Nearly 4 weeks ago I proposed that we - the bloggers of the Mormon queerosphere - designate the topic of "masturbation" for the month of September. It is clearly a topic for which there is a lot of interest - and, judging from the polling results, one on which there are a variety of opinions.
It is now September 25th, and as far as I know, only two other bloggers have taken up the challenge - and one of them has since pulled their post. If I'm wrong and there are others then please let me know. I thought I would update MoHo Polls with links to related posts.
I realize this is a delicate topic - but if we can't discuss it here then where can we discuss it? Or is it destined to be a topic that is on everyone's mind, but which shall not be named nor discussed in the queerosphere?
I have to confess I'm a bit surprised by the results of the masturbation poll currently on MoHo Polls. Pardon my english, but it sure appears that, as a group, we're a bunch of wankers. It seems most people do it, at least, weekly - with some doing it every day and even multiple times in a day. I don't know whether to be impressed by their endurance or worried that they might have a problem.
It would be interesting to see a more scientific poll on this topic comparing heterosexual mormon's with homosexual mormon's. You guys in college - maybe this is an idea for a class project or something?
The polls on MoHo Polls will remain through the month of September - any ideas for other polling topics for October? If not then I may just close down MoHo Polls. Perhaps it's just one of those ideas that sounded good at the time ...
On an unrelated note, I noticed that the Evergreen conference offered discounts for couples - would a gay couple qualify for the discount?
15 comments:
You know I pulled my post off because it was SO highly personal. :) At least I wrote it- that counts for something? :)
I don't feel the need to write one because in my opinion masturbation is a normal occurrence. I also don't think a poll about masturbation would go well at BYU... it will be highly inaccurate because people will lie about it to make themselves feel better about the subject and look like they are living "righteously."
Oh, and don't forget the high population of gay people here who are still in the closet! ;) hahaha!
I thought you wanted us to masturbate continuously for 30 days.
I read your blog, but I'm not gay, nor am I male so I figured my insight was not applicable. Happy to post the essay I've written in my head if that will make you feel better.
At least I wrote it- that counts for something?
Yes it does.
I also don't think a poll about masturbation would go well at BYU
No, I don't suppose it would ... a pity
I thought you wanted us to masturbate continuously for 30 days.
Ow, that just sounds painful ...
I'm not gay, nor am I male
Well, here in the queerosphere - we don't believe you chose to be straight or female - so we can't hold those against you :)
But, your opinion matters. btw, Live Honest is of the female persuasion and she wrote a post about it - but, it was a bit too personal so she pulled it.
Honestly I completely spaced the jackin' topic... Ill see If I cant 'wack' one out before the 1st of Oct.
Alright I don't feel comfortable doing a whole post on my blog about this topic, but I will certainly weigh in here with my two cents.
I think masterbation is a normal and healthy part of sexuality. Have I done it in the past, yes. Do I feel bad about it, no. Do I prefer sex to masterbation, OF COURSE. Currently I am taking an anti-depressant that has completely killed my sex drive, which is probably a good thing. My judgement right now might not be the best...
As for my gay husband, he masterbated when we were together, despite me NEVER saying no to sex, but masterbation was when he could have his fantasies about men. Does he still masterbate, yes.
As for hetrosexual men...well you would be hard pressed (no pun intended) to find LDS men willing to have a discussion on this subject. Although I suspect the majority of them do engaged in this practice.
I have a hetrosexual friend (LDS) whose wife does not like sex, and would basically only agree to have sex if she wanted a baby. Needless to say after their last child was born, (17 years ago) she closed down that option for good. He spent about five years in sort of an asexual mode, where he avoided any type of sexual conduct or thoughts. Then one day he was overcome and masterbated. He reached the conclusion he is a sexual being even if his wife is not. He reguarily masterbates. It has allowed him to stay married and not go crazy.
If my sister didn't read my blog, I may have accepted the challenge, but hey, there are still a few days left in the month. We'll see...
you would be hard pressed (no pun intended) to find LDS men willing to have a discussion on this subject. Although I suspect the majority of them do engaged in this practice.
I think you're probably right - on both counts. A pity really - masturbation is such a taboo subject in our mormon culture.
That's why I think it's important that we have a forum where we can air our thoughts and feelings on the subject.
MoHo Polls verifies that there are people who are still trying to figure out what they think about it. Reading other opinions on the topic could be very useful to them.
An offer ...
If anyone has thoughts or ideas they would like to say about masturbation - but are uncomfortable writing it on their own blog for whatever reason - you can email it to me and I'll post it as a "guest submission" on the MoHo Polls blog. Just let me know if you want to put your blogging identity to it or if you prefer it be anonymous.
As MoHo Polls indicates, most people are in favor of it - or at least consider it a normal part of human sexuality. However, there are some who believe we should avoid it. I would very much like to hear from some of them to help round out the discussion. For this discussion to be helpful - I think it's important to look at it from all different sides. And, it's critical that we're all respectful of other opinions on the topic.
Seriously, where else can we go to have a meaningful discussion on masturbation without the eroticism?
I don't have a blog but I could do a guest post if you would like.
sorry couldn't resist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvYmbl4nMpk makes me think of the Divinyls song
Just letting you know, I reposted my earlier post on this subject on my blog. I decided that while it WAS highly personal, maybe someone out there could benefit somehow with what I shared. I hope so. It certainly has not meant to be a gratutious post by ANY measure about masturbation. Thank you, Abe, for giving us a forum to speak about such things.
Good luck with the decision making about your potential jobs. I am anxious to hear how everything goes for you.
I wrote a post a couple of years ago, and though my views on it are probably slightly more tempered and "liberal" than they were even then, I'm not concerned enough about the topic to expound more, but it's still interesting to read other people's perspectives.
Post a Comment