TSOB w/ Dr. G--The Sex Ed of Blackfolk

Racism has been firmly established by many in the discipline to be  public health crisis. What our guest on this episode reminds us is that it is also a crisis in sexuality as well. In this episode, Dr. G chats with "Southern Sexologist" Tanya M. Bass, about the ways that race and racism have informed public health-based sex ed. Tanya shares her journey to sex ed through the path of public health, what it's like teaching these topics at a Historically Black College (HBCU), and how Blackfolk can best excel at achieving the pleasure and freedom they so richly deserve!

NOTE: This episode includes an advertisement for a special Black History Month event coming up on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Info & tickets for the event can be found here.

(Click here to download the episode transcript.)

Episode Question to Ponder: What are you willing to do to be free?

Homework: No downloads; conduct an internet search on The Negro Project (start here to begin your reading) 

Guest Bio:

Tanya M. Bass (the #SouthernSexologist™) is a national award winning sexuality educator and a subject matter expert in health equity and sexual health. She is the Founder of the North Carolina Sexual Health Conference (NCSEXCON) which draws sexual health professionals from around the state to share best practices in sexual health across the lifespan.

Tanya is the lead instructor for Human Sexuality at North Carolina Central University in the Department of Public Health Education. She is also a TedX and keynote speaker, highly-requested trainer, and facilitator.  Much of her work has been in collaboration with community-based organizations, churches, academic institutions, and state and national conferences.

Tanya is an Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapist (AASECT) certified sexuality educator and a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is a past co-chair for the 2014 National Sex Ed Conference and the 2020 AASECT Conference.   She serves on the editorial board for the American Journal of Sexuality Education. Tanya is completing her doctorate in Education within the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University.

More information about Tanya and her work can be found at http://www.TanyaMBass.com.

Episode References (Content):

Almanzar, B. & Pete, M. (2020). "W.A.P. (Wet Ass Pussy)". Album Name TBA. 7 August 2020. Perf. Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion. Atlantic Records, 2020. MP3.

L.J. (2004). Examining sexual health discourses in a racial/ethnic context. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33, 223-234. (Available for abstract review and purchase/download here.)

Roberts, D. (1997). Killing the black body: Race, reproduction, and the meaning of liberty. New York: Pantheon Books.

References (People):

Dr. June Dobbs Butts. (obituary)

Javontae L. Williams (academic bio)

Professor H. Sharif Williams (academic bio)

Goody Howard (bio)

Melissa Carnagey (bio)

When you think of sex education (particularly at the K12 level), how often do you think of the policies and practices that inform how that education gets doled out? For this particular episode, Dr. G interviews Jennifer Driver, an award-winning advocacy expert and the founder of Take Root Strategies, a consulting firm that assists communities in accessing strategic guidance on reproductive health care policy. In this conversation Jennifer helps us understand why policy matters in sex ed, and explains how and why Black people must take active steps to become more involved in enacting sexuality-related policy.

(Click to download the episode transcript.)

Episode Question to Ponder: What kind of sex ed should be standard in the U.S.?

Homework: Research Activity

Guest Bio: 

Jennifer Driver is an award-winning reproductive health, rights, and justice policy and advocacy leader with nearly 15 years in the field. Her work centers on addressing systems that add burdens or barriers to accessing full reproductive health information and services— paying particular attention to communities of color, immigrants, system involved youth, and LGBTQ communities. Jennifer currently serves as the Senior Director of Reproductive Rights with the State Innovation Exchange (SiX). Prior to joining SiX, Jennifer served as the Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships with SIECUS (the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), where she provided leadership to drive the organization’s federal and state policy and advocacy efforts. Prior to joining the team at SIECUS, Jennifer worked for Welcoming America where her work focused on the intersection of immigration, racism, education, health, and policy. Her previous experience also includes working for Power to Decide and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential. She is the Founder of Take Root Strategies LLC, a consulting firm providing strategic guidance on reproductive health care policy. Jennifer serves on the board of the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy Leadership Council. A dynamic trainer, presenter, and spokesperson on reproductive health, rights, and justice, Jennifer has been featured and quoted in national media, including The Washington Post, Vogue, The New York Times, Rewire, The Hill, CNN, The Harvard Political Review, MSNBC, and Politico. She was also recognized in 2019 as one of 50 impactful creators, artists, and activists by B*TCH Media.

Learn more about Jennifer Driver at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-driver-ba44a170/.

References (Content)

Wilkerson, I. (2011). The warmth of other suns : The epic story of America's great migration. New York: Vintage Books.

References (People)

Bass, T. The Southern Sexologist. https://www.tanyambass.com/

Ever wonder what happened to the girl you went to high school with, who knew all the good info about sex and sexual health--the go-to peer for information and insight? If that girl was Goody Howard, then you already know she's doing AMAZING, sweetie! For this episode of the podcast, Dr. G chats with Goody about her work as a trainer and facilitator in Dallas, Texas, the superpowers she lovingly refer to as "science and hoe shit", and all the other bits of her brilliance that help explain why "Ask Goody" isn't just a brand, but a way of life!

(NOTE: This episode does include some cursing and advanced sexual references, which may not be safe for work or appropriate for small children)

(Click here to download the episode transcript)

Episode Question To Ponder: What if sexual precocity was valued as much as other types?

Homework: Reflection Exercise!

Guest Bio:

Goody Howard is an intimacy consultant, sexuality educator and HIV activist!  She’s been an adult industry insider for over 10 years and she informs, educates and empowers her clients with the knowledge that sexual pleasure IS sexual health.

Goody hosts and sex-positive workshops around the country that are focused on intimacy & empowerment. She layers her focus on pleasure and education with her energetic and engaging presentation style.

Goody's oral sex series LICK! and Lip Service! are her most popular classes, but she's been teaching comprehensive sexuality education and healthy relationships for campuses, companies, and communities for over 12 years!

Goody Howard has dedicated her life to “Empowering through sexual exploration, education, and awareness.” Goody's mantra is “Be Good or Be Good At It!”, and she is determined to normalize sex-positive conversations as a way to ease stigma and improve sexual responsibility.

More info about Goody & her work can be found at @askgoody and at askgoody.com.

Episode Reference (Content):

Brown-James, L. (2018). These are my eyes, this is my nose, this is my vulva, these are my toes. Self-published. (Click here to purchase)

Carnagey, M. (2020) Sex positive talks to have with kids. Self-published. (Click here to purchase)

Mase III, J. & Edidi, D. F. (Eds.) (2020) The black trans prayer book. Self-published. (click here to purchase)

Sex-Positive Families Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/sexpositive_families/

Episode Reference (People):

Dr. Lexx Brown-James--Owner, The Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy (bio)

In this particular episode of the podcast Dr. G chats with Melissa Carnagey, a licensed social worker, educator and founder of the wildly-popular sex ed parenting resource Sex-Positive Families. Dr. G & Melissa dive deep to discuss issues related to being a sex-positive parent, including but not limited to unchecked trauma related to racial and other identity experiences. Towards the end of the conversation, Melissa invites listeners to imagine what liberated sexual health looks like, not just for themselves but for the young people they may come in contact throughout their lives. The two also discuss Melissa's new book, Sex Positive Talks to Have With Kids, which they self-published towards the end of last year.

(Click to download the episode transcript)

Episode Question to Ponder: If you could re-parent yourself for the purposes of fostering your sexual empowerment, what would you do differently than those who raised you?

Homework: Reflection & Interview Exercise!

Guest Bio: Melissa Pintor Carnagey (she/they) is a Black and Latinx Austin, Texas based sexuality educator, and licensed social worker who believes that all children deserve holistic, comprehensive, and shame-free sexuality education so they can live informed, empowered, and safer lives. Melissa is confident that the work starts in homes with families and caregivers. Her professional experience spans just shy of 15 years in the field of sexual health, having taught comprehensive sexuality education in schools, authored curricula, trained youth-serving professionals, and worked within HIV/AIDS case management and prevention at both nonprofit and state government levels. Melissa’s most relevant experience comes from being a sex positive parent to three young people ages 21, 11, and 7. They are the constant inspiration for the work. 

More info about Melissa & their work can be found at SexPositiveFamilies.com.

Episode References (Content):

Carnagey, M. (2020) Sex positive talks to have with kids. Self-published. (Click here to purchase)

Episode References (People):

Brittany Broaddus--Owner, The Intimacy Firm (bio)

Dr. Lexx Brown-James--Owner, The Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy (bio)

This inaugural episode of T.S.O.B. w/ Dr. G introduces you to Dr. Tracie Q. Gilbert, podcast host and sexuality educator. She breaks down a bit of her background, inspirations and rationale for the show, and provides a brief overview of what can be expected from future episodes.

(Click to download the episode transcript)

Episode Question to Ponder: What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Host Bio: Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD (she/her/Thembi) is an educator, writer,  and consultant who uses conversation to help achieve sexual wellness and healing for Black people, along with racial justice in sex ed spaces. Using lectures, interactive workshops and conversation series, Dr. Gilbert works to help Black communities unpack the mental, historical, and cultural barriers that keep them from having honest, productive conversations about sex and sexuality.

Dr. Gilbert has nearly 25 years experience teaching urban youth, young adults, and their advocates. She received her Masters of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and her doctorate from the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University. More info about Dr. G can be found at ThembiAnaiya.com.

EPISODE REFERENCES

DuBois, W. E. B. (1903). The souls of black folk. (Click here to Purchase)

Gamble, K. & Huff, L. (1975) The sound of Philadelphia [Recorded by MFSB ft. The Three Degrees]. On Love is the Message [Album]. Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia International Records. (Click to Listen; Also, here are 10 Black-Owned Vinyl Record Stores to Support)

Gilbert, T. Q. (in press) Black & sexy: A framework of racialized sexuality. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Press. (Click here to sign up for the wait list!)

Don't forget to subscribe!

For this episode, Dr. G speaks with renowned sexuality educator, podcaster, model, cancer survivor and activist Ericka Hart (she/they) about the experience of existing in Black femme bodies, and the various systems (capitalism, fatphobia, transphobia, Western medicine, colorism, antiBlackness) impacting that lived experience. 

(Click to download the episode transcript)

Episode Question to Ponder: What is your relationship to the Black Femme body?

Guest Bio: A kinky, poly, cancer-warrior, activist and sexuality educator with a Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University, Ericka Hart has taught sexuality education for elementary aged youth to adults across New York City for over 10 years, including serving as a Peace Corps HIV/AIDS volunteer in Ethiopia from 2008-2010.

Diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in May 2014 at the age of 28, she realized that neither her identity as a queer black femme, nor her sex life as a survivor, was featured prominently in her treatment. She decided to do something about it: going topless (and viral) in public, bearing her double mastectomy scars to end the lack of black, brown LGBTQIA+ representations and visibility in breast cancer awareness.

Dismantling the ways that systemic patriarchy and anti-black standards of beauty affect our everyday lives, Ericka is shifting ingrained cultural modes and attitudes on chronic illness and posits visibility as vital to any radically inclusive movement toward equity. But it is her work on the medical industrial complex that forces us to see our institutions and systems of care as complicit in the perpetuation of illness in marginalized communities; unabashedly centering and sentient such that queer, trans black, brown and femme voices aren’t lost among the drone of scholarly research less skilled than Hart in bringing academia to the places it refuses to go.

Audiences around the world admire Ericka for her ability to challenge anti-blackness everywhere it rears its head–from the front pages of magazines, fashion week runways to the lectern. She is committed to empowering students to make a difference in the world and with each other, opening up robust discourse that connects sexual health and wellness to the systemic issues at the root of social injustice, helping students at over 20 colleges and universities across the country this past year alone discover actionable steps to confront those issues powerfully. More information about Ericka and their work can be found at iHartEricka.com.

Episode References:

Philly Women Rally (2017, Oct 18). Ericka Hart @ The Women's March on Philadelphia [Video]. YouTube.com  (click here to watch)

Ziyad, H. (2017) My gender is black. Afropunk.com  (click here to read)