Friday, August 12, 2011

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Weight Loss Linked To Increased Sexual Function in Men

A recent article published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine presents research done by Professor Gary Wittert of the University of Adelaide that shows a very interesting relationship between weight and sexual function. The study looked at 31 obese men with type 2 diabetes, providing them with a reduced calorie or low-fat diet to induce weight lose. The results showed that after 8 weeks, when most men had lost a meager 5-10% of their body weight, the participants reported a rapid improvement in their sexual and urinary problems. The men continued to report improvement for the next 12 months. This evidence leads researchers to believe that erectile function and urinary tract symptoms are related to cardio-metabolic risks.

By now you would think we would have figured out that everything in the body is connected. Being healthy in one way, physically, mentally or emotionally, can often have unexpected effects on other parts of the body. By going on diets and trying to lose weight these men experienced the expected results of weight lose and easier management of their diabetes symptoms, but also got the more unexpected result of improved sexual function. Even a small weight decrease led to rapid sexual improvement. This shows that men who experience erectile dysfunction do not necessarily need to rush out to buy drugs and pills to improve their sex lives. Making a lifestyle change can be just as effective and can improve other health issues.

There are many reasons for people to lose weight, whether it is to become more healthy or to fit into one’s bathing suit. Some of these reasons are much more trivial than others; I’m sure most of us could discuss body image and weight for hours. Regardless of one’s reason for losing weight, this research shows that the relationship between weight and sexual function is more complicated than we had assumed.

Read more here in Science Daily

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Vancouver Queer Film Festival - 23rd Annual

Vancouver's second largest film festival presents 106 bright and diverse films from 18 countries, August 11–21. Enjoy the best of queer cinema with bold documentaries, vivid dramas and vivacious romances. Join in our outrageous parties and help paint this town pink!

The GLBA is a proud to support the 23rd Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Check out The Wise Kids on August 20, 9:00pm at Empire Granville 7 Cinemas.

In a Baptist church community in Charleston, South Carolina, three teenage friends contemplate the next stage of life. The Wise Kids surpasses the typical standards of the coming-of-age genre; this film is neither cute nor precious. Instead the young protagonists transport us to a world of rare authenticity, depth and compassion.

There's Brea, an introspective pastor's daughter experiencing debilitating doubt; the hyperactive Laura, Brea's best friend and a devout believer; and Tim, the open-hearted son of a single father, confronting his homosexuality for the first time. Weaving comedy, drama and gentle-handed philosophy, The Wise Kids premiered at Outfest this July and took home two Juried awards: Best Screenplay and Best US Dramatic Feature.

"During my teenage years I also began grappling with faith and doubt and sexuality," director Steven Cone (the son of a Baptist minister himself) told The Advocate. "I know that there are millions of church youth out there right now, just trying to find their own way, this led me to make The Wise Kids."

For tickets, previews and more, visit our website.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

she's always at my side ...

and I love her for it.

Not a real kiss, more like "how you blow a trumpet". Taken in my kitchen by Jason and in front of all of our kids, hers included, hence the pucker. XOXO