Sex In The Public Square - What are the positions held by Sex in the Public Square? - Comments

I agree!

barkingstar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:57:58 -0800

I'm new here. But I like the mission statement! It's concise, easy to digest, and makes the point. Sex is good, but it could be better if we had a more open, tolerant, progressive society (at least speaking of the United States). People's individuality should ALWAYS be respected, including those who hold conservative views on sex, but society should be progressive to the point where ALL people have a space to breathe comfortably.

Indy Coffee Shops In Jacksonville!

JanieBelle — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:11:04 -0700

Whodathunkit? Yet right in this morning's paper I found a ~~gold~~ caffeine mine!

I am so very tickled this morning, and had to share.

sounds great

RC — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:37:39 -0700

What is it with this site and hating on multinationals HQed in Seattle, huh? The webfooted need to pillage, too! I like your principles - I'd probably make decriminalizing commercial sex it's own item because it seems like an emormous sea monstor of its own. (Although, I'm not sure what other "consensual adult sex" has been criminalized that you may be referring to.) I'd also quibble with #6 because in my observation the policy battles almost always come down to how the combatants define or use "science and logic" differently - sets of purported facts arrayed against each other with little reliance on emotion or faith on the face of it (except as rhetoric), although certainly faith often masquerades as "values." But then, defining open and frank discussions of sexuality as "normal" as we do here is just another value and we should be honest about that. I'd probably recast #6 along the lines of "giving priority to peer-reviewed science [or "expert opinion"] in policy discussions" or some such...even recognizing the real problems with some disciplinary forms of expert knowledge as well.

I was just sayin'

JanieBelle — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:08:54 -0700

...over on Skepchick how I haven't really said anything wildly inappropriate lately, and that I would have to look for an excuse to do that....

But that comment was just too easy. I have my pride, y'know.

;)

Kisses

Missin' The Big City (but only a little)

JanieBelle — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:45:05 -0700

One of the sucky parts about living in a military town is that it's crawling with chains. Everything is a chain. Coffee shops, book stores, restaurants, jewelry stores, everything.

One of the few things I love about "The Big City" is the availability of indie everything. There are a few mom and pop operations right on the beach here, but I'm not much into bait and tackle shops.

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As for the mission statement, it pretty well encompasses what I would put forward. Much as I love to poke the right wing fundy theocratic nutjobs in the eye, the mission statement isn't the right place to do that, I think. #s 1 and 6 especially pretty well cover my thoughts on that in a professional and academic demeanor, whereas I might choose somewhat more colorful and direct language for the anti-choice anti-education misogynist crowd in my blog posts.

If I think of anything though, I'll be sure to speak up. (Like you had any doubt at all...)

Kisses

Addendum: I'm excepting London, UK from the above comments about big cities. There is absolutely nothing I dislike about London. (Well, except the occasional American tourist who makes us all look like rude, ignorant, obnoxious arseholes. I don't think they count though, 'cuz they're imports and not indigenous.)

No, Starbucks hasn't

Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:31:22 -0700

No, Starbucks hasn't colonized us ... JanieBelle has! And if JanieBelle wants to send us to Starbucks, well, she can certainly try.

Mission Control and Starbucks

Chris — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:18:52 -0700

Starbucks? They've even managed to colonize our little piece of the Internet here? Oh, man. I was hoping we'd have nice indie coffees here. But seriously, any additional points are welcome. Our mission should always be a dynamic one.

I like it!

JanieBelle — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:03:11 -0700

This statement is fantastic. I like it in its every point, and it gets the JanieBelle seal of approval. That and five bucks will get you a coffee at Starbuck's, but there ya' go.

It's brief and on point, but strong and decisive. I like it a lot. Keep us all informed on the progress of the non-profit corporation status.

Kisses

What are the positions held by Sex in the Public Square?

Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:53:40 -0700

Sex in the Public Square is in the process of becoming a nonprofit corporation. Our main mission is to make space for discussion of sexuality and sex-related issues, and to keep that space open to a wide range of positions. The founders of the corporation don't even agree on everything, of course. That said, there are a few principles that the organization supports:

1. Consensual sex between consenting adults should not be criminalized. This includes commercial sex.

2. Sex is a normal part of human life and accurate information about sex should be accessible to all people regardless of age.

3. Children are sexual beings and their sexuality needs to be honored and allowed to develop in safe and healthy ways. Education about sexuality, including safe-sex practices, should be provided to all children.

4. Exploitation is not okay no matter whether it happens in a sexual setting or a nonsexual setting. We should fight exploitation as much as we can.

5. It is important to be able to hold open, public discussions about sexuality.