Meg-John Barker

We live in a time of uncertainty about relationships. We search for The One but remain single because nobody measures up. We long for a happily-ever-after but breakup after breakup leave us bruised and confused. We yearn for connection, but our attempts to get it disconnect us more than ever. Rewriting the Rules: A Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships is a friendly companion through the complicated – often contradictory – advice that’s given about sex and gender, monogamy and conflict, break-up and commitment. It asks questions about the rules of love: Which should we choose from all those on offer? Do we stick to the old rules we learnt growing up, or do we try something new and risk being out on our own? And what about the times when the rules we love by seem to make things worse, rather than better? This new edition considers how the rules are being ‘rewritten’ in various ways: in monogamous, monogamish and polyamorous relationships, through different ways of understanding sex and gender, and via new ideas for managing commitment and breakup when economics, communities, or child-care make complete separation impossible. The book empowers you to find an approach that best fits your situation, concluding with a reflection on how we might collectively rewrite our rules of relating during times of collective crisis.

What can psychology teach us about sex? How do different bodies and brains respond sexually? How can we prevent people being stigmatised for their sexuality? The Psychology of Sextakes you on a tour through the different ways that psychology helps us understand sex and sexuality. It explores cultural concerns around sexualisation, pornography, and sex addiction, as well as drawing on research from sexual communities and the applied area of sex therapy. This new edition features material on evolving sexual identities, as well as sexuality and technology and how digital platforms shape sexual behaviours. When so much of our relationship to sex happens in the mind, The Psychology of Sexshows us how important it is to understand where our ideas about sex truly come from.

What can psychology teach us about sex? How do different bodies and brains respond sexually? How can we prevent people being stigmatised for their sexuality? The Psychology of Sextakes you on a tour through the different ways that psychology helps us understand sex and sexuality. It explores cultural concerns around sexualisation, pornography, and sex addiction, as well as drawing on research from sexual communities and the applied area of sex therapy. This new edition features material on evolving sexual identities, as well as sexuality and technology and how digital platforms shape sexual behaviours. When so much of our relationship to sex happens in the mind, The Psychology of Sexshows us how important it is to understand where our ideas about sex truly come from.

'Profound and vulnerable. An essential gift for all of us that relate' - Anne MauroWhat do we mean when we say 'relationship'?How do we separate our needs and desires from norms and expectations?How can we approach our relationships with mutuality, care and compassion?This down-to-earth guide is the ultimate companion for anybody who wants to examine their place in the world -- how we relate to ourselves, and others. With considerations of historical, cultural, and developmental contexts; explorations of relationship diversity as it manifests in queerness, the ace and aro spectrum, non-monogamy and neurodivergence ; and a look towards deeper, compassionate, interdependent ways to relate - this book will help people of all ages, backgrounds and identities explore their relational world.

Hur är det att leva som transperson i Sverige i dag? Ges könsbekräftande vård lättvindigt eller får man tvärtom vänta alldeles för länge? På vilka sätt kan minoritetsstress påverka transpersoners hälsa?Transfrågor syns alltmer i samhällsdebatten. Samtidigt är många osäkra på vad olika begrepp betyder, vad som är ett gott bemötande och hur livsvillkoren ser ut för transpersoner. Transär en antologi som förmedlar forskning och kunskap på ett tillgängligt sätt, där ämnet också tillåts vara komplext. Korta intervjuer ger ytterligare inblick i olika erfarenheter.Boken är skriven för alla som vill lära sig mer om transfrågor. Den ger även guidning och stöd för transpersoner och närstående.Transär skriven av flera av Sveriges mest kunniga inom området. Redaktörer är Edward Summanen, socionom och genusvetare som arbetat med hälsa för transpersoner sedan 2008, i dag verksam på Transammans – förbundet för transpersoner och närstående, samt Matilda Wurm, leg. psykolog, fil.dr inom hälsopsykologi och lektor i socialt arbete på Örebro universitet, som bland annat forskar och undervisar om hbtq-personers livsvillkor. Kapitelförfattare: Tove Lundberg, leg. psykolog och docent i psykologi. Anna Malmquist, leg. psykolog och docent i psykologi. Meg-John Barker, psykolog och fil.dr i psykologi. Ida Linander fil.dr i folkhälsa. Axel Repka, specialistläkare. Maria Kindstedt, leg. psykolog. Kapitlen av Meg-John Barker är översatta av Desirée Kellerman.Trans vann Prisma Litteraturpris 2023, kategori Årets facklitterära verk, med följande motivering: ”Edward Summanen och Matilda Wurm har sammanställt en välskriven antologi som tar ett helhetsgrepp om transfrågor. Hantverksmässigt är den imponerande i såväl text som layout, och dess samtidiga bredd och fördjupning gör den unik i sitt slag. Kombinationen av forskarperspektiv och levda erfarenheter ger en nyanserad och mångsidig bild, som vågar vara komplex utan att någonsin vika från lojaliteten med transpersoner som grupp.”Sagt om boken:”Författarna, forskare och praktiker med spjutspetskompetens i transfrågor, guidar varsamt och pedagogiskt igenom skilda aspekter av området trans, avlivar myter och ger nya värdefulla perspektiv.”Jack Lukkerz, BTJ-häftet nr 11, 2023”Om du jobbar inom vården, skolan eller är journalist – läs den här boken. Om du är transperson eller närstående – läs den här boken. Om du över huvud taget vistas i samhället och träffar människor ibland – läs den här boken. Din utökade kunskap och förståelse kan rädda liv.”Jenny Jägerfeld, leg. psykolog och författare”Allt du behöver för att hänga med i nutidens diskussioner om transfrågor och samhällsinkludering. Smart, enkelt skriven med expertkunskap och bra begreppsdefinitioner.”Wibke Straube, forskare i genusvetenskap vid Karlstads universitet

Queer-johdantosarjakuva on hauska ja helppolukuinen perehdytys queer-teoriaan, -aktivismiin ja koko HLBT-liikkeen historiaan. Samalla paljastuu myös, miten käsityksemme sukupuolesta ja seksuaalisuudesta vaihtelee ajasta ja paikasta toiseen.

'A goldmine of wisdom' CYNDI DARNELL'Gentle, kind and embracing' JUNO ROCHE'Interesting and engaging' JUSTIN HANCOCKGay, straight, queer, pansexual, demisexual, ace...? Sexuality is complex and diverse, but it doesn't have to be confusing.This down-to-earth guide is the ultimate companion for understanding, accepting and celebrating your sexuality. Written by two internationally renowned authors and therapists, the book explains how sexuality works in terms of our identities, attractions, desires and practices, and explores how it intersects with our personal experiences and the world around us.With activities and reflection points throughout, it offers space to tune into yourself and think deeply about your own sexuality. You'll hear from people across the sexuality spectrum and in different relationship set-ups, and be inspired by the ideas of scholars, activists and practitioners. Sexuality is a vast and wonderful landscape - let this book guide you on your journey!

World Book Night 2022A visionary, moving and one-of-a-kind anthology of writing on what it means to be trans today and every day.From the daily bite of anxiety as you go to leave the house, to the freedom found swimming in the wild, through to moments of queer rage and joy and the peculiar timeslip of reliving your adolescence, the stories in this collection reveal the untold lived realities of trans people to help inform, inspire and unite. Spanning a range of topics such as gender dysphoria, transphobia, chest binding, gender reassignment surgery, coming out in later life, migration and love and relationships, these unique first-person accounts celebrate the beauty and diversity of being trans and will empower others on their journey.Showcasing eight new exciting trans writers, this extraordinary collection is a powerful and heartfelt love-letter to the trans community.Jessica Kingsley Publishers will donate at least 5p per book sold to Gendered Intelligence (registered charity no. 1182558)

'Sexuality delivers the goods, making the history and theory of sexuality downright sexy ... I learned more in one session with this book than I've figured out in a lifetime.' Christine Burns MBE, author of Trans BritainThey're back! Writer Meg-John Barker and artist Jules Scheele once again team up in this cheeky and informative comic-book follow-up to Queer and Gender. Sex is everywhere. It's in the stories we love - and the stories we fear. It defines who we are and our place in society ... at least we're told it ought to.Sex and sexuality can seem like a house of horrors, full of monsters and potential pitfalls. We often live with fear, shame and frustration when it comes to our own sexuality, and with judgement when it comes to others'. Sex advice manuals, debates over sex work and stories of sexual "dysfunction" only add to our anxiety.With compassion, humour, erudition and a touch of the erotic, Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele shine a light through the darkness and unmask the monsters.'The art introduces a set of reoccurring characters, tongue-in-cheek references to the Scooby-Doo gang, who journey through a haunted house confronting and unmasking the villains: patriarchy, white supremacy, ableism, and capitalism personified ... The sum: accessible, compassionate reading for readers wanting to think more deeply about sex, society, and how they intersect.' Publishers Weekly

Take a moment to pause... Breathe... And ask yourself, what does self-care mean to you?Times are very tough-in a world that pushes us to go faster, be the best, and get ahead of others, we often forget to focus on ourselves, leaving us with anxiety, anger, burnout, stress, and trauma. In this creative workbook and journal leading mental health pioneers, Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker, provide you with the tools to begin your self-care journey and develop sustainable self-care routines and rituals that work for you. Featuring a diverse range of experiential exercises, activities, and opportunities for reflection, while drawing upon a range of practices and approaches including systemic and existential therapies, Buddhist mindfulness, Pagan ritual, trauma-informed practice, intersectional feminism and more. This book explores self-care in all its forms and covers somatic self-care, plural selves, emotions and feelings, relationships, and care for others.Empowering, illuminating and written with authenticity and honesty throughout-this is a manual for everyone and will help you look after yourself on your path towards happiness and wellbeing.

WINNER - NAUTILUS GOLD BOOK AWARDWINNER - AASECT PROFESSIONALS BOOK AWARDExploring how the essentialism of the gender binary impacts on clients of all genders, this ground-breaking book examines how historical, social and culturally gendered trauma emerges in clinical settings. Weaving together systemic ideas, autoethnography, narrative therapy and somatic experiencing, the book charts the history of the gender binary and its roots in colonialism, as well as the way this culture is perpetuated intergenerationally, and the impact this trauma has on all bodies, gender identities and experiences.Featuring clinical vignettes, exercises and reflexive practices, this is an accessible and intersectional guide for professionals to develop their understanding of gender-derived trauma for supporting clients. Highlighting the importance of applying a trauma-informed approach in practice, this book provides insights as to how we can work towards collective healing, for future generations and for ourselves.

Specifically aimed at Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and voice practitioners, this book follows up from the authors' first book, The Voice Book for Trans and Non-Binary People. It sets out cultural competence, psychological and vocal skills, group activities and improvisations frameworks and exercises to helps SLTs develop their skills for working with trans and non-binary clients, including facilitation and coaching, emotional intelligence, role-play and solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy practices. It also includes many contributions from the trans community and a range of clinical professionals to emphasise the collaborative space.Written by two leading authorities on voice and communication therapy for trans people, this is an essential and authoritative resource for anyone working with trans and non-binary clients who are seeking their voice exploration.

'An outstanding work' - CN Lester, author of Trans Like MeJoin the creators of Queer: A Graphic History ('Could totally change the way you think about sex and gender' VICE) on an illustrated journey of gender exploration. Is masculinity 'toxic'? Why are public toilets such a political issue? How has feminism changed the available gender roles - and for whom? Why might we all benefit from challenging binary thinking about sex/gender?In this unique illustrated guide, Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele travel through our shifting understandings of gender across time and space - from ideas about masculinity and femininity, to non-binary and trans genders, to intersecting experiences of gender, race, sexuality, class, disability and more. Tackling current debates and tensions, which can divide communities and even cost lives, Barker and Scheele look to the past and the future to explore how we might all approach gender in more caring and celebratory ways.

'The book we all need for this moment in time.' CN LESTER'An absolute must read' FOX FISHER'A genius book' LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEWMuch of society's thinking operates in a highly rigid and binary manner; something is good or bad, right or wrong, a success or a failure, and so on. Challenging this limited way of thinking, this ground-breaking book looks at how non-binary methods of thought can be applied to all aspects of life, and offer new and greater ways of understanding ourselves and how we relate to others.Using bisexual and non-binary gender experiences as a starting point, this book addresses the key issues with binary thinking regarding our relationships, bodies, emotions, wellbeing and our sense of identity and sets out a range of practices which may help us to think in more non-binary, both/and, or uncertain ways.A truly original and insightful piece, this guide encourages reflection on how we view and understand the world we live in and how we all bend, blur or break society's binary codes.

Not your typical sex advice guide...This friendly guide takes a radical approach: it puts your experience at the heart of the book, and invites you to explore what might be enjoyable to you.Written in an engaging and thoughtful style, it challenges the messages we receive about 'normal' sex; looks at how to understand and care for yourself; delves into ideas of pleasure for different bodies, ages and tastes; explores relationships; and tackles the tricky topics of communication and consent.So, throw out the rule book and learn to listen to your own desires.

Mediated Intimacy looks at contemporary sex and relationship advice, exploring how our intimate lives are shaped through different media, from manuals and magazines to television and Twitter. By exploring how intimacy is constructed through different media texts, the authors consider which ideas and practices these changing forms of 'sexpertise' open up, and which they close down. The book reveals the intimate operation of power in mediated advice, how words and images, stories and sound can work to shore up social injustice. It critically engages with the ideas of choice and responsibility in sex self-help, arguing that these can obscure and/or justify oppression, even if they're sometimes experienced as empowering and/or pleasurable. This bold and incisive book provides a radical challenge to the assumptions underlying the sex advice industry, and presents a critical, collaborative and consensual vision for sex advice of the future.

Mediated Intimacy looks at contemporary sex and relationship advice, exploring how our intimate lives are shaped through different media, from manuals and magazines to television and Twitter. By exploring how intimacy is constructed through different media texts, the authors consider which ideas and practices these changing forms of 'sexpertise' open up, and which they close down. The book reveals the intimate operation of power in mediated advice, how words and images, stories and sound can work to shore up social injustice. It critically engages with the ideas of choice and responsibility in sex self-help, arguing that these can obscure and/or justify oppression, even if they're sometimes experienced as empowering and/or pleasurable. This bold and incisive book provides a radical challenge to the assumptions underlying the sex advice industry, and presents a critical, collaborative and consensual vision for sex advice of the future.

What can psychology teach us about sex?How do different bodies and brains respond sexually?How can we prevent people being stigmatised for their sexuality?The Psychology of Sex takes you on a tour through the different ways that psychologists have created and sustained certain understandings of sex and sexuality. Bearing in mind the subjective nature of sex, the book explores cultural concerns around sexualisation, pornography, and sex addiction, as well as drawing on research from sexual communities and the applied area of sex therapy. When so much of our relationship to sex happens in the mind, The Psychology of Sex shows us how important it is to understand where our ideas about sex come from.