Drake and Kamrah are trans masculine belly dancers who are paving a new path forward in the world of belly dancing – one that is more inclusive and that honors the historical accommodation of men in this dance discipline. 

I’m talking to them about their origins in dance and their findings from research in this space. We’re also talking about some of the challenges that come from dealing with gender norms and expectations in dance, including how they deal with toxic masculinity on social media, or trans-exclusionary radical feminists, abbreviated as TERFS.

It’s a fabulous episode for anyone interested in making belly dancing more inclusive and for anyone from a traditionally underrepresented group in this space who is interested in jumping in and moving the environment forward towards a much richer and more supportive space. 

Resources

• Drake’s website: https://drakevontrapp.dance/

• Drake's instagram: @drake.vontrapp

• Kamrah https://tattooedbellydancer.com/

• Kamrah's instagram: @kamrahdancer

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

• Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Writer, actress and activist Mariah  Darling joins us to talk about her experience as a black trans woman, the layers of privilege and intersectionality that exist within this community, and her work to give trans and gender non-conforming communities a voice. Whether you’re trans or enby yourself and need guidance or resources in the LA area, or a healthcare provider looking to provide more inclusive services for your patients on the gender spectrum, you’ll be sure to find some practical pearls of wisdom in this episode. It’s a fun conversation that gave me a window into some key pioneers and figures in the trans community that inspire Mariah – and even hearing about Mariah’s work with the only unionized strippers in America itself is inspiring and shows just how far you can go when you have the self-confidence and drive to make a meaningful impact. 

Resources

• APAIT: https://www.apaitonline.org/casa-de-zulma/

• Los Angeles LGBT Center: https://lalgbtcenter.org/services/transgender-services/transgender-wellness-center/

• Latina Trans Coalition: https://www.translatinacoalition.org/

• Cal Fresh (food benefits California): https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh

• Mariah’s TikTok: MariahDarling2020

• Mariah’s X (formerly Twitter): MariahDarling6

• Mariah’s Instagram: @mariahdarlingofficial

• Al's Instagram:⁠ ⁠@sexystacks⁠⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

• Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Dr. Alexandra Hill joins this episode to discuss inclusive and gender-affirming healthcare for trans and non-binary folks. We discuss the unique needs of trans and non-binary people beyond sexual health and how healthcare professionals can start providing care that is person-centered for this population. Dr. Hill even shares some practical tips and resources for both healthcare professionals and trans and enby folks.

Resources:

• Dr. Hill’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oncopelvicpt

• Dr. Hill’s Instagram: @oncopelvicPT

• Dr. Hill’s website: https://www.oncopelvicpt.com/

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Nastya Valentine talks about her upcoming book “Cyberhorny: Navigating A Sexual Dystopia.” We talk about the inspiration for this book and how it supports a much-needed academic discourse of sex work and sex theory. It ties in nicely to our discussion about shadow bans on social media, stigma towards sex work, and the bias in AI, all of which continue to make the digital space frustratingly anti-feminist.

Resources:

• Nastya’s website: https://www.cyber-horny.com/

• Nastya’s Instagram: @nastyavalentine

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

  
  

  Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Nastya Valentine joins me to talk about a broad range of health topics as they relate to sex work. Nastya talks about how she sets boundaries to protect herself and her mental health while at work. We also talk about the overlap between spirituality and sex work, plus the drastically changing landscape of digital sex work. Nastya doesn’t hold back in this episode, sharing how sex work empowers her to reclaim her sexual autonomy and heal trauma.

Resources:

• Nastya’s website: https://www.cyber-horny.com/

• Nastya’s Instagram: @nastyavalentine

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠

Gay life coach Kevin Kasir is here with me today. We delve into some of the most common topics that come up in Kevin’s session, sex and substance use. He shares some of the most common substances that his clients need support with. He has some really interesting and practical suggestions for re-orienting a problematic relationship with substances and how to begin addressing dependencies. We also talk about issues porn can cause and how in some cases it impairs  people’s ability to show up authentically and openly in sex. We talk about an alternative approach to porn that involves harnessing and channeling our sexual energy towards manifesting health, wellness, and growth in other areas of our life. It’s a fun and sexy conversation that may even leave you wanting to masturbate to yourself. You may even get a little laugh from my confession about being attracted to cartoon mice – stay tuned until the end to know what that’s all about.

Photographer and performance artist Sheree Rose is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. I sat down with Sheree to hear her takes on new anti-feminist policies emerging in government, her own liberation and deprogramming from the patriarchy, and the fascinating experiences with sex and dating that followed. The conversation covers the full, beautiful arc of her life–from her discovery of BDSM with a life partner of 16 years, to her hopes for the next chapter.

Guest bio:

Sheree Rose is American photographer and performance artist. She is best known for her collaborative work with performance artist Bob Flanagan, and her photography documenting a wide range of Los Angeles subcultures, especially in relation to BDSM and body modification. Rose was raised in a Jewish family in Los Angeles. She was married in 1964, and she and her first husband both worked as teachers. In the 1970s, after divorcing, she earned a master's degree at California State University, Northridge and became active in socialist feminism, consciousness-raising groups, and the punk scene.

Resources:

• Rated Rx Book: https://ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814214480.html

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

• Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠
  

Songe Riddle is a multidisciplinary visual artist who has  taught me so much about Tourettes syndrome. He joins us to give a quick rundown of his experience living with Tourettes, but to also share his experience as a black man with Tourettes. The intersectionality of all our identities can be so consequential in our lived experience and my conversation with Songe really highlights this. We’re also talking about his amazing art, his artsy family origins, and his early experiences in the punk scene.

Guest bio: 

Songe Riddle is a multidisciplinary visual artist, working in fine art, illustration, and animation, with the occasional toe dipped into screenwriting.

He studied at Parsons school of Design in New York City, earning a BFA in illustration n 2000, and has worked primarily in film and television since, providing animation, motion graphics,and visual effects.

Bills gotta get paid.  

If he was independently wealthy, he’d spend his time painting, swimming in the ocean, and reading comic books. 

 Oh, and watching General Hospital.  He’s so sick of Carly and Josselyn right now.

Links and Resources:

• Songe’s website: https://songeriddle.com/

• Songe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/songeriddle__/ 

• Al's Instagram: ⁠@sexystacks⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary website: ⁠https://www.pelvicsanctuary.org/⁠

• Pelvic Sanctuary on Instagram: ⁠@pelvicsanctuary⁠⁠

• Music by Celeste: ⁠@xceleste.xx⁠