Before I get to the business at hand, some introduction is in order.
Hi. I'm Gretchen.
I'm not a doctor.
I'm not a therapist.
I'm not an expert in anything except perhaps being myself. But even that's probably debatable, right?
I've got kids. I'm married. I'm fairly heterosexual. Monogamous. Outwardly pretty boring.
But I'm good at listening. I'm damn near impossible to shock. And I like to talk a lot about sex and bodies and relationships. And recently it was suggested to me that I make myself available to answer other folks' questions about sex and bodies and relationships. And my first response was, "Why me?" for all the reasons above. There are plenty of people out there who know more than I do.
But the friend who suggested to me that I try this told me that I can strike a balance between candor and caring that people, especially chicks, find really works for them. Like a nerdier, slightly less snarky Dan Savage.* And I respect this person's opinion, and also just why not? What's the worst thing that could happen? No one pays any attention? I think I can handle a risk of "might be totally ignored."
So think of me as your cool aunt. I'll answer the questions you don't want to have to ask your mom about. I won't judge you, I won't shine you on, and I won't mince words.
I'm calling this blog "So Says the Science Lady" for now, because while I wouldn't call myself a scientist (I have BA in English and French Lit, okay?), I love science. I love the objective scientific method, and I love love loooooooove research. Real research, P.S., not pseudo-bullshit-science.
Alright. Let's get this show on the road.
*MAD RESPECT to Dan Savage, by the way. I've been reading Savage Love since before the internet was a thing.
