F.R.E.E.

Welcome to Feminists for Reproductive Equity & Education's (F.R.E.E.) Tumblr. We will post news relating to Reproductive Justice, as well as helpful resources. For up-to-date info about our org and events, like us on facebook.com/freeaggies. Find us on Twitter @FREE_Aggies!

[hellyeahscarleteen]

Love the Glove: 10 Reasons to Use Condoms You Might Not Have Heard Yet

You’ve probably heard or thought some things about condom use that might be keeping you or others from using them or from using them consistently, and I’m willing to bet you haven’t heard everything.

Since we’re celebrating them this month, let’s have a look at 10 lesser known reasons to love condoms!

[bisexuallibrarian]

Yay, I'm Bisexual! How Can I Block Out All the Negative Messages & Stereotypes I Hear About It?

[hellyeahscarleteen]

Getting Through a Breakup Without Actually Breaking

Breakups sure can suck. But you can get through them, and come out on the other side okay. Find out what can make that easier, what can make them harder, and some ways to help yourself with so you can deal, heal and get back to the business of being your kickass self.

[queerkidsnl]

We highly recommend you read any and all articles on Scarleteen. These reads have informed us, enlightened us, and (no, really) saved us before. The link above will take you directly to the Sexual Identity stream of articles, but Scarleteen also discusses teen pregnancy, contraceptives, gender, safe sex, and much more.

[haveagaydayorg]

I’m a 17 year old transmale and I’ve identified as male for about 2 years now. I am 100% confident that I am a boy, but I am also fine having breasts and a vagina. I don’t think of them as female. They’re just my parts! I like wearing things like dresses and skirts as well and I enjoy makeup, none of these things make me less of a boy in my eyes. However, I fear that people will not take my identity seriously because of this. 

[hellyeahscarleteen]

Wheeeeee!  We’ve finished another sweet collaboration with artist Isabella Rotman, and can now offer you some awesome e-cards to send to those you love or maybe-love – be they boyfriends, girlfriends, booty calls,  someone you’re in a poly relationship with, an ex who’s now a friend, a bestie, yourself, even to a sex toy (how it’s going to open email, we don’t know) – for V-Day or any day at all.  Go and check ‘em out here!

[plannedparenthoodla-deactivated]

Periods are normal! Knowing your menstrual cycle is an important part of keeping your body healthy.  

[thismighthurt]

Thank you @lauraszumowski for donating original artwork from her book Cycling to raffle oct 9th at our Scarleteen benefit and art show @earlytobed ! Come support inclusive sex ed and win wonderful things! https://www.facebook.com/events/1473590082949048/

[plannedparenthoodla-deactivated]

Consent means to give permission. It is everyone’s responsibility to ask for consent for any sexual act.

 But what do people actually say?  Here are some great examples of how someone can get consent and find out what their partner is thinking.  

[plannedparenthoodla-deactivated]

Show your support for birth control by joining Planned Parenthood and our supporters in an important conversation on social media:

 #BirthControlHelpedMe.  Use the hashtag to tell us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram how birth has helped you.

#BirthControlHelpedMe have shorter lighter periods. How has birth control helped you?

#BirthControlHelpedMe not worry about an unintended pregnancy. How has birth control helped you?

[themidwifeisin]

Hi, so I went through the lube tags and didn't see anything about this, but sorry if you have already answered this. It may seem like a pretty obvious answer but I was wondering how you use lube? Do you put it on the vulva, on the penis (or toy) or do you actually insert it into the vagina?

Yes!  Definitely!  Exactly!

Use lube all over the place in every way!  

Really, I’m not kidding.  I encourage buying lube in big pump bottles for precisely this reason - you can use tons of it without worrying about wasting it.

Use it on the outside of the toy/penis/fingers/penetrating thing.  Slick up the whole thing, making sure to get the lube as far up along the thing as it will be penetrated.  Don’t leave a dry patch behind!

Put the lube IN the place that’s going to be penetrated - inside the vagina or anus (I don’t advise mouth since it has its own lubrication, though there’s no harm in getting a little lube in your mouth).

Put lube in between two body parts that will be rubbing - two thighs/butt cheeks/breasts someone will be thrusting between.  Put lube on your hands for a hand job for a penis/clitoris/vagina.  Put lube on two penises that are planning to be rubbed together.  Put lube on a stomach that someone plans to rub their penis on.

Spread lube all over your partner to make them glisten in a way that turns you on (with their consent).

Get creative!

Some people use lube injectors (basically syringes without needles) to inject lots of lube into a body cavity (anus/vagina) before penetrating it.

You can also just pour a little into your hand, rub it over the outside of the vulva, and then push the extra into the vagina.  Then slick up the penetrating thing before it penetrates the vagina.

And don’t forget that it’s 10000% okay to stop to add more lube!!  Also if your water-based lube starts to get sticky, spit or add a splash of water to get it to slick right up again.

If you’re feeling a little grossed out by lube getting places you don’t want it (like your bed sheets or your kitchen counter) and it is taking you away from focusing on enjoying the sexy fun you’re having, try a sex towel!  Just toss it down before slicking up and enjoy!

[plannedparenthoodla-deactivated]

Both partners get to make the decision to have sex and both partners have the responsibility to prevent pregnancy if that is a possibility.

In a healthy relationship, decisions about sexual health should be made respectfully and equally.

So talk with your partner before you have sex to decide if you and your partner are ready to take on the responsibility of having sex and discuss ways to prevent pregnancy and STDs.  

[freeaggies]

Check out our pictures from Pink Out Day. Thanks Aggies for showing your support

[freeaggies]

Our Pink Out event was a success! Thanks to all the aggies who showed their support .

[gynostar]

Change the Conversation

Things you don’t have to say about abortion:

We all want there to be fewer abortions.*

“Safe, legal and rare.”*

It’s a regrettable choice, but one people need to be able make.

It’s one of the most difficult decisions a person will ever make.

Sure, some people do it for the wrong reasons, but most people do it for the right ones.

*You may feel this way, and that’s fine. But you don’t have to feel this way and you don’t have to pretend to.

Things you should say about abortion:

It’s a safe, legal and quite common procedure.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

For some it’s a difficult decision, but not for everybody.

99% of people who get abortions don’t regret it.

There are no right or wrong reasons to get an abortion. It’s a matter of personal choice.

The way to change policy is to change culture, and you change culture by changing the conversation. Abortion isn’t regrettable, it isn’t shameful, it isn’t wrong. Abortion improves lives. It saves lives. It makes people better parents. It gives people bodily autonomy. Abortion is good.

[thisalternativefairytale]

freeaggies

[freeaggies]

Check out our pictures from Pink Out Day

[notoriousrbg]

Remember when President Obama name checked Notorious RBG? 😍😍😍