Hooray! The New York Times is saying that New York State has decided to reject over $3.5 million dollars of abstinence only government funding and increase state funding for comprehensive sex education programs instead. New York is the 10th state to reject the funding which mandates that abstinence is the only acceptable method of “sexual activity” for non-married teenagers and adults (up to 30 years old). Abstinence only curriculum frequently includes:

• Homophobic messages
• Misinformation about efficacy rates of contraception and condoms
• Vilification of teens who are already sexually active as “dirty” or “tainted”
• Stereotypical gender roles straight out of “Father Knows Best”

I’m extremely happy that New York has decided to reject this funding. If only the other 40 states would join in!

This is a big passion of mine. For more information check out previous posts about:

How abstinence only education does not work

The REAL act

Government recommends abstinence until the age of 30

How abstinence programs lie

Congrats Rachel Kramer Bussel! Rachel spent a week blogging here earlier this month and so I wanted to let you know that she was just quoted in a New York Times article about cupcakes. In case you didn’t know, Rachel wears two hats - sex blogger and cupcake lover. Although I would love to see her quoted in the New York Times for something related to fetishes or erotica, I’ll take cupcakes. Besides, there’s nothing I love more than sitting around on a Sunday morning and reading all about cupcakes. It was so inspiring, I made muffins (close enough) for breakfast.

The article is one of those New York Times puff pieces that explores something that only New Yorkers could possibly care about - the proliferation of cupcakes in our dear city and whether or not we should be eating them (empty carbs, blah blah blah). From Magnolia to the Buttercup Bake Shot to Sugar Sweet Sunshine to Billy’s Bakery to Crumbs - New Yorkers argue about cupcakes the way San Franciscans argue about the best Taquerias or Bath Houses. From the frosting to the quality of the cake to the lines around the block, everyone weighs the pros and cons of cupcakes.

I myself am a fan of the traditional buttercream frosting on a nice chocolate cupcake (Magnolia) but I can appreciate the merits of an Oreo cupcake (Crumbs), for instance.

Where do you get your favorite cupcakes?