HIV and Religion

Welcome back to Beneath the Briefs! In our Season 5 premiere, cohosts Javier and Cheyenne return with fresh energy, life updates, and an important conversation about women’s health. They’re joined by special guest Krystle Thomas, a doula and childbirth educator, who helps unpack the many challenges people face when navigating reproductive and sexual healthcare—especially those from marginalized communities. From access and affordability to shame, provider bias, and misinformation, this episode explores the systemic barriers that make it difficult for women and gender-diverse people to receive the care they deserve. Krystle shares insights from her work and personal health journey, while Javier and Cheyenne reflect on their own experiences and observations. It’s an eye-opening start to the season—and just the beginning of the powerful conversations to come. Sound heavy? Don't worry, Javier and Cheyenne lighten the load with the occasional quip and the banter you've come to know and love. See you in two weeks for the next episode! We upload every other Wednesday at midnight.

In our season finale, hosts Javier and Cheyenne dive deep into the world of polyamory with guest Ren Dobson, a seasoned advocate and practitioner of non-monogamous relationships. Together, they unravel common misconceptions, explore the nuances of polyamorous lifestyles, and discuss the importance of communication and consent in fostering healthy, dynamic relationships. Topics Covered: What is polyamory? Can you love more than one person at the same time? Navigating the complexities of dating while polyamorous. The difference between polyamory, polygamy, and open relationships. Breaking down hierarchical polyamory and other relationship structures. The importance of consent, communication, and defining personal boundaries. Key Takeaways: Polyamory is not a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about creating a relationship dynamic that works for you and your partners. Love isn’t a finite resource; it’s possible to develop deep connections with multiple people. Clear communication and mutual respect are essential in any relationship, polyamorous or not. Got suggestions for new topics? Questions? Embarrassing stories you want to tell? Email us at [email protected]. Season 4 is coming February 2025! Stay tuned.

In this candid and enlightening episode of Beneath the Briefs, co-hosts Cheyenne and Javier dive into an engaging conversation with their guest, Leo Sholl—a queer, trans, and disabled activist and community advisory member at Prism Health North Texas. Leo shares insights on reclaiming the term "disabled," dismantling harmful stereotypes, and advocating for accessibility within the queer and trans communities. The discussion explores everything from navigating awkward encounters to fostering inclusivity in both social and intimate spaces. Key topics include: Why "disabled" is not a bad word—and why alternatives like "differently abled" miss the mark. The historical roots of stigma surrounding disability and how they persist today. Tips for engaging respectfully with disabled people, and why it's essential to avoid unsolicited "test subject" interactions. The intersections of disability, kink, and sex positivity, with practical advice for enhancing comfort and consent. Whether you're seeking to better understand the experiences of disabled individuals or looking for ways to foster more inclusive spaces, this episode offers invaluable perspectives with a dose of humor and authenticity. Resources Mentioned: Learn more about Prism Health North Texas and their community advisory groups. Google basic questions about disability to avoid putting the burden of education on disabled individuals. Subscribe & Share:Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Beneath the Briefs. Together, we can amplify voices and build more inclusive communities.

In this episode, Cheyenne and Javier dive into the challenges of navigating family dynamics post-election, especially during the holiday season. They share personal experiences and practical tips for fostering meaningful conversations while protecting your peace. Topics Discussed: A nonpartisan discussion on the political atmosphere, post-election. Javier’s journey as a first-generation immigrant advocating for marginalized communities. Tips for handling political conversations with family, including when to engage and when to step back. The importance of approaching discussions with compassion and grace to bridge divides. Balancing the desire to advocate for change with maintaining family relationships during the holidays. Key Takeaways: Protect your peace and prioritize your well-being in difficult conversations. Approach discussions with an open heart, focusing on connection over conflict. If you have the capacity, speaking up for marginalized communities can spark growth and understanding. Whether you’re prepping for Thanksgiving or looking for advice on navigating complex family dynamics, this episode offers a thoughtful and encouraging guide to having impactful conversations. Tune in to join the discussion and gain insights for the season ahead!

In this week's episode, Cheyenne explains that Trans Day of Remembrance was established November 20, 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in honor of Rita Hester a trans woman who was senselessly murdered in 1998. Javier and Cheyenne introduce guest Nomi Iman to the show to discuss Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Nomi Imon offers a unique insight into her life living as a trans woman and navigating sexual wellness, relationships and discusses what TDOR means to her.  A Dallas Native, Nomi began her professional career with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Having completed trainings in Hip Hop, Classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz, & African genres. Currently Nomi is on a mission to balance all passions connecting the arts to health care and safe sex education while providing the space for community to heal through trauma and experiences using expressive movements and positive storytelling.

"Halloween is basically like Pride 2.0." In this episode of Beneath the Briefs, the hosts explore various themes surrounding sex, culture, and health. They discuss the excitement of Halloween and its cultural significance, share humorous costume ideas, and delve into the alarming misinformation surrounding a reported STI scare in Houston. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding STI transmission, debunking myths, and the need for comprehensive sex education. The episode concludes with a call for listener engagement and a reminder that discussing sex can be fun and liberating. Sources and Corrections: In this week's segment, Cheyenne stated that The ShadeRoom posted a story about the Houston STI rates. However, the Instagram accounts @rapplaylistdaily and @messymajshow posted about these incorrect stats. Here are the links to their posts: www.instagram.com/p/C8fopBpuC6J/?igsh=d3E3NDJmenowZW1n  www.instagram.com/p/C8cnESYuMwB/?igsh=YzN1cWFycGo5N3Bl The stats and information shared about HIV can be verified on the CDC webpage here: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/causes/index.html

Beneath the Briefs is back! It's season 4 with new cohosts Javier Enriquez and Cheyenne Roberts. Learn more about them in the interview on our website: Meet the New Cohosts for Beneath the Briefs (phntx.org) Episode 1 of season 4 focuses on a student-led protest at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016, known as "Cocks Not Glocks." Our hosts discuss the event’s origins, including a law allowing concealed carry on campus and the protest led by Jessica Jin. Jin's idea was sparked by frustrations over a lack of action on gun violence, resulting in the humorous yet impactful protest where students attached dildos to their backpacks to highlight the absurdity of allowing guns in classrooms while items deemed "obscene" were restricted. Their conversation dives into Texas's obscure laws surrounding sex toys, personal anecdotes, and a broader critique of the legislation. The episode balances humor with serious political commentary, highlighting the effectiveness of using satire to draw attention to social and political issues. If you like your activism with a side of funny, check us out. Read the episode transcript here: BTB S4E1: Cock & Load - A "Cocks Not Glocks" Recap (phntx.org) Btw, need free condoms? Check out Nice Package: https://www.FreeNicePackage.com Nice Package also offers at-home HIV test kits so you can simply swab for status. Another status you may want to be aware of is your voting status. Check that here: My Voter Portal (texas.gov)

For the season finale, we called in two special guests to discuss the intersection of Self-Love and sexual health. Míchél Macklin with Texas Pride Impact Funds joins Marquesse Banks with PHNTX to discuss advocacy, transparency, and navigating to find one's self-worth to decrease the risk of STI/HIV transmission. 

This episode explores the kinkier side of sexual health. Our co-host and I talk about some of the more adult things in our nightstand and how proper cleaning can prevent STI/HIV transmission. This episode is intended for an 18+ audience. 

Join us as we navigate the intersection of faith and public health, examining stigma, advocacy, and support within religious communities. Explore how religion shapes attitudes towards HIV/AIDS with Lead Pastor of First Community Church UCC Dallas, Ray Jordan.