What sexuality and relationships have to do with Iraq… and a bit about sexuality and disabilities
Much of what is discussed here on MSP and on other sex sites is relatively privileged sex - privileged in the sense that if one’s major concerns are finding the g spot, enhancing orgasm, or learning to initiate sex more comfortably, then one likely has a relatively decent sense of comfort (in life, if not in love) and room to breathe. When I travel other places, or even when I look more closely in communities here in the US, or among certain groups of people in the US (e.g., those who have been raped, trumatized, severely betrayed, etc) I am reminded just how good many of us have it.
This video includes a self-described "testimony" of one US veteran from the Iraq war. His experience may not reflect the majority of veterans, but it remains his experience and it is what it is. It is a compelling video and not overtly about sexuality, but it did remind me about how hatred, war, violence (of many sorts), and losses (of family members, spouses, partners, children) can affect a person’s sexuality and ability to be intimate with other people. Some of my sex therapist colleagues who work in VA clinics here in the US have been utterly astounded at the young men and women returning from war whose relationships are now severely challenged due to their mental or physical health issues following their military experience. Women and men, throughout the world (Iraq included), who have survived wars can likely identify. Two good resources for individuals dealing with sexuality and disabilty issues are sexualhealth.com and The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability.
Here is the video: (if it is unable to be viewed at the moment, you can find more here).
