New Hero: Eva Bloom
An image of Eva Bloom wearing a green top that displays two hands sharing a butt plug. They are smiling in the photo with their eyes closed. Image credits belong to Sheridan Corkins.
AURORE spoke with queer sex educator and speaker Eva Bloom (@whatsmybodydoing) to discuss the power of queer femininity, unlearning sexual shame, and finding authentic desire.
How did you discover the relationship between queer femininity and science?
An image of Eva Bloom holding a rainbow plushie while kneeling. She is wearing a black long sleeve top and denim jeans, laughing with her eyes closed.
I discovered queer sex research during my time in university and doing my Masters degree! My undergraduate degree at university was research-focused, and while my friends were studying rocks and proteins, I realized that there was a whole research field dedicated to studying sex! People whose whole lives were giving out thousands of surveys to help understand masturbation habits, looking at the clitoris under MRIs, interviewing people about what made sex pleasurable to them. My brain was absolutely blown and I decided to start taking psychology courses and study sex myself! When I came out during my Masters, I also started learning that there were people studying QUEER sexuality! People like Dr. Sari Van Anders, Dr. Karen Blair, Dr. Meg-John Barker - and that queer perspectives on sexuality were essential in helping people have better sex.
When I met Dr. Rhea Ashley Hopskin and learned about her research on femme identity and femmephobia. I was blown away by the brilliance of understanding the power of queer femininity, and how hatred of (queer) femininity impacts all of us.
How can we work towards improving sexual education and when do you believe it should begin?
There are lots of ways that the people can advocate for and improve access to sex education. For one, you can vote in local elections for positions related to education. School board trustees and state government-elected officials have power over what gets taught in schools and how safe schools are for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. You can also learn about internet censorship. With most schools around the world not teaching comprehensive, queer-inclusive sex-ed, most people turn to the internet for sexual education. However, social media platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube censor sex educators severely and often take down their accounts. So if you find a sex educator you think is doing important work - share and uplift their work!
Do you think that the internet has had a positive or negative impact on queer sex education?
I think the internet has had a net positive effect on queer sex education. As I mentioned before, most schools (and parents) around the world do not teach comprehensive, queer-inclusive sex education. Research has found that queer youth largely get sex-ed from their peers and from the Internet! So without the Internet and platforms where people can share queer sex education, many queer people would continue to go without essential information about their health, wellbeing, identity, and pleasure.
How can liberation from sexual shame introduce more pleasure into someone’s life?
Sexual shame is oftentimes the anti-thesis to pleasure! We feel ashamed and embarrassed about our desires, our bodies, the way we experience pleasure. Unlearning the idea that we are dirty or shameful for being sexual, is essential in coming back to pleasure.
How is queer sex education beneficial to everyone?
One of the core tenants that I teach as a sex educator is that there is not one blueprint when it comes to sex and sexuality. A lot of people’s challenges when it comes to sex oftentimes relates to them trying to fit themselves into a box they think they need to fit into. That might be that they think their body needs to look a certain way, they need to fulfill a gender role, or they need to orgasm a certain way. A lot of these boxes and “shoulds'' come from the gender binary and cisheteronormativity. To me, queer sex education is about call that crap out, and reminding people that sex can be whatever you make it.
What does it mean to “find authentic desire,” as you mentioned in your workshop?
Finding authentic desire to me means finding what genuinely brings you pleasure, putting aside all the “shoulds” and societal expectations around society. For cis and trans women and people assigned female at birth, there can be messages you receive that your role as a sexual being is to provide pleasure to your partner, and that your pleasure is secondary. Finding authentic desire oftentimes means unlearning that and learning to prioritize your own pleasure and desires.
What do you wish more people knew about you and your work?
I wish people knew that being a sex educator is about way more than what goes on in the bedroom. Learning to prioritize your pleasure and advocate for your needs are life skills that are revolutionary in your life and relationships, and also hugely political.
An image of a book that has “QUEER” written in all capital letters on the front cover. Image credits belong to Sheridan Corkins.
Are there any queer erotic novels/stories that you love? If so, give us your recommendations!
My current favorite erotica subscription service is an erotic comics platform! Filthy Figments has literally HUNDREDS of diverse erotic comics and comics are the perfect combo of visual + room for imagination for me. I think erotic comics are hugely underrated and not talked about enough.
What is a practice you’re engaging in now to ensure you’re maximizing your pleasure experience, both with and without a sexual partner?
Right now, I’m working on really getting connected to my authentic desire! Exploring what feels like a “yes” and “no” for me in all areas of my life. Taking time to breath and reflect and notice the sensations in my body and really honor those desires and limits.