“Need Help, Hon?”: Why I’m Tired of Ageism (And How You Might Perpetuate It) November 14, 2019 by Lin Kaatz Chary Leave a Comment “How are we doing today, Barbara? What can we do for you?” “Now don’t you worry, dear, someone will be with you right away.” “Are you sure you don’t need any help, hon? Here, let me get that for you...“ “You’re how old? No you’re not! I would never have guessed!” “You are so brave! I could never do what you’re doing at your age.” Ageism is so common, and so ingrained in our … [Read more...]
Hot Sex After 50: 3 Myths and 3 Truths September 12, 2019 by Jaime Grant Leave a Comment As a longtime sex coach in my mid-50s, I find myself in a constant state of speaking truth to power when it comes to sex and aging. How is hot sex after 50 different from hot sex after 40? Or 20? How is it different from hot sex in the aftermath of divorce? Or during the hottest love affair of our lives? The point is: hot sex matters. It generates and releases energy. It … [Read more...]
“I Can’t Believe She Wore That!”: What Shaming Others Reveals About Our Own Body Shame August 27, 2019 by Ginger Stickney Leave a Comment One day at the grocery store, I saw three young people walking through the parking lot. One of the girls wore short shorts. Very short shorts. And Ugg boots. I commented -- a lot. My children were with me. I didn’t think at the time about what they processed as I ranted about how short the shorts were. How ridiculous she looked wearing Uggs in July. My own words came back to me … [Read more...]
5 Things I Did After Turning 40 That Changed How I Saw My Aging Self August 16, 2019 by Ginger Stickney Leave a Comment At thirty-eight I experienced a bit of a midlife crisis. Well, hardly midlife, but still a crisis nonetheless. Forty loomed on the horizon, and I felt a kind of aimless terror at that number. Some of it was kind of silly. What did a mature woman wear? Would I be forced by some secret fashion police to give up my band and anime t-shirts? Would I have to turn in my Chucks and … [Read more...]
Why Centering Disabled Women Is Crucial for Truly Intersectional Feminism July 15, 2019 by Cara Liebowitz Leave a Comment I consider myself a feminist because I believe in the core principle of feminism: for men and women to be equal. However, many of my fellow disabled people do not identify as feminists because the wider women’s rights movement has consistently excluded disabled women. Many of the gains that non-disabled women have made over the years conveniently have not reached disabled … [Read more...]
4 Irresponsible Ways Society Treats Aging and What To Do About It April 29, 2019 by Lin Kaatz Chary Leave a Comment It’s a lot easier to get old today than it has ever been before. A lot more of us are successful at it than ever before. I use the word "successful" quite purposely: as a member of the baby boomer generation, I am very aware of how the idea of aging has changed in society, and how we seniors are treated. (Sorry, but I have to interrupt myself right here to admit I hate that … [Read more...]
Dear Queer Black Activists: An Honest Letter About Desirability Politics Among Our Men September 2, 2018 by Araya Baker, Guest Writer Leave a Comment By: Araya Baker, Guest Writer, Co-edited by Darryl Antonio JohnsonDear Queer Black Activists, As of late, the desirability politics among a lot of same-gender-loving (SGL) and queer Black men in my social network, many of whom happen to contribute some of society’s most groundbreaking racial justice work, has felt inescapable, and as a result, my mental health has suffered. I … [Read more...]
4 Lessons My Aging Body Has Taught Me About Radical Self-Love July 29, 2018 by Lin Kaatz Chary Leave a Comment One of my 92-year-old mother’s favorite sayings is something along the lines of, “Aging is no walk in the park.” In fact, it’s probably the watchword of all the residents in her independent living complex, where if you’re under 80 years old, you’re considered a real youngster. Compared to these folks, I’m still practically a teenager. Unfortunately, my own aging body hasn’t … [Read more...]
“We Can’t Dismantle What We Don’t Acknowledge:” Ageism From Hollywood to Corporate America April 14, 2018 by Toni Bell Leave a Comment We’re starting the year off equipping you with the tools to discuss issues that affect our society. TBINAA 101 Series is a crash course into gender, sexuality, race and so much more. Simply search 101 and see what we’ve been diving into so far. My first awareness of ageism came when I was younger through the lens of Hollywood during the 1980s. At the time my grandparents were … [Read more...]
