Things I meant to say naked
Things I Meant to Say Naked is a podcast about desire, intimacy, and the naked truths we carry in our bodies. Hosted by Figs—a certified sex therapist and chronic overthinker—this show explores the messy and beautiful parts of being human and wanting connection.
Each episode blends sex education, emotional insight, cultural commentary, and the occasional confession. Some episodes are solo: just Figs unpacking love, shame, eroticism, and everything in between. Others feature guests, lovers, and listeners who want to confess things they "meant to say naked.”
Whether you’re curious, confused, healing, or horny—you’re welcome here.
Things I meant to say naked
glory to the glory hole
In today's episode, we go into the inglorious history of the glory hole, its queer cultural significance, and what it reveals about ourselves — changing what we mean by 'vulnerable'.
for updates, follow me on instagram and tiktok: @thingsimeanttosaynaked
Or learn about figs, the therapist and her services go to figstherapy.com
citation and things I read in preparation for today's episode:
Ashford, C., & Longstaff, G. (2021). (Re) regulating gay sex in viral times: COVID-19 and the impersonal intimacy of the glory hole. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 23(11), 1559-1572.
Cooper, D. (2007). Well, you go there to get off' Visiting feminist care ethics through a women's bathhouse. Feminist Theory, 8(3), 243-262.
Drożyński, C. (2022). Holes in Architecture: A Queer Eye on a Design Method. Architecture and Culture, 10(2), 285-303.
Fuckbox | Kinktionary. Fetlife. (n.d.). https://fetlife.com/kinktionary/toys-equipment/furniture/fuckbox-5jjsl
Fruen, L. (2020, June 10). “Make it a little kinky”: nyc officials update their guide to having sex during covid-19 pandemic telling new yorkers to “wear masks, create physical barriers with walls and to take part in sexy zoom parties.” Daily Mail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8407933/Make-little-kinky-New-Yorkers-told-create-physical-barriers-walls-sex.html.
Gloryhole | Kinktionary. Fetlife. (n.d.-b). https://fetlife.com/kinktionary/sexual-activities/gloryhole-dyoer
Hagius, H. (Ed.). (2010). Swasarnt Nerf's Gay Guides for 1949. Lulu. com.
Holmes, D., O’Byrne, P., & Gastaldo, D. (2007). Setting the space for sex: Architecture, desire and health issues in gay bathhouses. International journal of nursing studies, 44(2), 273-284.
Houlbrook, M. (2016). On the emptiness of the glory hole, and other non-problems. Modernism/Modernity Print Plus.
Murphy, R. (2019, July 29). Who do we have to thank for “Glory holes”-glass blowers or gays? Slate Magazine. https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/07/glory-hole-term-origins-gay-culture-glass-blowing.html
Prior, S. (2021). Going back to the glory hole: An (extra) ordinary story of meeting shame, doubt, and arousal in the therapy room. In The Everyday Lives of Gay Men (pp. 69-78).
Routledge. Rictor Norton, "A History of Gay Sex", Gay History and Literature, 24 November 2006 http://rictornorton.co.uk/gaysex.htm
Rictor Norton (Ed.), "Trials of Thomas Vaughan and Thomas Davis, 1707," Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook. 29 April 2007, updated 15 June 2008 http://www.rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1707vaug.htm |
Sumerau, J. E., Cragun, R. T., & Mathers, L. A. (2016). “I found god in the glory hole”: The moral career of a gay Christian. Sociological Inquiry, 86(4), 618-640.
Team, M., By, & Team, M. (2022, June 27). What’s a glory hole? the covid-19 safe sex trend explained. maude. https://getmaude.com/blogs/themaudern/what-is-a-glory-hole?srsltid=AfmBOoopSoEk29IyP3sM5Zf93-ZgHCzEecjyGLyrpJVAJZnMiDZlGPIQ
Wall, M. A. (2010). " Textual glory holes": genre and community in fan kink memes.
cover art: @bofenglin