Hand Jive

[via the boystown column in chicago's redeye]

The Safest Sex of All

I have important news that you are going to love, especially the guys: May is National Masturbation Month.

That's right; this is the month to officially take matters into your own hands.

Adult product retailer Good Vibrations began celebrating National Masturbation Month in 1995, to raise awareness and highlight the importance of masturbation.

When I mentioned this to some of my straight friends, they didn't believe me. They all laughed it off, then changed the subject.

One guy even said "I don't do that," which I decided was a lie.

Who doesn't? I think it's not so much that he doesn't do it, it's that he doesn't want to talk about it because he is embarrassed.

What's there to be ashamed of? Ever heard the saying: "50 percent of people admit to masturbating; the other 50 percent are lying"?

It's funny how most people can be so open about their sex lives—and how it's such a huge part of pop culture—and yet masturbation still remains a conversational taboo.

So if we all do it, why not embrace it? Here are just a few reasons why self love can be good for you:

It's the safest sex you can have. There is no risk of contracting an STD, and you don't have to worry about anyone else's feelings.

It helps relieve stress and tension.

Whether you do it alone or with a partner, it's a positive way to explore your body and your sexuality in a way that can actually help spice things up in your relationship. By pleasuring yourself, you can figure out what you like and then try it out on your partner. Consider it a practice exam before the real test.

As most guys will attest to, it can help relieve a bout of insomnia. In men, the hormones released after orgasm facilitate sleep.

For men, regular masturbation can help ward off prostate cancer. According to a 2003 study by researchers from Australia's Cancer Council of Victoria, men who masturbated more than five times each week were one-third less likely to develop prostate cancer.

So honor this month by honoring yourself. For the guys, you can simply say, "I was just doing my part to help prevent cancer."

[note from lifelube - we would have to dispute the notion that gay guys lie about masturbating. in fact, every gay guy we know is very, very clear about their creative, fun and fulfilling self-loving practices - no shame to the game. must be a different crowd. as for us, we like to play amongst ourselves in the bubbles...]