Stepping into Connection: Amari Lott's Love's Ted Tent on Sexual Consent & Healthy Relationships

Divine Timing, Beautiful Souls,

I'm Amari Lott, and I am incredibly excited to invite you the GRAND OPENING to ATL’s first Love’s Ted Tent, our first vital discussion dedicated to unraveling the intricacies of Sexual Health and Wellness, with a keen focus on Sexual Consent and Healthy Relationships.

In a world that often sends mixed messages about intimacy, it's more important than ever to cultivate spaces where we can learn, share, and grow our understanding of what truly makes relationships thrive – built on respect, trust, and enthusiastic consent.

What Does Healthy Look Like? The Foundation of Consent

At the heart of every truly healthy relationship, especially concerning intimacy, lies consent. Consent isn't just the absence of a "no"; it's the active, enthusiastic, and ongoing "yes!" It's a continuous conversation, a clear agreement, and a non-negotiable part of respectful interaction.

Think of consent as a dance: both partners are checking in, making sure movements are desired and comfortable for everyone involved. It’s freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific – remember the acronym FRIES!

“F”reely given: No pressure, manipulation, or guilt trips.

“R”eversible: You can change your mind at any time, even if you’ve consented before.

“I”formed: You know what you’re consenting to.

“E”nthusiastic: It should be an excited "yes”!, not a reluctant "maybe."

“S”pecific: Consenting to one activity doesn't mean consenting to others.

When consent is clear, communication flourishes, and genuine connection can truly blossom.

The Landscape of Relationships: Why This Conversation Matters

Sadly, a lack of understanding around consent and healthy boundaries still impacts far too many individuals. Let's look at some important statistics:

Sexual violence is widespread: Nationally, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime. [Source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) - prevalence data](https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics)

Lack of clear consent is often a factor: Studies show that many incidents of sexual assault involve situations where consent was not, or could not have been, clearly given (e.g., incapacitation due to alcohol/drugs, coercion). [Source: RAINN - Scope of the Problem](https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem)

Healthy relationship education is crucial: Young people who receive comprehensive sexual health education are more likely to communicate effectively about sex and relationships and less likely to experience unintended pregnancies or STIs. [Source: Guttmacher Institute - Sex Education: Avert Unintended Pregnancy, STD, and HIV](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/sex-education-averts-unintended-pregnancy-std-and-hiv)

These numbers aren't just statistics; they represent lives, experiences, and the urgent need for open dialogue and education. Our discussion at this discussion at Love's Ted Tent aims to empower everyone to foster relationships that are safe, fulfilling, and mutually respectful.

Cultivating Connection: Beyond Just "No"

Healthy relationships extend beyond just consent into areas of mutual respect, open communication, shared values, and support. It means:

Active Listening:Truly hearing and understanding your partner's needs and desires.

Respecting Boundaries: Acknowledging and honoring personal limits, whether physical, emotional, or digital.

Equal Partnership:Both individuals feel valued, heard, and have an equal say.

Support & Empathy:Being there for each other, celebrating successes, and offering comfort during challenges.

This is what we'll be exploring together – how to build these pillars of connection that make every relationship, in every aspect, truly a source of love and peace.

Join the Conversation!

I can't wait to share this space with you at Love's Ted Tent. Let's engage in thoughtful discussion, ask challenging questions, and collectively build a stronger, more informed community around sexual health, consent, and the beautiful journey of healthy relationships. Your voice matters, and your presence will make our conversation richer.

See you there!

With Love & Joy,

Amari Lott

“May The Divine Carry You Gracefully On Your Journey!”