MadameNoire Business continues its coverage of SXSW with our writer on the ground and on the scene — Mary Pryor, aka the Urban Socialista — who’s reporting on some of the hot panels, sights, and sounds. We’ll be posting her coverage from the conference over the coming days.

Photo: Bayyina Black

This year’s SXSW Interactive conference featured a panel on called “Digital Penetration: Love & Sex for Overachievers.”  One of the panelist, Arielle Loren, stuck out as a strong voice on these matters. As founder of a sensual magazine entitled, Corset, I connected with Arielle for some quick ways that we can be honest yet discreet with what it takes to approach your partner and others when it comes to bringing up what some might call “taboo” conversations.

MadameNoire: How can one dive into the mix of the even speaking about desire and all of the things that come with being freely expressive?
Arielle Loren: Participate in public conversations. Every day, Corset Magazine asks a question on our Facebook page to prompt our readers to share their stories with each other. So many of our fans have written us to say just how much they enjoy participating in our conversations and how much they benefit from others being open.

MN: What if you have apprehensions about putting all of that out there?
AH: Start a private Facebook group with your girlfriends. I was reading an amazing blog post by Ev’Yan Whitney [where she suggests you]…[c]heck in with your girlfriends… and create a private Facebook group where you can all share.

MN: Where can one start? Any recommended online portals or groups that I should visit?
AH: There are so many dynamic women of color who are organizing and advocating for our sexual empowerment. Some of my favorites are the Brown Girls Burlesque, Blue Butterfly Women, and the Women of Color Sexual Health Network. Support them.

MN: What about the brothas? How can I get my man into this type of thing?
AH: Join co-ed conversations and discuss pleasure with our men. Pangeas Garden celebrates afro-sensuality, empowering co-ed dialogue and sharing intimate photographs of us with each other and our men. They’re quite amazing.

MN: How can I kick it up a notch in the bedroom?
AH: Pay attention to companies invested in your pleasure. Kandi Burruss is trailblazing as a black female owner of Bedroom Kandi. Support her online and connect with her pleasure movement.

MN: What about safety, trust, and feeling comfortable health wise with your partner?
AH: Get answers to your questions and information related to sexual health. The Internet is bigger than Google, and there are plenty of women of color who want to empower you to express yourself safely. SuzyKnew is another one of my favorites.

MN: Any lastly tell me why should I read or recommend Corset Magazine to others?
AH: Use online to go offline. Corset Magazine has organized its readers online and I’m traveling to meet them in 20 cities across the world. This is just one example of how empowering online conversations can transcend into real life. And there are countless other opportunities to meet more black women who want to express and honor their sexual selves, just like you.

We know black women aren’t the sexual prudes we’ve been made out to be, but there hasn’t been a place for us to read bold, informative information about sex and some of our intimate taboos in a non-sensational way—until now. Arielle Loren, a writer who’s written extensively on women and sexuality for The Grio, Jezebel, NPR, Ebony, The Root, AOL Black Voices, and many more outlets has launched a new digital magazine titled Corset, as the go-to-publication for all things sexuality. According to the magazine’s website, the writers and creators:

“Embrace human curiosity, honor sensuality, and celebrate sex through real-life stories submitted by an international community of writers and photographers. We believe that activism starts with conversation, and Corset is a catalyst for finding solutions to real issues related to sex, health, and human relationships. We’re currently on tour partnering with local communities and organizations to spark an international movement for better teachings and stronger activism related to sexuality.”

Having checked out the Spring issue, which is dedicated to orgasms, I can tell you this publication is not for the squeamish (just click the link to the magazine). The imagery alone forces you to think outside of your sexual comfort zone, not to mention the topics. What’s great about the magazine is that real experts from a variety of backgrounds weigh in on everything from tantra and “self-love” to ways to raise a sexually aware child and increase you and your partner’s mental and physical sexual pleasure.

Visit Corset’s website for more info and to check out their first two issues. What do you think about this magazine idea?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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