Spring isn’t just for dusting off shelves and sorting through the attic – it’s also the perfect time to spruce up your sex life! As nature blooms and the days grow longer and warmer, consider this your sign to freshen up your intimate engagements, from the physical tools of the trade to emotional connections. Whether it’s clearing out your toy drawer, updating your health routine, or sweeping away toxic ties, a little cleanup can go a long way in rejuvenating your personal life. 1. Sanitize and Audit Your Pleasure Collection Condom Countdown: Check the expiration dates on your condoms. Expired ..read more

There are two schools of thought regarding sexual education. Some parents simply say, “Don’t do it,” while others arm their children information. While most would prefer the latter, there are some schools in the country that are skipping out on sex ed with dire consequences. Sexual Education is a vital part of teaching our youth about HIV/AIDs awareness and recent statistics show that those who receive it are in a better place than those who don’t.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, students who receive sex education are less likely to:  Be sexually active  Have mul ..read more

Season 2 of our Positive Voices podcast is coming to a close, and it’s been an enlightening ride with hosts Tei Pearson and Malachi Stewart as they encourage those with HIV to seek treatment, care, and community. By providing a platform for others to speak about their experiences, the audience has learned a lot along the way. One of these things is how to talk about HIV with family and friends. Whether you have HIV or have a partner, friend, or family member with it, here are some tips on how to communicate with others.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are five ways to ..read more

Friendships and relationships are among life’s greatest joys. They can provide comfort, happiness, and fulfillment. But if you’ve ever experienced a toxic relationship, you know how quickly it can bring you down. Any relationship goes through the standard ups and downs, but a toxic one is bad all the time, and you are left a shell of your once happy self. So, what exactly classifies as a toxic situation? According to the One Love Foundation, there are 10 major signs of a toxic relationship, including romantic partners and friendships. Read on to find out more.  Signs of a Toxic Relationsh ..read more

We’re in the third month of 2024, and it seems like time is flying by. So much — and so many people? — to do, so little time.  As will likely come as no surprise to our readers, much of our work here at Sexual + Being revolves around sex-tinged commentary (and, yes, some puns) just like the above. Put more simply: We’re here for you and to have candid conversations with you about things that directly impact our sexual health but that may be considered taboo to discuss openly. That topic list can vary but it typically circles sex, pleasure, and how we can safely navigate the two. It’s a ha ..read more

In a world where the battle against HIV/AIDS has seen monumental strides in medical science, public health policy, and community support, it’s disheartening to witness the persistence of outdated, punitive laws that criminalize HIV. On February 28th, as we commemorate “HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day,” let’s seize the moment to echo a pivotal message. Decriminalizing HIV is not just a matter of justice; it’s a crucial step towards eradicating the epidemic. Understanding the Criminalization of HIV An estimated 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV – and roughly 13% of them don’t know it an ..read more

We live in such a fast-paced world with many distractions and tasks that take up our attention. It’s no wonder that many people struggle with focusing on one thing at a time. Because of that, it’s very easy to lose our ability to remain present in the moment and take in every detail of our environment and surroundings. This is where sensuality comes in. Not to be confused with sexuality, which mostly refers to physical intimacy, sensuality refers to the way we find fulfillment of pleasure through our senses. If you’re wondering how to incorporate sensuality into your love life, using all five ..read more

We’re a month into 2024, friends. How are we holding up? When we last spoke (er, you last read and I last wrote), we were talking about all things 2024 and setting ourselves up for a monumental year of self-love, hot hook-ups, and safer sex, among other things.  Now’s check-in time, particularly as we look at the interaction of sexy times and healthy habits.  Here at Sexual + Being, DC’s self-appointed patron saints of sexual safety, we want to remind your noggins of the benefits of your sexual health, especially in the long term, for your mind, body, spirits, and pleasure. Join us a ..read more

Sex, sexuality, and human intimacy are universal experiences for mankind. Still, despite how pivotal those aspects are to our lives, mainstream conversations on human sexuality are relatively new within our society. Widespread value on human sexuality has recently been recognized for its influence on many hot-topic debates and problems in contemporary society. Due to contributions from the feminist movement, the rise in LGBTQ+ support groups, new efforts to prevent sexual abuse, and emerging academic and economic opportunities to specialize in human sexuality, there’s been a significant uptick ..read more

Congratulations! You are expecting. And while this is a happy and exciting time, it can also be stressful. Planning for a new arrival can be overwhelming, and often, it’s hard to know where to start. Our list walks you through the planning for every trimester for an easy transition into parenthood. Read on for a complete guide.  First Trimester Take a pregnancy test: You might suspect you are pregnant, and whether that’s from a missed period or morning sickness, it means it’s time to confirm. You can get a home pregnancy test at most supermarkets and drug stores.  Talk to your partn ..read more