Gender
Sexuality: WTF Is It, Anyway?
The term "sexuality" can be used a lot like the word "sex." They're both terms we say and hear a lot, but which often aren't clearly defined. We take for granted everyone knows what sexuality means, a heck of an assumption to make with something that covers so many important things and can feel as murky as Lake Erie. So: what's it all about?
Driver's Ed for the Sexual Superhighway: Navigating Consent
As it is on the road, being attentive to and giving clear signs and signals is a big deal between the sheets. If consenting feels complicated or confusing, here's a guide to clear it up.
With Pleasure: A View of Whole Sexual Anatomy for Every Body
Usually sexual anatomy is taught through the lens of reproduction, so it’s only about penises and vaginas, testes and uteri. Seen through the lens of of pleasure, sexual anatomy looks different.
Innies & Outies: The Penis, Testes and More
There's a whole lot more to this anatomy than meets the eye. Sure, you may know where the penis is... but what about the rest of it? This simple guide walks you through the external and internal reproductive and urinary anatomy for most penis-bearing folks.
Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus and More
A lot of questions about how to have intercourse, how to masturbate, and worries about what's all going on down there can be solved by simply getting to know your own body. In fact, I'd gander to say that before you let anyone else get to know it, you'd best know it yourself as well as you know your own face.
Machismo: How Toxic Masculinity Harms Latinx People - an interview with Laura Carlsen
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.
The Lowdown on Low-Dose Testosterone
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.
We Are Currently Living in an Active Trauma State: An Interview With Jimanekia Eborn
"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."
A Series of Letters I Wish I Could Send to My Younger Queer Self
Letters from the author to himself in his teens and early 20s, as he tries to sort out multiple facets of his identity.
Staying Seen: Being Bi in Relationships with Straight People
When you identify as queer but enter into relationships with heterosexual people, or those with of a different gender to your own, it can feel odd to consolidate these two parts of your identity. You’re not straight, but society can perceive you that way – where do you fit in, exactly?
How to Celebrate Pride From Home (even if you can't be out)
Social distancing has introduced new challenges into Pride month. Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely at home, including what to do if it's not safe for you to be out yet.
Hookup Culture and the Impact of COVID-19: An interview with Lisa Wade, PhD
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many higher learning students are having to put their sexual lives on hold. To talk about casual sex in college life and the effects COVID-19 might be having on it, Scarleteen spoke with sociologist Lisa Wade, PhD, visiting scholar at Tulane University and author of the groundbreaking "American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex On Campus."
This Isn’t Going to Be Your Forever
Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, in many households, the strains of closed schools, lost jobs, health issues, and close quarters mean that tensions are high, tempers are short, and privacy has become a luxury. If you’re a young queer person who is now isolated with trans- or homophobic family members, you probably know that better than anyone. Here are a few ideas to help you stay as physically and emotionally safe as possible during these difficult days.
A Matter of Foreign Policy and Human Rights: How the Global Gag Rule Invades Kenyan Women, Bodies and Families
Reproductive health nurse and former Kibera clinic director for Family Health Options, Melvine Ouyo from Kenya recently visited the American Congress to advocate against the Global Gag Rule and talked with us at Scarleteen about how this foreign policy affects Kenyans and controls and overrules women, girls and others with a uterine system.
Ethical Horniness, Or How To Find A Partner In An Enthusiastic Consent World
The news is full of the wrong ways to try to have sex. Forever we’ve seen high profile men – almost always men – chasing people for sex, abusively. For the last few years, some high-profile men have been held at least a little accountable for it, which means it is not always swept under the rug anymore. But now that the abuse is more visible, if you stare into that abyss long enough, it might start to stare back at you. You could end up lying on your bed wondering if being a guy while being horny is somehow inherently tainted and gross. Most of us want to find someone or a few someones, for relationships or hookups, but right now, looking at some of that foulness, it might feel like trying to find a partner is a minefield of red flags because men’s sexuality is inextricably abusive.
It isn't.
Bienvenidx a la Escuela de Verano Trans
Experiencing a little gender confusion? We know the feeling. In Trans Summer School, we'll give you the big scoop about trans and otherwise gender nonconforming people, and answer your questions about the wide world of gender.
How to Reconnect With Your Body In Spite of the Impact of White Supremacy
We've all been influenced and impacted by white supremacy for longer than anyone alive can recall. Throughout history, white supremacy has idealized and normalized dominant identities and behaviors, and has shamed and oppressed those outside of them. Here's some ways this has manifested in our bodies and some ways you can start to dismantle that impact and reconnect.
Man to Man: On Sex, Masculinity, and Being Yourself
Gender norms are really hard, but are much easier to deal with when we learn we’re not alone. When we can talk openly about the pressures we’re feeling, and realize that those pressures don’t have to control their lives, we can start figuring out ways to resist them.
We Won't Let Anyone Slip Through the Holes in the Grates
A young writer powerfully talks about what it's felt like to experience some of the blatant and painful anti-trans bias and rights violations of the Trump administration.
Four Crucial Queer Survival Tips for 2019
As we approach this new annum and everything that lies in store, instead of thinking about the ephemera one could manifest into being, I want to ask how we create the space to make our queer love and joy stand out and shine.
Passing as What? All About Passing Privilege
What do trans people mean when they talk about "passing privilege"? And is it always a privilege?
Let's Talk About Girldick
If you or your partner is packing girldick, navigating your sexuality takes time, communication, and self-love.
The Search for Gender-Affirming Hygiene Products
Soap truly has no gender, but the personal care aisle can still be a scary place. Let us help you out!
Welcome to Trans Summer School!
Experiencing a little gender confusion? We know the feeling. In Trans Summer School, we'll give you the big scoop about trans and otherwise gender nonconforming people, and answer your questions about the wide world of gender.
Gender Confusion: Being Unsure Doesn't Have to Be a Bummer
Gender identity can be complicated, and often people who are questioning aren't comfortable in that space - but it's a totally valid place to be.