Rebecca Alvarez, a sexologist and the founder of Bloomi, a sexual education and intimacy brand, grew up in a traditional Hispanic household where discussions about sexual pleasure were not the norm. Raised in a culture where sex was primarily seen as a means of creating a family and where talking about pleasure was considered taboo, Alvarez’s curiosity about sex was often met with embarrassment. However, she has since embarked on a mission to change how the Hispanic community views sex, intimacy, and pleasure.
Despite initial concerns from her family when she pursued a career in sexual health, Alvarez remained determined. Her decision was solidified when she was sexually assaulted during her freshman year of college and realized the lack of support and resources available to her. This experience led her to focus on sexual health and address the stigmas surrounding it. Alvarez transferred to the University of California-Berkeley, where she established the school’s sexual wellness major and obtained a master’s degree in human sexuality. In 2016, she founded Bloomi, offering intimacy and hygiene products, educational articles, and an intimacy quiz to help users explore their desires.
Alvarez has observed a shift in the Hispanic community’s approach to sex education, where younger individuals are now engaging in conversations with older generations, known as “teaching up”. Craving authenticity and a departure from shame-based education, young people are beginning to challenge traditional views of sex as a taboo subject. Alvarez has had candid discussions with her mother and aunts about topics such as masturbation, hormone changes, and low libido, in an effort to promote healthy dialogue around sexual wellness. Despite some lingering outdated beliefs, such as the shame associated with sexual pleasure, Alvarez continues to work with clients to explore their desires and overcome societal norms.
In her work as a sexologist, Alvarez encourages clients to prioritize their sexual desires and identify any nonsexual factors, such as stress and overextension, that may be affecting their libidos. She aims to help individuals realize that pursuing pleasure is not only acceptable but can lead to increased satisfaction and overall well-being. Looking to the future, Alvarez hopes to see more people feeling empowered to openly discuss and explore their desires for intimacy. She believes that brands like Bloomi play a significant role in normalizing conversations about sex and helping individuals embrace pleasure as a natural aspect of their identities.
Ultimately, Alvarez wants to support individuals in reclaiming pleasure and integrating it into their lives in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling. Whether someone desires more or less intimacy, Alvarez emphasizes the importance of honoring those feelings and pursuing what brings them happiness and fulfillment. By breaking down barriers and challenging societal norms, she hopes to contribute to a cultural shift towards a more open and accepting approach to discussions about sex, pleasure, and intimacy.
