When it comes to love, it never hurts to talk to an expert. So yesterday we sought out the advice of Dr. Sonjia Kenya, an associate professor at the University of Miami medical school who focuses on topics like sexual health. She also spends her time working as a “love doctor” giving relationship and sex tips across Miami.

Here are a few takeaways from our chat with her:

🗣️Communication is key: In her love doctor role, Sonjia says that because most of us never got a truly hands-on sexual education, we make a lot of (often bad) assumptions about what our partners want. “It’s much easier to just have sex than to talk about it…I really encourage couples to try to talk about what their sexual desires are.”

🏥There are options to address HIV: Sonjia said that her department often advises people to consider “PrEP” and “PEP” medications as they date around Miami. PrEP is “pre-exposure prophylaxis” and should be used before having unprotected sex. They also promote oral HIV tests that are quick and don’t require a blood sample.

🤝It’s all connected: Beyond communication, Sonjia said it’s important to be present in relationships and realize that foreplay isn’t just about what happens in the bed, it’s also key to make your partner feel relaxed and stimulated before you even get to the bedroom. And most importantly it’s key to have fun: “Hopefully by the time I die more people will be talking about sex than they will be about the weather,” Sonjia said.

Watch our full conversation with Sonjia here. And don’t miss our discussion all about modern love in Miami going down next Thursday, Feb. 28, at the World Erotic Art Museum. RSVP here.

MADE POSSIBLE BY WORLD EROTIC ART MUSEUM

We’re less than a week away from our Get Down In The Garden, which is celebrating all things Liberty City at Naomi’s Garden. We will be bringing in local neighborhood storytellers, artists, and community members to tell their story and share their talents.

Of course, no evening at Naomi’s can be complete without eating plenty of delicious Haitian food, so come prepared to eat your heart out and also fill it with a bigger appreciation of Liberty City culture! Get your tickets here.

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Campaign finance reform, anyone? Dark money in politics is a national problem, but it’s particularly bad in a state like Florida that has such weak campaign finance laws. Special interests in the Sunshine State influence elections and public policy in the form of attack ads paid for by money that’s nearly impossible to trace. And the lack of enforcement makes accountability hard to come by. This Herald investigation looks at recent instances in which dark money has been detrimental to voters right here in Miami. (Miami Herald)

What’s it like to live with a disability in Miami? Ask Annie Segarra. She’s a disability rights activist that has been documenting her life on social media and YouTube after being diagnosed with a degenerative condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She’s found that Miami is not a very accessible place for people in wheelchairs who have to deal with broken sidewalks and construction. Her posts, which get thousands of views, also tackle misconceptions about people living with disabilities.  (WLRN)

Not so fast. How is it that wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein ran an international sex trafficking ring with underage girls and only got 13 months in a county jail? Federal prosecutors negotiated a plea agreement that gave Epstein and his co-conspirators immunity from federal prosecution — and it was concealed from dozens of his victims, denying them a chance to appear in court. However a judge reviewing the case ruled that federal prosecutors broke the law. It’s unclear on what will happen next, but victims’ rights advocates are hoping new charges can be brought against Epstein. (Miami Herald)

Here’s an IDEA. A mother who lost her son to a drug overdose has taken to the streets to talk to other addicts about a program that is tackling the opioid crisis in a different way. The IDEA Needle Exchange is a privately funded program that provides clean needles, keeps dirty needles off the street and helps stop the spread of HIV. They also give out naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The program is saving lives, so lawmakers are considering a bill to allow counties to create more programs like it across the state. (Miami Herald)

LAST THING

Speaking of love, Fireman Derek’s is opening up a new location in Coconut Grove next week. So go ahead and make a date with a piece of crack pie. No shame.

– The New Tropic