Here we go!
Intros, how to work with me, what I'm reading etc
Hello hello,
Happy Pride! Newsletters are hard! I’ve had “write first newsletter” on my to-do list for months, waiting for the moment to feel right, for the perfect lightning strike of inspiration for every word I’d want to say eloquently and concisely organized into newsletter format. Unfortunately, I, like most humans, need structure to work within. I have been reflecting on Mar Grace’s sentiment (from their own newsletter) “when you create the containers the material rushes out of you” and am working to build that container for myself. My container this week is some time set aside to word vomit into a google doc and send it to you. It feels vulnerable to be directing my thoughts to your inbox, so I remind myself that you did indeed sign up for this!
For a little introduction: I’m Alex, I’m a queer, trans, pelvic health physical therapist and sex educator on unceded Massachusett and Pawtucket land (Boston, MA). I use they/them pronouns. I primarily work with queer and trans folks, but anyone is welcome. I love to develop and teach trainings and workshops - mostly under the intersections of sex ed and pelvic health - to pretty much anyone who wants to listen and learn. This has included a range from very informal small groups at a sex shop or college campus, workplaces, hospitals, PT programs, national and international conferences, you name it. These days outside of work, I’m spending time getting back into old, comfort habits: reading, moving my body, sniffing flowers and hanging out with Honey, my perfect angel baby corn snake (pic at the end).
The inspiration for this newsletter has come from a million different directions. I personally love a newsletter; finding one in my inbox is one of my favorite parts of the week. To me, newsletters are a refreshing and grounding way to connect with people and foster community outside of social media’s watchful and censoring eye. I want to use this newsletter to keep you all in the loop with what I’m currently offering, working on/through, tips/thoughts that feel relevant, and whatever media has been sticking with me recently. Please enjoy this week’s ~container~
Offerings:
I currently have a few spots on my schedule open for new pelvic health patients over at Flourish Physical Therapy in Back Bay. If you know anyone who is in need of some pelvic health support please pass on my contact info! Here’s a link for FAQs about the practice - if cost is a barrier please reach out and we can talk about options. I will be continuing to wear a medical grade mask and use HEPA filters in treatment rooms.
I am currently taking new coaching clients as well! This is an offering I haven’t opened to the general public yet, but you can reach out to book 1:1 sessions either virtually or IRL for a personalized deeper dive into all things queer & trans-centered sexual health, pelvic health, navigating BDSM/kink dynamics with your pelvic floor in mind, to name a few of the most asked-about topics. I don’t have a link for booking yet - so reach out via email (alex.papalePT@gmail.com) to book and ask any questions.
As always, you can also hire me for workshops and trainings. I’ve done sexual health trainings for providers and non-providers (I was thrilled to do an hour+ talk on all things LUBE recently - there’s a lot to cover!), DEI training especially for PT practices, the classic “what is pelvic health physical therapy” which can be for any audience really. If you think I’d be a good fit for something, please reach out :)
On my mind recently:
One of my favorite humans, Rae McDaniel, just released their first book Gender Magic, and it’s so good! Rae is a sex and gender therapist (amongst many other impressive things) in Chicago, IL and they wrote this book based on their personal and professional experiences to serve as a guide for people who want to explore their gender with more ease and pleasure, and less pain. This book is full of stories, prompts, tips, and a ton of resources, and I see myself referring back to this often.
I really like Emily Nagoski’s Come As You Are podcast. The podcast offers some really great sex ed pearls with her classically approachable tone and a lot less gendered language than the book. This is a great listen whether or not you’ve read the book, and I recommend it especially if you’ve already read the book and want a refresher/to hear the same topics in a slightly different way. I found the prelude on pleasure with adrienne maree brown such an insightful way to start - don’t skip it! In fact, if you’re interested in prioritizing pleasure not only in the bedroom, maybe start with listening to Audre Lorde read her own essay “The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power”
My primary “outside of work” activity these days is also reading, so here are my current “non-work” reads and recs:
I just finished The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas, a YA fantasy novel which has been described as “Percy Jackson meets the Hunger Games” but trans, queer, and with gods and demi-god characters based on Mexican-inspired mythology. Really cannot wait for book two.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer- I’m actually listening to this one vs reading a physical copy, the audiobook is read by the author which is SO lovely and powerful. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read this, and it is definitely one I will be frequently returning to.
I’m about to start Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headlee - immediately reserved it from the library after reading this review from, you guessed it, another newsletter. It’s clearly a little work-related.
Actions:
If you have a little extra $$ please consider donating to one of my favorite local orgs Who’s Corner Is It Anyway - “a Western MA mutual aid, harm reduction, political education, and organizing group led by stimulant and opioid using low-income, survival, or street-based sex workers.”
Help support Neighborhood Birth Center to open their doors and be Boston’s first birthing center in Roxbury. There are many ways to support that aren’t $$ (although donations can go here) - follow them on socials, subscribe to their newsletter, otherwise spread the word! Watch this stunning video You Were Welcomed With Love for a better vision of what the birthing journey could be like.
Thanks for reading!
As promised:
