REACH4Friends

#OurMusicMyBody: Safety, Sexism, & Harassment in the Music Scene Sexual harassment in the music scene has been widely ignored for much too long. As partners, Between Friends and RVA have come together to bring awareness to this issue through the #OurMusicMyBody campaign. We cannot have these conversations alone. In order to actively involve more of the music community in these discussions, we are hosting a panel featuring activists, musicians, and members of the local music scene. We hope that through honest, accessible, community conversations, we can create a movement where people feel supported and safe at music festivals and concerts. Please join us. Panelists include: Corin Tucker (Musician/Member of Sleater-Kinney) Monica Trinidad (Artist/Activist/co-founder of For the People Artists Collective) Jes Skolnik (Musician/Writer for Bandcamp and Pitchfork) Britt Julious (Columnist for Chicago Tribune /Writer for THUMP) Moderator: Kate Grube (Musician/Member of Kittyhawk) FREE/All Ages Doors Open @ 2pm Panel Starts @ 3pm 

Someone asked us:

My friends and I had a debate about yeast infections, which was prompted because one girl would not go in a swimming pool because that is an easy way to get one. None of us believed this but someone else said you get yeast infections from having too much sex. I assumed they only happen if you get your vagina dirty or by douching. So why do they happen, what causes them?

1. It sounds like you guys need more sexual and reproductive health experts at your pool parties. The Planned Parenthood Tumblr team IS available. Jussayin.

2. Here’s the deal with yeast infections.

Normally, your vagina is a self-cleaning, harmonious balance of healthy bacteria and yeast. Yeast infections (science-y name: candidiasis) happen when things get out of whack and the yeast grows a bit out of control. Yeast infections can happen in your vagina, on your penis, or even in your mouth (that’s called thrush).

Several things can contribute to this kind of imbalance, like:

a weakened immune system

changes in your hormone levels throughout your menstrual cycle

antibiotics, cortisone, and other medicines

pregnancy

diabetes

Note that swimming isn’t on this list. However, yeast infections and other kinds of vaginitis can thrive in damp environments, so wearing a wet bathing suit for a long time after you go swimming can increase your chances of getting a yeast infection. So keep things dry by bringing a change of underwear (ideally cotton underwear) when you go swimming.

Having sex won’t necessarily give you a yeast infection. But sometimes a natural reaction to another person’s genital chemistry or mouth chemistry (yes, yeast and bacteria normally live in your saliva too) can lead to a yeast infection. The fix: use condoms and Sheer Glyde Dams (AKA dental dams).  

As for douching, you were correct. Douching is like catching an express train straight to Yeast Town (or Another Type of Vaginitis…Town) for some people — so definitely stay away from douching.  

Here are some other ways to avoid yeast infections:

Let your vulva breathe by wearing 100% cotton or cotton-crotch undies that fit you.

When showering or bathing, rinse your vulva with water and mild soap only. No need for special “feminine care” soaps and deodorants. And never, ever douche. If you find that the soap you’re using now irritates your vulva, try a more mild or unscented one.

Always use condoms when you have sex.

If you need to take antibiotics for a long period of time, probiotic foods like yogurt or probiotic supplements may help. Your doctor or nurse can also help you figure out what will work best for you.  

Yeast infections are one kind of vaginitis — meaning inflammation of the vagina — but there are lots of other kinds of vaginitis, too. Yeast infections and other kinds of vaginitis have similar symptoms, like itching, irritation, or discharge that’s not normal for you.

Visit a doctor or nurse, like the staff at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center, to get the right diagnosis and treatment if you’re worried. And don’t let your questions about yeast infections stop you or your friends from enjoying a nice swim ever again. Stay cool!

The 17th transgender woman! THE 17TH!!! I just can’t believe… 

I want violence to stop against all transgender people of color!

Everyone has the right to like and dislike whoever they want. But, NO ONE has the right to hurt or kill another person. It’s very sad that another woman was killed like that… And it’s very sad they will continue to hate and kill…

Latino/Latina: originating from the Carribean, South or Central America. Gender neutral term (in English) is usually written as latinx.

Sentence: María was born in Ecuador, so she is Latina.

Hispanic: Spanish-speaking.

Sentence: José was born in Brazil, so he is NOT Hispanic, since his country’s official language is Portugese, but he IS considered Latino.

Mexican: from the Central American country named Mexico, NOT a language. NOTICE! not all Latinos in the US are from Mexico

Sentence: Enrique was born in Mexico, so he is Mexican. Enrique speaks Spanish, since “Mexican” is not a language. 

Chicano/Chicana/Chicanx: a person of Mexican descent (usually born in the US)

Sentence: Anna’s parents were born in Mexico, so she identifies as Chicana. Her friend Miguel’s parents are from Colombia, so he identifies as Latino.

Spanish: a language spoken by many countries all over the world/ originating from the country Spain. NOTICE! not the only language spoken in Spain or South/Central America.

Sentence: Juan was born in Madrid, so he is Spanish. He only speaks Spanish, but has friends who speak other languages.

Quechua, Catalan, Nahuatl, Gallego, Euskera: other languages spoken in countries where Spanish is the ‘official’ language. Many Hispanics are bilingual and Spanish may not be their native language.

Sentence: Alba was born in a region of Spain called Catalonia. Even though she is Spanish, she speaks Catalan with her family and friends. 

Sentence #2: Sofia was born in Mexico and does not speak “Mexican,” but her family does speak Nahuatl, a native language originating in Mexico.

but who cares about the fat lesbians and wlw who are told they are only lesbians because they “can’t attract a man.” or the fat trans women who are denied their own gender, who others consider to not be “feminine enough” because we’re all told that fat is not feminine, it is not womanly. the fat trans man who is too short and too round and too soft to be considered a man, who is also denied his transness because “clearly you’re only uncomfortable because you’re fat.” the fat gay man who struggles feeling comfortable in his own skin going to spaces where he’s supposed to be welcomed, all because he doesn’t fit the Right Aesthetic.

9 Famous Faces On The Struggles and Beauty of Being Afro-Latino

Afro-Latinos face many challenges when it comes identity, particularly when people refuse to believe that being Black AND Latino aren’t mutually exclusive experiences.

The Latino identity denotes an ethnicity, which means that Latinos exist in every color and race imaginable – and explaining the difference between race and ethnicity can be quite a cumbersome task to take on on a daily basis. And yet, many Afro-Latinos are often forced to do so after being told they’re not “Latino enough” or being asked to choose between being Black and Latino.

Whether you’re casually hooking up or have been going out for a while now, setting boundaries is an important part of any relationship. To have the healthiest relationship, both partners should know each other’s wants, goals, fears and limits. You should feel comfortable communicating your honest needs to your partner without being afraid of what they might do in response. If your partner tells you that your needs are stupid, gets angry with you or goes against what you’re comfortable with, then your partner is not showing you the respect you deserve.