Artist Maritza Lugo worked with sex education speaker/author Danielle Sepulveresto bring attention to January as Cervical Cancer Awareness month. The resulting illustrations are beautiful, thought-provoking, and impactful. The headlines below show how the art and message have gone viral on a global … Continue reading Disney Princesses of Planned Parenthood
I’ve noticed a somewhat disturbing trend in pop culture recently, wherein people suggest using two condoms at once (“double bagging”) for double the condom efficacy. Except that actually equals less protection, not more. Edited to add: Molly: Are you gonna … Continue reading Please Take Note: 2 Condoms = LESS PROTECTION (V. Imp!)
And so do a whole lot of other women. It’s hard for one little blog to make an impact, but I’m trying to do my part by sharing my story. Birth Control is NOT exclusively used for preventing pregnancy. It … Continue reading I Need Affordable Birth Control for LEGITIMATE, MEDICAL Reasons
Why do you need a compilation of the best TV coming out scenes? Maybe you have a kid, and you suspect that they might be gay. Or maybe your kid just came out, and you responded in fear, or anger, or disbelief. Maybe they came out years ago, and things have never been quite right between you since then. Regardless, you still have time to handle this situation in a loving, mature way.
It might feel awkward or confusing or overwhelming, but I’m going to help with some coming out scene examples from TV. You can read the quotes here, or Netflix/DVR/etc these episodes to see how it all plays out. Either way will hopefully give you some sample scripts to reference for your own conversation.
The parents from these shows didn’t all have perfect reactions to their kids coming out of the closet. Some of them reacted quite poorly, but made efforts to mend the relationship later. So it really isn’t too late – your child will appreciate that you’re trying to connect with them, even if it’s been a long time coming.
Glee – season 1, episode 4 “Preggers”
This is probably the very best coming out scene that I’ve ever viewed on TV. I put it first because Kurt’s dad isn’t 100% comfortable with the idea just yet, but he’s doing everything he can to let Kurt know that he loves him. I think some parents are worried that they’re expected to immediately become card-carrying members of PFLAG, marching in parades and putting up rainbow stickers. Your kid isn’t expecting all that, and especially not right away. They just want to know that you still love them and accept them, even if you don’t understand.
Kurt: Dad…I have something that I want to say. I’m glad that you’re proud of me, but I don’t want to lie anymore. Being a part of the Glee Club and football has really showed me that I can be anything. And what I am…is….I’m gay.
Burt: I know.
Kurt: Really?
Burt: I’ve known since you were 3. All you wanted for your birthday was a pair of sensible heels. I guess I’m not totally in love with the idea, but, if that’s who you are, there’s nothing I can do about it. And I love you just as much – ok? Continue reading “Best TV Coming Out Scenes”
I’ve been on a mission to determine if MTV is promoting condom use, safe sex, etc, and if not – why? I truly don’t understand. For further info, see my prior articles: “Does MTV Provide Condoms For Reality Show Castmates?” and “Update on MTV’s Real World Condom/STD/Pregnancy Contract Stipulations!“
This article on the MMAFA (Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association) blog caught my eye, though it doesn’t offer an explanation. It just seems to be further proof of MTV’s reluctance to associate with condoms, despite their seemingly comfortable association with promiscuity. The article, titled “Kicking vice: Bellator prohibits sponsorships from poker sites and Condom Depot“, delved further into the matter. I am not at all familiar with the world of televised fighting championships, but I definitely agree with the points made:
Bellator Fighting Championship enjoyed considerable coverage when they announced the move to MTV2 from their previous home of Fox Sports Network. The announcement was received with questions ranging from differences in average viewership between the networks to which day the events would be broadcast. Left out of the conversation was the change in sponsorship opportunities for Bellator’s fighters.
MMAFA.tv has learned from sources close to Bellator Fighting Championship that the promotion is no longer allowing its fighters to receive sponsorship from poker sites and Condom Depot. Sources indicated that the move was requested, if not necessitated, by the MTV2 network in an effort to keep their station more suitable for teenagers and young adults.
Some agents and managers find the move to be hypocritical given the age demographic and other offerings on the MTV network. One agent said:
“[Bellator] says that it’s because MTV2 isn’t an acceptable audience for either sponsor. But look at the demographic they pull: males 19 – 35. So I don’t believe a word of it, because the majority of the people in that demographic are legally capable of gambling. What about Condom Depot? I mean, have you seen some of the stuff that’s on MTV2? Have they ever seen Skin (sic – show is called Skins), that show they have where underage kids are having sex with each other?”
In my earlier articles, I did look into how LifeStyles condoms offered to sponsor Skins after many advertisers cut their association with the risqué show. TMZ said that a rep for LifeStyles told them:
We are considering advertising during ‘Skins’, as it provides the opportunity to impart a responsible message about safe sex to an audience who clearly needs to understand the implications of their actions. (Condom Company: ‘Skins” Needs Our Protection!, TMZ.com)
Click “read more” at right to read more! Continue reading “Does MTV Object to Condom Sponsorship?”
In June, I wrote an article called “Does MTV Provide Condoms for Reality Show Castmates“? I’m still curious as to the answer, but I’m not sure what else to do towards discovering the truth. Ultimately I would like some answers straight from MTV, but I don’t think I’m high enough on the blogging food chain for that! I have come across some new information, though, that has me even more intrigued…
Earlier this week, the Village Voice posted an article titled “We Have Obtained a Copy of MTV’s Standard Real World Cast-Mate Contract“. They posted the entire 30 page monstrosity, which, not surprisingly, basically asks participants to sign away every right they have. After reading the contract, and pondering the general nature of MTV, reality shows, advertising dollars, etc, I’m considering a disturbing conclusion: MTV wants participants to have unsafe sex. Or at least doesn’t mind, because it benefits their ratings.
As I write this I’m astounded by how naive it sounds to presume that they wouldn’t want the drama, and how conspiracy theorist it sounds to presume that they are hoping the cast members suffer the consequences of unprotected sex. I thought perhaps the reason was that MTV didn’t want to be liable for the efficacy of condoms that they provided, but details in the contract specifically eliminate that concern. So at this point it seems like…
Pregnancy scares are good for sucking in more viewers! STD symptoms make for great teaser previews of next week’s episode! The emotional ramifications of any cast member suffering the consequences of unsafe sex is generally dramatic, and therefore great television, hooray!
I’m not even arguing with all that – it is dramatic, intriguing television. But I promise it can still happen even if you provide them with condoms and encourage them to use protection. Condoms aren’t 100% effective, and people (especially drunk people) don’t always use them 100% correctly. Hell, at this point I would just be happy to see a Trojan commercial between breaks. If you can have castmates just “happen” to crave delicious Subway sandwiches, they can also “happen” to crave a ribbed for her pleasure before hopping into bed. Plus it’s not like these are emotional condoms, acting as a barrier to prevent promiscuity, hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and embarrassment. All of those things (the basic tenets of reality TV, perhaps?) are still available in abundance!
Click “read more” at right to see direct quotes from the contract, and images of the actual document… Continue reading “Update on MTV’s Real World Condom/STD/Pregnancy Contract Stipulations!”
Does MTV provide condoms for reality show castmates? If so, why don’t they ever seem to get used? If no, why not??? Last night I watched the four billionth season of RW/RR Challenge, which is called The Challenge: Rivals this year. … Continue reading Does MTV Provide Condoms for Reality Show Castmates?
First, the quote:
ELLE: If you walked into a woman’s house, what one item would convince you that you weren’t compatible?
W: If she had condoms in her house, that would just f-ckin’ throw me off. That’s just tacky.
Wait, what? I don’t even know where to begin with how all kinds of wrong he is. Continue reading “Will.i.am.NOT.a.fan”
