Why Progressive Values Mean Happier Sex

pro·gres·sive: (of a group, person, or idea) favoring or implementing social reform or new, liberal ideas.

I'm a 2014 Institute Fellow in the San Diego Leadership Alliance. This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to progressive values and causes in San Diego and cultivating new progressive leaders. It's an amazing program and bridges my interests in sexual health education, women's reproductive rights, sexual rights, LGBT rights, holistic health, and overall community health, into the realm of politics, public policy, and advocacy.

What happens if we don't favor social reform in the sexual realm? We live from and in fear. Our government has the right to control our bodies. People are denied the right to love who they want and have (consensual) sex in the way they want, without shame. Sex is a powerful force. We can respect and honor that this means responsibilitiy and aware choices. We can also respect and honor that this means tolerance that each person's experience and expression of the power of sex may be different. Fear, shame, embarrassment, and control brings everyone down in their sexual experiences. This seems to be the American way. What a shame.

If you're in the San Diego area and would like to support progressive values in our city, please come out to the fundraising Happy Hour on Wednesday, May 14, to support the 2015 Class of the San Diego Leadership Alliance. Purchase tickets HERE.

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus -- San Diego Sexologist, Sociologist, Sexuality Speaker

Why is there a Birth Control Debate?

It's mind-boggling the way that some American leaders and politicians view female sexuality. I think this cartoon summarizes the contradictions and foolishness of the debate pretty well. Why do we need to keep reminding people that sex is a normal, natural, healthy part of human expression and existence?

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus -- San Diego Sexologist, Sociologist, Sexuality Speaker

Couples Workshops in San Diego

Being in a relationship is a wonderful experience AND it takes awareness, communication, and work to stay on track. I'm offering weekend workshops for couples to improve their communication and get them back on the same page in their commitment to the things that matter.

Benefits of Attending:

• Improve communication skills
• Learn to cultivate mindfulness techniques
• Increase play and creativity in your relationship
• Learn to speak each other's love language
• Focus on appreciation and acknowledgements
• Deepen intimacy
• Learn to focus on sensual enjoyment
• Learn how to check-in with what's most important

Next Weekend Couples Workshop:

April 4-6, 2014

Friday night: 6-9pm
Saturday: Specific activities on your own (as determined Friday night)
Sunday: 1-5pm

For more information, visit this page for Weekend Couples Workshops in San Diego.

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, San Diego Sociologist, Sexuality Speaker, Intimacy Counselor

21 Days of #TwitterSex - Rehash of 1st Week

I'm a nerd when it comes to reading and learning about sex research. Orgasms in an MRI - awesome. Fascinating animal sex - nice. A new website supporting open sexual expression - sign me up! On February 17, I started "21 Days of #TwitterSex" to offer you all an easy way to read daily about interesting new sex-related research and stories. Why 21 days? Because it also serves as a countdown to my birthday on March 9 :)

Here are my first 7 tweets to kick off this 21 days of sex research!

Day 1 of #TwitterSex! Are there things you enjoy more than sex (bacon?!)? See if you’re on this list of 20 things: http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/02/20-things-people-supposedly-like-more-than-sex.html

Day 2 of #TwitterSex! Today’s sex bit: “Porn addiction” diagnosis still not proven as addiction: http://jezebel.com/wait-so-is-porn-addiction-even-a-real-thing-1523887084

Day 3 of #TwitterSex: Holy crap! A good crap can feel orgasmic :) http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/18/poo-phoria-passing-a-stool_n_4808627.html?just_reloaded=1 @HuffPostPoorna

Day 4 of #TwitterSex: Do you have the balls (or ovaries) to post a photo/video of your face during a masturbation orgasm? http://www.thegloss.com/2014/02/14/sex-and-dating/orgasm-face-videos-beautiful-agony/

Day 5 of #TwitterSex: More research to support EARLY sex education efforts: http://www.kttc.com/story/24745202/std-education-must-start-long-before-kids-engage-in-sex #sexed

Day 6 of #TwitterSex: How big is your clitoris? Where is it located? This impacts your pleasure. http://jezebel.com/when-it-comes-to-orgasms-size-does-matter-cliterally-1527952620 @jezebel

Day 7 of #TwitterSex: Breast milk! Does it vary by what gender baby is being fed? Interesting! http://www.journalreview.com/news/article_bd072362-b0b5-5ef7-8cbd-f815f0f935e8.html

Follow DrJennsDen on Twitter to keep up with the next two weeks of #TwitterSex!

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, San Diego Sexologist, Sexuality Speaker, Sociologist

Romances in the Workplace: Pros & Cons on Wake Up San Diego, Channel 6

There are A LOT of workplace romances. But is it a smart thing to do? I discuss some things to look out for around workplace romances on Wake Up San Diego, Channel 6.

Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD -- San Diego Sexologist, Sexuality Speeaker, Sociologist

Conscious Dating in San Diego

What is conscious dating? Hopefully we already want to be awake for our dates, so this is a different type of consciousness. By conscious dating, I mean being aware, vulnerable, authentic, and compassionate. When you think about all the game-playing and uncertainty around dating, you can already tell how different this approach it.

On Friday, February 28, I'll be speaking about Conscious Dating as part of the Pacific College of Oriential Medicine's (PCOM) monthly Pop!TALK series. Although you're welcome to sit back, listen, and soak it in, I'm looking forward to audience interaction so we can all partake in furthering this important conversation.

Tickets are only $5 in advance and PCOM is located in the Mission Valley area of San Diego. Email poptalk@pacificcollege.edu to reserve your $5 ticket, or pay $10 at the door. Doors open 6:30pm. See you there!

~Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, San Diego Sexologist, Sexuality Speaker, Sociologist