09/14/2026
There’s an anecdote from the great pianist Eubie Blake, well into his 90’s, was asked ‘When did your s*x drive go?’ Answered, ‘You’ll have to ask somebody older than me.’ I, on the other hand, can feel it slipping away as I transition from those with testosterone to those without. S*x and every tangential topic is hard for me to talk about, even in the confidential safety of our PGGs. For me, it’s been a horrible combination of isolation and shame. Shame has kept me isolated, and isolation has fed the shame. Each of us needs to get past this and be more willing to talk about our s*xual being.
S*x involves more than just us. Our partners are involved too. Withholding affection, seeking affection elsewhere, or weaponizing s*x are all obvious topics we should be able to talk about - to someone. In reality, I’m talking about when we’re out of integrity, and that’s something we should always be able to talk about in our circles. Less obvious topics include talking with our partners about our unspoken desires and being open to theirs, too. If we strive to be ‘Good Men,’ we should also strive for equity in our primary relationship. That means inside the bedroom as well as outside it too.
Good Men also means thinking about the messages we share with innocent bystanders. What are our children learning about s*x from us? Are we open and approachable, no matter the topic? Are they learning to become respectful adults because of what we demonstrate? Do we objectify others because of their physical presentation or s*xual orientation? I think about how I raised my son, and I feel some shame that I was not as open and forthcoming around s*x as I could have been. I deferred to ‘the experts’ far too often to educate him. I can’t imagine what kind of parent I’d have been if I had daughters.
Our s*xual health is more than erections and our prostate. It’s foundational to who we are, how we walk through the world, and how we want others to see us, yet it’s often the thing we talk about the least… unless you’re my dog. That pup has heard quite a bit!
Our ask this week: Step out of your comfort zone and broach an uncomfortable topic with someone. Reflect on the messages you send to others. Is it a reflection of your integrity and humanity, or is it something less.
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