A girl who loses her virginity is like a piece of chewed gum no one wants. That's one of the sexual purity lessons rape and kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart learned growing up as a Mormon girl. "After that first rape, I felt crushed. Who could want me now? I felt so dirty and so filthy. I understand so easily all too well why someone wouldn't run because of that alone."

Even though she lost her virginity through no fault of her own, she still felt like a lesser human being because she'd lost something supposedly more precious than her freedom or safety -- her virginity. I remember those awful lessons growing up as a Mormon, too (although I know they're not unique to Mormondom). I was taught it would be better to be shot and killed by my rapist than "allow" myself to be raped, like I'd have an effing choice! And there's more where that came from. Here's a few of my favorite insane sexual purity object lessons. Can we please stop telling our girls this nonsense?

Sex is a strange thing. It's one of the most wonderfully intimate and bonding experiences we can share with someone. And ... it can kill you. I KNOW. Such a paradox. With every person we find super attractive and want to get to know better -- especially between the sheets -- we have to also take on certain risks. And those risks can be deadly! It's crazy! Who thought up this sex thing? Really got it wrong in my opinion. Anyway. Point is, there's a new "superbug" out there in sex land and experts fear it's going to be deadlier than AIDS! Ack, bring me my chastity belt!

If you’ve been stuck in a bad marriage for a while, getting divorced is a release. Yes, it's still hard and sad and complicated, especially when there are children involved. But the truth is, once you're out of the marriage, it feels like a weight has been lifted.

And with that lifting can come an invigorating rush of new-found sexuality.

Sure, for some divorced women, whose marriages dissolved unexpectedly or as a result of infidelity, the heartbreak and trauma they've experienced can translate in to a complete lack of sexual desire.

But others, like me, who were unhappy in their marriages and whose divorces gave them relief, can't wait to break free.

Break free to have some hot, casual sex, that is.

Sex is the great equalizer. It’s the one thing in this world that we all need and want and it doesn’t matter how much money you have, what you look like or what your profession is (unless of course you are a hooker in which case, yeah it matters because you are a professional while the rest of us are amateurs). It’s available to all of us and it’s free. Capability and pleasure go hand in hand. It’s the one thing in the world that you really want to practice. The better you understand what gets you going, the less inhibited you are to vocalize what it is that you want and that is the key to great sex. That, my friends, is how you have a great orgasm and if you are really lucky, a “wegasm”. What the hell is a that, you ask?

A New Jersey middle school made the news recently for banning strapless dresses at its upcoming 8th grade dance, which apparently put some parents into an uproar. I agree that it might be hard to find dresses these days that aren't strapless, but too bad! I had to sew straps on to my own 8th grade dance dress (and walk uphill while doing it!); so can today's girls.

I do, however, take real issue with the outright dangerous explanation of the ban:

Have you peeked inside your kid's backpack lately? A Philadelphia mom got the shock of her life when she took a look-see inside her son's bag. Turns out the 14-year-old is reading the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey, and you'll never guess who bought it for him.

His ninth grade teacher.

Think the educator crossed the line? Maybe not.

How important is oral sex to you?

Let's say that you love your man. And he loves you. The two of you have this really, really wonderful relationship. Except for this one thing: He doesn’t go down on you. You know what I mean. He's not a beaver whisperer or a believer in the art of cunnilingus.  

For some women, this might be okay. But for me, it would be a deal breaker. I think performing oral sex on each other is one of the greatest pleasures of intimacy. And happily, my husband and I are on the same page on this.

But if your guy is hesitant and you're looking to be on the receiving end, here are some things that you can do to help him find his way.

For the first time ever, the students at North Carolina's Wheatmore High were allowed to use a prop in their senior yearbook pictures. The only rule: it had to represent an achievement or something they liked. For most students, that meant a basketball, award, violin, or family pet. However, one student wanted to use a photo of herself holding her baby. For Caitlin Tiller, posing with her son Leelin represented taking responsibility and unconditional love. It's an admirable gesture, to be sure, but the school banned the image and they were right to do so.