Tenisha is a 29-year-old, cisgender woman who describes herself as black, heterosexual, monogamous, average body type, currently in a relationship, and Christian.
A few months ago, Tenisha interviewed me for her podcast Choose Love. During that conversation, Tenisha mentioned that she was a practicing Christian who chose a period of intentional celibacy as an adult. So of course I wanted to interview her here!
In this conversation she talks about her early conversations in internet chat rooms, needing alcohol in order to have sex, her choice to become celibate at age 23, and the relationship she's in now.
- Tenisha's first memory of sexual experience – getting kissed by a boy on the bus and being embarrassed
- Tenisha signed on to AOL chatrooms at age 8, pretending to be older
- Her early "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" explorations
- The convergence of masturbation and guilt as a result of her religious upbringing
- Growing up in a home where Christian teachings are espoused, yet with parents who were lying and cheating
- Tenisha talks about witnessing domestic violence as a child
- The lack of sex ed at school and discovering porn online
- Tenisha's traumatic first sexual experience
- Her history of having to get drunk in order to have sex
- Embracing Christianity, getting baptized and deciding to become celibate
- Realizing she's ready for love again, meeting current boyfriend
- Tenisha's decision to end celibacy within her current relationship
- Finally experiencing orgasm and sexual pleasure, while still having to deal with old trauma and issues around sex
Audio extras for this episode are:
- Tenisha talks about her relationship with alcohol and what sex was like when she quit
- Tenisha talks about the relationship she ended after her mom's death
- Extended Q&A
Update:
Since this episode was released, the podcast has concluded. Here's how you can find me now:
EPISODE CREDITS:
Host / Producer – Leah Carey (email)
Audio Editor – Gretchen Kilby
Administrative Support - Lara O'Connor, Maria Franco
Transcript creation – Jan Acielo
Music – Nazar Rybak
