Many thanks to the KGB Bar, Byron Hurt, Lisa Selin Davis, and to all the folks who came out for the Men Speak Out reading at the KGB Bar Nonfiction Series in NYC last week.
About 2,000 California protesters opposed to Prop 8 turned out in the LBC to increase the love and decrease the hate. A few photos here:
Join us for November’s Men Speak Out event on
Masculinity, Sex, and Hip Hop
KGB Bar Nonfiction Series
85 E. 4th St. NYC 10003
212-505-3360
Tuesday November 11, 2008 7:00pm
Featuring Shira Tarrant and Byron Hurt
What people are saying about Men Speak Out:
“This is important validation for men trapped in the masculine construct…and for all the trannies and queers who negotiate these issues.”
—Inga Muscio, author of Cunt: A Declaration of Independence
“Men Speak Out is an important addition to the growing body of work exploring men’s crucial role in the fight for gender justice.”
—Lisa Jervis, founding editor and publisher of Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture
Time Out New York calls the KGB Bar one of the city’s Essential Creative Communities. For more info click here.
Do candlelight vigils prevent men’s violence against women? In a word: No.
Read more about effective domestic violence and sexual assault prevention at Katrina Kobzeff’s blog. Vigils and speak-outs might raise awareness and provide a forum for catharsis. But far more compelling is for women and men to work together in figuring out ways to stop violence before it happen.
Just in time for the presidential elections, Swindle Magazine has published a great article titled Anarchy in the USA. Penned by popular author Shawna Kenney, the article includes comments by Shira Tarrant on the IMF, World Bank, Food Not Bombs, and those good folks in black.
Is porn sex positive? Does it harm relations between people? Just because we’re making more porn, does that mean we’re making better porn?
Or how about this: Ever download porn to your phone? Have an opinion about porn and technology? Do you wonder how technology has changed the way we use porn? Watch this group of Australian men and women weigh in on the issues on Hack TV. And btw of full disclosure, Michael Flood — who appears on this show — has an essay in my book, Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex and Power.
Sex Positive Week was a huge success. There were books for sale, free stickers, political info about crucial issues on the ballot (NO on Props 4 and 8!), demonstrations by Babeland, and our panel asking What Does It Mean to Be Sex Positive?
There were terrific questions asked by audience members with great discussion that followed. After that, Jillian Lauren, Ashleigh Klein, Amy Lee and Shira Tarrant continued the convo with radio host Glenn Zucman. More info and links to come when the show is ready to air.
I’ll be moderating a snappy panel this Monday. We’ll be talking about all things sex-positive, including ethics, pleasure, and a healthy dose of lust.
Sex Positive Week
“What does it mean to be sex positive?”
Panel Discussion
Monday Oct 6, 2008 1:00pm
Moderated by Dr. Shira Tarrant
Featuring:
Jillian Lauren
Ashleigh Klein
Siel Ju
Amy Lee
California State University,
Long Beach
University Student Union - Beach Ballroom
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, California 90840
Cal State Fullerton’s Daily Titan has a terrific article previewing the week’s events.
I’m quoted in a recent Baltimore Sun article about Sarah Palin, weighing in with (oddly non-partisan) critiques about the gendered language of “juggling” work and home life. Check it out!
Check out the pilot episode of the new Gender Blender show, which airs out of Portland, Oregon. Jake Anderson-Minshall and Rebecca Nay are really wonderful hosts and they’ve gotten some great feedback so far. You can listen again, and download your own copy of the show at http://kboo.fm/node/9219.