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Pride Month is Over, but Being an Ally is Not

June has been dubbed “Pride Month,” to recognize the Stonewall riots in June of ’69 (read more about that here). Today Pride Month means a few things: often there are many pride parades happening across the world, a time to recognize the trials and tribulations that the LGBTQ+ community has been through and what they still are going through, a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals, and for many large corporations, it is a time to profit off of rainbow merchandise. However, with all this being said, being an ally is not limited to only June. Here are just a few ways you can continue to be an ally throughout the year…..

  1. Respect pronouns and names
    • In English grammar a pronoun is a word we use when talking about a person, rather than their name, “she,” “her,” “they,” “he,” etc. In the course of a person’s life, sometimes the pronouns they prefer change. This is completely normal. Who we are from the time we are born to when we die does not stay the same, so it is understandable that our gender expression may change too. Whatever pronoun someone tells you they use, do your best to respect them and use this pronoun. If someone changes their name, use this name.
  2. If you don’t understand, do research
    • It can get quite exhausting for an LGBTQ+ person to constantly explain what certain things mean. They had to learn for themselves, so you can too! Google is your best friend. Though take what you read from the internet with a grain of salt. Try to get information from multiple reliable sources. If you gain knowledge on your own, the LGBTQ+ people in your life will likely be more willing and ready to have conversations with you on the topic you’re confused about.
  3. Their relationships are just as valid as yours
    • LGBTQ+ relationships are totally valid and meaningful, just like any other relationships out there. Love doesn’t care about societal norms or who you’re attracted to. It’s all about that deep connection, shared experiences, and supporting each other through thick and thin. When we recognize the validity of LGBTQ+ relationships, we’re promoting equality and inclusivity. Let’s celebrate love in all its beautiful forms, standing with those who choose to love whoever makes their heart happy.
  4. Support your local queer businesses
    • Supporting queer and trans businesses is super important for creating an inclusive society. It’s all about giving opportunities to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, providing safe spaces, and shaking up the status quo. When we get behind these businesses, we’re not only empowering marginalized communities, but we’re also sending a loud and clear message of acceptance and embracing diversity. So, let’s actively show our support and invest in queer and trans businesses to shape a better future for everyone.
  5. Treat LGBTQ+ people as you would anyone else, they are human beings and deserve love, respect, and kindness just like anyone

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To cut or not to cut. Circumcision debates continue.

Circumcision can be a hotly debated topic among parents and healthcare professionals alike. As a sex therapist, I have seen firsthand how a lack of proper circumcised care can cause issues such as difficulty retracting a foreskin, infection, or even tightness that requires a more serious surgery post-puberty, when a person had to opt for an adult circumcision rather than an infant one.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to circumcision. Although the current research may lean in favor of circumcision one year, it’s a personal preference that’s best left up to the individual and their parent or guardian. It’s important to consider both the pros and cons of either decision before arriving at a final choice.

When it comes to sexual health, it’s essential for individuals of every gender and sexual orientation to understand and appreciate the diversity of body types. Due to the visual appearance, some uncircumcised individuals may struggle with self-confidence but it’s important to note that making changes to the body is a personal decision, and one shouldn’t feel the need to conform to what others might suggest or believe.

Ultimately, each individual is unique and should determine their own circumcision path depending on their own convictions and health needs. If you are still unsure regarding your decision, consider consulting a healthcare professional or sex therapist who can provide reliable information and supportive advice.


Pros:

  • Reduced risk of urinary tract infections.
  • Reduced risk of baby boys getting a fistula.
  • Decrease in the risk of contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and penile cancer.
  • Easier genital hygiene.

Cons:

  • Risk of infection and bleeding.
  • Risk of accidental damage to the penis.
  • Risk of pain, both during and after the procedure.
  • Possibility of impacts on sexual pleasure or different types of body image anxiety.
  • Potential for conflicting religious/cultural beliefs and possible discrimination as a result.

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It's another reason to eat oysters…. Seafood-rich diet may help couples get pregnant faster

The sex mineral for men that helps improve erection and sexual functioning is zinc. Zinc for your dink. Oysters and other seafoods are loaded with it. Magnesium is the sex mineral for women. Seafood is a great source of that as well. Now a new study out of Washington says that “seafood consumption improved sexual activity frequency, reduced time to conception”.
So if you are trying to get knocked up the fishmonger may help.
“Couples who eat more seafood tend to have sexual intercourse more often and get pregnant faster than other couples trying to conceive, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Seafood is an important source of protein and other nutrients for women who are or may become pregnant, but concerns about mercury have led some women to avoid fish when trying to conceive. According to the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, 90 percent of the fish eaten in the United States is low in mercury and safe to eat. Although the agencies recommend two to three servings of lower-mercury fish per week, 50 percent of pregnant women still eat far less than the recommended amount.
“Our study suggests seafood can have many reproductive benefits, including shorter time to pregnancy and more frequent sexual activity,” said one of the study’s authors, Audrey Gaskins, Sc.D., of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Mass. “Our study found that couples who consume more than two servings of seafood per week while trying to get pregnant, had a significantly higher frequency of sexual intercourse and shorter time to pregnancy.”
In the prospective cohort study, researchers from Harvard followed 500 Michigan and Texas couples from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study for one year to determine the relationship between seafood intake and time to pregnancy. Participants recorded their seafood intake and sexual activity in daily journals.
The researchers found that 92 percent of couples who ate seafood more than twice a week were pregnant at the end of one year, compared to 79 percent among couples consuming less seafood. The association between seafood and faster time to pregnancy was not completely explained by more frequent sexual activity, suggesting other biological factors were at play. These could include effects on semen quality, ovulation or embryo quality, Gaskins said.
“Our results stress the importance of not only female, but also male diet on time to pregnancy and suggests that both partners should be incorporating more seafood into their diets for the maximum fertility benefit,” she said.”