Tag Archives: investment

COL661: LoR: Queer Platonic Relationships

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys are joined once again by Dr. Edward Angelini-Cooke to continue our Landscape of Relationships series. For this episode, the guys discuss QPRs or Queer Platonic Relationships. QPRs are intimate relationships that are neither romantic nor sexual in nature. Listen in as Ed builds up the fundamentals of this different relationship dynamic and its origins and brings it up to date for modern audiences.

Show Topic

Landscape of Relationships: Queer Platonic Relationships

Landscape of Relationships returns. Queer platonic relationships are our focus this month when it comes to relationships. QPRs are committed intimate relationships which are neither romantic nor sexual in nature and that differ from close friendship by having the same structure and status as a romantic relationship. The concept originates in aromantic and asexual spaces in the LGBT community. The term has begun to also be used in polyamorous communities to help describe the complex relationships.  The term “queers” social norms for defining relationships, it isn’t a friendship nor is it a romantic relationship.

Asexual (Ace)

  • “Sexual orientation where a person experiences little to no sexual attraction to anyone and/or does not experience desire for sexual contact” (aceandaros.com, 2021)

Aromantic (Aro)

  • “Romantic orientation, which describes people whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations, commonly due to experiencing little to no romantic attraction, but also due to feeling repulsed by romance, or being uninterested in romantic relationships.” (AUREA FAQ on Aromanticism.org, 2021).  

Allosexual 

  • “Describes people who are not on the asexual spectrum. They can have any romantic orientation, including aromantic” (TAAAP.org, 2021).  

Alloromantic

  • “Described people who are not on the aromantic spectrum. They have any sexual orientation, including asexual” (TAAAP.org, 2001).

Historically speaking , QPR has been described as an “ancient practice made new again”. 

  • Boston MarriagesA Boston marriage was one in which two independent women chose to build a life and a household together, rather than marrying. 
  • Romantic FriendshipsClose but often times non-sexual relationship. Used primarily in historical contexts (e.g. Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens; Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed).

Zucchini 

  • Term of endearment used to describe a queerplatonic partner.  
  • Also, “squish” has been used to describe a non-romantic crush.

Amatonormativity (Elizabeth Brake)

  • The idea that everyone needs to be in a romantic relationship 
  • Hallmark movies 
  • Laws surrounding marriage 
  • Chosen families 

Other Resources

Play

COL641: ATNS: The Disney Conundrum

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s another All T, No Shade show. For this episode, the guys debate regarding the recent news regarding Disney and its original silence then missteps regarding the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill in Florida, due to be signed into law in July 2022. As a beloved international corporation, what happens when it steps into a pile of political crap? Can and should the LGBTQ+ community continue to support their business when they once again reveal they are not as supportive back? Can the House of Mouse fix their LGBTQ+ problem? The cubs share their thoughts and opinions on this and more in this heated discussion.

Show Topic

ATNS: The Disney Conundrum

The challenge of when an international corporation with multiple loved IPs steps into a pile of political crap. Can the House of Mouse fix their LGBTQ+ problem? Can we support the land where dreams come true when villains threaten to destroy the world we live actually in?

 

Play

COL601: Landscape of Relationships: FWB

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys are joined again by Edward Angelini-Cooke to continue our Landscape of Relationships series. In this installment, the cubs share their thoughts on FWBs, otherwise known as friends with benefits. What are the building blocks of this type of relationship and how do you make it work? And, what exactly are the benefits?

Show Topic

Landscape of Relationships: Friends With Benefits

Is a friendship a relationship????

  • Thoughts?
  • Many cultures define friendships as a very important relationship
    • LGBTQ community- “chosen family”
  • Atlantic 2020 article that discussed the cultural and historical importances of friendships

The relationship escalator

A set of societal expectations for intimate relationships.  Partners follow a set of progressive set of steps, each with clear markers, with a goal in mind.

  • Making contact / Flirting
  • Initiation 
  • Claiming and defining 
  • Establishment 
  • Commitment 
  • Merging 
  • Conclusion 
  • Legacy

What does the science say about FWB relationships?

  • In 2017, 171 University of Denver students (more women than men) were surveyed on sexual satisfaction, commitment and trust of FWB relationships
  • Big takeaways? *drumroll please* communication and setting healthy boundaries
  • They found sexual satisfaction was important but so was sacrificing for the good of the partner, and not looking for the next best thing.
  • Why?  Lots of research is looking at young adults who are in school.  Romantic relationships are oftentimes an added stressor that takes away from studying.  Some students opt for FWB arrangements to reduce overall stress.  

How to make a “friendship with benefits” work.

  • FWBs are supposed to decrease pressure, not add pressure.  
  • You need to be friends in order to call it a FWB.  Those take time, trust, shared history, etc. 
  • Must be mutually beneficial and convenient 
  • If the FWB ends, you are allowed to be upset.  
  • It’s confusing to try to develop friendship founded on a sexual relationship guided by a rule system that has to be invented as you go. Or, when you’re trying to force a friendship so that you can add sex as a benefit, where does the friendship part fit in? That’s putting the benefits before the friendship.”
  • “Sexual exploration can and often does become a part of an existing friendship between consenting people. Or you may have been in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with this person earlier in your life, but now it’s morphed into a friendship. In such circumstances, the sexual connection may remain, or may be reintroduced. But the common thread is the history between you, the investment you share in the friendship, and the trust that has formed. You recognize that you both enjoy the chemistry, but that you may not be as compatible emotionally as you are sexually. It’s a mutually understood experience. The connection you have as friends determines whether this time in your life and in your relationship is right to be sharing benefits.”

Tips for Having a FWB relationship that isn’t a mess

  • Make sure you can handle the emotional complexities 
  • Define “friend” and “benefit” and make sure the other person is on the same page
  • Don’t start an FWB with someone who wants something more
  • Transparency with each other’s sexual history
  • FWB’s and Fuck Buddies are two different things
  • FWB relationships are about respect and boundaries
  • Prioritize the friendship over the benefits

 

Play

COL436: Smokin’ in the Bears Den

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, we are without Gary, but are joined by Ches and Tony aka cubziz. The guys pull out their pipes and take some good long draws on the topic of smoking. From cigars and pipes to smoke and ash play, breathe in all the knowledge as these aficionados show the cubs how it’s done. So, cut off your tips and light them up.

Play

Introduction Topics

What’s Going On?

  • Jeff: Washing clothes is better when you can be nekkid
  • Damon: Stingerfest
  • Chester: Dog problems, lots of gaming, Mask or Raid,
  • Ches: GLLA Bootblack Judge, Leather History, and FLEAS!!
  • Tony: Just started cpap this week. Avoiding Facebook.

Feedback:

Facebook Likes:

  • Brian Clarke
  • Li Yun
  • Adiv Abramson

YouTube Subscribers:

  • Trey Gehring
  • Ches Clark
  • Jody
  • Mark McCandless

Live Listener Feedback:

  • Bruce from Dayton
Weekly Topic

‘Bears that Smoke’ cigars and pipes tabacco recreationally, and for kink/scene play.

Cooldown Topics

I’ll Tumbl For Ya:

Links:

Download Podcast