Having to write this at all is frustrating to say the least. But, heterosexual sex is not the only kind of sex. Not only that, it isn’t a tool that should be leveraged to secure anyone’s civil rights. And, even though actress, singer, producer, and Black girl from the future Janelle Monáe recently suggested otherwise in her 2017 Fresh Faces interview with Marie Claire, “respecting the vagina” is not synonymous with respecting women or our rights.
Are Hook Up Apps to Blame For Rise in STDs?
A new report from the Rhode Island Department of Health links an uptick in STD cases to the use of social media hook up apps such as Tinder.
According to the report, the number of infectious syphilis cases increased by 79%, gonorrhea cases increased by 30% and the number of newly-identified HIV cases increased by nearly 33%. The researchers linked these increases to “high-risk behaviors include using social media to arrange casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, having sex without a condom, having multiple sex partners, and having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
The increase in Rhode Island follows a national trend according to the report.
When using Tinder, don’t forget to practice safe sex.
Photo: Tinder
Russell Simmons Says He’s In Contact w/ Harriet Tubman’s Descendants
Russell Simmons has apologized again for releasing a skit centered around the creation of a Harriet Tubman sex tape.
His outrageously poor judgement in allowing the skit to be released through his YouTube channel has ignited a firestorm of controversy.
In an interview with YouTube show BRKDWN, Simmons expressed remorse for the video, and later tweeted that he’d been in touch with Harriet Tubman’s descendants.
Russell Simmons Apologizes; Pulls Harriet Tubman Sex Tape
Somehow, somewhere, someone thought filming a skit about Harriet Tubman making a sex tape was a good idea.
And apparently, so did Russell Simmons. But he’s since apologized.
The completely unfunny and disrespectful video was posted to Simmons’ All Def Digital (ADD) channel, and was created by its comedy series ADD History.
Meagan Good Critisized for Presenting BET Gospel Award in Revealing Dress
Actress Meagan Good is getting some flack for her choice of dress at the BET Awards.
Good presented the award for “Best Gospel Artist” in a fairly revealing gown, which many commentators on social media are blasting as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Good has defending herself against these kinds of accusations before; maintaining that her style of dress is always classy, and that a dress has nothing to do with her relationship with God.
Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” Accused of Condoning Rape
Robin Thicke’s current single “Blurred Lines” f/ Pharrell and T.I. is sitting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
But not everyone is singing along.
A growing chorus of voices take issue with the song, and have even accused it of promoting rape.
Happy Birthday to Soul Icon Marvin Gaye!
Today – April 2nd – would have been the legendary Marvin Gaye’s 74th birthday.
Marvin Gaye is responsible for some of the most important music of the 20th century; art that combined technical daring and inventiveness, with an intoxicating conceptual mixture of sensuality, spirituality, and politics.
His landmark album What’s Goin’ On still stands as the greatest soul album ever made, and later LPs like Let’s Get It On, I Want You, and Here, My Dear aren’t far behind.
Condom Dispensers Installed in Philly Schools
Students who attend certain high schools in Philadelphia will have easier access to condoms.
Condom dispensers have been placed in schools with high rates of sexually transmitted infections.
The dispensers are located in the nurse’s office, and the condoms are free.
Kevin Clash, the Voice of Elmo, Resigns As A Second Accuser Comes Forward
Kevin Clash, the longtime voice and puppeteer behind Sesame Street’s Elmo character, has resigned in the aftermath of allegations — which Sesame Workshop had previously said were unfounded — that he had an underage sexual relationship.
According to the NY Daily News, a second accuser has now come forward, alleging that he and Clash engaged in a sexual relationship while he was a teenager.
Elmo Sex Accuser Has Recanted His Recantation
According to Gawker, the young man who accused Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of having a sexual relationship with him when he was 16 – and then recanted that story – has now recanted his recantation.
He says he was pressured to take back his initial allegations, receiving a $125,000 settlement.
Apparently, he’s changed his mind.
