Gloria's Oversexed Mind

Simple illustrated instructions on life

Don't brood about the past, no matter how pretty you look when you pout.

Dust off the old and bring back the sparkle in your life.

Savor the here and now. Don't know how? Take a deep breath and say "ooh la la."

The night's smoking hot

Vintage 1880s-1900s tobacco advertising cards.

Keep your pants on

Or throw them around. What do I care? Have fun!

1899 advertising calendar for Levi's.

OK, OK, how could I run Levi's without running some leather?

May your hands and feet stay warm

ca. 1880-1895 ads for shoe and glove merchants.

May your spirits be high this NYE

Vintage mechanical advertising trade card and a quaint way for women to get drunk while pretending to cure their diseases.

Happy New Year, everyone

I am really enjoying the whole vacation thing. It's a working vacation, and I'm focused on a big writing project, but also getting tons of goofing off into the mix, from rollicking with our new puppy and the older dogs, to savoring long conversations, wonderful dinners with the family, movie marathons that last until dawn, and even an occasional nap. In fact, it's so good, I may extend it for a few more weeks. More on that when I figure it out.

But I had to take a break to wish my most beloved blog readers a very happy holidays. Holy crap, it's going to be 2010 tomorrow. I'm pretty happy about it myself. Guess I'm always excited about new years, if only because it's an excuse to have bigger and better dreams about what might come next. Riches I never expected? Love I never imagined? The kind of notoriety Madonna would envy? Of course, it's possible that absolutely nothing new and exciting might happen next year and that would be just as good. After the complexities (ahem, ahem) of 2009, I wouldn't mind coasting along until 2011, just singing Yiddish songs to my poodle and working in the garden.

Whatever your hopes and dreams, I hope they come true. I hope that even if they don't, you still feel good about being a hoper and dreamer. It's the unfailing hope that things will get better that keeps us going through the bad times and even the good ones. As I see it, as long as you are alive, your life can always be better. You can still rectify wrongs and forge a new destiny.

But, first, have fun tonight. :) I'll be toasting you all and counting my blessings that you are in my life.

I'm going to share a few morsels of vintage advertising and erotica tonight, to welcome the new year in STYLE!

love, affection, gratitude, and possibly a spanking (but only if you're nice)
Gloria

A sexogist of the future looks back: excerpt

Starting in the late 19th and continuing into the 21st century in North America, in addition to all the usual class/economic/racial stratification we see in old cultures, there developed clear social delineations between people who abided by the contemporary socio-religious ideals of sex and those who did not.

There have always been social punishments associated with tribe-identified "anti-social sex," such as adultery or rape. In most cases, those group taboos had an economic component: adultery could interfere with inheritance and property disputes; and rape, particularly among groups which viewed women as chattel, directly violated property rights. What was unique to the 20th century however, was the proliferation of State laws designed to limit the rights and freedoms of the population without consideration of economic impacts. For example, although it was known at the time that same-sex marriage generated a more robust national economy, the State nonetheless remained stubbornly opposed to it. This tragic economic misstep was just one example of how the State's overpowering entrenchment in religious ideology undermined its ability to profitably govern the national economy.

As Church doctrines played so large a role in shaping public policy in the 20th century, some of its historic functions quietly passed to the State.  The Jeffersonian doctrine of "separation of church and state" was supplanted by 20th century political ideology.  For example, whereas in previous times, and in most cultures, marriage was uniquely a religious ceremony, the symbiotic relationship between Church and State in the 20th century changed the nature of marriage.  Marriage and divorce became bureaucratic procedures in which clergy were largely figureheads.

As control shifted, the State assumed even more power over sexuality than Churches formerly exercised, by establishing a national legal code on permissible human behaviors.  Behaviors once considered sinful were criminalized.  Through their laws, the State formally established a special "elite" class of individuals:  only adult heterosexuals married by the State were legally entitled to engage in sex, mirroring the ethics of Judeo-Christian religions.  This elite was granted special privileges, including tax benefits, health benefits, inheritance rights, property rights and more.   Psychologically, this served to subtly coerce millions of people into joining the elite, rather than risk the difficulties of life outside this privileged group.

To further increase the pressure, the State enacted hundreds of new laws to shame and punish non-conformists.  At different times during this period, any of the following could be punishable by jail: polyamory, polygamy, homosexuality, transsexuality, fetishism, sadomasochism, cross-dressing oral sex, anal sex, masturbation, pornography, sex toys, unmarried sex (fornication) and extra-marital sex (adultery).  Obviously, the new laws did not stop such normal behaviors -- but, for most of the 20th century, it drove them underground or convinced people to suppress their desires in order to become part of the elite.

It is hard for us to understand, today, how it was that hundreds of millions of people unquestioningly accepted this historically unprecedented level of sexual oppression and intervention in their private lives.  But, in the end, we must learn to see our forebears for who they were: victims of a time when Church and State colluded to thwart the dissemination of information in a single-minded effort to bolster the privileged class.  Ignorance about sex was the status quo. As late as 2010, some people still believed, for example, that masturbation was harmful, and that sex was not a subject for public dialogue but only something to be discussed in whispers behind closed doors. I realize how incredible this sounds today but unfortunately, our ancestors were, in so many ways, still quite primitive in their inhibitions and taboos.

Finally, let us remember that the legal penalties of disobedience to the State code on sex were as vicious as the punishments during the Stalinist era in Russia.  Sex laws served as a harsh deterrent to all but the most courageous dissidents who faced arrest, censorship, harassment and ostracization.  Thus perhaps we should be comforted to remember that there were people, even in those days, who risked their lives so that now, in the year 2110, we live in a freer and a far saner world.

--from "Sex and Cognitive Dissonance in the 20th Century," author unknown

Roku partners with EroticVision -- BDSM on TV!

Yeah, I'm on vacation but this news was so cool, I had to share. If you don't already own Roku, this might be the motivation you need.

Adult entertainment company EroticVision.TV just announced that they are teaming up with Roku to bring lots of nasty, nasty, girls (and boys) to your living room.

This isn’t just generic cable tv porn either. EroticVision will the be the portal on your Roku box, but the content is provided by a multitude of sites for your self-abusing pleasure. The only site currently listed at launch is the decidedly not mainstream Wasteland.com – a BDSM related site.

The Roku parental controls will block little Timmy from seeing all this content of course, and your box must be registered with the EroticVision.TV site in order to even make viewing a possibility, but the future of porn is here.

via www.crunchgear.com

Get your Roku HD Player discounted at Amazon

And don't forget to play safe this holiday season

Vintage Santagram ad

Super-heroic holiday haha's, ca. WW2

OHO! Wonder Woman started the war against Christmas. In 1942, no less. Impressive.

Happy Holidays, all!

I'm taking a couple of weeks off to work on some independent projects, catch up on sleep, and play with my new puppy.  To all the wonderful folks who visit, who email, and who comment on posts please know that you are my inspiration.  It's a an exciting challenge to research the Net for this blog, to share my curious finds, my strange fascinations, my fetishes, my random thoughts and rants with you.  It's amazing how much I've learned from you, and how many times you've made me laugh.  Your interest in my work means the world to me. 

I'm going to spread some holiday cheer before going with an assemblage of holiday art with an edge.

First, thanks to my favorite contemporary American artist, Lauren Bergman, for permission to share her personal 2009 holiday greeting with you.

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See you in 2010. (_{And if you can't wait until then, see what I'm up to by friending me on FaceBook}).

Santa, Bound by Baum

Why, Santa, you perv!

Not far from the Laughing Valley where Santa and all his magical helpers live, and beyond the Forest of Burzee, there stands a huge mountain that contains the Cave of Demons. Each demon has a specialty: Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance. Because the promise of Santa puts all girls and boys on their best behavior, the demons have hardly any visitors to their caves. In order to remedy their dismal foot traffic, they conspire to kidnap Santa! via cgi.ebay.com

All praise the border collie!

via www.pawnation.com

Sure, these Scottish shepherds are incredible trainers and the sheep are adorable but the real credit for this spectacular production goes to the Einsteins of the canine world, the amazing border collie.

Suffragette spirit

Though anti-suffrage propanda was prolific, the suffragists were not slouches about creating and distributing pamphlets, cards, and other materials.

Art by Rose O'Neill, creator of the Kewpies, and a fascinating woman in her own right.

Anti-suffrage memorabilia

The opposition to women gaining the right to vote was vocal and angry. Propaganda penetrated all the mainstream media of the early 20th century -- magazines, newspapers, trade cards, postcards, and more, hammering away at what we'd call talking points today. I'll summarize the chief propagandistic messages, FOX-News style.

Women's rights emasculate men and turn them into nursemaids.

Women's rights make the sanctity of marriage a hollow sham.

Women are too shallow and flighty to vote.

 

Women should stop criticizing men and get back to their sewing.

Women are too mentally unstable for such power.

Besides, men are interested in women's looks, not their opinions.

So take our advice, ladies, Ignore what those silly lesbians are saying, and get back to the only thing you're really good for: turning men on.   Now where did I put that felafel?

Pro-Suffrage Advertising Memorabilia

Magazine ad. According to early 20th century GE, along with the right to vote women won the right to have washing machines.

Fabulous trade card (a promotional card with art on the back that traveling salesmen distributed to retailers) for stove polish (!!) I found on eBay. I loved this one so much, I bought it to frame in my office.

To celebrate Houston: Suffrage memorabilia

In case you weren't paying attention, the city of Houston, Texas made history recently by electing Annise Parker, the country's first openly lesbian mayor.. This event is a victory for sexually progressive people everywhere. In its honor, I'm devoting the rest of today to a special feature on the Women's Suffrage movement, ca. 1900-1920. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those brave ladies in funny hats.

Lots of fascinating little oddities coming up, starting with this strangely topical piece of French anti-Suffrage propoganda in the form of a series of postcards titled "Women of the Future."  Its creator mocks the idea of women voting by illustrating how ridiculous it would be if a woman one day become a mayor.

How to Become a Sex Therapist: FAQ

A current revision of my popular FAQ.

Dr. Brame's FAQ on Sex Therapy as a Career
_{created 2005/revised 2009}

I receive so many requests for information and guidance from students of all ages about how to become a sex therapist that I created a FAQ to address the most common questions. If you see any mistakes, would like to offer feedback, or want to contribute other questions to the FAQ drop me an email at gloriasmind@aol.com

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Q: I'm graduating high school and was wondering what kind of college classes I should take to become a sex therapist?

Few colleges offer sexology as a major.   So if you wish to prepare now for the future, consider majoring in psychology or social work.  These fields will prepare you for the challenges of therapy and provide a solid research foundation for sexology.  

If the college you will be attending doesn't offer classes specifically in sexology,  get creative.  Take art courses about nudes and erotic themes; biology classes about reproduction and primate behavior;  English classes about sex in literature; and, of course, look broadly in the social sciences and Women's Studies for courses on sex and gender.   Any subject which deepens your perspective on sexuality will put you on the road to becoming a sexologist.

Q. I am in college. I am interested in Sex Therapy as a profession and am trying to see what road would be most beneficial for me to follow, Psychology or Social Work?

For people who know at the beginning of their academic careers that they wish to become sexologists,  these fields are the best choices to give you the tools you'll need in the future.   If you become a licensed psychologist, you will have innumerable professional advantages, and find it easier to gain employment in traditional clinical and academic settings.

Make an appointment with your college's guidance or career counselor for an in-depth analysis of whether Social Work or Psych would best fit with your goals and talents.  As a rule of thumb, psychologists invest more time and money in their education than social-workers.  Psychologists receive rigorous grounding in mental health and psychiatric issues and are recognized by other mental health professionals for this training.  Social workers commonly work in clinical or public health settings but some open private practices and do one-on-one counseling.

By the way, you do not necessarily need an education in Psychology or Social Work to pursue a graduate degree in sexology.  Sexologists come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including clergy, biologists, educators,  anthropologists, authors, journalists, business-people, and sex-workers.   What unites them is a common interest in the field, a commitment to spreading accurate, positive information about human sexuality, and, more often than not, a track record of work in the field as well (publications, leadership of groups, sex rights activism, etc.)   My path to sexology started when I began writing and reporting on sex topics.

Meanwhile, if you'd like to jump on the ladder towards sexological greatness, consider starting an on-campus group or publication in support of sex-related causes you believe in.


Q: What should I do after graduation from college to become a sex therapist?

There are a number of paths you can take.  But first, be aware that there are people who call themselves sex therapists without possessing legitimate credentials.  There is only one ethical way to become a sex therapist and that is by receiving graduate training in the field of sex.  You could be a psychologist (or psychiatrist) who receives training in sexuality; a social worker or marriage counselor who goes for post-grad training in sexology; or you may study sexology at the graduate level after completing an undergrad degree.

Certified sexologists are the only helping professionals equipped to provide practical advice, information and education on sexuality.  For example, while any helping professional may be sensitive to ED or inorgasmia, sexologists can diagnose and offer practical solutions to such issues.

For a list of schools which have graduate degree programs in sexuality, visit the  Guide to Graduate Study in Sexology: http://www.sexuality.org/l/sex/sexgrad.html

The field of sexology is growing, but still not large enough to have the political power to convince state bureaucracies and insurance companies to extend the same rights and privileges they grant to psychologists.   Florida is the only state in the U.S. which licenses sexologists.   So sexologists rely on our professional organizations to review our qualifications and issue credentials.   Certification  as a clinical sexologist  is granted by several professional groups, including AASECT (American Association of Sex Counselors, Educators and Therapists), ABS (American Board of Sexologists), and ACS (American College of Sexologists).   

 
Q:  I know I want to work in sex, but I don't know if I want to be a therapist.  Are there other career paths?

Yes, and they don't all require advanced degrees.

Here is a quick and dirty breakdown of some key sexological professions.

A sex educator is someone who goes into communities to lecture and teach about sex/relationship issues.  Certification is available at the undergraduate level.

A sex counselor, peer counselor or sex coach usually has either formal academic training in sexology or a work-history in the field of sex, and offers non-professional counseling. They may sometimes describe themselves as therapists (depending on the state they live in it may be illegal to do so), and the most reputable ones take certification courses in sexology or complete an undergraduate degree in sexology.

A certified clinical sexologist is someone who has achieved the highest level of education in sexology,  has submitted credentials to a professional sexological organization and has been certified by that organization.  Clinical sexologists may work as educators, counselors, therapists or researchers.

Aside from therapy, sexologists perform vital functions in other fields,  whether it is specializing in forensic sexuality to work in the court system, or applying their knowledge base in medical settings to work with special populations.    Some lecture extensively, others lead public workshops on sexual self-empowerment, and some join or found non-profits to fight for sex-related causes.

Q. What does a sex therapist actually do?

On the surface, sex therapy resembles traditional therapy:  the therapist takes a history of the client, evaluates and analyzes the problems presented, and guides the dialogue in productive directions by asking questions.

The key difference between the two is that sex therapy is generally goal-oriented: clients have a problem and come to you for a solution to that problem.    Happily, even when we don't have complete solutions, we can usually improve our clients' quality of life and set them on better, healthier paths.   Sex therapy's great good is informed advice and support on life's most sensitive issues.  It includes a strong behaviorial component.  Sexologists offer education on sexuality, sympathetic counseling on sex-related issues, and suggest techniques or exercises clients implement to break negative sexual behavior patterns.

Q. What is the general pay for a sexual therapist?

For better or worse, there really is no "general" pay range.  If you work in a clinical setting or teach in an academic setting, you will be paid competitively, according to the institution's established scale.  You may see as many as 6-10 patients a day but your salary is usually fixed.

In private practice, your earnings will depend on a combination of market demand, overhead costs, your reputation, and your business acumen.   As a private entrepreneur, you will have to do all your own marketing, advertising and networking; keep all your own books and tax records; and pay the overhead on an office space.   Many sex therapists also teach, lecture, run workshops, and/or write books about sex to supplement their income.  

A beginning therapist usually charges between $75-100 per hour.   An experienced therapist in high demand may charge as much as $175+ per hour.   When you're starting out, $75 an hour may sound like a lot of money, but if you only have four or five patients, who see you only one hour a week, it's going to be a struggle.   This, by the way, is true for everyone who goes into private practice, whether they're lawyers, physicians or helping professionals.  Those first years are financially challenging.

Sex therapy is not a road to material riches, though if you are a hard-charger, you can, over time, make a great living.   For most sex therapists, it is the reward of doing the work itself that is so satisfying.   If you are genuinely excited about the idea of working with people on their most intimate issues, seeing their lives change for the better, and knowing you made a meaningful contribution towards their personal happiness, you will never regret the decision to become a sexologist.  

Personally, I've never met a sex therapist who wished they did something else for a living but I have met a lot of people who wish they were sex therapists.

******

Looking for more info? Visit my alma mater, the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, and see what they have to say about sexology. The URL is: http://iashs.edu/

FOUND: Vintage Bridal Salon

From 1909, shot in Massachusetts.

Introducing Mr. Puppy

Will and Jen (and all our little animals) are happy to announce the arrival of the newest member of our family! We haven't absolutely decided on his name yet, but since his sister is Venus and his brother's Apollo, you could be looking at the next Hercules.

The tassel is from the pillow, not a fez.  (Thought you should know.) ;)

Vintage lobby cards: 2 from Terrified!

That rubber spider sure is scary.

But this one makes me wonder how much shock his nipples can endure.

Vintage lobby card: She really doesn't

...or she wouldn't be stomping arounding in an outfit like that.

Vintage lobby card: YMMV

Ummm....Errr....

Au revoir, mes amies, a bientot

I'll end the day with this sweet vintage 1920s nude. Parisian, of course.

Tribute to Herbert List 2

Visit The Herbert List Estate

Tribute to Herbert List 1

An image credited to a Herbert List caught my eye on eBay a few weeks ago, so I searched around and was blown away by what I found. Magnificent work, haunting, disciplined, filled with light, truth, and clarity.

When I browsed the "artist" images on the List Estate's site, I realized I'd seen some of these photos (of Picasso, Collette, others) before. Now I have List's name to put with those historic portraits. Seeing his erotic and landscape imagery makes me further appreciate his genius. Although List worked until the end of his very long life, the images shown here were shot in the 1930s. When you consider how modern they look, it makes one wonder: were they progressive or have we just been marching in place all this time?

I highly recommend the free galleries on The Herbert List Estate.

Visit The Herbert List Estate

Native charms

Vintage postcard featuring a favorite theme of 19th and early 20th century French postcards: the natural beauty of nude tribal (or, in this case, Moroccan) women.    Published, ca. 1920.

Hand-embroidered beauties

Super-rare (and amazingly well-preserved) hand-stitched portrait cards produced in Spain in 1912. These were from a private collection that sold on eBay.

A day of beautiful things

It's going to be a beautiful day on this blog, beginning with this exquisite hand-tinted studio card of a traditional Middle Eastern veil-dancer, vintage 1920s.