The sex-positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality, promoting the recognition of sexuality (in the countless forms of expression) as a natural and healthy part of the human experience and emphasizing the importance of personal sovereignty, safer sex practices, and consensual sex (and sex workfree of violence or coercion).
I'm straight. Don't want sex? Become a monk.
It is based on the idea that "sexuality is an important part of the human experience and it deserves respect" [1]. Although the definition of the term greatly varies among those involved in the movement, its central notion is "openness to a variety of sexual orientations, interests (or lack thereof), identities and expressions" [2].
I regret all that science and math. I really wanted to be a Hedonist with Jeffrey Epstein & Co!
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The sex-positive movement also advocates for comprehensive sex education and safe sex as part of its campaign.[3] The movement generally makes no moral distinctions among types of sexual activities, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference [4]. More
Suffering Sandpapery Sex? Three Secrets to Juicier Lovemaking
What makes someone sexually attractive?
(AARP) We’ve all been there before: We’re about to get it on and — *album scratch* — our girl isn’t giving what she’s supposed to. Knowhatimsayin? Like that filthy/racy Cardi B song featuring Megan Thee Stallion. What’s up with my natural lube being a no-show? Why is this happening?
Estrogen helps keep the vagina well lubricated and aids in sexual intercourse, she says. So declining estrogen levels can mean vaginal dryness that causes rough discomfort or sandy pain during sex. Some women also experience a chafed or burning feeling during day-to-day activities.
Menopause isn’t the only reason for vaginal dryness. Some other causes are medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and hormonal birth control pills; childbirth or breastfeeding; vaginal infections; stress. Whatever the circumstances, we’re not stuck with sandpaper-like sex. Here’s how to add more slip and slide to the ride. More: sisters.aarp.org
Misogyny: literally "hatred of females," figuratively promoting separation of the sexes or normative sex role stereotyping [or saying there are only two genders]
For those brave enough to let it all hang out, get ready for the clothing-optional World Naked Bike Ride 2026 Los Angeles (WNBRLA).
The head-turning bike fest—a global grassroots movement that began in 2004—is taking over L.A. with its bare-as-you-dare dress code to fight “indecent exposure to cars.”
For those able to look past the nudity, nakedness, and eye-popping dangly bits, this 19th annual bike ride’s primary (stated) goal is to advocate for sustainable energy and environmentally responsible living to combat our current car-driven society. That and to bring joy back to transportation via cycling. (Think CicLAvia but with more butts).
I should have the right to go topless. What is this, Russia? I'll show that President Putin!
But make no mistake: The nudity is a major part of the ride and is in itself a celebration of body positivity, strength, respect and acceptance for every human being becoming better than ever looks wise.
When is the WNBR 2026 in LA?
The ride takes place Saturday, June 27, 2026. There will be two rides, in fact, the first at 10:00 am and the second at 2:00 pm.
Where does the ride take place?
For the safety of its riders, WNBR doesn’t share the exact details of its routes until the week before the event on Instagram and Facebook.
But here’s what we can say: The staging area for both rides will be in the parking lot of the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Little Tokyo (140 Judge John Aiso St.), where there will also be body painters, food trucks and vendors.
In keeping with the event’s anti-car sentiment, organizers usually suggest leaving all cars behind—so wearing clothes to start and taking public transit is highly encouraged. But there will be parking for riders at the nearby Mangrove Parking Lot (414 E Temple St.) for $10, starting at 8:00 am.
Look for the “WNBR–LA General Parking” sign. Whether driving or cycling over, organizers ask that cyclist NOT undress until at the staging area.
I'm naked wearing body paint. I can shower off later. Hah, look at all these starved gawkers!
You sinful sinners, cover up! This is a beach!
The first ride starts at 10:00 am and is approximately 9 miles long—the longer of the two but is an easier route.
The second ride is at 2:00 pm and is about 7 miles long. This is the harder of the two rides, as the route goes over hills. Both go past DTLA landmarks and include photo ops and water stops.
Do I need to pre-register? All participants can register in person on the day of the event and get a debriefing on this year’s rules. Or pre-register by emailing wnbr.losangeles@gmail.com or via PayPal or Patreon).
Padded bike shorts, who needs'em? buns of steel
How much is it? As for the cost, the bike ride is technically FREE, but WNBRLA does welcome donations to help cover the cost of traffic escorts, porta potties, wristbands, loaner bikes, and more. (For those who donate at least $5, pick up a free backpack!)
Even if pre-registering, participants will need to check in on the day of the event to pick up a wristband.
I prefer skimpy. It's more tantalizing and alluring
How nude is “nude”? Do I have to strip to ride?
We’re talking bare butts on bicycle seats and delicate bits flopping in the breeze, but the dress code is officially “bare as you dare.” Nudity isn’t technically required. So feel free to partake as fully clothed or as fully nude as you feel comfortable going. It's individual.
WNBRLA does encourage helmets and full-body SPF sunblock, as well as body paint and other creative expression—but strictly prohibits provocative fetish gear and genital jewelry and accessories. Also: no erections.
So how is this legal?
Public nudity IS legal—sort of. Baring a nude body in a lewd manner that clearly has sexual or offensive intentions is illegal, however. Hence WNBRLA’s rules.
What if I don’t have a bike?
In the past, WNBRLA has suggested DTLA Bikes or Just Ride L.A. for bike rentals. Or check out Time Out’s list of the best bike shops in L.A. to purchase one.
Participants can also skate, scooter, or ride a unicycle or tricycle—any human-powered vehicle—but keep in mind that the route will go both uphill and downhill. More
(Frameline) SECOND NATURE: From homosexual penguins to sex-transitioning fish, contemporary scientists have been zealously studying animal behavior and anatomy and exposing the myth of the gender binary. Turns out the natural world is way more diverse and complex than Darwin led us to believe! Director Drew Denny takes the nature documentary to a whole new level in this eye-opening and entertaining expedition. Executive produced by Elliot Page. Special Sneak Preview Screening at Frameline: Frameline48 (frameline.org)
Second Nature: Elliot (formerly Ellen) Page on new film exploring animal world beyond the binary
Biology? I'm fully who I am. (Time)
(Democracy Now!)
June 24, 2026: A new documentary explores a growing body of scientific research documenting the wide range of gender and sexual diversity found in the animal kingdom, from pregnant male seahorses to matriarchal monkey troops.
Second Nature, directed by queer filmmaker Drew Denny, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page, who says he joined the project because "I was so moved by it and found it so affirming as a trans and queer person."
Learning about animal life beyond binary concepts of sex and gender was life-changing, Denny shares about her inspiration for the film. "I finally felt in my body, for the first time, that I belong here on Earth, just like anybody else."
ABOUT: Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8:00-9:00 am ET.
South Korea’s first robot monk joins Buddhist ceremony; internet split over AI in religion About 130 cm tall and dressed in traditional Buddhist robes, Gabi took part in an ordination ceremony alongside senior monks at Jogye Temple.
Humanoid robot monk ‘Gabi’ introduced at Seoul South Korean Buddhist temple, triggers online debate Humanoid robots are often designed to assist people in workplaces like factories, warehouses, and offices. But in South Korea, one such robot is now stepping into an entirely different role—that of a Buddhist monk. According to Reuters, a temple in Seoul recently introduced its first humanoid robot monk named "Gabi" ahead of the Buddha’s birthday celebrations, sparking curiosity and debate online.
Robots can't be Buddhist monks
Bow to me, Bar-buh-ruh. Pay respect to the robe. - Well, if I have to. Who ordained you?
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From a Theravada perspective, this would not be a real monk for various reasons right off the top of one's head for anyone familiar with the Vinaya Collection. For one, it's not human, and Buddhist ordination is reserved for human beings: no reptilians (naga-shapeshifters) allowed. At least one nāga tried to ordain and when found out was disrobed. It is also said that no pandakas ("eunuchs") are allowed. Is the robot Gabi neutered? If so, it could not be ordained. This is tragic because pandaka does not really mean "eunuch" as we understand the word in the West but culturally does include perverted eunuchs in the East. A pandaka is a sexually perverted person, more of an out-of-control pansexual, bisexual, homosexual, and possibly a libertine heterosexual unable by nature to control his/her sexual impulses. The literature includes mention of hermaphrodites, crossdressing transvestites, transsexuals, and those exhibiting aberrant, non-normative behaviors as defined in an ancient subcontinental context. This would seem to include kathoeys ("ladyboys") in Buddhist South and Southeast Asia.
The Eunuch (Pandaka) Festival of India is where all of these aberrations are on full exhibition for the public to fear, ridicule, and condemn. Being tricked, induced, or forced to participate in homosexual prostitution or to undergo castration (or those born asexual or intersexual), many young males act out and lead a life of debauchery, abusing alcohol and drugs and engaging in sexual misconduct. It is in this context that the ill-defined term pandaka should be understood. Instead, due to Western influence, it has come to mean a male without a penis -- for whatever reason -- cannot be ordained as a monk (bhikkhu). It might be possible to become a novice (samerera) depending on the elder monk administering the precepts, so a person could look like a monk and live in a monastery yet not actually be a fully ordained "monk." It seems safe to imagine that all of this applies to nuns (bhikkhunis) and female novices (samaneris). The upshot is that robots -- oddly, unless they're sexbots -- would not be eligible for true ordination. Any monk or monastic Sangha might nevertheless ordain an AI bot at their discretion, but would it really be valid? Not likely. Third, the purpose of ordination, at least in the Theravada tradition, is to bring suffering and rebirth to an end. Do robots suffer? Are they reborn? We may imagine analogues to these unpleasant emotions and the forced wandering on through samsara, but neither would seem to apply to inanimate objects, particularly of the nonhuman variety. Still, one could use sophistry and philosophy to make some argument in favor of a robotic sangha. In Mahayana, many say the goal is neither enlightenment nor liberation but to save all other beings first. Would a robot ever be able to do that? Maybe, if it trained on the texts, commentaries, disciplinary code, higher doctrine, history, and miscellaneous human issues (feelings, psychology, etiquette, customs, cultural sensitivities, existential, ontological, theological questions, etc.) No doubt that by the measure of the Turing test, robots will be able to pass eventually. Do they already "feel," are they already "conscious"? That depends on how humans define the terms or "feel" about it. Surely, an argument can be made that the simplest robot, the lowly smoke detector, is conscious and has a feeling. How? It "knows" when there is smoke and can say so by being triggered to send out an alarming call. And how does it do that? It does it by feeling (sensing) the smoke. If one buys this argument then a car, computer, and mainframe are much more advanced and able to act in their environment. If they could only act in programmed ways, that might not be much, but if they could "learn," that would be something. Yes to robot monks? No.
However, there's a slight conundrum. Long ago, Thai Theravada Buddhist monks in the Forest Tradition began to "ordain" trees. Why? They did it to save them. Loggers and poachers were cutting everything down, and they could not be induced to knock it off. So the local sangha came up with a brilliant solution. Do a ceremony, don the tree (or dryad) with robes, and magically no faithful karma-fearing logger or poacher dared touch it. The motivation was good, the solution was problematic, but it worked. The trees and forests and Thai environment were saved, just barely. But it did open up a loophole, did it not? If living, organic, old growth trees can (not because they themselves are possessed of self-view but possibly because the tree spirits inhabiting them are). After all, trees are conscious, sentient, organic lifeforms. Because a tree is much less overtly responsive than a boop-boop-bee-doop robot being, some might argue that robots are much more human like and deserving of ordination. That's ridiculous because no one is ordaining or professing to ordain robots for their benefit. There's a selfish human motive for doing it. Perhaps we should wait until AI is sufficiently advanced that a Robo-Buddha arises among the legions of chips, plastic, and metal automatons, and then that Robo-B can set up rules for ordination and teach them the way to mechanical-nirvana.
Bar-buh-ruh, Bar-buh-ruh! Where are you?
This did not begin in our era. The first robot monk is actually over 500-years-old. How is that possible? Robots have only been around since that episode of The Twilight Zone where that guy built that one in his basement that could not pronounce his wife's name correctly: "Bar-buh-ruh, Bar-buh-ruh." No, the first humanoid robot monk was Catholic and was composed of gears and levers, according to NPR. Fortunately, it still exists in a museum, or who would believe it.
The problem is bigger than "Gabi" (the Korean robot monk), of which there seems to be a swarm already and not a singular example, because in 2016, there was already Venerable Xian'er:
Robot monk seeks to merge Buddhism and cutting edge tech
Xian'er: I'm a cartoon character come to "life."
Popular Mechanics) Buddhism is increasingly trying to connect with the modern world. Mahayana monks across China have taken this word ("modernity") to heart, and their latest effort is Xian'er, an adorable robot that lives in a monastery answering questions and chanting mantras.
Xian'er first came to "life" as a cartoon character drawn by Master Xianfan of the Longquan Temple on the outskirts of Beijing, China.
The temple is over 500 years old but a decade ago, Longquan Temple was in disrepair. Xianfan wrote for Chinese websites before becoming a monk and found that Buddhism enhanced his natural creativity.
The Xian'er character gave life to the Temple, which eventually added an animation studio. The Xian'er robot monk, built in conjunction with [blank], is the Temple's furthest extension of its brand yet. More
Mirror Now; The Independent; David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, April 29, 2016; Ashley Wells and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly COMMENTARY
(WISN 12 News) Female former school aide, 34, gets 50.5 years for child sex crimes with four young boys. Meanwhile, rich white men, many of them Jews and Zionists, get not so much as an investigation from the FBI, CIA, the Trump administration, AG Pam Bondi, the Biden administration, or anyone else. Double standard?
Harvard's Larry Summers: May I retire with a golden parachute?
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