kids?  Go get a paper and read to them.  Then, come reason with us.

Tags: abortion, Dilbert, Doonesbury, gay marriage, gay rights, human sexual rights, human sexuality, Mitt Romney, Personhood Initiatives, reproductive rights, Republican Party, Rick Santorum, Roland Hedley, Ron Paul, sex and religion, sex crimes, sex education, sexual politics, talking to children about sex, Wally, women's rights

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