All Posts By

Laura McGuire

Adding ‘K’ to LGBTQIA: Is Kink Inherently Queer?

Posted on February 22, 2019

We started out as the GLB community. Letters were rearranged in the 1980s, and we soon became LGB. The 1990s brought us to LGBT, and now, in 2019, we are LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA, or even LGBTQQIP2SAA. Whew! The fact of the matter is that we are ever expanding and searching for the right acronym to represent the plethora of identities that fall under the queer umbrella. We bond these letters together to represent a common, shared experience between each—one rooted…

When ‘The One’ Becomes Two: Top 5 Myths About Polyamory

Posted on February 14, 2019

Polyamory, like many relationship expressions that fall outside the societal “norm” of monogamy, is largely misunderstood, often dismissed, and rarely validated as a natural way for humans to connect with one another. This dynamic is not as provocative or alluring as the media depicts, nor is it fraught with more complications that the traditional two-party relationship system. In fact, almost no mammal on earth is truly monogamous (yes, even those that “mate for life”). As queer people, our relationships are…

Traveling While Queer: Miami

Posted on January 8, 2019

Welcome to the third installment of Traveling While Queer! Join me as I journey across the country to discover our shared queer history and sightsee in some of my favorite cities. Along the way, we will explore hidden havens, places of LGBTQ significance, and help you to plan a top-notch gay getaway. Our next stop is bringing that heat—welcome to Miami!…

Supporting Queer Sex Workers: How and Why

Posted on December 17, 2018

A photo of the sex workers red umbrella.

Sex work is term and concept that is, at best, misunderstood and vilified at worst. While almost everyone has benefited from sex workers’ labor at some point in their lives, few acknowledge this fact or think about the lack of support or rights that these artists and healers have in western modern society.…

Traveling While Queer: New Orleans

Posted on December 6, 2018

Welcome to the second installment of Traveling While Queer! Join me as I journey across the country to discover our shared queer history and sightsee in some of my favorite cities. Along the way, we will explore hidden havens, places of LGBTQ significance, and help you plan your dream va-gay-tion. Next stop, NOLA!…

Traveling While Queer: Philadelphia

Posted on November 20, 2018

A photo of travel destination Philadelphia.

Welcome, my vagabond and adventuring friends, to the first installment of Traveling While Queer! As an entrepreneur and consultant, traveling is a huge part of my job—building a strong network of movers-and-shakers means venturing from my home in Florida, out of the South, and journeying to cities across the nation. Along the way, I aim to share these cities’ vibrant LGBTQ histories (ones that are too often forgotten), as well as to lend my own personal queer perspectives on the…

The Queer Doula: Adventures in Providing Support and Education Around Birth, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Posted on November 1, 2018

I have always loved birth. As a teen and young adult, I would spend hours glued to TLC’s A Birth Story and other ER shows that depicted live births with a twist of trauma and terror. I found every unique birth story endlessly fascinating. What was this family’s journey? How would this birth be different? What would the baby look like? As I observed birth after birth, I came away with one clear conclusion by the age of 14: I…

Asking for a Friend: Can Queer Relationships Be Abusive?

Posted on October 5, 2018

An illustration of Dr. Laura McGuire talking about abusive relationships.

Can queer relationships be abusive? Is it only abuse if it’s physical? Where can LGBTQ folks who feel unsafe go for help? Dr. Laura McGuire tackles these questions and more in a special Domestic Violence Awareness Month episode of Asking for a Friend.…

Why I Won’t Gentrify My Career

Posted on October 3, 2018

In June 2018, I started my consulting and expert witness firm, The National Center for Equity and Agency, which specializes in sexual misconduct prevention and increasing cultural inclusion. Starting my own business meant building a brand, not only for the business, but a brand for me personally as well. What was the image I wanted to portray? Who did I want to impress and connect with? What was the vibe that I wanted our logo, language, and colors to exude?…

Asking for a Friend: Sexual Assault and Sex Work, What’s the Diff?

Posted on September 7, 2018

An illustration of Dr. Laura McGuire addressing abusive relationships.

Sex work, sexual assault, or human trafficking? How can we tell the difference? Dr. Laura McGuire tackles these questions and more in this month's Asking for a Friend!…

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Laura McGuire

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