Ever heard the one about how masturbation will make your palms hairy? Or how it's a surefire way to go blind? Let's debunk these myths and dive into the fascinating world of self-love, where pleasure meets science and fun meets truth. Did you know May is also Masturbation Month?! That's right, a whole month dedicated to exploring personal pleasure and getting in touch with your own sexual self-awareness. It's a topic that can sometimes make people feel a little shy or uncomfortable, but it's definitely worth discussing openly. Masturbation is a natural act that actually comes with a ton of be ..read more

Ugh, this whole process can be so confusing! I just need to know, what are the steps to become a sex therapist? You can relax, we are here to help walk you through this. So, you're thinking about becoming a sex therapist? That's awesome! Helping people navigate their sexual health and relationships is one of the most rewarding careers out there. But it's not just about handing out advice—you need the right education, experience, and certification. Let us guide you through the steps to becoming a certified sex therapist, including all the education and clinical requirements. You’ll soon discov ..read more

This past weekend, SHA students attended the “Monogamish: Advanced Skills for Open and Poly Relationships” with some fabulous speakers. We heard from Dr. David Ley, Michelle Hy, Jenn Rahner, Sander Jones, Kelvin Pace, and Dr. Eli Sheff. This weekend was meant to educate those working with clients who are or are looking to pursue open relationships, polyamorous relationships, threesomes, swinging, and more. Throughout the two-day event, we explored the many various aspects of consensual non-monogamy with like-minded individuals. Key themes included the challenges and benefits of non-monogamous ..read more

When we think about sexuality, we often link it to sexual orientation – which means the gender(s) that we’re attracted to. Although we’ve witnessed an increase in the number of terms that exist, as well as them being more inclusive and diverse, sexual orientation remains a gray area. Typically, it’s tied to gender identity – that refers to a person’s own “sense of self and their gender”, and the gender of those we’re attracted to. But is it really gender? If a cis woman is a lesbian, is she attracted to other women, vulvas, femininity, masculinity? To this day, sexual orientation cannot fully ..read more

The dissatisfaction against the restrictive two-category model of gender acknowledges its inadequacy in capturing the diversities within the rich spectrum of human identity. Gender, shaped by sociocultural factors, diverges from the more biologically based concept of sex (as a category), which is related to characteristics like “anatomy, physiology, genetics, and hormones.” Human sexual categorization has mostly been divided into two alternatives: female or male, where the focus falls on bodies (especially genitals and reproductive systems) through a “biological rationale.” While the prevaili ..read more

In March 2024, Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) hosted an enlightening weekend event, bringing to the forefront the multifaceted discussions around sexual health, desires, fantasies, and the pervasive issue of transgender rights and recognition globally. Over two days, a myriad of speakers, including experts and advocates from various corners of the world, shared their insights, research findings, and personal stories, weaving a narrative that underscored the importance of understanding, inclusivity, and respect in the realm of human sexuality. Day 1: Sexual Attitudes, Culture, and Education The ..read more

The exploration of human sexuality continues to be a dynamic and evolving field. Fantasy and Desire Around the World, organized by Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), and scheduled for March 23rd to 24th, promises to be an exceptional example of this ongoing exploration. This online event, featuring Dr. Justin Lehmiller, a Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute and a Harvard Excellence Award winner, alongside other esteemed global experts, is set to offer a comprehensive look at human sexuality across different cultures and societies. The involvement of Dr. Lehmiller, particularly noted for his ap ..read more

Research dedicated to sex work and sexuality has seen exponential growth within the past 20+ years. Academic literature has seen a boost in the amount of articles published regarding a plethora of sub-topics inside the umbrella term of “sexuality”. Circa the 1980s, most articles relating to sexuality involved the prevention of HIV/AIDs, and most of the research done had a biological component focusing more on sexual health and reproductivity. In the 1990s up until the 2000s, articles about sexuality were scarce with less than 5 published per year. From 2002 onwards, the amount of articles pub ..read more

We all have fantasies when it comes to sex. Some people fantasize about inviting a third into their bedroom or about being dominated. Some people prefer to keep sexual fantasies to themselves, while others prefer to share them with their partners in the hope of making their desires a reality. The most important thing to know about sexual fantasies is that there is nothing taboo about them, most of us have them. In fact, there is a science behind the process and it’s something that should be completely normalized. The purpose of this blog is to promote more acceptance and discussion surroundin ..read more

As society undergoes continual evolution, our interactions within social spaces like bars become reflective of the dynamic nature of cultural shifts. Within this contemporary landscape, a pertinent question emerges: Is it anti-feminist to allow a man to buy you a drink solely for the sake of obtaining a free beverage? The exploration of this necessitates an appreciation of feminism as a constantly evolving ideology. Feminism, at its core, is a multifaceted and dynamic framework that transcends static definitions. The ever-changing nature of feminism mirrors the fluidity of societal norms and ..read more