Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Reimagining Pride: Navigating a Path Back to Authenticity

Every June 1, as Pride Month commences, a predictable pattern unfolds in conservative media and commentary. Criticisms surface, claiming that Pride has veered off course, that corporations’ involvement is excessive, and that it’s time to extinguish Pride altogether.

Allow me, as a “conservative commentator,” to be the first to assert that, no, it is not time to abolish Pride. The enduring rationale behind Pride remains valid and essential.

Initially, gay and lesbian Pride events emerged in America as a response to physical violence, social exclusion, and the constant specter of job termination faced by individuals due to their same-sex attraction.

Yet, the complaints from conservative voices do contain an element of truth: in 2023, Pride has become a spectacle where sexual fetishes are paraded publicly, pressuring corporations to support activities that veer into the realm of “nonsense.” This deviation from its origins necessitates a return to the basics.

Contrary to the prevailing narrative pushed by far-left LGBTQ activists and revisionist historians, early Pride events were initiated and organized not by the “trans women of color” but by everyday gays and lesbians, predominantly white, who possessed the social, financial, and political means to advocate for basic rights: visibility, existence, and public gatherings.

Over time, the fight expanded to encompass marriage equality, freedom from employment discrimination, and the right to serve in the military. I personally experienced arrest at the White House while protesting for this cause.

The pivotal point, however, is that those objectives have been achieved. In 2011, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” enabled gays and lesbians to serve openly. In 2015, same-sex marriage became a recognized right in America. In 2020, the Supreme Court affirmed that the Civil Rights Act protected LGBT individuals from employment discrimination. And last year, the Respect For Marriage Act solidified the permanence of hard-fought rights.

These accomplishments have presented a dilemma for Pride events. The current landscape scarcely reflects hardworking gays and lesbians striving for equality under the law. Instead, it has morphed into a platform primarily driven by a transgender and “queer” fringe, fixated on pushing an agenda, often concerning children, that diverges sharply from public sentiment on these contentious matters. Drag queens reading to young children or medical and social transitioning of minors have bewildered mainstream adults. Opposition to such ideas is quickly labeled as “bigotry,” with major corporations lending support.

In June, corporations across America rush to adopt rainbow-colored logos, embracing the so-called “progress flag,” which incorporates transgender stripes, black, and brown stripes, introducing race and gender ideologies into a symbol originally meant to signify unity. By embracing this now contentious symbol, corporations unwittingly entangle themselves in a culture war they had no intention of joining. Unfortunately, these displays have little to do with the acceptance of gays and lesbians that the majority of Americans now embrace, and everything to do with the ideologies espoused by the activist fringe.

Eliminating Pride Month or Pride events is not the solution; that would be regressive and impractical given the substantial corporate investments and the economic power of the gay and lesbian community.

Rather, we must rein it all in. We need to offer companies an off-ramp from the realm of controversy, allowing them to support gays and lesbians without endorsing gender ideology, Drag Queen Story Hour, or medical transitioning of minors. They can support gay and lesbian Americans without succumbing to the influence of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign or GLAAD, which have been commandeered by the more radical elements of the TQ community.

As the founder of StopWoke, a media platform challenging woke ideology, and as an openly gay man, I recognize the significance of Pride events. Despite my critical stance, I still attend certain events to this day. Gays and lesbians will always seek spaces where they can feel comfortable, affirmed, and accepted—be it in the workplace or in everyday life. This is something that anti-Pride activists on the right will never comprehend.

As long as there are gay or lesbian teenagers feeling uneasy with their identities and adults who fear for their safety while walking with their partners, there will always be a need for Pride. While the current state of affairs may not be working for anyone, we must fight to reclaim its original purpose and its potential.

Rob Smith, an Iraq war veteran, is the founder of StopWoke—a platform and consultancy combatting woke ideology in Corporate America, public education, and the United States Military.

Source: newsweek.com

Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Legal to Sell, Illegal to Buy: The Paradox of France’s Prostitution Law

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Thursday ruled that France’s criminalization of the sale and purchase of sexual acts/prostitution does not constitute a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Case Overview

The case, M.A. and Others v France was ruled unanimously. 261 applicants complained against Law no. 2016-444 of 13 April 2016, which aimed at criminalizing prostitution in France. This law intended to “strengthen the fight against the prostitution system and provide support to prostituted individuals.” Applicants relied on Articles 2, 3, and 8 of the ECHR for their case. These individuals argued that criminalizing the purchase of sexual acts affects the physical and mental integrity of individuals who commonly participate in prostitution and violates their right to private life, personal autonomy, and sexual freedom.

Legal Reasoning

The Court judged the applicants’ complaint principally based on Article 8 ECHR, which refers to the right to respect for everyone’s private and family life. According to the official document, interference with this right is unacceptable except when done “in accordance with the law and as is necessary for a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being.” The French Government submitted that the aim of Law no. 2016-444 was “combatting prostitution rings and human-trafficking networks,” which the Court considered a legitimate aim within the meaning of Article 8 ECHR.

Ethical Considerations and International Consensus

During the judgment, the ECtHR also referred to the moral and ethical “sensitivity” of the problems linked with prostitution. It specified the lack of consensus among the European and international community on how to address prostitution correctly. Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, in 2023, commented on French Law no. 2016-444. The Special Rapporteur argued in favor of the comprehensive approach taken by the law, stating:

“Far from ensuring access to the rights guaranteed by articles 2, 3, and 8 of the ECHR, the potential repeal of the criminalization of the purchase of sexual acts would further expose the most discriminated women and girls, who are the overwhelming majority in the sex trade, to the control, violence, and inhumane and degrading treatment of trafficking networks and sex buyers.”

Legal to Sell, Illegal to Buy

French law presents an unusual dynamic where it is legal to sell sex but illegal to buy it. This approach aims to reduce demand for prostitution while protecting those who may be forced into selling sex due to economic hardship or coercion. The logic is that by targeting buyers, the law reduces the market for prostitution, thereby decreasing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Ongoing Debate

Despite this ruling, the criminalization of prostitution remains a heated debate with conflicting opinions. The ECtHR held that France had not overstepped its discretion and did not violate Article 8 of the Convention. However, it emphasized the duty of the French Government to constantly review its legislation and amend the law as European and international standards evolve on the matter.

Conclusion

The ruling underscores the complexity of addressing prostitution through legal means. While France’s approach aims to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals, it also faces criticism and demands for ongoing scrutiny and adjustment. The dichotomy of legalizing the sale but criminalizing the purchase of sex continues to be a contentious and ethically sensitive issue, reflecting broader global debates on the most effective and humane ways to handle prostitution.

Source: jurist.org

Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Le Shaw teams up with Woodhull Freedom Foundation to champion sexual rights and freedom

Le Shaw, the International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute, is thrilled to announce its new collaboration with the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, an organization dedicated to advocating for sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. Named after suffragist Victoria Woodhull, the foundation focuses on challenging sexual repression and advocating for the rights and freedoms of all individuals.

Through this partnership, le Shaw will support Woodhull’s mission with its research capabilities and commitment to sex-positive principles. Their joint efforts will advance the dialogue around sexual rights, promote a culture of sexual liberation and human dignity, and help build a more equitable and informed society.

Bobbi Bidochka, Director of le Shaw, was excited to start working together: “The Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s commitment to sexual freedom resonates deeply with our mission at le Shaw. Together, we will work to dismantle the barriers of sexual repression and promote a more inclusive and respectful understanding of sexual rights as fundamental human rights.”

For more information about le Shaw and its partnership with the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, please contact [email protected].

Latest News

Etsy Bans Adult Toys and Accessories

Etsy, the popular e-commerce platform, will no longer allow the sale of adult toys and sexual accessories. The company announced this policy change in a recent memo, sparking frustration and anger among its loyal vendors. Starting July 29, Etsy will remove listings for sex toys such as dildos, vibrators, and similar products, as well as items depicting sexual acts, genitalia, or sexually charged slogans related to familial relationships like “daddy” or “mommy.”

Alice Wu, head of Etsy’s trust and safety team, stated the policy was updated to “keep our users safe.” However, vendors have criticized the decision as “lazy” and a “crushing disappointment.”

“The ban will essentially close the doors of many handmade makers in the adult toy realm like ourselves,” said Preston Stevenson, an Etsy vendor, in an interview with The Guardian. For small shops like his, which have invested significant time on Etsy, the 30 days’ notice is insufficient to transition to a new platform with similar traffic and exposure.

Stevenson and his partner Laura Norden, who have been selling handmade sex toys since 2018, expressed concern that their site traffic will not recover if they move to another platform. “Bans like this one further the idea that sexual health and pleasure are taboo or something to be ashamed of,” he added. “It has broader impacts on society as a whole.”

Alexandra Houston, founder of the UK-based fetish apparel platform Charmskool, criticized Etsy for catering to the mass market instead of remaining loyal to its users. “Etsy wants anything creative as long as it is beige and middle of the road. It doesn’t want anything risqué anymore,” Houston told The Guardian, noting an increase in former Etsy vendors migrating to Charmskool.

Simply Elegant Glass, another affected vendor, penned an open letter to Etsy on Twitter, condemning the company for its “lazy solution” under the guise of community safety. “Protecting children from adult content is a noble interest, and we agree it should be pursued. But that’s not what you’re doing here, is it?” the vendor wrote, arguing that a blanket ban is an easy fix for non-compliance issues Etsy created. “It’s a solution that targets buyer retention and appeases investors and advertisers.”

The transition to other platforms is complicated by many payment processors’ refusal to work with vendors advertising adult toys. Anna, founder of Simply Elegant Glass, told the BBC she feels “betrayed” by Etsy’s new policies. “As creators who have helped make Etsy what it is and remained loyal for years, we feel betrayed,” she said, advocating for explicit labeling of sexual products rather than an outright ban.

According to Anna, a large portion of their profits came from Etsy sales, and moving to a new e-commerce site would be like starting from scratch. Other vendors echoed her concerns, worried that new platforms may not generate enough income.

“It’s like having your house burnt down,” Houston said, reflecting on the difficulties of establishing a new business presence after relying on Etsy for years.

This decision by Etsy is not only a business challenge for vendors but also raises questions about societal views on sexual health and pleasure. Many see the ban as a step backward, reinforcing outdated taboos and stigmas.
This decision by Etsy is not only a business challenge for vendors but also raises questions about societal views on sexual health and pleasure. Many see the ban as a step backward, reinforcing outdated taboos and stigmas.

Source: BBC