Hi, I’m Leslie Lang, the author behind “Let’s Talk About Sex,” a new column created for women who are ready to stop whispering, second-guessing themselves, and carrying shame about one of the most natural parts of being human. I’m a sex enthusiast, a stand-up comedian, a breast cancer survivor, a Realtor, a fashionista, and, if I may say so myself, an overall cool chick. I wear a lot of hats, sometimes with a fabulous outfit to match, but every role has taught me something valuable about confidence, connection, resilience, desire, and the importance of owning who you are, both in and out of the bedroom.
This column is for the woman who has questions but may not feel comfortable asking them out loud. It is for the woman who has been taught that “good girls” do not talk about sex, do not ask for what they want, do not prioritize their pleasure, and certainly do not admit when something is not working. I’m here to challenge all of that. Because the truth is, women deserve to feel safe, informed, sexy, confident, and fulfilled. We deserve to understand our bodies. We deserve to communicate our boundaries without guilt. We deserve to say yes when we mean yes, no when we mean no, and “not like that, try this” without feeling embarrassed. We deserve pleasure on our own terms.
I have always been someone who believes that life is too short to pretend. My background in comedy has a lot to do with that. As a stand-up comedian, I have learned that laughter can open doors that seriousness sometimes keeps closed. Humor gives us permission to talk about uncomfortable things. It breaks tension, removes some of the fear, and reminds us that we are all figuring things out as we go. Sex can be funny. Dating can be funny. Bodies can be funny. Awkward conversations, strange encounters, relationship misunderstandings, and the things people do when they think no one will ever find out can be hilarious. But underneath the laughter, there are real issues that deserve real conversations: consent, body image, sexual confidence, intimacy, communication, safety, trust, desire, menopause, dating after divorce, surviving illness, and learning how to come home to yourself. I want Let’s Talk About Sex to be a place where we can do both. We can laugh, be honest, learn something, and leave feeling a little less alone.
Being a breast cancer survivor has also deeply shaped how I see life, my body, and sexuality. Cancer has a way of making you confront things you may have taken for granted, like your health, your time, your appearance, your energy, your relationships, and your sense of self. It can change the way you look at your body, especially when your body has been through treatments, surgeries, scars, pain, fatigue, and fear. For many women, illness can make sexuality feel complicated. You may not recognize yourself for a while. You may wonder whether you are still attractive, desirable, feminine, sensual, or worthy of being wanted. You may feel pressure to “bounce back,” even when your body and your heart need time to heal. I understand that journey, and I believe it is important to talk about it with honesty and compassion. My experience taught me that sexuality is not about fitting into anyone else’s definition of sexy. It is not about having a perfect body, a perfect relationship, a perfect outfit, or a perfect sexual history. Sexuality is about feeling connected to yourself. It is about knowing that your body is yours. It is about allowing yourself to be seen, to feel pleasure, to set boundaries, and to decide what intimacy looks like for you. Surviving breast cancer reminded me that life is precious and that pleasure is not frivolous. Joy is not selfish. Feeling good in your body is not something to apologize for. Whether that means wearing the dress that makes you feel unstoppable, taking yourself out on a date, exploring your desires, or having an honest conversation with a partner, you are allowed to prioritize the things that make you feel alive.
As a Realtor, I have also spent years helping people make major life decisions. Buying or selling a home is emotional. It is never just about square footage, paint colors, or location. A home represents safety, security, possibility, memories, independence, and sometimes a brand-new chapter. I have seen people move in after marriage, move out after divorce, start over after loss, downsize when the kids leave, and finally choose a space that reflects who they are becoming. That work has reinforced my belief that everyone deserves to feel at home, especially in their own body. We spend so much time trying to please other people, fit into expectations, and make ourselves smaller or quieter. But your body should be your home. Your desires should not be hidden away like a room nobody is allowed to enter. Your boundaries should be respected like a locked front door. And your pleasure should not be treated like an optional upgrade.
In this column, we will talk about how to create that sense of ownership and comfort. We will discuss how to speak up about what feels good, what does not feel good, what you are curious about, and what you absolutely do not want. We will talk about communicating with partners before, during, and after sex. We will talk about confidence, not the kind that comes from pretending you know everything, but the kind that comes from knowing yourself well enough to be honest.
And yes, we will talk about style, because I am a fashionista and I believe how you present yourself can affect how you feel. Fashion is one of my favorite forms of self-expression. Sometimes confidence starts with a red lip, a great pair of heels, a bold print, or an outfit that makes you remember exactly who you are. But real confidence goes deeper than what we wear. It is the energy of walking into a room, or into a relationship, knowing that you do not have to earn your worth. You are worthy now. You are worthy of respect now. You are worthy of safety now. You are worthy of pleasure now.
Let’s Talk About Sex is not here to tell women what they should want. There is no one “right” way to be sexual, sensual, single, partnered, adventurous, reserved, experienced, inexperienced, healing, curious, or confident. This column is about giving women the language, “permission,” and encouragement to make choices that feel right for them. We are replacing shame with safety. We are replacing silence with communication. We are replacing performance with presence.
Consider this your invitation to pull up a chair, pour yourself something nice, take a deep breath, and join the conversation. We may laugh. We may blush. We may get real. But most importantly, we will talk, openly, respectfully, and without shame. Because when women have the confidence to understand their bodies, communicate their needs, and embrace pleasure on their own terms, everybody wins.
Leslie Lang is the voice behind Pink’s Let’s Talk About Sex, a candid, funny and shame-free conversation about sex, intimacy, confidence and owning what you want. A stand-up comedian, breast cancer survivor, Realtor and self-described sex enthusiast and fashionista, Leslie brings humor and hard-earned perspective to subjects women are often expected to whisper about. Her philosophy is simple: life is too short to pretend, and women deserve to feel informed, safe, confident and at home in their own bodies.
Leslie is building a fresh, new Instagram community for women, to remind them that they are a gift, never a given. Please join @withconfidence123
