Spirituality, Topping from the Bottom, and De-Stigmatizing STDs
Hello beautiful beings,
Last night the warm winds blew across my flesh, Texas mixing wildness into the stagnant heat. It is a beautiful experience, the world sharing how alive it is – the opposite wind experience as the lake-effect winds of winter-time Chicago. Last night also held the delight of helping a pair of friends plan their wedding (I officiate usually 1-2 weddings a year), a nice balance to having hosted “Beings of Faith and Desire: Embracing, Balancing and Maintaining Our Spirituality as Erotic Individuals” earlier in the day. During the discussion we talked about we balance being spiritual and kinky, the challenged faced when trying to de-program messages from religions we were raised in, and shared tools for embracing both our spiritual path and our sexual path.
Here are some of the resources that were brainstormed/shared:
“White Wine in the Sun” by Tim Minchin (song about feelings on Christmas)
“Soul of a Second Skin: The Journey of a Gay Christian Leatherman” by Hardy Haberman
“Jolted Awake: An Unconventional Memoir” by Richard Levine MA, MFT
Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Detection Evaluation Frame
FRIES Model for understanding consent
I also ended up sharing a number of my podcast episodes. Did you know I ran a podcast for over 7 years and you can find over 100 back episodes over here for free? This week it also was an absolute delight to be on the Kink, Intimacy, and Cannabis Podcast with Ganja Goddess and Parker Leigh. We talked about Sacred Kink, complexities of consent and altered states, and the racism in drug incarcerations and the pot industry. It was a wonderful conversation and am delighted to have joined them on their new endeavor (I’m episode 2).
I know a lot of us are struggling feeling like the world is hard to be in, so I wanted to share some good news in the world with you too :)
Somerville, Massachusetts approves domestic partnerships over 2 people
Colorado will begin pardoning marijuana convictions
Mississippi now has a program to train barbers with mental health advocacy tools
Traveller elected to serve as a Senator in Ireland
This week, come join me at:
Topping from the Bottom? Yes, Please!
Co-taught with Ms. Cenna for Wicked Grounds
Monday July 6th, 2020 – 6-8pm Pacific; 8-10pm Central; 9-11pm Eastern
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4628674
Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/657849388417066/
Do you usually take lead in life, your relationship, or the bedroom… but there are activities you like to receive or “bottom” to? Are you a Dominant and are concerned that receiving these activities will make your partner (or the community) think of you differently? Do you tend to submit or bottom, but want to provide delight for your partner and don’t know how? You are not alone! Being tied up and getting flogged, requesting to be used in the bedroom, or getting face-fucked while kneeling does NOT make a person any less of a Dominant, nor does it have to switch a power exchange dynamic. Through discussing our fears and sharing tips and tricks (and trying a few), we will discover ways to help us all top from the bottom (and bottom from the top), have more confidence doing so, and acknowledge the vulnerability it takes to share these desires in the first place.
De-Stigmatizing Socially and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Wednesday July 8th, 2020 – 1-2:30p Pacific; 3-5:30p Central; 4-5:30p Eastern
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2439294154?pwd=Yk1IdFVTWTUvZXJZOHR1RDhwdDg0dz09
Meeting ID: 243 929 4154
Password: 136777
Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/575881516374102/
Share on Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/events/922886
In the current pandemic, people in alternative sexuality communities forget that we already have skills to navigate the complexities of these realities having navigated the AIDS crisis and the complexities of negotiating safer sex. However, so much needs done to destigmatize the way we treat people who either have specific diseases and illnesses, or who make choices (or have choices made for them) that others may not take for themselves. Whether it is using the language of “are you clean” (inferring others are “dirty”) or the rhetoric of “stay at home no matter what” (invalidating people whose jobs or economic realities do not allow for that choice), let’s work together on destigmatizing these issues and make the world a better place for everyone.
Turning It Around: Switching Places in the Bedroom
Friday July 10th, 2020 – 4-5:30p Pacific; 6-7:30p Central; 7-830p Eastern
At the Virtual Intimacy Conference July 10th-12th with Ms. Cenna
Register for the weekend HERE
Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/568318723870064/
Check out the schedule here: https://www.drhazelgrace.com/virtual-intimacy-retreat-2-1
Do you usually take lead in life, your relationship, or the bedroom… but there are activities you like to receive or “bottom” to? Are you concerned that receiving them will make your partner think of you differently? Do you tend to follow or bottom, but want to provide delight for your partner and don’t know how? You are not alone! Through discussing our fears and sharing tips and tricks (and trying a few), we will discover ways to switch it up, have more confidence doing so, and acknowledge the vulnerability it takes to share these desires in the first place.
To check out other classes I have coming up in July and beyond, visit my Upcoming Appearances page to learn more… including multiple courses with Wicked Grounds to be announced soon. From there you can sign up for my free newsletter as well. To enjoy further free material from me, consider joining me over on Patreon as well :)
Much love to you all and see you soon!
Cheers,
Lee Harrington
http://www.PassionAndSoul.com
