AlterNet.org: Sex and Relationships

"Whores' Glory": A Riveting Look at Sex Work in 3 Countries

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:01 PDT

A daring, novelistic and unforgettable account of the real lives of female prostitutes in three very different countries and social contexts.

Sex in Exchange for Gifts and Cash? What It's Like to Sleep With Wealthy Older Men for Financial Support

Clarisse Thorn, Role Reboot — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:00:01 PDT

A 25 year old woman's experience on a "Sugar Daddy" site raises a host of class, race, and gender issues.

Porn Lit: Why the S&M "50 Shades of Grey" Is Freaking Everyone Out

Sarah Seltzer, AlterNet — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:00:01 PDT

The erotic lit-sensation is nothing new, but a collection of classic archetypes about gender and sex.

Was Jesus Gay? Probably

Paul Oestreicher, Comment Is Free — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:00:01 PDT

The evidence that he may have been what we today call gay is very strong. But even gay rights campaigners in the church have been reluctant to suggest it.

The Soul of the Christian South: Fundamentalist and Progressive Churches Square Off in Gay Marriage Debate

Lynn Parramore, AlterNet — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:01 PDT

N.C. is the only state left in the Southeast without a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. What voters decide on May 8 will send a strong signal throughout the nation.

Why Women (and Men) Get "Baby Fever"

Tracy Clark-Flory, Salon — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:00:01 PDT

Could there be real science behind the old cliche of a woman's biological clock? I didn't believe it -- until now.

Sex Escape: Why Do Men Go to Dominatrixes?

Tracy Clark-Flory, Salon — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:01 PDT

Talking to pro-dommes about why some men find escape in submission.

The Future of Sex? 5 Trends That May Completely Transform Our Sex Lives

Emily Empel, AlterNet — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:00:01 PDT

Pornography, prostitution, online sex -- in the future, it's all one thing. But is it a better thing?

Devil's Work: The Fascinating History of America's War on Masturbation and Porn

Eric Berkowitz, Counterpoint Press — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:01 PDT

Here's a look at the absurd moral crusade to ban pornography in America.

Latest Prostitution Scandals Bring Up Age-Old Questions About Sex Work

Tanya Gold, The Guardian — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:00:01 PDT

The problems of some sex work continue to elude easy solutions.

Women, Sex and S&M: Mainstream Media Totally Wrong About Female Desire -- Again

Shira Tarrant, AlterNet — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:00:01 PDT

The real place women are getting spanked is in state legislatures across the country.

6 Reasons to Check out HBO's Show "Girls"

Alyssa Rosenberg, ThinkProgress — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:00:01 PDT

There's been a huge amount of debate about the TV show "Girls." But it's worth giving it a try.

5 Countries That Do It Better: How Sexual Prudery Makes America a Less Healthy and Happy Place

Alex Henderson, AlterNet — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:01 PDT

Sexual attitudes in Europe are the stuff of the Christian Right's nightmares â€” yet many of those societies are better for having more open attitudes toward sexuality.

Bisexual in a Small Town: How My Family Helped Me Deal

Melissa Febos, Salon — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:01 PDT

Being an openly bisexual teen in my small town wasn't easy. But I had a great role model: My mom.

Sex Through the Years: The Fascinating Ways Desire Changes Through a Lifetime

Liz Langley, AlterNet — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:00:01 PDT

As people change, their sexual interests and desires can change as well, a process that should be embraced, not fought.

New Laws Banning Sex Offenders from Social Networks and Online Gaming May Go Too Far

Tracy Clark-Flory, Salon — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:00:01 PDT

A push is under way to restrict registrants from social networking, virtual gaming and online dating.

The 50 Worst Songs to Have Sex To

Eliot Glazer, xojane — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:01 PDT

As we've all been there once or twice or three times, can we at least laugh about it? Maybe a weird, sad laugh.

Casual Encounters: When I Had Sex With 3 Strangers a Day Thanks to the Internet

Emily, xojane — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:01 PDT

Sex with people through Craigslist casual encounters can be amazing, and addictive. Which is where the cautionary part comes in.

Hip-Hop is For Lovers: Sex and Intimacy Through the Lens of Pop Culture's Most Influential Music Form

Lauren Bruce, Feministe — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:00:01 PDT

Understanding the Right's Fear of Sex: How America's Absurd Oral Sex and Sodomy Laws Were Overturned

Steven Wishnia, AlterNet — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:01 PDT

After Lawrence v. Texas, the mere mention of â€œmoralityâ€ was no longer enough to deny basic constitutional privacy rights.