5 Unique Ways to Tell Your Family & Friends You’re Engaged
Getting engaged should be one of the most exciting, romantic, and memorable occasions of your life. What do you do after the engagement? There are few moments in life as exciting as the days following your engagement. You are exploding with happiness and want to share it with the world. Take care to prioritize who […]
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An ‘Iceman Cometh’ for Our Times
Director George C. Wolfe talks about the new production of the O’Neill classic, starring Denzel Washington, and why the play remains relevant.
WATCH: Preview the highly anticipated ‘Sense8’ finale
Available to stream June 8.
How Often Do You Masturbate Compared to Others? The Results of a Massive Global Survey Are In
Dan M. by Hairy Jacques (CC BY 2.0)
Did you know that May is International Masturbation Month?
To mark the occasion, the results of a massive global survey on self-pleasuring have been released and shed some insight on masturbation and attitudes toward masculinity around the world, offering a few specific details on the habits of gay people.
Tenga, a sexual health and wellness company providing innovative and diverse sexual products, conducted the survey, which they claim is the “world’s largest” on masturbation, of more than 13,000 respondents aged 13-74 in 18 countries.
In addition to revealing global trends in getting oneself off, the survey wanted to figure out how traditional values regarding masculinity prevent men from leading more fulfilling sexual lives and relationships. It therefore sought to identify men who “feel more”, that is, “prioritize connections to others and are able to express themselves without judgment.”
Tenga’s full U.S. report, on its survey of just over 1,000 Americans, can be found here.
Here are a few details we’ve culled from their vast set of responses:
SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Americans who identify as gay or bisexual are 12% more likely to have masturbated as those who aren’t. 95% of gay or bisexual people say they’ve masturbated as compared to 83% of heterosexuals. Globally, gay and bisexual individuals are 23 percent more likely to masturbate weekly than heterosexual individuals.
OPENNESS: Gay people are far more likelier to have talked to a friend or partner about masturbation than straight people. 76% of gay or bisexual people say they have talked to a friend or partner about it, as opposed to 42% of heterosexuals. The majority of men aren’t comfortable talking about masturbation and most say it’s because it’s a “private matter.”
GEOGRAPHY: If you live in the Northeast, you’re slightly more open with others about your masturbation habits. Masturbatory activity is equal across all regions of the U.S, as is the use of sex toys. 78% of adults in the world masturbate. 92% of American men masturbate, a lower percentage than that of Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, UK, Japan, Australia, France, or Germany.
REASON:. Most men masturbate to achieve sexual pleasure or relieve tension or stress. Fewer masturbate because it helps them sleep, because they’re bored, or because they can’t find anyone to have sex with. Men who masturbate more frequently feel more confident about their body. They also tend to work out more, but that may be due to age difference.
FREQUENCY: 39% of Americans masturbate weekly. The average age at which they start is 15. Men who are 18-34 masturbate an average of 5.3 times a week, men who are 35-54 masturbate an average of 3.8 times per week, and men who are 55+ masturbate an average of 4.4 times per week.
GENDER DIFFERENCES: Men (92%) are more likely to have masturbated than women (76%) and do it far more frequently. Men get themselves off on average 4.8 times a week.
AGE. 57% of Millennials (18-24) masturbate weekly, more than any other age group.
PERCEPTIONS: Younger people think the overall population masturbates more than older people do. 69% of men believe that masturbation does not have an effect on the health of their sperm. Nearly half, 48%, of all Americans think it impacts brain function. Overall in the US, people are most satisfied with the quality and frequency of their orgasms, although they rank emotional connections with their partners and the quality of intercourse as the most important aspects of their sex life.
PORN: Men are far more likely than women to watch porn when they masturbate while women use their imagination.
SEX TOYS. Men who are open to owning sex toys report higher levels of satisfaction with quality and frequency of masturbation vs. men who are not open (88% vs 62%). Men who have used sex toys report being more satisfied with their sex life across all metrics, but especially when looking at quality (82% vs 55%) and frequency (78% vs. 55%) of masturbation. 53% of American men are open to using a sex toy on himself and 71% are open to using one on his partner.
POLITICS: Those who identify as liberals are more likely (89%) to say they’ve masturbated than conservatives (82%), and to have talked with others about it. Liberals are also more likely to have used sex toys.
How often do you masturbate? Please let us know in the comments.
Body Conscious: Gay Men’s Health, Sex, and Self is a new regular twice-monthly feature from Towleroad covering the unique issues gay men face with regard to physical and mental fitness.
If you are a writer/professional with a background in gay men’s health interested in contributing to this regular column, shoot us an email at jobs-at-towleroad.com.
The post How Often Do You Masturbate Compared to Others? The Results of a Massive Global Survey Are In appeared first on Towleroad.
Skype Master Teacher empowers students with disabilities in an accessible, virtual classroom
Ivana Kovačević and her daughters at an awards ceremony at The Gymnasium of Karlovci, Serbia.
For almost 50 years, Serbian primary school Dr Dragan Hercog has worked with students who have developmental disabilities. Helping reach these students for almost a decade is Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Skype Master Teacher Ivana Kovačević, through a program called the Distance Learning Project. It’s part of a broader effort to improve education for Serbian students with disabilities, and it has the support of the Ministry of Education.
To successfully prepare students with special needs for exams, and for the possibility of continuing education, teachers at Dr Dragan Hercog participate in the Distance Learning Project by crafting electronic materials—lessons, tasks, and tests. Then they meet the students where they are, holding classes in hospitals, students’ homes, as well as organizing tutelage via Skype.
“Skype, in combination with other educational materials, like educational platforms, is a good way for learning in every kind of situation,” says Ivana. “In my classes, I use Microsoft AutoCollage, Microsoft Photosynth, Windows Live Writer, Photo Story, and Sway in combination with Skype.”
A platform Ivana started to support the Distance Learning Project is Final Exam. This platform helps students prepare for their primary school final exam by strengthening their skills in both mathematics and the Serbian language. She received assistance from the Mathematical Society of Serbia, and when she tests students, she often uses Skype screen sharing to offer guidance when needed.
“The goal is to support students with disabilities in learning all subjects during all eight years of primary school, and prepare them for the final exam via Skype,” says Ivana. “Another long-term and wider goal is to successfully involve persons with disabilities in the education system and/or a social and business environment.”
To further help the students of Dr Dragan Hercog achieve a successful, rounded education, Ivana also started a literary club. For this club, too, she relies on Skype to enhance her students’ experience. “Every day during the school year, my students and I collaborate via Skype. Skype is our place for learning,” Ivana says.
Since 2008, the club’s main project has been to collect literary works written by the school’s students. Almost 50 of them have participated in the club, and they have written to date nearly 90 articles. The school promotes this collection of literary works—as well as the Children’s Cultural Center of Belgrade. Dr Dragan Hercog students attend these promotions on a Skype video call. “The students present themselves and share their impressions of the literary club and the collection of works,” says Ivana. “They talk about the club, writing, and friendship via Skype. They are all real writers!”
Another aspect of a rounded education that Skype enhances are what Ivana calls “method excursions.” “These excursions in teaching practice are proven to be effective,” she says, “because teaching language and literature cannot be reduced only to book learning.” But many of her students are in hospitals and homes and cannot physically go on method excursions.
Here, too, Ivana and her students rely on Skype for lessons and excursions—or virtual field trips. “Microsoft’s Skype in the Classroom platform allows me to plan virtual journeys with my students that are meaningful, instructive, and interesting,” says Ivana. Their first virtual trip was to the National Museum in Niš. The curator told them about Constantine the Great and showed them bronze coins from the 4th century. “The aim of the trip was to write news, reports, essays, and stories about the trip,” she continues. “Our school principal Zoran Aleksić and English teacher Tijana Radisavljević provided great support.”
The students of Dr Dragan Hercog also went on a virtual field trip while studying Nobel Prize–winning author Ivo Andric, whose story “The Bridge on the Žepa” they had read, studied, and discussed. “Students showed a joint presentation that was done for homework, via Skype as usual. The presentation was made in the form of posters using Microsoft AutoCollage (students previously became familiar with the program); they were collages of bridge pictures, student associations, information about the author, his work, etc.” says Ivana.
After studying the author, becoming familiar with his life and work, and sharing their knowledge, it was time for them to take their virtual field trip and make the experience come to life. “I made a Photosynth presentation when I was in Višegrad, on the bridge that inspired our writer to write the great novel The Bridge on the Drina, and the story ‘The Bridge on the Žepa’,” Ivana continues. “We talked about the story, its protagonists, the bridge, the destinies of the characters, the symbols, the beauty, the work as art, the meaning of life. Every feature of the bridge has its special symbolism. Bridges connect landscape and people. For us, Skype is the very bridge!”
The aim of Ivana’s work is to help students overcome barriers—students who, due to disabilities and distance, cannot attend classes. She helps provide a high-quality, stimulating, virtual classroom environment in which they can acquire new skills—and be encouraged by the possibility of a smooth transition into continuing their education.
“For our students, Skype is the only solution that makes sense!” Ivana concludes.
We love to hear how you use Skype to help others achieve. Tag us @Skype on social media to tell your story—and we might feature you.
Educators: Break down the walls of your classroom and connect your students to the world with Skype in the Classroom.
Parents: Ask your school to get involved with Skype in the Classroom, so your kids can experience the world live from their classrooms.
The post Skype Master Teacher empowers students with disabilities in an accessible, virtual classroom appeared first on Skype Blogs.
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: May 17, 2018
HRC COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA: Today, HRC marks the observance of the 2018 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) by spotlighting global challenges to LGBTQ equality and calling out the Trump-Pence Administration for turning a blind eye to the oppression and abuse of LGBTQ people around the globe. “While the global LGBTQ community is filled with innovative advocates advancing equality, the Trump-Pence administration has failed to stand up in support of LGBTQ people around the world — from Chechnya to Egypt and far too many other places,” said Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global. “It is imperative that world leaders commit to stepping up and doing more to protect the human rights of all people.” Read more from HRC in English and Español.
HRC RELEASES POWERFUL VIDEO FEATURING SURVIVOR OF SO-CALLED “CONVERSION THERAPY”: The video features HRC Youth Ambassador Alex Cooper, who at age 15 was subjected to eight months of cruel efforts to change her sexual orientation. “No child should be subjected to this practice that amounts to nothing less than child abuse,” said Olivia Dalton (@OliviaAlair), HRC Senior Vice President for Communications and Marketing. “We’re thankful for Alex Cooper’s willingness to boldly share her story. It is our hope that this powerful new video will help fuel the momentum we are seeing across the nation as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle work with us to pass legislation protecting LGBTQ youth from this dangerous and discredited practice.” More from HRC.
IN DETROIT, HRC JOINS RUTH ELLIS CENTER TO HIGHLIGHT NEW SURVEY SHOWING URGENT NEED TO SUPPORT LGBTQ YOUTH: HRC President Chad Griffin and advocates at the Ruth Ellis Center, which provides essential services to LGBTQ young people, held a press conference yesterday to review results of HRC Foundation’s groundbreaking 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report, released this week in partnership with the University of Connecticut. More on the report at Teen Vogue and NewNowNext.
.@HRC President @ChadHGriffin was at the Ruth Ellis Center (@REC_Detroit) to discuss the results from our 2018 #LGBTQYouthReport, which surveyed more than 12,000 LGBTQ young people nationwide about their health and well-being. t.co/6KAekNEDDm pic.twitter.com/QN3ReQqJ0l
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 16, 2018
HRC MOURNS NINO FORTSON, TRANSGENDER MAN FATALLY SHOT IN ATLANTA: Fortson, 36,was fatally shot during an argument early Sunday. Community members and allies took to social media to mourn his loss, using the hashtag #JusticeForNino to call out local news for misgendering him. “His name is #Nino,” wrote Emily Nero Madhu on Twitter. “He deserves better than this crappy, misspelled blurb that refuses to acknowledge his beautiful truth. #JusticeForNino #DoBetter”. Read more from HRC.
ANTI-LGBTQ EXTREMISTS TONY PERKINS AND GARY BAUER APPOINTED TO U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL “RELIGIOUS FREEDOM”: Said HRC’s Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) about the appointees: “In their America, LGBTQ people would be forced to hide who they are or face criminal sanction, their relationships would be unrecognized, their children could be taken away and LGBTQ youth would face harmful conversion therapy. For decades, these men have led the opposition to equality, and now they couch their anti-LGBTQ policy agenda under the guise of religion.” More from HRC and the Daily Beast.
HRC FOUNDATION KICKS OFF FIVE-COUNTRY TOUR TO ADVANCE LGBTQ WORKPLACE INCLUSION IN LATIN AMERICA: In Colombia yesterday, the HRC Foundation, in partnership with IBM, launched a two-week series of business workshops that will also take them to Chile, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. The forums will bring together hundreds of corporate leaders and civil society stakeholders to bolster greater LGBT inclusion, building off the success of HRC’s in-country programs in Mexico, Equidad MX: Programa Global de Equidad Laboral and Chile, Equidad CL: Programa Global de Equidad Laboral. “As HRC expands its partnerships across the Americas … we will be sharing strategies for best practices and, most importantly, developing actionable steps to create more welcoming and inclusive workplaces for LGBT employees,” said Deena Fidas, HRC Director of HRC Equidad MX and HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. Read more at HRC in English and Español.
.@HRC is proud to partner with @IBM to launch a two-week, five-country series of business workshops across Latin America to promote #LGBT workplace inclusion. #HRCinLatAm #InclusiveIBM pic.twitter.com/vxSpzPZxqZ
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 16, 2018
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Today marks the 64th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, which declared racial segregation of schools unconstitutional. HRC is committed to ensuring that all schools provide an inclusive environment where all students feel safe and respected.
Today, we celebrate the 64th anniversary of the #BrownvBoard ruling. A watershed moment in the fight for racial justice, it began the process of ending legalized apartheid in the United States by establishing that the “separate but equal” doctrine was unconstitutional. #Brownat64 pic.twitter.com/E1oOspqWCZ
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) May 17, 2018
KEO CHAAD O’NEAL BECOMES FIRST OPENLY TRANSGENDER MAN TO GRADUATE FROM SPELMAN COLLEGE: The all-women HBCU in Atlanta announced last fall that it would begin admitting transgender women for the upcoming school year, and O’Neal is the first trans man to graduate from the institution. “Lots of people believed that because I was trans, I didn’t belong at Spelman but there was nowhere else I would rather be,” O’Neal said. “People still have their own opinions of me attending Spelman, but it’s because of Spelman why I am who I am.” Read the full story from The Root, and more from Upworthy.
The first *openly* trans man to graduate from Spelman College����♂️ #7days #TransIsBeautiful pic.twitter.com/ooXxReZ3Ej
— black bandit (@Saint_Keo) May 14, 2018
HRC ENDORSES MINNESOTA’S DAN FEEHAN FOR CONGRESS: “Dan Feehan has spent his career in service to our country. He is a tenacious fighter, who will be a champion for Minnesota’s working families and a strong voice in the effort to move equality forward when elected,” said HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof. Read more from HRC.
AMERICAN MILITARY PARTNER ASSOCIATION HOLDS FIFTH ANNUAL GALA: Check out photos from the event at Advocate.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
VIOLENT FAR-RIGHT NATIONALISTS ATTACK LGBTQ ACTIVISTS IN UKRAINE, POLICE FAIL TO INTERVENE: The event in Kyiv was cancelled after police refused to intervene when a mob threatened violence against event participants. More from PinkNews.
ACTIVISTS PUSHING AHEAD TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GAY CULTURE IN BOLIVIA: Read more here.
CAMEROON POLICE BRUTALIZE 25 MEN ARRESTED FOR BEING GAY: Undercover police raided a gay bar and charged the men under the country’s anti-gay laws. More from Gay Star News.
MAJOR HIV TESTING DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES TO ADDRESS “NATIONAL EMERGENCY”: The first multi-site, free and confidential HIV testing day in the Philippines will be held on May 26. Read more here.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
92Y announces that Asia Kate Dillon (@AsiaKateDillon) will join in conversation with SiriuxXM’s Zerlina Maxwell on June 6; Caroline Framke (@carolineframke) writes for Vox about the importance of bisexuality as a vital TV storyline — and not as a punchline; NewNowNext reports that Disney is launching a Pride collection ahead of Pride month in June;
Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-may-17-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Floral Lace
jessicajane9 posted a photo:
Floral pattern lace top with black lace midi skirt and peep toe ankle boots with lace detail ♥
Ryan Reynolds Just Asked a Man to Marry Him
Ryan Reynolds asked for a man’s hand in marriage after the man, Max Scoville, a reporter for the video game and entertainment media company IGN, revealed that he had written a 5th grade English book report on Deadpool.
After showing a gobsmacked Reynolds, the report, the Deadpool actor replied: “You did a 5th grade book report on Deadpool. This is amazing. This is amazing. Max, you did a book report on Deadpool in the 5th grade. Will you marry me?”
“I think I’m spoken for,” the reporter replied.
“Great,” Reynolds quipped. “We’ll move to a state that allows it.”
Yesterday I was supposed to interview @VancityReynolds about #Deadpool2, but instead I just fanboyed out and showed him the Deadpool book report I wrote when I was 10.
In hindsight, I probably should’ve accepted his marriage proposal.
t.co/5DNGprP60l pic.twitter.com/A3SnUnepGu— Max Scoville (@MaxScoville) May 16, 2018
The post Ryan Reynolds Just Asked a Man to Marry Him appeared first on Towleroad.
Human Rights Campaign Commemorates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Today, HRC marked the observance of the 2018 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) by spotlighting global challenges to LGBTQ equality and calling out the Trump-Pence Administration for turning a blind eye to the oppression and abuse of LGBTQ people around the globe.
Millions of LGBTQ people around the world are gaining visibility and fighting for their rights, but many live in fear and isolation – and under the rule of governments that criminalize their very identities. In most countries, LGBTQ people continue to lack fundamental rights and protections, and are at risk of discrimination and violence. Simply being LGBTQ is punishable by death in as many as 10 countries, and transgender people face an epidemic of violence and murder — including here in the U.S. From HRC’s Global Fellows Program to the organization’s #EyesonChechnya campaign, HRC is taking action to help end homophobia, transphobia and biphobia worldwide.
Today, HRC also launched a new Spanish language video calling attention to challenges in Latin America and elsewhere around the world. The video features HRC Global Innovator Alba Lucía Reyes, who lost her 16-year-old son to suicide in August 2014. Sergio faced unrelenting bullying by his peers and school officials in Colombia. Motivated by this tragedy, Reyes became an LGBTQ advocate and founded the Sergio Urrego Foundation — named after her son — to prevent suicide and promote protections for LGBTQ students. Watch the video here.
“While the global LGBTQ community is filled with innovative advocates advancing equality, the Trump-Pence administration has failed to stand up in support of LGBTQ people around the world — from Chechnya to Egypt and far too many other places,” said Ty Cobb, director of HRC’s global department. “This International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, it is imperative that world leaders commit to stepping up and doing more to protect the human rights of all people. Alba Lucía Reyes’ heartbreaking story should be a wake-up call for those who have been sitting on the sidelines as LGBTQ people suffer the very real consequences of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.”
Last week, HRC and the Middle East Institute — the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the region — co-hosted a panel on LGBTQ communities in the Middle East and the challenges and opportunities they face. Societies across the Middle East are still grappling with the convulsions of the Arab Spring protests, which sparked questioning of social norms across a wide variety of issues, including gender and sexuality. Since the 2011 uprisings, the LGBTQ community in the region has found itself at the heart of a widening social fissure between religious conservatives and secular democratic aspirants. While there has been progress in some areas, including a growing awareness and visible activism in Lebanon and Tunisia, there has also been a crackdown in places like Iraq and Egypt — where LGBTQ people face increasing danger and restrictions on their rights. Video of that panel discussion is available here.
Over the last year, HRC has also led an #EyesOnChechnya campaign to place a stronger spotlight on the continued persecution of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya. Just yesterday, the Russian government astonishingly repeated the Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov’s bizarre claim that there are no gay people in Chechnya and denied that there had been any anti-LGBTQ human rights violations in Chechnya last year — despite widespread reports of abuses, eyewitness accounts and international condemnation. HRC has repeatedly called on administration officials to act and raise these attacks with Russian counterparts — to no avail. Earlier this spring, HRC President Chad Griffin wrote to Donald Trump urging him to speak up and condemn the atrocities as “crimes against humanity.” Both Trump and Pence have remained unconscionably silent.
HRC Global also works to advance equality around the world by bringing established and emerging LGBTQ leaders to Washington, D.C., as HRC Global Fellows for short and long-term professional development opportunities. These Global Fellows work alongside HRC staff and LGBTQ and human rights activists around the world to help leverage HRC’s domestic work in the international sphere, end discrimination against LGBTQ people, and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC also brings together advocates from around the world for the exchange of ideas and practices for advancing LGBTQ equality at HRC’s annual Global Innovative Advocacy Summit. Through the Global Fellows program and Global Innovative Advocacy Summit, HRC’s global alumni network includes advocates from more than 70 countries.
Some of the numbers and trends HRC is monitoring across the globe include:
IDAHOTB celebrates the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) resolution to declassify same-sex attraction as a mental disorder in 1990. The move followed a similar decision by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973. The WHO’s monumental change created a shift in how many LGBTQ people were treated. In 2004, LGBTQ activists gathered for the first time to mark this date with rallies in support of equality. The anniversary is now marked by celebrations, governmental proclamations, and renewed efforts to end the discrimination and violence that LGBTQ people throughout the world still face.
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