Let's Talk about a BUNCH of Stories This Week!

I had a hard time narrowing down which topic that I would like to discuss in this post, so I decided that I would talk about all of them! Why should we have only one chat when we can have five simultaneously? Apparently, my philosophy for this week’s entry is to go big or go home. (Honestly, I never thought that I would use that phrase on my blog.) Let’s get started, shall we?

In the category of stories that made me cry for the injustice of it all, we have:

- Uganda’s passage of a sweeping law that criminalizes homosexual acts, including allowing for life terms in jail for certain behaviors. Laws like this one encourage violence against citizens, harassment of sexual minorities, widespread violations of human rights, and could jeopardize Uganda’s receiving of international aid. (I am also looking at you Nigeria, whose parliament and president also passed a similar law in January.  

- Arizona’s legislative passage of a law that would allow businesses to discriminate against members of the LGBTI2SQQ community, including refusal of employment, goods, and services. Full passage of the law was vetoed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, much to the legislature’s dismay. Georgia legislators have filed and are seeking passage of a similar law. I would really like to know when people in power will stop feeling threatened by minorities and oppressed populations, because that is when I think this bullshit will end.  

 

In the category of a story that made me laugh/cry for the stupidity of it all, we have:

- Virginia Senator Steve Martin, who commented on Facebook that women are merely hosts for their fetuses, not humans or mothers. This almost caused my head to explode, until I read the pointed response by Maya Dusenbery, executive director of Feministing, who points out that the more comments like these, the louder the opposition will be to people like him. So fine keeping giving us reasons to vote you out sir.

In the category of stories that made me dance for the happiness of it all, we have:

- Jason Collins becoming the first openly gay male professional NBA basketball player. To which I say, fuck yes and about time. When do you think that baseball, hockey, and golf will get onboard?

- At least for today, Texas’s ban on same sex marriage was deemed unconstitutional. State Attorney General Greg Abbott will most likely bring suit in order to overturn the ruling, especially since he is in a gubernatorial race with Senator Wendy Davis. BUT in the meantime, we celebrate that Texas took a step forward in the LGBTI2SQQ rights community. (Who saw that coming?)

What stories made you cry, laugh/cry, or dance this week?

- Lauren, unable to choose just one story to discuss this week

Second Impressive TED Talk in Three Weeks!

After a dry spell of impressive sex-related TED talks, I have come across two in three weeks! Whoop whoop! (Thanks to a friend for sending me this one!) Meet Esther Perel, a marriage and family therapist and author! She wants to help us understand how to have better, more desirous long-term relationships. Ms. Perel says that this is a challenge, because we simultaneously seek stability and novelty. Essentially, we want to feel at home and like we are having an adventure. She states that we are currently grappling with this, because marriage is no longer just about procreation or economic stability (at least in more developed countries). It is about wanting and connection. In order for these long-term partnerships to remain desirous, Ms. Perel encourages us to flex our brains and use creativity in our erotic lives, in order to become more erotically intelligent. SO COOL!

Check out her TED Talk:

What do you think of her ideas?

- Lauren, currently interested in upping her erotic intelligence

I turn 30 this week, and I am fine with it.

I am turning 30 this week! I thought that I would be freaking out about this, because I will no longer be what mainstream society considers young and desirable. (I know that I have many years of foxiness left. Advertising agencies are the problem here.) There are more wrinkle cream commercials in my future than acne prevention ones. I can’t even fake being in my 20s anymore. I bought wine the other day, and I didn’t get carded for the first time in my life. I have not been mistaken for an undergraduate student for a while, and I may never get rid of that weird tricep jiggle that has settled into my arms. You would think that all of these realizations would lead to a meltdown, but they are not. That is probably because I really, REALLY like my life right now.

 Here is what has happened to me in the last year:

• I left a job that gave me hives and brought out my serious obsessive tendencies, and I am pursuing a career as a therapist, which I have wanted for years and suits my personality better.
• I started working only part time, which has given me the space to dream up creative endeavors, take on physical challenges, support my friends and fiancé at a deeper level, cook more often, and focus on my own personal needs. I recognize that this is a privilege not everyone gets, and it is not a good move for everyone. It has been really great for me.
• I got engaged to a wonderful dude. We have had some hiccups in the wedding planning, mostly due to my anxiety and guilt, but we have worked through them. I am ready to get married!
• I have kept great friends, even if they have moved away, and made new ones, which is not an easy feat for someone who is introverted and not hobby oriented.
• My family continues to support me, even if my dreams include talking to women about how they connect to their vaginas.  
• I reconnected with my high school self for a performance, and I got rid of some younger Lauren demons.
• You fun people keep reading my blog and bringing the conversations into various arenas, like here, on Facebook, and in real life. That is exactly what this blog is for. (Thank you!)

What do I have to freak out about? 30 is looking pretty sweet from here!

- Lauren, almost 30 year old who is ready to party!