| |
| |
|
Sexuality Information.... from Heart-Links.com |
|
Mindfulness and Being Gay: On Sexuality and HappinessWhen I was growing up in the tiny town of Gaston, Oregon (population: 325), there was a week-long festival in the "big" town of Forest Grove six miles away. It was called the "Gay Nineties" and featured a parade with townspeople wearing clothing from the late 1800s. There was plenty of ice cream, a petting zoo, an imported carnival in the shopping center parking lot, and a dunking booth populated by local teachers and business owners. Back in the 70s, this was seen as the highlight of the year for kids in my town. Sure, we had the Gaston Good 'Ol Days parade, and we were guaranteed a spot by simply showing up with our favorite farm animal, but it was not nearly as elaborate as the Gay Nineties. After all, Forest Grove had over 10,000 people, so their events were much more exciting than ours. They had a marching band and a queen! I went out of state to attend college in 1978, traveled around the world during my senior year in 1982, and when I came back to Gaston for a visit after graduation, I wasn't too surprised to learn that the Gay Nineties had been discontinued. You see, "gay" was no longer a word that meant "happy"--it was a word that meant homosexual. Gay Nineties was no longer considered an appropriate name for a town's annual festival. I moved to Japan, met my wonderful husband-to-be, and after our wedding, we spent time in Palm Springs. My aunt Linda, a divorcee, lived in a charming cottage there and gave us the scoop on her new city. Unimpressed by the pool of eligible males, she told us that Palm Springs was referred to as the Gay Nineties--because all the men were either gay or in their nineties! In 1988, my half-brother Dennis, a brilliant ex-Foreign Service official and executive director of an international business council, called to tell me that he had been fired by the board for marching in Chicago's Gay Pride parade. An openly gay man, he was stunned that his good work could be viewed as less important than his expression of pride in his sexual identity. He moved to San Francisco, became a high school history teacher, and shortly thereafter, became ill. He was diagnosed with AIDS, and died within a year. During the 90s, my father--who announced he was homosexual back in 1964, his dumbfounded Mormon wife forced to pack up the three preschoolers to go live with her parents--would vent hostility at the mere mention of the word "gay." Never one to speak honestly about his own sexuality to his children despite the fact that it was stunningly obvious, he felt the word "gay" was somehow demoralizing. In 2003, my younger brother Lynn, who had struggled mightily since the age of three with depression and an overpowering sense that he was not who he was, took his own life. He had been in counseling to find the courage to explore and embrace the seemingly shameful but unshakable notion that he had been meant to live as a woman. It didn't take. I never miss the Gay Pride parade here in Portland. Every year, it's held on Father's Day. It is a joyful celebration of diversity and acceptance in all shapes, sizes, colors and preferences. I see a little bit of my loved ones there. It bears absolutely no resemblance to the Gay Nineties parade of my youth. There may be petting, but no farm animals. It is raucous, bawdy, bittersweet, and full of tremendous affection and humor. There are wild costumes and vivid colors accented by throbbing music and boisterous dancing. In short, it is gay--in every sense of the word. Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches creative and powerful eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Sexuality - Google News | | | | RELATED ARTICLES The Herbal Approach to Transgender Breast Enhancement Only you are able to decide which path is best for your needs, but do keep in mind that the herbal approach is safe to undertake and has many benefits. What are some of these benefits? The herbal approach uses the endocrine system of your own body to increase your breast size naturally and safely, adding size, firmness and fullness. Oral Sex Tips for Men Cunnilingus tips:Be cleanHave a shower or bath together first. This will help make things taste and smell better. Accepting and Embracing Your Sexual Self What are you hiding?C'mon?you know you're hiding something.Is it that you like anal sex??That you like to have sex with women and men alike?? That you are dominant??That you like to be tied-up?What is it? C'mon, you can tell me. Your Sexual Health is Super-Charged by the Natural Medicine of Humor Giovanni Casanova (1725-1798) was an Italian adventurer, writer, soldier, musician, spy, and diplomat. Those accomplishments, however, have been historically overshadowed by Casanova's reputation as a freewheeling sensualist. Carnal Attraction (Sexual Pleasure) Hottest topic of the world no adult likes to miss. Each one desires the glimpse of sex in any form openly or secretly. Masturbate and Feel Good "Masturbation .. What Is A Rabbit Vibrator? Why Are Rabbit Vibrators So Popular? A rabbit vibrator is essentially a regular vibrator with a whole bunch of extra features. The rabbit vibrator is designed especially for the needs of the woman. The Art of Foreplay You probably know that most women find foreplay a very important part of sex. What you may not know is that a study in 1976 found that when it came to foreplay most women liked the same thing. Gay Men and Women - How and When to Come Out? Worldwide, as we speak, men and women, young and old, are agonizing on their private secret: 'I'm gay, and I can't hide it anymore'. People who just want to live a life as a regular couple with someone of the same sex. The Real Cost of Premarital Sex How can something that feels so good be so wrong? Isn't being in a committed relationship the same thing as being married? Many teenagers are faced with these questions when it comes to making the decision whether or not to have sex. It's kinda hard to say no when you are in love, engaged, attracted to or committed to someone. Buddha Sex Top Questions of our Time Series: SexSlam bam thank you Ma'am or Mr.? That's some people's method and it works for those who mutually agree they want a quick fix. Sex or Gender Alan Pease, author of a book titled "Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps", believes that women are spatially-challenged compared to men. The British firm, Admiral Insurance, conducted a study of half a million claims. Natural Ways To Boost Your Sexual Power In Autumn If your sexual tempo is decreased after sunny summer days do not be anxious! This is totally normal. You will find a few recommendations and a special formula for men to overcome these hard days on the next lines. The Health Benefits of Sex Lose weight. Reduce stress. Little Hoochie Mammas Our young girls are dressing more and more like little whores than little girls. They are also learning very early in life that sex can get them the "bling bling" jeans and sneakers they want. Sex in History As we human beings have changed and evolved over our thousands of years of recorded history so have our attitudes and expressions of all things sexual. The only thing that hasn't changed much is society's desire to exercise a certain amount of control over an individual's sexual behavior. Mindfulness and Being Gay: On Sexuality and Happiness When I was growing up in the tiny town of Gaston, Oregon (population: 325), there was a week-long festival in the "big" town of Forest Grove six miles away.It was called the "Gay Nineties" and featured a parade with townspeople wearing clothing from the late 1800s. Legal Protection for Same-Sex Couples Has anyone considered a compromise solution to the issue of legalization of same-sex marriages?As an attorney who has spent years conducting research on the advantages and disadvantages of marriage vs. living together, my viewpoint is a legal one, unobscured by religious or moral questions. How To Use A Vibrating Egg or Bullet Vibrator - Why Are They So Good For My Sex Life? Vibrating eggs or bullets are clitoral stimulators, they are not meant to penetrate the vagina. Vibrating eggs and bullets are mini vibrators, usually about 2 inches long that vibrate and create a tantilizing feel from the high rate of vibration. Pleasing Her Many men worry about climaxing before their partner. Unlike a woman, when a man climaxes, he must stop. |
| home | site map | Heart-Links.com Site | Start Your Online Business for Just $8.95 |
| © 2006 |
