Ford Foundation’s Post

Are you (or do you know) a woman and/or femme seeking an inclusive community to explore your sensual self? Join us in the Shameless Lair on Patreon (link in comments) When joining the Shameless Lair, women and femmes (who are 18 ) get access to an inclusive community with intuitive practices and educational resources for their journey, so they can explore and embrace their sensual self with less shame and self-judgment. The Shameless Lair is a holistic space where you can learn and share about tapping into your shameless wisdom with any or all your 6 senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, and brain). We go deeper than the basics so we can find what truly works for us at a soul-level and gives us opportunities to lean into our curiosity and experiment. We're here to hold space for you to explore your sensual self no matter what your preferences or interests are (as long as it only involves consenting adults if we are discussing sexual topics and resources). This sex-positive space welcomes cis and trans women and femmes who are: * Interested or engaging in ethical non-monogamy, * Part of the LGBTQIA community, * Into BDSM and kink. And yes, if you are heterosexual, "vanilla," mono-amorous, and/or asexual, you are also welcome! All folks deserve to live, work, play, and embrace their sensuality, as they are. If you are interested in exploring sensory experience ideas that have nothing to do with sexual practices and perspectives, The Shameless Lair can still support your personal journey. And if you know any woman and/or femme who could benefit from this type of sacred and inclusive space, please share this announcement with them. :)

Further to my last post, on how the Taliban has banned women from the Afghanistan national park, see me interviewed by Phil Treagus-Evans for his The Reading Lists: 'Name a book that you feel everyone would benefit from reading and explain why.' "Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice by Jack Holland. I believe so strongly everyone should read this, I bought a bunch of copies and used to keep them by my front door and hand them out free to every visitor. Re why, I can’t articulate it better than the synopsis on Amazon: ‘In this compelling, powerful book, the late Irish journalist and essayist Jack Holland set out to answer a daunting question: how do you explain the oppression and brutalization of half the world’s population by the other half, throughout history? The result is an eye-opening journey through centuries, continents and civilizations as it looks at both historical and contemporary attitudes to women. Misogyny encompasses the Church, witch hunts, sexual theory, Nazism, pro-life campaigners, and finally, today’s developing world, where women are increasingly and disproportionately at risk because of radicalized religious beliefs, famine, war, and disease. Extensively researched, highly readable and provocative, this book chronicles an ancient, pervasive and enduring injustice. The questions it poses deal with the fundamentals of human existence sex, love, violence that have shaped the lives of humans throughout history, and ultimately limn an abuse of human rights on a nearly unthinkable scale.’ " https://lnkd.in/dexiwtE

Me with a beard, pre HRT is just as valid as me without one now 💛 and still SO proud of this strong person that took up all the space in this picture 📸 One of the things that held me back from transitioning for so long is that i’d created the perfect ‘brand’ as a cis gay man and again as a GNC non binary icon 💅🏼 Knowing the next part of my journey was going to be v public and I wouldn’t just be the finished product overnight was HARD for me and my ego 😢 So when it comes to pictures, I will still celebrate all the versions of myself that served me on my journey (some more than others haha) 😝 My wider goal is also not to ‘pass’ I still very much identify as trans non binary using they/she pronouns and see myself floating between genders, I just feel more alligned with the femme appearance & body ✨ gender isn’t binary y’all! So yeah don’t worry about using old pics of me (with consent) it will be a while before I get in front of a camera 📸 again and she is a proud bearded queen ✨ If that makes you feel a certain type of way then you may need to check yourself holding trans/queer people to cis/het beauty standards 💅🏼 It’s also hugely important not to delete these images from existance as it will invalidate gnc, non binary and wider trans identities 🫶 there is no right way to be trans y’all 🏳️⚧️ To be clear, this is NOT the same as deadnaming - my name assigned at birth was never mine to begin with and I did not choose it 💛 It’s also important to remember that this isn’t a one sized fits all topic, like most in the trans community - some people from won’t want old images of them used due to dysphoria, aninimity and it being triggering - so consent & respect is key here ✨ So excited to be on this journey with the LinkedIn community and showing that it’s okay to be vulnerable & imperfect 🦀 For me it’s where the most personal growth i’ve ever experienced has happened. You can learn how to grow your personal brand here: https://lnkd.in/e7PVGsNi 🤓 5 ways having an ED&I strategy makes recruiting easier, here: https://lnkd.in/eCgKAj_d ✨ 7 ways to better support LGBTQ employees at work: https://lnkd.in/dd5_UdNV 🏳️🌈 #translivesmatter #inclusion #storytelling #lgbtqia

How could you tune into your feminine side more (regardless of gender)? Choose a card. Left: Pay attention to your emotions instead of brushing them aside or misnaming them. How a situation makes you feel is sometimes all you need to know to decide what to do about it. Right: Give yourself credit for your ability to always renew yourself. Give the universe credit for every rainbow that has ever emerged from the dark clouds.

"My partner says she/he is not straight anymore." Having that sentence run through your mind can be scary. You've spent all your time together as a straight heterosexual couple, but it has changed. Your partner has just disclosed to you they might be gay/lesbian/bisexual, and you have a thousand thoughts running through your mind at once. This means that you are no longer a "straight" couple.If you have decided to continue your relationship, it is essential to follow these tips: Use this link to read the full article: https://buff.ly/42JfKMB #relationship #coupletherapy #relationshiptips #communicationskills #healthyboundaries #infinitetherapeuticservices

In our next Black Women Venting Room session, we will be diving into the theme of, "Return of the MatriArk". . It may seem old-fashioned to some for us to be speaking about matriarchs and matriarchy in this day and age, however, it is the perfect time to dive into a few things now, especially given the transition happening with the traditional male and female roles. . Who is the MatriArk? . Why is she so relevant today? . Why is MatriArk spelled with a 'k'? . Why is it important for us as Black women to embrace this knowledge now? . This session threatens to unearth a lot of suppressed emotions, both negative and positive, from the present day, to previous generations. . To take part, join the free WhatsApp group using the link below, and claim your free mini one-to-one venting session with me: . https://lnkd.in/d7E7Syn6 #BWVR2024 #blackwomenventingroom #AfrikanMatriArk #matriarchy #emotionalwellbeing

In our next Black Women Venting Room session, we will be diving into the theme of, "Return of the MatriArk". . It may seem old-fashioned to some for us to be speaking about matriarchs and matriarchy in this day and age, however, it is the perfect time to dive into a few things now, especially given the transition happening with the traditional male and female roles. . Who is the MatriArk? . Why is she so relevant today? . Why is MatriArk spelled with a 'k'? . Why is it important for us as Black women to embrace this knowledge now? . This session threatens to unearth a lot of suppressed emotions, both negative and positive, from the present day, to previous generations. . To take part, join the free WhatsApp group using the link below, and claim your free mini one-to-one venting session with me: . https://lnkd.in/ef6rr4CS #BWVR2024 #blackwomenventingroom #AfrikanMatriArk #matriarchy #emotionalwellbeing

Last Post #Pride post: I remain assured that a discreet anonymous #grindr profile is every urban and suburban #queer man's rite of passage. When you come out to yourself, but more importantly after the self-acceptance comes the desire to seek like-minded people (in some distorted way, a gay #messiah who will alleviate the burdensome #shame and loneliness) In my last post, I dissected the nuances of Symbolic Interaction and #SI which differ from #culture to culture. It's only fair that every #subculture operates the same way. As a regular person, you'd see your #handkerchief as an item of clothing to blow your nose. For people at war, a white handkerchief would signify #peace. The queer #community, especially the #Boomers would have distinct views on these handkerchiefs and their colours. #SocialMedia has allowed us to get in touch with each other opening up the possibilities to date. However, in the ages where the public could prosecute and lynch (not that you can't now; the situation is still grave) gay men designed a unique solution to identify interested parties, their #fetish and #kinks. It's not surprising that this short-lived yet historic #phenomenon was extracted from the California Gold Rush miners (after all, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners! Sorry for the incoherent reference), who, in absence of female partners would allocate roles based on the binary colors of blue and red/pink. It does indeed take two to tango. Slowly, the handkerchief code became an esoteric notion, which promoted #sexual discussions and belittled kink shaming. However, it has almost come to a halt as more and more queer men flock to #Tinder, #Hinge, and of course the fan favorite Grindr. https://lnkd.in/gQg_xpXG

I'm done with the boxes. Goddess knows that society loves to put us in boxes (but you're a woman.... but bisexuality is a phase.... What, you're a switch? Let me explain/mansplain things to you) I joke that I cannot think like there is a box anymore because my cats stole them all anyway. (good job, kitties! go and be merry with the boxes and feel free to shred them!) The dismantling of the boxes through play and sensuality so we can reclaim our shameless wisdom is one of the core elements of the work I do with women in femmes in both the Shameless Lair community and through 1:1 sessions. These topics are deeply personal and sometimes 1:1 support is more comfortable as we unpack things. Here's what one of my clients said after her first intuitive reading for sensual exploration: "Natacha created a space through her intuition, support, and guidance, for exploration and to allow my truths to be told and shared. In every card that was drawn, a new layer of closeted conditioning was unveiled. As a queer woman, I appreciate a safe, nonjudgmental space to keep expanding in my self-worth and freedom. I will be doing readings in this area for the months ahead!" Book your intuitive reading here: https://lnkd.in/gdvHy4Mw

Today is International Non-Binary People’s Day, midway between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day. Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities of people who do not entirely identify as either a man or a woman. Non-binary individuals may use pronouns, such as she/her or he/him, but they often opt for gender-neutral pronouns like they/them. If you're not sure about someone's pronouns, it's best to ask. You might also consider sharing your own pronouns. Using the right language can be a powerful way to help a non-binary person feel comfortable, put them at their ease, and allow them to share their true self with others. Personal Story - Leo, Senior Communications Officer, Research & Innovation My journey of acceptance that I am non-binary has been a long one, coming out in my thirties. When I was growing up non-binary was unknown. I knew I was different but didn’t know or understand why. When everything around us is set up on the assumption that you are either a man or a woman, it can be easy to assume there is something wrong with you. I found some freedom in university. I grew my hair long, wore what I wanted and made a strong group of mostly girl friends who made my feminine side feel very comfortable and accepted. I lived with a great group of girls, one of whom later became my civil partner. The move out of university however was difficult. I had to cut my hair, wear the shirt and tie and effectively hide who I was. When I found out about non-binary later, it was a shock finding there was a word for how I have felt all along. Awareness is rising in media, but I still find that I am misgendered by people commonly, and there is a lot of misconceptions and lack of understanding about non-binary people. I hope through awareness days like this it will mean misunderstanding goes down and acceptance increases so people like me feel safe, secure and can live as we are.