Its international sex workers rights day!

By Julia | March 3, 2012 – 7:02 pm

Some food for thought: “The only solution to the oppression of women exploited as prostitutes is a political elimination of the very notion of female sexual/economic transgression (chosen or forced) by granting all women the same rights, liberties and protections against violation as those to which human beings in general… are entitled. All women’s rights are attached to prostitutes’ rights because the whore stigma can disqualify any woman’s claim to legitimacy and throw suspicion on any woman accused of economic and/or sexual initiative.” -G. Pheterson, as quoted by the Desiree Alliance

Today, March 3rd, is International Sex Workers Rights Day! Here is some history of the day from SWOP-USA…

The day originated in 2001 when over 25,000 sex workers gathered in India for a sex worker festival. The organizers, Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, a Calcutta based group whose membership consists of somewhere upwards of 50,000 sex workers and members of their communities. Sex worker groups across the world have subsequently celebrated 3 March as International Sex Workers’ Rights Day.

Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (2002): “We felt strongly that that we should have a day what need to be observed by the sex workers community globally. Keeping in view the large mobilization of all types of global sexworkers [Female,Male,Transgender], we proposed to observe 3rd March as THE SEX WORKERS RIGHTS DAY.

Knowing the usual response of international bodies and views of academicians and intellectuals of the 1st world [many of them consider that sex workers of third world are different from 1st world and can't take their decision] a call coming from a third world country would be more appropriate at this juncture, we believe. It will be a great pleasure to us if all of you observe the day in your own countries too…We need your inspiration and support to turn our dreams into reality.

Want to learn more? Read this post at Bound, Not Gagged, check out some events in honor of the day, learn how to be an ally to sex workers, or help support YWEP, a transformative local organization run completely by and for youth with experience in street economies.

Posted in Politics | Comments

BedCheck! #1: Making the Rounds at Early to Bed

By rj | February 29, 2012 – 12:16 pm

  • You’ve been Searah’s Museum for Screwy Sex Toys, right? Luckily, a ticket is always free and you can visit from the comfort of your computer (though it’s only semi-safe for work….depending on where you work!). Here’s what she has to say about this week’s new addition to the collection:

    According to the package it’s “100% Image is Lifelike” so you KNOW it looks like a human tiny hand with all the bones removed and a mini vulva where the stigmata should be.

    Check out the latest exhibit on display here.

  • Corey Silverberg wrote an article on About.com about things to do with a soft penis - and no, there’s no sarcasm or satire in it. In fact, what’s great about piece is that it promotes what most of us around here have known for awhile: you don’t need an erection to have great sex. The article focuses not simply on finding alternative phalluses, but instead how to expand our ideas of what is stimulating and what feels pleasurable.
  • And finally, over on Tumblr we make suggestions for folks who are looking for a gentler vibrator experience.
Posted in BedCheck, bad ideas, questions | Comments

How Condoms are Made

By Julia | February 28, 2012 – 12:02 pm

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a condom factory looks like? Yeah, me neither really. But  maybe we should have ’cause they look pretty damn awesome! Recently, Reuters got to go on a tour inside of Safedom, China’s fourth largest condom seller. David Gray shares a nice little photo essay from his tour inside the factory. His condom humor is a tad stale for my taste, but these photos more than make up for it. Its fascinating to read about how they keep everything sterile and how they test the condoms for durability. I’m also totally in love with the metal condom molds in these pictures. Wouldn’t they make fabulous displays for leather wrist restraints or something? Check out the whole thing here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments

Meet Our Affiliates: In Bed With Bzzingbee

By Julia | February 25, 2012 – 7:21 pm

Say hello to Bzzingbee, a toy-crazy reviewer after our own hearts. If you want another opinion on a toy you are considering definitely check her out. Vibrators, dildos, boy toys, but toys, lube, restraints, harnesses, porn… she loves them

Bzzingbees favorite toy, the pure wand!

Bzzingbee's favorite toy, the pure wand!

all and gives thoughtful and fun reviews. She provides a handy list of everything in her toybag here for quick browsing. She also has a list of upcoming reviews on the sidebar to keep up our anticipation. My favorite thing about Bzzingbee, however, is the totally comprehensive beginners guide for sex toy newbies. Its a page dedicated to education on sex toy materials, safety, different types of vibrators, lube, dildos, and resources. She even gives us a shout out!

Want to be an affiliate? Join us!

Posted in toys | Tagged | Comments

Mmmassage Treats

By Julia | February 22, 2012 – 12:37 pm

Maybe people are really stressed out or something, but we’ve been getting a lot of questions about massage oils today. So here are all of our massage oils in one handy place…

Kama Sutra Massage Oil is our basic go-to oil for a sensuous massage. Its light, contains vitamin E, and comes in four soothing scents.

ETB Massage Kit!

ETB Massage Kit!

Touch Me Massage Oil is our favorite high quality vegan massage oil. It comes in subtle French Vanilla or English Lavender scents.

Oil of Love is edible- yummy but not too candy-sweet. The best part is that it warms up when you blow on it, making this oil amaaazing on sensitive nipples and necks. It also comes in a pretty glass bottle!

Devour Me is a delicious vegan lickable oil. It ultra-slick and comes in Creme Brulee and Pina Colada. Yum!

Want to try something really special? Just light a Massage Candle for a few minutes, blow it out and then pour the warm massage oil on your lover. Hot (but not too hot) fun! And they’re edible too!

Did you know that Silicone Lube doubles as a fantastic unscented massage oil? Its perfect for folks who may be sensitive to scented or flavored oils and its vagina friendly, unlike oil!

Posted in lube, toys | Comments

Review: Brunch Bunch Dvd

By searah | February 21, 2012 – 2:38 pm

Brunch Bunch

By Dee

From the creators of T-wood Studios, Dolores Park Studios releases its first queer porn production, Brunch Bunch. The “brunch” features a diverse cast of queer performers: two cisgender women (one butch and the other femme), six trans males, one trans woman and one genderqueer. The first scene grabs your attention right away. Syd Blakovich and Javier skip food and get right to business. Before you know what hit you, Syd is straddling a huge dildo while Javier is slapping and beating her chest. This couple is very into impact play and it goes so well with the movements of their beautifully tattooed bodies. Syd gets attention to all her parts. Javier casually enters from behind while she continues to straddle the huge cock, partnered with her own clitoral stimulation from the front. Needless to say, it ends up with quite a bang. The favor is returned to Javier, with Syd going to town on his trans cock, and ends up strapping it on to penetrate him. The whole scene gives me shudders!

Next we see back in the main living room a nice round of group sex about to take place between four trans male performers. James Darling is a favorite of mine in the queer porn world, and he does not upset (again!). The scene is so wonderfully gay, particularly with one performer’s sequin disco shorts and sailor hat. There’s lots of penetration via hand and strap-on cock. And may I say, it is so affirming and hot to see transmasculine folks being penetrated and the penetrators. Great orgasms from a hot, hot cast.

Next we see trans male performer Dorian Darkalley and a hot femme walk in with hilariously surprised faces, only to slip into a room for themselves. Impact play seems to be a common thread in the film, with spanking, slapping, and, in this scene, a paddle! The scene offers a wonderful combo of strap-on, penetration, and hot girl moaning. Yum!

Latecomer Drew Deveaux gets her own special treatment with Vid Tuesday. Drew jumps his bones and gets right to work on his ass. The scene progresses with Drew dominating him and penetrating him from behind via strap-on. Drew works his front underneath him as he gets some grade-A prostate stimulation. It finishes with manual stimulation on Drew’s cunt. The whole scene puts a refreshingly queer look at trans women on male-assigned body porn.

The only shred of criticism I maintain is the constant snap of photographs in the background. While most doesn’t take you completely out of the moment, it does give light distraction from time to time. That said, for a low budget porn, this does not compromise the lean quality, use of natural light, and excellent cast.

I watched Brunch Bunch with my sweetie, and needless to say, it was a fun viewing pleasure. We couldn’t even make it past the first scene, which was arguably our favorite!

With such a diverse cast of queer bodies and representations of sex, I eagerly look forward to Dolores Park Studios’ next film.

(get Brunch Bunch here)

Posted in FTM, Review, porn | Comments

Workshop: Sex for Survivors

By Julia | February 21, 2012 – 12:30 pm
May
1
7:30 pm

When you’re a survivor of sexual assault or abuse, feeling safe and in control of your body can be challenging. This workshop focuses on embodiment, being present during sex, and sexual empowerment in your solo and partnered sex life. We’ll be talking about triggers, one of the key hurdles in the bedroom after abuse, ways to lessen their presence and tools confront them head-on.

Instructor: Rebecca Steinmetz has enthusiastically been a sex educator for Early to Bed since 2003. She has an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies from DePaul University and an MSW from the University of Chicago. Her sex ed related work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader, TimeOut Chicago and Eight-Forty-Eight on Chicago Public Radio. Besides being a sex educator Rebecca has been active as a medical advocate for survivors of sexual assault through Rape Victim Advocates and a member of the board of directors for The Young Women’s Empowerment Project, a youth led non-profit agency that provides harm reduction education and resources for young women and girls involved in sex work and the street economy.

This workshop is open to people of all genders and sexual orientations who are survivors of sexual assault or abuse. Partners of survivors are welcome to accompany their significant other.   This workshop is free and any donations will go to Rape Victim Advocates.

Though this workshop is free, please sign up (you won’t be charged) so we have an approximate count.

Posted in Events@etb | Tagged | Comments

Where did you wear it?

By Julia | February 18, 2012 – 7:37 pm

Have you guys seen Planned Parenthood’s cute new condom education and normalization campaign website? Its like foursquare for safer sex! Where Did You Wear It? lets people put themselves on the safer sex map and proudly share how awesome and sexy lowering the risk of STIs and pregnancy can be. This looks like a really fun way to help people be loud and proud about taking care of themselves and their lovers.  Navigating around the map is oddly voyeuristic (In Marinette WI, an under 20 transgender person and a guy whose relationship is getting serious and have already talked about safer sex and STDs used a condom in the shower with another birth control method. It was great– can’t wait for round 2.), but there is something to be said for normalizing conversations about safer sex. They also provide educational links to help continue the conversation. My main critique is that they only talk about condoms. Hey Planned Parenthood- why not add dental dams, gloves, lube, and toys to the map?

Posted in sexual health | Comments

VALENTINE’S DAY HOURS!

By searah | February 12, 2012 – 7:38 pm

For all you last minute shoppers… we’ll be open Monday Feb 13th from 2-7pm and Tuesday Feb 14th from 12-7pm.. so come get something sexy for your honey.

Or just stop by and eat some of all this candy we have sitting around.

xxo

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments

Say Please

By Julia | February 11, 2012 – 7:13 pm

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get my paws on a copy of Say Please: Lesbian BDSM Erotica edited by Sinclair Sexsmith. It sounds crazy hot…

Sinclair Sexsmith presents a cornucopia of lesbian kink — tantalizing tales rich in variety and saucy details of girls put in their place — and held there firmly. A girly-girl reaps a sweet punishment for refusing to mess up her oh-so-pink lipstick and a well-equipped top takes charge. Whether readers dream of surrendering to a lover or of taking control, Say Please offers plenty of erotic inspiration and gives readers exactly what they want!

In “The Cruelest Kind,” Kiki Delovely’s naughty narrator gets her just desserts from her butch girlfriend with some fierce back alley bondage while D.L. King’s domme makes her submissive strip before un unseen audience, binds her to a bench, and gives her a good strapping in “A Public Spectacle.” Anna Watson’ bored housewife gets more than she bargains for in “The Keys” when she follows a lesbian animal trainer out to a queer bar and anything goes in Xan West’s sexy “Strong” when a transgender butch and genderqueer sub engage in some very tough love.

Mr. Sexsmith is planning a reading tour for Spring, but she doesn’t have anything planned for Chicago yet. What do you guys think…?

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments