The Green Light District

I really appreciate Donna’s point about fiction in general being created to arouse. Why would it be more noble/moral/acceptable to arouse sadness, fear, or mirth, for example, than sexual excitement? I especially love the last line of this piece.

While of course this seems obvious, it also sometimes seems to need to be said, and I feel Lucy did so beautifully.

Though it seems PayPal has rescinded the overreaching policy that evoked a recent firestorm, it seems to me the content of this piece remains keenly relevant and would be well heard and considered.

I’m not surprised that other places/countries have seemingly calmer and more astute (or sane…) tendencies in dealing with sexuality, especially of young people, but I really appreciate what I also see in this piece about the postulation of Dutch parents actually trusting and respecting their teenage children. I don’t know if it always occurs to us in this country that, to me anyway, a vast majority of the shielding and denial we do of young people’s sexuality is disrespectful to their autonomy and their very humanness. As the author notes, there are salient questions surrounding the topic, but I do feel the collective predilection in this country to deny (and act hysterical about) young people’s sexuality is extreme and that we could learn something from a culture that seems to view it differently.

I appreciate the recommendations here—it strikes me as so relevant to recognize that even if parents have fostered open communication with their children about sexuality, it does not mean they (parents) are immune to their own issues. Recognizing that, it seems to me, may help prevent an inappropriate or shaming response to a child’s question that might, as the author mentions, be triggering to the parent who is asked.

I simply love this. It may be one of my favorite things I’ve ever read on the subject of non-monogamy, at least in the context of children/families.

I personally relate to a vast amount of what the author offers here (basically what she is lamenting). I have indeed found it quite challenging to assert my “place in the world” or “claim [my] space.” Seeing the folly and lack of usefulness of this stated so plainly (as I interpret it) strikes me as important–and while I don’t suddenly feel able to let go of the challenges I have historically experienced in this area, I do find this piece inspiring and appreciate the support I perceive in the message.

I feel particular resonance with the author’s articulation of potential long-term lessons teachers offer (in contrast with seemingly immediate results observable on performance tests). It does seem to me that numerous of a teacher’s effective offerings may not appear immediately noticeable due simply to the age and experience levels of students. That doesn’t mean tests or performance evaluations don’t have potential value, but losing sight of larger considerations in deference to them seems to me a profoundly un-ideal method of examining teaching.

Ah, indeed. Obviously some of Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments about Sandra Fluke have seemed to evoke a social maelstrom. This post addresses one of the implicit allusions I have interpreted and found disturbing in some of the societal response. I both appreciate seeing attention brought to it in general and also like how the author frames it here particularly.

I not only intensely love what I interpret this piece as saying but also hugely appreciate its timeliness and accessibility to the public. Really, I wish everyone in the United States (and, ideally, the world) would read it and take note.

I was riveted by this post and its author’s deft back-and-forth between the fascinating historical information and commentary on the present. The knowledge of the existence of such a figure, whom I will admit was previously unknown to me, feels refreshing and inspiring and actually reassuring to me. I’m so appreciative to Kristina for bringing her to my attention.

Sometimes I read something and immediately start planning how to arrange the next Recommended Reading around it so I can proclaim my adoration of it as quickly as practical. This was one of them.

I don’t identify as Christian, but I appreciate the sentiment I interpret here. Much, if not all, of it feels to me like I can extrapolate it from the Christian context and the word “God” (a word with which I personally don’t resonate) and see it as true. And for those who do identify as Christian, it seems to me a beautiful message well worth considering.

I will admit that when I first saw the title of this article, I hesitated to read it due to suspicion that I might find it filled with gender stereotypes that I would simply find anywhere from irritating to infuriating. (I will further admit it was because the article was in a mainstream publication that I especially felt this way.) I did read the piece, obviously, and I was pleasantly surprised. I much appreciate how the author points out that judgments about things the parents have done as reported in this article are reflective of feelings in those who are judging (which is, it seems to me, often if not always the case with judgment)—and certainly that children who have experienced challenge or consideration around their gender identity or sexuality have often indeed not been “shielded” from correlative stereotypes…making it seem quite questionable (or, perhaps, nonsensical) to me indeed that such “shielding” would be some kind of inherent setup for gender or sexual identity struggles.

I find this brilliant and am once again amazed by what I perceive as Charlie’s capacity to address and articulate nuance in a kind, considered, incisive way. Especially since he’s tended to write so much about sexuality and, as I interpret it, self-awareness, this is something I appreciate profoundly.

I admit that since non-monogamy seems so understandable and unsurprising to me, I have sometimes forgotten that it seems, at this point, often profoundly misunderstood and judged by American culture as a whole (I’ve experienced the same thing around sex work). I find this very disheartening and disappointing, but I really appreciate this author’s account of how she handled the situation she relates. I too wholeheartedly hope for a time when such a thing is not judged so automatically but understood as just another relationship choice it is up to each individual/relationship configuration to make.

As sobering as this post strikes me as being, I appreciate what I perceive as its openness and commentary on depression and mental illness. I wish the author all the best.

I found this account of Ms. Roberta’s entrance into the escorting profession compelling, incisive, and even poignant at the end. I appreciate her sharing it.

I see this piece as filled with beautiful, salient recommendations for parents, caregivers, and/or just about anyone in caring relationship with children and youth.

Especially since I find respect for young people’s autonomy and sexuality woefully wanting at this time in American culture, I find the simplicity and straightforwardness of the message in this video both refreshing and profoundly relevant.

I found this account heartbreaking and heartening at the same time—I was brought to tears by the beauty I saw in it even as I found some of it hard to read and was brought to tears for other reasons. I appreciate the author’s sharing it.

This is one of my many favorite pieces by Alison Tyler. Its incredible subtlety that seems, to me, to intertwine with its also incredible evocativeness to provoke the staggering sexiness it does takes my breath away every time. Simply gorgeous.

I’ve loved this story ever since I first read it a few years ago. To me, it manages to combine humor, irreverence, and hot sex to quite charming effect!

I was delighted and mesmerized by this fantasy piece by the lovely Jade. Beautiful, hot, captivating—breathtaking!