Liz, thank you for this! A few other people sent it to me as well and I love Miranda July's work. Her writing is something to taste--the way she puts words together is like none other, truly. I loved watching this video and it helped me orient to how normal it has been for me (over years) to be intimate with my women friends and that this isn't "normal" or common or accessible for many people, alas. I wish it was. Maybe a movement is afoot out there in the world. I've spooned with friends, massaged and been massaged by friends, been naked a lot with friends, had one of my best friends do internal pelvic work on me, another sexological bodyworker friend worked on my vagina inside and out, and I've nuzzled my nose often in friends necks because I like the way the smell, and more... all platonic. Even comfort with nudity with male friends in college. I can't imagine that one now, but then it was normal. I'm generally a very sensory animal type human. I forget and it's helpful to understand that so that when I talk about it I have a broader understanding. I long for a world where there is comfort with consented touch. There's so much to say on this topic, but I'll leave it here for now.
Miranda July just posted a video/commentary on this topic, and it’s been rolling around in my mind & body all week. It’s related to a part of her most recent novel, All Fours (HIGHLY recommend). But I think it stands alone without having read the novel, too. https://open.substack.com/pub/mirandajuly/p/have-i-been-wanting-to-be-touched?r=abwy1&utm_medium=ios
Liz, thank you for this! A few other people sent it to me as well and I love Miranda July's work. Her writing is something to taste--the way she puts words together is like none other, truly. I loved watching this video and it helped me orient to how normal it has been for me (over years) to be intimate with my women friends and that this isn't "normal" or common or accessible for many people, alas. I wish it was. Maybe a movement is afoot out there in the world. I've spooned with friends, massaged and been massaged by friends, been naked a lot with friends, had one of my best friends do internal pelvic work on me, another sexological bodyworker friend worked on my vagina inside and out, and I've nuzzled my nose often in friends necks because I like the way the smell, and more... all platonic. Even comfort with nudity with male friends in college. I can't imagine that one now, but then it was normal. I'm generally a very sensory animal type human. I forget and it's helpful to understand that so that when I talk about it I have a broader understanding. I long for a world where there is comfort with consented touch. There's so much to say on this topic, but I'll leave it here for now.
Thanks for pointing me to Betty Martin's work!