The Center for Positive Sexuality: Tuesday and Thursday, February 9 & 11

The Center for Positive Sexuality was founded in 2007 by Emily Prior and a core group of educators who share the belief that sex education of all sorts should be easily available, friendly, and accurate.

The Center for Positive Sexuality was developed with the idea that people not only need to be educated about sex and sexuality, but that everyone needs to be able to see these topics portrayed from a positive, healthy perspective. Sex and sexuality are normal, natural parts of being human and should be explored as a part of everyone's development.

BDSM is a topic that many are ill informed about. No wonder, considering most of our knowledge about this sensitive topic tends to come from outlandish media portrayals of "the lifestyle."

The BDSM: Fact or Fiction workshop offers information from research studies and panelists, who are members of the BDSM/Leather/Fetish Communities, about the realities of what the BDSM lifestyle is, and is not, and how it works. Questions that are answered include: What is BDSM? Is BDSM abusive? Do people in BDSM relationships have "regular" sex? What does a BDSM relationship look like? Am I normal for having "kinky" fantasies?

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The word "polyamory" has really only existed in the general lexicon for about 4 years. Many people don't understand what it is or what it can be. In short, polyamory means "many loves."

This presentation offers information from current research and actual people who live a polyamorous lifestyle about the reality of polyamory and how it can work. Questions that are answered include: How does this differ from swinging? How do you deal with jealousy? What does a polyamorous relationship look like? Could I be polyamorous?

--positivesexuality.org

The BDSM: Fact or Fiction presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 9. The Polyamory presentation will take place on Thursday, February 11. Both presentations will take place at 1pm in the USU Ballroom B.

Norma Jean Almodovar, director of C.O.Y.O.T.E. LA and Founder/President of ISWFACE - Thursday, February 11

Norma Jean Almodovar - the author of the best-selling book, Cop to Call Girl - is now the Founder and President of The International Sex Worker Foundation for Art, Culture and Education (ISWFACE). She has been active in prostitutes' rights groups since leaving the Los Angeles Police Department in 1982 and has been interviewed by over 300 radio, print and television outlets (including CBS's 60 MINUTES and ABC's 20/20).

ISWFACE (pronounced "ice face") is a Sex Worker-created/operated/managed non-profit organization. Former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders heads the Academic Advisory Board. Among the foundation's goals are "to share the many artistic sides of sex workers from around the world and to create an international database (website) of information about prostitution that is available to health service providers, law enforcement officials and to the general community."

ISWFACE houses a collection of art - created by and about sex workers - from the 19th century to the present day. It is a collection that continues to grow in preparation for the first Multi-Media Cultural Exhibit that will open for one month in the Fall of 1999, at the Gershwin Gallery in New York City. The exhibit will travel to major cities around the world, with a projected two exhibits per year.

Born in Binghamton NY, Norma Jean migrated to California at the age of 18 and joined the L.A.P.D. as a civilian traffic officer in 1972. Assigned to "Hollywood Division Night Watch" for most of her career, she became disillusioned by her co-workers "corrupt activities" and, after 10 years on the force, decided to change her profession. She made a strong social statement by becoming a prostitute - a career she calls "far more honest than working for the police department."

On September 17, 1983, Norma Jean's Cop To Call Girl manuscript was confiscated by the L.A.P.D. and she was arrested on a (set-up-by-the-LAPD) felony charge of pandering. She was convicted of the charge and spent the mandatory 3 year sentence as an inmate in the California Institute for Women. (continued on reverse) Norma Jean Almodovar Biography Page Two/Two

In 1984, Norma Jean was named the Executive Director of the Los Angeles division of C.O.Y.O.T.E. (Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics), a prostitute's rights organization. In 1986, she received the endorsement of the Libertarian Party for her bid for Lt. Governor of California and, although she didn't win, she made an impressive showing of over 100,000 votes. In 1987, she was given an award by "Outstanding Young Women in America" in recognition of her political activities on behalf of women. In 1993, Cop To Call Girl was published by Simon & Schuster and in 1994, Avon published the paperback version. In 1995, Norma Jean was an official NGO (Non-Government Organization) delegate to the UN Fourth World Women's Conference in Beijing, China. She co- chaired and organized The 1997 International Conference on Prostitution (ICOP) with California State University, Northridge and was a delegate to the 1998 World AIDS Conference in Geneva in June.

Press Release 01/11/10

For information contact:
F.O.R.C.E.
force4change@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Jan. 11, 2010 The Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality (F.O.R.C.E.) presents Sex Positive Week - Tuesday, February 9, to Thursday, February 11, 2010 – at California State University, Long Beach.

In a culture that promotes sexual ignorance, it becomes increasingly important to be Sex Positive. Being Sex Positive means encouraging and normalizing open sexuality, in all its forms, and being receptive to new ideas. The United States has spent over $1.5 billion on abstinence-only sex education in an effort to keep teens from having sex. What this has done, instead, is further perpetuate the sexual ignorance.

Sex Positive Week will be open to the public. Over the course of three days, there will be panel-led discussions about the connections between sexuality, freedom, art, religion, the environment, health, and politics. This will be an opportunity for students and sex positive professionals to have an open discussion free of judgment. There will be three days of documentary screenings, workshops, presentations, and discussions dedicated to delivering a comprehensive, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic and Sex Positive education to CSULB students.

Sex Positive Week was first held in 2008 at CSULB. The event was the first of its kind to be held on campus at Long Beach. Presentations were given by Babeland and The Pleasure Chest on topics relating to female sexuality. Health professionals on- and off-campus gave presentations on health safety in relation to sexual awareness and sex positivity. Film screenings were presented, along with question and answer sessions for students and attendees.

SEX POSITIVE WEEK 2010

SEX POSITIVE WEEK 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - Thursday, February 11, 2010

More details to follow!

For any progressive, sex positive individuals and organizations who would like to be involved in Sex Positive Week, please email F.O.R.C.E. at force4change@yahoo.com

Recap of Sex Positive Week!

RECAP OF SEX POSITIVE WEEK

The event was fantastic! We got lots of coverage in local papers (see "Sex Positive Week in the news" on the right, below the schedule). The turn-out was great, and we received lots of great feedback! Many students said that they hope to see this event again next year. Our speakers were truly amazing!

Some student comments on Sex Positive Week:
"It's amazing. Do this more often."
"The speakers were great. Plan one next year."
"F.O.R.C.E. did a beautiful job putting this on!"
"It was extremely educational. Have something like this every year."
"I liked the awareness. Thank you!!!"
"I would love to see the sex positive week event extended to 5 days instead of just 3. I do wish there was something more to it, such as more workshops or forums, and educational booths. I'm definitely attending this event again next year! Good Job!"
"Let me just say thank you here and now to F.O.R.C.E. and all who were involved; thank you for telling the world it is OK to talk about sex." (Source)

Thanks so much to everyone who attended, helped us out, and spoke at our event!
Sincerely,
F.O.R.C.E.
Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality
http://forceclub.blogspot.com

MONDAY, Oct. 6
11:00 Babeland
Sarah Tomchesson of Babeland started the day with a discussion on sex positivity and sex toys. Sarah was funny and knowledgeable about sexuality, and everyone in the room was comfortable and entertained. It was a great learning experience!



Some student comments about the Babeland presentation:
"Absolutely valuable in dispelling myths"
"fun and informative"
"The speaker was very comfortable talking about sex"
"excellent presentation!"
"I learned a lot!"

1:00 Panel Discussion
Next, we had a panel discussion called "What Does it Mean to be Sex Positive?" The discussion was moderated by Dr. Shira Tarrant. The speakers on the panel were Amy Lee, Siel Ju, Jillian Lauren, and Ashleigh Klein. The audience loved it! Many people asked some interesting questions in relation to sexuality and sex positivity.





Some student comments about the panel discussion:
"I liked the different array of topics that came up and that each speaker had a different background."
"I like that the importance of education was emphasized."
"I enjoyed that it was an open forum and a very comfortable atmosphere."
"I liked the honest and the panelists."
"I liked that it was an open discussion with the audience."
"Great panel. Open, frank, informative, and honest."
"Very eye-opening."

3:30pm "Beyond Vanilla" Screening + Q&A
We ended the day with a film screening of Beyond Vanilla (amazon.com). The film is about BDSM/S&M. It deals with the "extreme" side of pleasure and pain. The audience was shocked, intruiged, and excited to learn about taboos that are normally swept under the rug in our society. After the film, Dr. Patti Britton answered questions from the audience (and there were quite a few!).



Some student comments about Beyond Vanilla:
"I liked that this film showed people as ordinary people and not as crazy sexual deviants."
"Very informative from different aspects."
"The film was interesting and eye-opening."
"The whole documentary was amazingly informative. I found the movie to be both entertaining, educational and very informative. A complete positive view on sex."
"I have never felt more plain in my life. This movie took my already open mind and blew it."
"Kind of awesome. I want to see more!"


TUESDAY, Oct. 7
3:00pm The Pleasure Chest
Kristen Tribby of The Pleasure Chest gave a hilarious, educational, and insightful look into the world of sex toys and the G spot. Students were also able to write out anonymous questions for Kristen to answer. Many people seemed interested in learning about anal sex, to which Kristen joked that she should have given an anal sex discussion instead.


Some student comments about the Pleasure Chest presentation:
"I liked that nothing was censored."
"I liked that they treated the issue like a regular subject, without taboo."
"I liked Kristen's energy and antecdotes."
"Fun toys & Kristen was great!"
"It was very informative."
"I liked that we were given details about the G spot."
"Funny, interesting, really great speaking/visuals."

6:00pm "Sex Positive" Screening
That night, we had a film screening of Sex Positive (official site). The film is eye-opening and interesting look at the life of Richard Berkowitz. Berkowitz is "a revolutionary gay S&M- hustler-turned-AIDS activist in the 1980s, whose incomparable contribution to the invention of safe sex has never been aptly credited." Marina Wood, co-chair of WSSA introduced the film.



ALL of the pictures from Monday and Tuesday of Sex Positive Week are can be viewed HERE!

Details on Wednesday's presentations to follow...

Good Vibrations Give-Away!

Good Vibrations has sponsored a give-away for Sex Positive Week!
Anyone who will be attending any of the events during the week is eligible to win some goodies. You can enter via email for some items. You can also enter in person during Sex Positive Week.

If you would like to enter to win something, please email your Name, Email, Phone Number to theragzine@gmail.com. If you win, you can pick up your prize at any time during Sex Positive Week.

CSULB Student Health Services & Health Resource Center presentations: Wednesday, October 8

CSULB Student Health Services & Health Resource Center presentations
by Heidi Burkey and Linda Pena
STIs and HIV, sex and communication; sex, alcohol and drugs; and sexual assault
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 12:00pm and 1:00pm

Heidi Burkey has been a health educator at the CSULB Student Health Services for the last 6 years. She is a State-certified HIV prevention test counselor and coordinates the HIV testing program at CSULB. Sexual health, including family planning, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and partner communication are her areas of research specialty.

Linda Peña is an Educator at the Health Resource Center and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Programs on campus. She is the editor of The Journal of the Health Resource Center and the Health Beat Newsletter, publications that serve college students and related professionals by providing further knowledge for possible diagnosis or treatment.
Also trained through U.C.L.A. as a Substance Abuse Counselor, she has worked off-campus in drug and alcohol rehab centers serving as counselor and director of aftercare programs. Currently, she is redefining and organizing the treatment policy for students who come to the Student Health Services with sexual assault issues.
As a certified Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor, she works directly with students who have been sexually assaulted, assisting them in taking positive action steps from victim to survivor. Also, as a Rape Aggression Defense Instructor with the University Police sponsored R.A.D. program and a Certified HIV Counselor through the State of California, Linda may interact with students who are seeking instruction and testing as a direct result of having been sexually assaulted.
As a health educator, Linda always seeks ways to promote positive sex through safer sex practices and verbal intercourse before sexual intercourse.