February 2011
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Freelance Friday: Rachel Kramer Bussel on Erotic...
I met Rachel in 2007, way back in my sex blogging days, and one of the things I’ve long admired about her writing is its authenticity. She doesn’t pretend that sex is always a glamorous affair and she’s not afraid to be achingly honest about her own flaws and fears. (A recent piece of hers, for The Hairpin, is the perfect example of how relatable she is.) Not only does Rachel...
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Is this an indication that I need to move?
I flew back from California to New York on the 15th to get the dog (Hamlet always stays in the city when both Patrick and I travel), left New York by car on the 16th to return to Boston, then took a bus back to New York on the 19th so that I could go to New Brunswick for my Rutgers talk on the 20th, spent the night in New York, then returned in Boston on the 21st, where I’ve been since....
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Anonymous asked: So. I'm sorry this is a lame question but you said you no longer have HPV. I thought I read you will always have HPV because it stays latent in your body? I know you're not a doctor, but I just wanted to know more what you've learned over the years because online research (rumors) are confusing. When you had a clear pap your doctor was just like, no more HPV for you?? (BTW I was...
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Anonymous asked: hey lena - i'm a student at harvard that follows your blog pretty consistently. i'm thankful for your comments about hpv and the stigma associated with it. particularly because i was informed that i have it, despite the fact i have never been sexually active (not by choice, though i suppose i don't need to justify myself). this was a particularly horrifying experience for me,...
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omgclnclncln asked: What do you think about the attacks on Planned Parenthood's funding? And how do you feel about the abortion laws that states are trying to pass? It seems like such a critical time for women to get involved with activism and their feminist beliefs. What do you think is the best way for a young woman to get involved?
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Lena Chen on Feminist Wednesday | Vocalo.org 89.5... →
This morning, I was on Feminist Wednesday with Molly Adams and Brian Babylon on 89.5 FM in Chicago/Northwest Indiana. We talked about Feminist Coming Out Day, gender expectations, and the intersection between feminism and queer equality. If you missed it, here’s a link to the recording of our chat.
ALSO! Local listeners can win a “This Is What A Feminist Looks Like” t-shirt by...
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Anonymous asked: I have a friend who is struggling emotionally after taking an abortifacient. I suggested she find an online forum or some system of support. She's more into reading about how other people have dealt with it than telling a stranger her story (she has me for that, and not having gone through it I can't give a whole lot of guidance). She thinks it's a great idea to hear the ways people...
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“I wanted to thank you for your most recent Tumblr response to a follower who had...”
– I got the above message in my question box re: last night’s entry about HPV and stigmatization (a post I wrote in response to a reader who recently had an abnormal pap smear). I hope this message illustrates that a lot of women have to deal with these problems, that none of us are doomed to...
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Anonymous asked: Hi Lena,
Long time reader of your blog, especially since I'm a senior at Harvard now, and like you, took a year off in the middle. I remember all the crazy reactions when your blog became super-popular.
But here's the deal. Half question, half I-think-you-should-enforce-behaviours. I recently went in for my annual gynecological checkup (which women should do! and often at...
Long time reader of your blog, especially since I'm a senior at Harvard now, and like you, took a year off in the middle. I remember all the crazy reactions when your blog became super-popular.
But here's the deal. Half question, half I-think-you-should-enforce-behaviours. I recently went in for my annual gynecological checkup (which women should do! and often at...
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Anonymous asked: Dear Lena,
Although I am still two years from graduating from university, I have already begun to think about and plan for my post-collegiate life. Writing is something that I've always been passionate about. I'm taking every writing course, fiction and non-fiction, that I can get my hands on, and I am interning at my university's writing center, and I've been...
Although I am still two years from graduating from university, I have already begun to think about and plan for my post-collegiate life. Writing is something that I've always been passionate about. I'm taking every writing course, fiction and non-fiction, that I can get my hands on, and I am interning at my university's writing center, and I've been...
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Anonymous asked: Lena, what type of IUD did you receive?
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thelastquestion asked: Hi Lena! I know you said earlier that you'd be at Rutgers On February 20th to present two workshops for the Sex, Love, and Dating Conference. My friend and I really want to go, but we don't know when your workshops are/where exactly they are?
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Anonymous asked: So.. your blog made me think, this isn't really a question, but: maybe it doesn't matter if you're not a virgin as a young adult in today's day and age, but I think it really does if you are one.
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Anonymous asked: according to your hate blog, you said in an interview that your dad did own three sushi restaurants. what's up with that?
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Valentine's Grinch
I’m so down on the holiday. I know, I know — I’m such a party pooper. And I even have a boyfriend. God, what’s wrong with me, right? To be honest, I, like many others, have always wanted to rope someone into loving me, but now that I have succeeded in doing so, I don’t particularly feel the need to be smug about it. Plus, I remember what it was like when I was single...
Valentine's Day
I’ll be spending it with the Roomie on a red-eye flight back to New York. Romantic!
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Dollmag.ca | Digitizing Feminism →
Check out my interview with the Toronto-based Dollmag.ca! I talk about the impetus behind Feminist Coming Out Day and lament the highly idealized version of sex depicted in popular culture. An excerpt:
“Real sex is sometimes messy and embarrassing and doesn’t always work out the way you planned. Treating it like it’s something that’s perfect all time (makes) people feel like there’s something...
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Freelance Friday: Paris-Based Journalist Caroline...
I discovered Caroline’s portfolio on Tumblr just a few days before I took a trip to Paris last month. I was captivated by her versatile background in web and print journalism and doubly intrigued by the fact that she had relocated from New York to France. Being able to work from anywhere is one of the frequently cited perks of freelance writing, but practically none of the professional...
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Anonymous asked: Hi - I've never commented on your blog or anything before, but I've been reading for months (I think I found you through blaghag) But, I wanted to let you know, that you give me courage.
I am a strong, young, feminist, almost-lawyer, and yesterday I encountered some slut-shaming that involved rumors that *GASP* I enjoyed sex with an ex boyfriend. (The direct quotes were...
I am a strong, young, feminist, almost-lawyer, and yesterday I encountered some slut-shaming that involved rumors that *GASP* I enjoyed sex with an ex boyfriend. (The direct quotes were...
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I'm Not Scared Of Your Slut-Shaming (And Neither...
I appreciate that you guys are being so supportive (and hilariously defiant) in the face of the bullying being directed at readers of my blog. There ARE a lot of employers, parents, whathaveyou who will be understanding and realize immediately that the type of stuff being written is a malicious attempt at intimidating me into silence. Of course, there may also be those who are less ...
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Anonymous asked: all this time, you've talked about how your family is so poor, but apparently, your dad is a famous sushi restaurant owner?
you are a fraud.
you are a fraud.
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“I’m just curious…your mom lets you guys sleep on the same bed?!?...”
– Comment on one of my blog entries So, I gotta be honest: I hid the fact that I was sexually active for many, many years. I lost my “technical virginity” (i.e. sexual intercourse) when I was 15 and had a couple boyfriends before high school graduation. In between pulling late nights at...
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Work Update & Speaking Dates (Come See Me!)
Quick update from California. It’s been sort of a crazy week. Delayed flights, doggie drama, and technological disasters. I’m so, so sorry if I haven’t responded to your email at this point. I’ll get to it — promise!
This is going to be an incredibly busy couple of months for me, and at the moment, I don’t even have access to a word processor. I’m in...
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Members Only
Me: Is there a club for guys with Asian girlfriends?
Friend: There should be. And they should call it the Joy Fuck Club.
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ordinarychaos asked: Hi Lena! I just recently finished my undergrad degree in college and I developed a great interest in feminism and gender issues. I live in Costa Rica and information sources and activities on these subjets are limited here, to say the least. I love reading your blog because of it's honesty, the breadth of subjects and the fact that it keeps up with current affairs. Could you recommend other...
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California Feminists & Writers!
(EDIT: Um … when you queue up entries to be automatically published, they still get posted even when you flight gets canceled. Stranded in New York until tomorrow!)
I’ll be in Los Angeles for the next week (and then San Francisco) if any of you want to meet up. I’ve been finishing up some deadlines so I haven’t been great with email lately, but I’ll be replying once...