FINDING SEXUAL LIBERATION IN BOSTON projects and events going on in Boston! I’ve spent years being passionate about this stuff and I’m just finding out about them now?“
This month is the 100th issue of Boston’s Sex-Positive Newsletter! If you’re not familiar, it’s a monthly email newsletter aimed at helping build up the sex-positive community here in Boston. Many people misunderstand the point of sex-positivity, seeing it as a fun lifestyle that could get you invited to an orgy. While orgies are all well and good, sexual liberation is about so much more than living an unexamined life of pleasure! Sexual liberation is about seeing the ways in which free sexual expression and sexual wellness are not accessible to all—and working toward a more sexually just world. Sexual rights, both locally and globally, are a key part of this, from access to safe abortion, to sex worker rights, to increasing the acceptance of diverse sexual desires and fetishes (and so much more!). I came up with the idea for a local sexpositive email newsletter when I began putting my own sex-positive work online and a bunch of local sex-positive people started coming out of the woodwork. I thought to myself, “There are so many awesome sexual justice
I wanted to create an easy way for people to get involved in local sex-positive efforts and learning opportunities, and meet other people who share their sex-positive values. I was inspired by how the Boston Compass fosters the alternative/creative community here in Boston (this was 2014, the Compass’ early days of being a single 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper). Thus, Boston’s Sex-Positive Newsletter was born to help you keep up with all the great sexual justice events and projects going on in the area. Each issue lists 30+ sexuality-related events, including sex education workshops, queer book clubs, polyamorous speed dating, trans support groups, feminist art shows, sexual trauma therapy groups, BDSM skill shares, and so much more. We also include jobs in the sexuality field, cool art, and free sexual wellness resources. We’ve technically put out over 100 issues (including a few half issues and one ¾ issue), which brings us to our official 100th issue! To celebrate, we’re having a giveaway. The prize: a “queer sex ed saves lives” sticker mailed to you. We’re going to choose 100 winners because this is no small occasion, so you have a good chance of winning this thing. To enter, go to bit.ly/issue-100. You can see all our issues and subscribe at pleasurepie.org. I hope you find what you’re looking for :) —Nicole Mazzeo of Pleasure Pie
“UNTIL YOU’RE HOME” RESPONDS TO BOSTON’S MIGRANT CRISIS The housing crisis in Massachusetts has been a pressing issue for far longer than it has been documented—only compounded by the steady influx of migrant families in the last couple of years. For almost a year, there have been hundreds of migrants arriving at Logan Airport and sleeping there overnight. These individuals, as well as those arriving with their families, are escaping economic instability in search of better living situations and opportunities. Their journeys are often arduous and dangerous, and many arrive with only their documentation and the clothes they are wearing. The influx of these migrants led to Boston’s temporary and emergency shelters filling up as quickly as new ones were opened.
six shelters with 350 or more winter coats alone. Her expanded mission to migrant families began early in 2024 when she became aware of the Logan airport crisis, and she is using her powerful voice and presence to continue to make an impact.
Drumgo’s first responder instincts kicked in after she met with the director of the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants, offering to mobilize and serve for the cause. She began soliciting targeted donations to address the immediate needs of these families, delivering weekly carloads to the biggest Boston welcome center. Her organization, “Until You’re Home” (UYH) was born and now has several volunteer teams responsible for 15-20 major deliveries to our In response to our unprecedented migrant newly arriving and displaced families over family crisis, an organization was born out the past five months. She credits this success of an expanded commitment to support to her exceptional circle of supporters and unhoused, displaced and families in the Berea Boston, Sister Circle, and Project transition in shelters or temporary housing. Care teams’ generous donations. UYH also For seven years, Kena Drumgo’s passion has guides vulnerable families as they transition been to meet the physical needs of families from shelters and seek permanent housing in shelters stretching from Boston to Fall River in an unforgiving housing market. These as the assistant director for the unhoused at families are unintentionally underserved Berea Boston’s Women’s Ministries. Through because of a housing crisis that creates her work, she provides personal care and overwhelming caseloads for their case household items, coats, and clothing to managers. UYH stands in the gap. those in need. In the fall of 2023, her team partnered with Patricia Juba’s nonprofit A Life Article continued on page eight. Worth Living Corp for a coat drive benefiting
DESIGNERS:
Phoebe Delmonte: p.1,4,5 Hannah Blauner: p.2,3,7 Adrian Alvarez: p.6,8