A stigma exists around the subject of intimate relationships. At the SXSW Interactive conference, I attended an interesting conversation hosted by Elizabeth Wood, founder of the website SexinthePublicSquare.com and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Nassau Community College, and Lux Alptraum, founder of the website Boinkology.com. Their sites are educational in nature, yet their sites are blocked by Internet content filters such as those found in public libraries and in most American airports. Sponsors hesitate to back such sites. Elizabeth said, “The people who have skills and ability to evaluate all the sexual content on the Web are being barred from helping those who can’t evaluate.”
While the Internet has increased access to sexually explicit material, many websites, including theirs, get tagged as, “NSFW” (not safe for work). The acronym is designed to protect users from following a link to sites that might get them into trouble with their bosses. But why is a site with sex ed info on it any less appropriate to look at while on the job than is, say, a shopping site or a gossip blog?
“Sex is the most basic part of our live, yet we fear that if we talk about it or demonstrate any interest in the topic, it will affect our employability,” said Elizabeth.
Usually, to get people to share their stories with me for my column in The Good Life magazine, I must offer to represent them with pseudonyms.
What personal beliefs prevent you from discussing subjects of love, sex and romance? Please share your thoughts.
