Quickword Podcast EP6: June 2024

Hi, and welcome to another episode of Quickword, where we give you the headline features from our newsletter.

This newsletter aims to connect and inform people that work with people about different health related campaigns, events, and resources in an uplifting and positive way.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands that were never ceded that we live, work, and record upon.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to those who may be visiting our website or listening to our podcasts today.

 My name is Jennifer Farinella, and I'll be talking you through what you will find in this month's Quickword.

Quick word starts with a Q.

This month's quote is

"There is no standard way of being or knowing or perceiving, although one has to talk about normality or mean or average or deviation or standard deviations in a sort of statistical sense. In the biological sense, variation is of the essence."

This quote is by Oliver Sacks, who was a physician, a bestselling author, and a professor of neurology at the NYU School of Medicine. The New York Times has referred to him as the Poet Laureate of Medicine.

Find out more at OliverSacks.com

This month's Useful Fact

Depiction of penises in historical paintings reflect changing perceptions of the ideal penis size. In paintings depicting nude males, the size of the penis has gradually increased throughout the past seven centuries, and especially after the 20th century. This observation illustrates the changing sociocultural inputs into male body image and emphasizes the need for improved understanding of the sociocultural factors associated with perception of penis size in men.

Find out more at Depiction of Penises and Historical Paintings, Reflect Changing Perceptions of the Ideal Penis Size journal article at BJUI International.

This month's Instagram Highlight

What's on our mind? Anal is on our mind. Why don't we talk about it more? We have some thoughts. Read on and get behind it if you want.

There are different ways to have anal play, putting fingers or a tongue rimming around inside, putting a sex toy with a flared base around and inside, or a penis inside someone's anus. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation, regardless of your sex or sexuality. Let's break the stigma and challenge taboos around who can enjoy and feel pleasure from anal play.

Sex should be pleasurable and fun. If anal play feels good for you, there is a reason. The anus has the second highest concentration of nerve endings in your body. after the clitoris. Remember, communication and consent, keep checking in, and the anus is sensitive, so start gently and use plenty of water based lube.

Use condoms on the sex toy or penis, oral dam for rimming and gloves for fingering to prevent the transmission of bacteria and STIs, and make sure you get a new condom if you switch from the anus to other genitals or between partners. Even if there's no penetration with the penis, STIs can be transmitted.

Get an STI test every 6-12 months when you change partners, or if you show any symptoms.

Follow us on Instagram to access posts like this one.

 This month's Campaigns and Events

Stigma, suspicion, and a lack of support. That's With You We Can's view on why only 10 percent of sexual assaults are reported in Australia. Sexual assault victims are grossly underrepresented and do not receive the social or judicial validation that they deserve. While systemic reform is slow moving, With You We Can is fighting for victims now by empowering victims to fight for each other.

If we create understanding around our criminal justice system, we change outcomes for victims everywhere.

Find out more at withyouwecan.org

This month's Know Your Websites

Why, which stands for Wellbeing Health and Youth Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health, is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and is an Australia wide network of researchers committed to champion good health in the teenage decade.

They bring together a network of researchers, clinicians, policy makers, and young people to address the barriers that prevent Australia's teenagers from getting the healthcare they need and deserve. Add your name to their mailing list to stay up to date on their progress and to join them in being a champion for the teenage decade.

Find out more at why.org.au

This month's Who Are?

The Heartland Project connects LGBTIQA+ people seeking asylum in search of a home with. LGBTIQA+ hosts and flatmates in Sydney, Australia. Here you can view or advertise safe, affordable, and inclusive rooms for LGBTIQA+ people seeking asylum in Sydney. You can also find a list of relevant services and links to community events.

This month's On The Blog

According to the plain talking folks at The Line, consent is an agreement that happens without manipulation, threats, or head games. Consent is mutual, everyone has to agree, regardless of their gender. Consent must be continuous. Anyone can stop at any time, and can change their mind at any point.

Consent isn't all encompassing. Just because someone's into one thing doesn't mean they're signing up for everything. Consent is definite. It isn't a maybe or an I think so. Consent can only be given voluntarily, so don't be trying the old, "you would if you loved me", "everyone else is" or, but I want it so bad it hurts.

Consent can't be given through pressuring someone or any bargaining or threats, even if you think those tactics might lead to you getting what you want. Find out more at theline. org.au and read the whole blog at caddyshackproject.com

This month's resource launched in 2018. The SECCA app is a free innovative resource accessible via the second website to all those seeking to learn and teach about relationships and sexuality.

This resource was the first of its kind and allows educators, carers, service providers, and family members unprecedented support in teaching sexuality and its many topics to people of all abilities across the lifespan. Sexuality Education Counseling and Consultancy Agency, SECCA, was founded in 1991 by a small group of professionals Working in the wellbeing sector whose own lives involved people with disability.

This group identified a gap in education and therapeutic support for people with disability regarding their sexuality and relationships. Find out more at secca.org.au

This month's Diary Dates

For all our upcoming webinar dates, check our website where you can register for free and also complete free online modules on sexual and reproductive health in your own time.

You can read our monthly blog, find the map which shows you where to access free condoms at services who are part of the Condom Dispenser Project in the Illawarra and Shulhaven, and order a free bag of 144 condoms, now with lube as well, from PlaySafe New South Wales Health Australia.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Caddyshack's Quickword. We hope you learned something, found a useful link, or can pass it on to a colleague, friend, or family member. You can find all the details on our homepage on the web at caddyshackproject.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or check out our On the Couch podcast series.

Until next month, peace, love, and protection.