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We give
sex
a
good
name
About us
Partners & Collabs
Sections
Sex-Ed Basics
Self-Help / Self-Love
Personal Stories
Our Erotic India
Family, Society and Philosophy
Sexual Etiquette and Consent
Relationships and Dating
Teaching Modules
Videos
Fun Stuff
#dating
Post
The AOI Dating Glossary
Bole toh, terms that give you that light bulb moment—“Arre! This happened to me”
Feb 12, 2025
'I feel HIV much easier to live with than even diabetes or high blood pressure'
Adopted kids, gave birth, joined a corporate workspace, became an athlete… Persons living with HIV share that testing positive wasn’t the end of the world
Dec 01, 2024
The Manifesto Matrimonial That (Shoulda) Made History
Why be a bahu when you can be bahurupi?
Mar 22, 2024
Tomboy Dating Terms From South East Asia
Thailand se lekar Philippines tak, SE Asian countries have their own tomboy culture and so, words that connote the many desires
Mar 06, 2024
Dear Hook Up...
Here are a few #MorningAfter greeting cards for your last night’s hook-up!
Oct 12, 2022
7 Things The Caribbean Taught Us About Flirting And Fun!
There is a way to verbally and non-verbally gauge another person’s interest without harassing them. It’s called flirting.
Mar 13, 2018
D se Disability, D se Desire
How do we expand the world to make room for all kinds of bodies and minds and loves and lives? Some awesome people with disabilities shared their stories with us. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are sharing them with you.
Dec 03, 2022
Dard-E-Display: The Desi Heartbreak Playbook
What is dard without making a display of it? Here are some desi words for the heartbroken
Nov 16, 2022
The Winners Of The AOI Prem Patra Contest
For Valentine’s Day
Feb 14, 2024
Which Modern-Day Ashta Nayika Are You?
In Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra written circa 200 BC, the Ashtanayikas represent eight heroines, each grappling with different dilemmas one might face in romantic relationships. Here’s their 2024 representation
Feb 06, 2024
I wanted love and found it. It just wasn’t reciprocated
After each encounter, I promised myself I’d talk about my needs, be vulnerable in a smart way. Next time, I’d win
Jan 29, 2024
Moments in Our Life That Make Us Ask “Why Not Me?”
From not having a date on Valentine’s Day, to being overlooked by your crush, a long list of situations that make our hearts go all dard-e-disco
Dec 20, 2023
Coping with sexual sadness: Here’s what we learnt
We spoke to some Agents and put down some tips to help us all with the feeling of loss, rejection, unfulfillment, the sense of being a sexual-have not
Dec 17, 2023
I Thought It Was A Dream Date. But I Am Bipolar, So Was It Just A Dream?
This date wasn’t supposed to be a rebound, but still hit me in the face, and everywhere else
Dec 18, 2023
Never Will I Ever…
Have continuous disappointments left us over-managing our expectations on dates? Are there dreams you have set aside completely?
Dec 05, 2023
I Want To Feel Cared For Even When I’m Having Casual Sex
The ‘no strings attached,’ nature of casual sex meant that I was left feeling dissatisfied and dehumanized. But being open about my need to be nurtured opened up a whole new world.
Apr 12, 2023
Real Life Confessions: The Break-up Behaviour I Wanted Versus What I Actually Did
From giving comfort to their partner to calling them 100 times, agents share what they did when relationships went south!
Nov 01, 2023
Iss compliment ko main kya naam doon?
Yes, I am Ms Something Else. I wish the men I met were too!
Oct 25, 2023
Thoda flirt bhi karo, dikra!
Out on a date with a person with disability? Our Guest Editor Abhishek Anicca shares the dos and don’ts to keep in mind!
Oct 23, 2023
Tinder And The Saga Of “Blind” Dates
I dipped my toes in the world of online dating with care and caution. But I got swept away anyway.
Oct 16, 2023
Firdaus Kanga: The Man Who Wrote About Queerness, Disability And Desire In 90s India!
Today’s #HistoriesofIshq celebrates the Parsi man whose life and work allows us to imagine a limitless world
Dec 10, 2023
“Should I announce my disability?”
“Do I pick the venue?”
Dating tips and advice for disabled people, from disabled people
Nov 10, 2023
I Was Happy To Give Them My (W)hole Heart, But They Wanted Kids And A Desi Bahu
I’ve had a heart defect since childhood. So, how do I find love in a world that’s obsessed with the body?
Oct 09, 2023
Juvenile Arthritis Meant That I Couldn’t Touch My Penis. Then, I Discovered Mindgasms
Naveen shares how he discovered the power of fantasy after being bedridden at the age of 13
Oct 02, 2023
Did You Know Speed Dating Was Created By A Jewish Rabbi?
Let's find out more about this mutual swayamvar aka 90's ka tinder!
Aug 11, 2023
History of Internet In 10 Sexy Phrases
Here are 10 phrases that track how the Internet changed sex over the years!
Aug 01, 2023
It Took Me Two Years To Realize I Had Been Raped
A male Dalit queer person on acknowledging the many shades of sexual assault.
Jun 19, 2023
Sexy Saturday Songs in Puriya Dhanashree
You both laugh together then, and you find he is holding your hand. You wonder if he will hold your ankle the same way.
Apr 29, 2023
Queer Art We Love!
From romantic lesbian anthems to photography that capture queer lives!
Jan 19, 2023
Healing, Not The Law, Gave Me My Justice - This is My Survivor Story
M tells us a complex story about violence, justice and ideal victims!
Jun 28, 2022
Breaking My Heart And Finding Myself
Imran on why queer break-ups are hard, but you can't lose yourself entirely in love.
Apr 01, 2022
Love Paranoia
After every rejection I ask, is it my disability?
Apr 01, 2022
The Case Of The Missing Butterflies In My Tummy
I thought if I gave myself a push, I’d fall into the hormone pool everyone was swimming in.
Feb 01, 2022
SLUT METRO : The Many Journeys to Sexual Confidence!
Jan 18, 2022
See-Saw Sexual Confidence Ka!
What people said brought their sexual confidence up or down!
Jan 07, 2022
Dilbadar: A Dating Manifesto Minus The Bad Advice
Putting the pleasure back in online dating!
Dec 11, 2021
Small Doubts : Went On A Date, But Not Feeling It. Should I Ghost or Do I Say Something?
To ghost or not to ghost?
Mar 30, 2021
The Vicious Ability of Ableism: What do you do when you're explicitly told that you're unlovable, over and over again?
Jul 15, 2021
Small Doubts: Didn't Match on Tinder, So DMed Her on Insta. Did I Do Something Wrong?
Feb 27, 2021
Small Doubts: How Do I Suggest Meeting Up To My Bumble Match Without Sounding Insensitive About COVID?
Sexual Etiquette to responsible COVIDating
Jan 29, 2021
How the Internet Changed the Way We Make Friends
What does it mean to form bonds in the world of digital connections?
Jan 18, 2021
Ten Thundering Tips for Internet Ishq with Digital Security!
Steps to retain your intimate and private internet-self
Jan 15, 2021
What Does A Dictionary Of Digital Dating Tell Us About Dating?
Ease of access to hurtful behaviour- the many attitudes that digital dating reveal.
Jan 13, 2021
Looking For Love on a Dating App…And What It Taught Me
How experiences of dishonesty sour dating in the digital world
Jan 07, 2021
IT’S NOT ONLY WORDS! THE AOI SEXTING PRIMER
The AOI Sexting Primer
Jan 04, 2021
Kahin pe Nishana, Kahin Pe Nigahein
A party, flirtation, class, and a romantic twist.
Nov 29, 2020
Things You Wanted To Know About Polyamory, But Felt Too Cool To Ask!
Polyamorous Pyaar ki Basic Jankaari!
Nov 23, 2020
A Live-In In Lockdown
What does lockdown mean for a couple living-in in a big city?
Nov 24, 2020
Why Does Guilt Follow Pleasure - An Investigative Documentary About Me
Moving from guilt to satisfaction in sex!
Nov 09, 2020
The Adorable Boys Who Love ‘Papa Bear’
Who decided that desire is only for the young?
Aug 21, 2020
To All the Boys I Couldn't Love Before
What fleeting connections with many interesting men tell you about having the hots for none of them.
Aug 04, 2020
Tell Me Tarot, Will He Ever Come Back?
After Manjari is ghosted, all search for closure leads to herself.
Jul 02, 2020
Pehle App! Online Dating Tips for Queer Ladies from Queer Ladies
Confused about how to begin? Here's some tips from our queer Agents!
Jun 19, 2020
Love Stole My Heart, Caste Broke It
If caste were not a factor, I would have been married to my first boyfriend because there was no other issue.
Apr 17, 2020
Love x Sex x Caste: A Reading List
Will you read about love with us?
Apr 15, 2020
Corona Pyaar Hai! Some Don'ts, and Some Do's During Isolation
Navigating sex & intimacy during a pandemic
Apr 04, 2020
How My Girlfriend's Abortion Made Me A Better Man: A Comic
M's story about a life-changing incident.
Oct 02, 2019
Small Doubts: Who Should Carry a Condom?
Take charge of your pleasure and safety, and keep one (or three)!
Jun 06, 2019
I Faked Orgasms to be Polite
You know how we’re taught that good kids don't go for second helpings of food? I carried that training into my sex life
Mar 05, 2019
Small Doubts
With some Ishqiaon-Dishqiaon answers.
Jan 24, 2019
Changing the Conversation on Consent with A Nayi Emotional Bhasha
Have you seen Love in the Garden of Consent/Ishq ke Baagh mein Marzi hai Minimum yet?
Sep 02, 2018
My Exes Live in a Sexy Nexus. I Love them All
We need our exes like we need our brothers and sisters and favourite cousins to remember who we were
Jul 03, 2018
Isn't A Whatsapp Love Story A Real Love Story?
Could you fall crazily in love with someone you've never met IRL?
Jun 12, 2018
Sex Actually: Of Broken Vaginas and Negotiating Consent
New stories of women's unforgettable sexual encounters.
Apr 19, 2018
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Girlfriend
There is only so much that can be romanticised about a long-distance relationship and the magical reunion that'll fix everything.
Apr 12, 2018
Flirting: Whats Okay? Whats Not Okay?
Mar 17, 2018
Dating an Older Woman Made Me Take Myself and Relationships More Seriously
It made me do a lot of prioritizing and reorganizing. It was stabilizing.
Jan 08, 2018
#QueerlyHeartbroken: A Twitter Chat With Sonal Giani
Queer Rights Activist Sonal Giani, on being Queer and Heartbroken, the common issues faced by queer people during break ups and how to deal with it.
Nov 01, 2017
Mard, Mann Aur Jealousy: 5 Men Talk about Dealing With Unusual Jealousies
Unusual jealousies men experience and how it affects the way they look at themselves as sexual beings.
Nov 16, 2017
#Unfinished Business: A Conversation about Sudden Heartbreaks
Expert tips on dealing with a broken heart.
Oct 17, 2017
Are We Together or Broken Up? The Agony of Ambiguity.
I was afraid to straight up ask him for an answer and he didn’t have the decency to be a bit clearer.
Oct 30, 2017
Just How Long is This Breakup Going to Take?
If you didn’t count his crying, nagging, and emotional blackmail, he was a genuinely nice guy who cared about me and wanted the best for me.
Nov 07, 2017
My Year of Flings
In retrospect, it seems to me that my ‘hooking-up’ was not so much about seeking temporary partners, it was more about establishing power. To make myself needed, yet always be out of reach.
Sep 12, 2017
The AOI Guide For Lady-People To Be Sure Your Ishq Moves Aren't Creepy
Jul 13, 2017
PETROL BACHAO, CREEP JEEP MAT CHALAO. YOUR ROAD-MAP TO POST-REJECTION RECOVERY!
Jul 14, 2017
My Konark Summer
Feb 17, 2017
PAMMI AUNTY: AGENT OF ISHQ
Aug 16, 2016
In A Gay Bar You Can See Forever
An Indian man at 31, in a gay bar for the first time, experiencing male erotic tenderness for the first time.
Aug 01, 2016
Sexual Resolutions for A Sexual Revolution, Anybody? And Happy New Year, Everybody
Dec 30, 2015
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