Sign Petition Re. DSM

Action Alert
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom

Kinky is NOT a Diagnosis

Help make history by signing the DSM Revision Petition now! The diagnoses in the DSM-IV-TR still subject
people who practice BDSM, fetishes and cross-dressing to bias, discrimination and social sanctions
without any scientific basis.

We need 3,000 signatures, but we only have 2,200 now. If you don’t speak up and call on the American
Psychiatric Association to adhere to empirical research when revising the diagnoses in the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), then the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work
Group won’t make a meaningful change.

To sign, go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/DSMrevisionpetition

You can make your signature anonymous on this secure petition site so it doesn’t appear on the Internet
or when the petition is delivered to the APA.

Petition:
“We, the undersigned, support the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) own goal of making
its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) a scientific document, based on empirical research and
devoid of cultural bias. A diagnosis of a mental disorder can have a severe adverse impact on employment
opportunities, child custody determinations, an individual’s well-being, and other areas of functioning.
Therefore we urge the APA to remove all diagnoses that are not based upon peer-reviewed, empirical
research, demonstrating distress or dysfunction, from the DSM. The APA specifically should not promote
current social norms or values as a basis for clinical judgments.”

To find out more about the DSM and the Paraphilias section, read the NCSF & ITCR: The Foundation for
NCSF’s “White Paper on the DSM Revision” at www.ncsfreedom.org

For more information, email: susanw@ncsfreedom.org

Help spread the word – please distribute this call for signatures!

October 15, 2009

###

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is committed to creating a political, legal, and social
environment in the United States that advances the equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms
of alternative sexual and relationship expression. NCSF advances the rights and advocates for consenting
adults in the SM-Leather-Fetish, swing, and polyamory communities. We pursue our vision through direct
services, education, advocacy, and outreach in conjunction with our partner organizations to directly
benefit these communities.

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
(917) 848-6544
media@ncsfreedom.org
www.ncsfreedom.org
www.twitter.com/ncsf
http://ncsf.wordpress.com
Neil Cannon, Ph.D.
Certified Sex Therapist
Couples Counselor

Colorado Section Leader:
The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists
www.aasect.org

Instructor of Marriage & Family Therapy:
Denver Family Institute
www.denverfamilyinstitute.org

Web: www.doctorcannon.com
Blog: www.doctorcannon.wordpress.com
Radio Show: www.sexandintimacyshow.com

Adult Stores Across the U.S.

I recently drove across the country from Los Angeles, CA to Unity, ME and back again. I clocked over 6500 miles in 10 days. Interestingly, along the way I noticed a chain of adult stores through the mid-west, mostly in Kansas (which is really full or cows and corn, by the way) and finally had to stop in one to see what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised to enter a clean, well-lit, and wonderfully well-stocked adult store pretty much in the middle of nowhere. This shop was run by a middle-aged couple who told me that they get some regulars coming in, some locals, some truckers, as well as those who are just passing through like me. They have had to fight the local legal system regarding their billboards and operating hours (they are not allowed to be open from midnight to 6 a.m.), but they are sticking it out. Kudos! So, if you find yourself wandering through middle America and run out of lube or even want the latest adult DVD, try stopping by a Lion’s Den or Passions, and you’ll feel right at home.

Sex Ed — Higher Learning

Looking for some interesting courses this fall? Check out some of our local universities for lessons in human sexuality, gender, and orientation.

If you need to save money or aren’t pursuing a degree, Los Angeles Valley College offers a wonderful introductory human sexuality course that is affordable and enjoyable. Offered through the Sociology Department and taught by several well-qualified professors, this course gives an overview of human sexuality from basic biology to social constructs to psychology to interpersonal relationships. This course is really good for anyone, regardless of gender, orientation, or major. You’ll find a fairly wide range of student ages and backgrounds, and the material can’t help but be fascinating.

If pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree is your thing, than California State University, Northridge offers three minor programs that fit the bill – Human Sexuality, Queer Studies, and Gender & Women’s Studies. Each of these minor programs have overlapping courses and many students work towards acquiring more than one of the minors in addition to their main degree. Although the Queer Studies minor is relatively new (it began only last school year), it is a well-thought-out program that addresses many perspectives, including Philosophy, Media Arts & Communication, Sociology, and more.

The Human Sexuality minor at CSUN has been around for decades, although many students don’t know it exists. In fact, CSUN is the home of the Center for Sex and Gender Research – sort of west coast Kinsey Institute, with a long history of impressionable conferences, student and faculty supported research, colloquium series, and more.

Gender & Women’s Studies has been around for a while, but is growing in popularity. With many high profile universities now offering Doctoral programs in this subject, it may be a good idea to get some of the courses under your belt while you are an undergrad so you can make the grade, so to speak.

Also, some courses from the Gender & Women’s Studies and the Human Sexuality minors at CSUN can also count toward graduate-level credit, although it is best to check with each department to make sure.

If your looking to go even further with your academic pursuits, and wish to make a huge impact on social policy, check out UCLA’s Williams Institute, School of Law. This impressive and forward-thinking program offers an emphasis on sexual orientation policy and law. Some incredible papers and other bodies of work have come from this institution, most recently including work on domestic partnership benefits, how the budget cuts in California specifically effect the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities, and the impact of same-sex marriages.

It is important for us to always be willing to continue our education in any way possible, and hopefully these suggestions will give you a little more to go on while deciding what to do with your time come September.

Some latex with your leather

I love it when a plan, or cause, comes together.

International Mr. Leather has banned “bareback porn” and related materials at it’s event, facilities, outlet, and I presume, any web advertising or promotion of companies that sell and distribute “bareback” porn, from an AVN article.  The article begins with “Appalled by the reported increase in new HIV infections…”

so most of us in Los Angeles will assume they are talking about the HIV scare that happened in porn- only mainstream? also gay porn?- a couple of months ago. The article does not clarify, but I think International Mr. Leather is free to do what they want, for whatever reason.

For some of my friends out there stumbling into this blog, a few explanations if you’re scratching your heads:
a) International Mr. Leather is sort of the Miss Universe for gay leathermen…… no jokes about Beauty Queens, please. The Queens most definitely get separate pageants. And the Leather Women have their pageants, too.

b) “Bareback” is fucking without a condom.  “Bareback porn” is pretty self-explanatory. I think the term “bareback” may have come from the Gay Community, and has been appropriated by straight porn, but that will hopefully be cleared up next Weds, 8pm, in our interview with Gram Ponante  on www.talkingsexradio.com  . If you really are just tuning in, a lot of porn- gay and straight- attempted condom-only use for a while.  Each porn company is still free to make it’s own decisions about this, as of this writing.

c) Leather? Go do some research… I guarantee you it’s a richer history than the Stormtroopers who show up at Ren Faires.

While I think all porn producers and distributers are free to make their own choices about condoms, conversely I think it kicks ass that Mr. International Leather has made a stand. See how that works? It’s called “free will” and “personal responsibility” that extends to your business and career.  It’s so punk rock.  It’s so good to see a group standing for something.  Historically, the gay community has kicked a lot of ass in activism, especially concerning the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Mr. International Leather obviously has zero fear of losing ad revenue or attendance. I love it when a person or group doesn’t kow-tow to interests or money.

What is the bigger impact?
A young generation that doesn’t think AIDS is “that bad”(maybe thinking “people don’t die, they have medicines, I know someone who has it…”etc, etc.)  will hopefully grow up with condom use in their porn. In sight, on your mind.

Kudos to Mr. International Leather……. without government intervention or regulation they are acting with their consciences, affecting change,and hopefully saving lives.

Why do I care?
Because it’s truly sad and ridiculous that it’s 2009 and safe-sex is not as big a part of our culture and personal lives as it should be.  The old saying- you know, back from the Stone Age of the 1990’s- “when you have sex without latex or barriers, you are having sex with every other person they had sex with without latex and barriers” still holds true.  There’s no secret charm or totem that protects you, no voodoo or prayer, if you have sex with someone who has STD’s or HIV. 
I could very well decide I want to have sex without a condom with someone who engaged in “bareback” sex and the only thing I could do is wait until I’ve seen their test results and they’ve seen mine. That could take 6 months… and you use condoms while you wait.
Being straight doesn’t protect you. Being gay doesn’t predispose you. Being rich or poor doesn’t matter.
Gay or straight, unless you are in a monagamous relationship, or fluid-bonded relationship, you should get tested every 6 months and use condoms and latex barriers. It’s 2009 and we’ll just have to keep saying this until HIV and AIDS go away.

Simone
The Filthy Book Reader,
www.filthybookreader.blogspot.com

It’s Showtime!

What if we told you Emily was going to be on the internet soon, I was her assistant host, and we “have a show?!!”

You’d probably scratch your head, shrug and say, “Hey, I didn’t even know you guys were working on a show.”
As Providence and Rev Mel (of Talking Sex Radio, www.talkingsexradio.com ) would have it, Emily is fufilling one of her goals of reaching you all in a much bigger way.  In my infinite wisdom (*spontaneous and compulsive outbursts*), I offered to be Emily’s “Ed McMahon.” And it’s all happening.  We’ve had our first rehearsal. We’re working hard on bringing you interesting and fun show topics, guests that we think you need to see, and guests you may already love.  It’s not Oprah, it’s not just a talk show, and it ain’t your Mama’s “The View!”

Emily is taking the mission statement of Center for Positive Sexuality, www.positivesexuality.org , to the internet where she can interview guests, have demos, discuss books, sex education, BDSM….. all this stuff that’s kind of busting out of the seams of the website and blog. And I’d like to thank Emily for giving me this opportunity to work with her.  I do so many other things in my life and career, and this chance to be part of her show is one of the easiest things I’ve never really set out to do or thought I would do! (Boy, are my friends in entertainment going to hate me…”what? You’re on a show?!! How’d you get that gig? Wait.. you never said you wanted to be on a show. Where’d you guys get the camera and the studio?” etc… etc… etc…)

We will get all the details, Bat Time and Bat Channel to you as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to a fun, wild ride!!

In the meantime, Talking Sex Radio is changing the Radio to the very appropriate Network, but feel free to bookmark the site now, create a profile so you can join in the chat during our show, and send Rev Mel plenty of obscene, sexy messages. Tell her Emily and Simone sent you!  And please keep an eye out for the new show, “Is This Normal?”

Simone
The Filthy Book Reader
www.filthybookreader.blogspot.com

Why is New York so far away?

Alas, I have been on the e-mail list for this group in New York that sounds pretty awesome:

http://sexyspirits.com/

Recent events and activities have perked my interest, like tantric massage, and giving women full-body orgasms. (Trust me, run into enough men who aren’t interested in a woman’s orgasm and you feel like you are dying of thirst in a salty ocean!  So rather than just think about the same little old sneeze orgasms, you start to fantasize to the X-TREME! All day Orgasms, 5 Orgasms in a Row, 5 Part Orgasms in 3/4 Time… yeah, it’s like that! )

This past  June at Sexy Spirits  had:

“Lecture:Demo Tantric Massage and Expanded Orgasm for Men
Fri. June 19th, 2009
“…….. expanded orgasm and altered states of consciousness….” [Nice!]

“FREE Screening:Penn & Teller: ORGASMS with Sexy Spirits
Mon. June 29th, 2009
Anton, founder of Sexy Spirits, Sensual Loving Touch
Free screening of Penn & Teller, Bullshit which features Orgasmic Providers
Workshop given by Anton, founder of Sexy Spirits and star of Divine nectar
Krystal Magic.”
[As a lot of us in the BDSM scene know, Penn Gillette can be found in his home dungeon in Vegas... nice to see Penn showing us more!]

An important aspect of BDSM is heightened sensuality and heightened feelings….. and you don’t always have to achieve those with the “whips and chains.”  So many activities, so little time!

Here’s a sample of this week’s offerings from Sexy Spirits:

“Workshop: Clothes On Sex! with Reid Mihalko
Mon. July 6th, 2009

Putting the back Oh! in Frottage & the Of course! in Outercourse…
Wish you could recapture the days of long, carefree making out? What about those super hot grinding sessions before the pressure to cut straight to “The Sex” started overshadowing everything? Maybe you know you don’t always want to have sex, but you also don’t want to hold back on getting your rocks off?………”

Sounds splendiferous…….. click here  for the culprits running this joint.

As a monagamist with the green monster running in my veins, I’m not keen on the threesomes workshop. But I just skip over that part, and fully support my friends and neighbors who don’t have the same wiring I have. I really like what Sexy Spirits is putting out there and wish I could attend some events.

I know, I know….. you’re going to tell me that I can find all that stuff here in Los Angeles!!

Remind me not to live so much on the internet.

Simone aka The Filthy Book Reader
www.filthybookreader.blogspot.com

The Pizza Delivery Boy and your Condom Fantasy

It seems all is not well in Porn world.
I don’t have all the details straight (I’m not exactly your Sexworld CNN) but the issues of condom uses in porn films is making waves again.
The adult/porn industry has made strides in taking care of its own and many production companies require HIV testing at certain intervals for it’s performers. Some companies have gone so far as to work “condom only,” meaning you get raincoats in their films. But this has tapered off.

AIM, the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare foundation most often provides the testing services. An HIV case was reported a few weeks ago and now condom-only protests have started anew.

Were porn stars all “fluid-bonded?” Technically, yes.

Since I don’t want any government agency telling me what I can and can’t do with my body, I say, the porn industry should regulate itself like it has been doing. “Condom-only” films have tapered off because producers say….”They discovered that it wasn’t profitable to have condoms in their movies. People watch porn for the fantasy. They live with condom use in reality every day, and that’s the problem.”

Man, ain’t that a bitch? That whole annoying “I may die if I don’t use a condom” issue. If condom use in reality is still an issue, then we still have a long way to go. Never mind that HIV isn’t the only “H” to worry about. What about our old friend, Herpes, and the gnarly one, HPV, that seems to love the girls, while sometimes leaving them with cervical cancer and having no effect on the boys? Condoms. Condoms. Condoms. I love them.

And yet, I don’t believe laws should be enacted for the adult/porn industry because essentially this is “thought police” deciding what is best for us. These same police will tell us other things we can’t do with your bodies if given the chance. Yeah, it’s THAT big old conspiracy theory paranoia! I’m one of THOSE people! But porn is obviously not doing a good job of teaching us the joys of safe sex, latex, and being HIV-free, so why twist porn’s arm and tell them they have to do it now?

The other side of this coin is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation here in Los Angeles, leading most of the protests, most often in front of the Hustler store and Flynt’s building. I commend the Foundation’s work and I would never diminish their mission. I just think this may be one cause they have to drop. Wouldn’t it be awesome if the Foundation could produce PSA’s on condom use, with very graphic demonstrations with porn actors, and get as many porn companies to add these at the beginning of their movies? You get the safe sex info, and when the “Plumber” shows up, you get the fantasy… crack ‘n all!

“Never Trust Anything that Bleeds for 7 Days and Doesn’t Die”

Sometimes I feel like I’m “always working,” or at least, always thinking about sex.
While visiting with buddy Sean, I got to do a little work: go through his & his roommates “Maxims” and “FHMs” to copy down the names of stylists, agencies and photographers to market my corsets to.
I have built a following in the Fetish and BDSM communities, but it’s high-time I reach the mainstream.  Hollywood costumers sure haven’t put my corsets in any movie, but I’ve been in 2 porns. Go figure. No shame in that. (Nina Hartley sitting in my living room, telling me her custom corset idea for Bree Olsen for “Surrender of O 2?” Yeah, it’s like that.)

You find some great things in the ads, and an insight into the marketing these magazines do to men:
http://www.liquidtrustspray.com/ …….. to attract chicks. The website is also geared toward salesmen and “getting that promotion.” Pheromones… hello, 1978 !

http://www.pmsbuddy.com/ ….. get e-mail alerts when that female in your life is going to be an accursed bitch……. I actually LIKE this!!! Hey, PMS ain’t going away until menopause. Sometimes I feel like I’m just counting down the days. And it’s got an i-phone app! Will wonders ever cease in this Brave New World?

And it seems that G. Gordon Liddy could use PMS Buddy. With the possibility of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s appointment to the Supreme Court, he lamented on his radio show:

“Let’s hope that the key conferences aren’t when she’s menstruating or something, or just before she’s going to menstruate. That would really be bad. Lord knows what we would get then.”
Source: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/29/liddy-sotoyamor-menstruating/

Yeah, G. Gordon. I’m with ya. Unpredictable bitches with their PMS……. why can’t women just know their place. Shut up and get in the kitchen. Iron Gordo’s shirt.

I got nothin.’ I can’t work up anything resembling original caustic wit against someone so pathetic as G. Gordon Liddy.

Maybe when it’s closer to “that time of the month……………”

Welcome Simone!

Simone, corset-maker extraordinaire and self-proclaimed armchair sexologist, has agreed to post some blogs here on the Positive Sexuality Blog. I’m thrilled that Simone has agreed to do this, because I find myself getting bogged down with things and can’t blog as often as I would like to. I’m looking forward to Simone’s biting humor and quick wit to add some spark and energy to this blog.

To read Simone’s own blog, you can follow this link (http://filthybookreader.blogspot.com) or click on the link on the righthand toolbar on the PS Blog page. I also highly recommend checking out her corsetry website and getting a beautiful custom corset from her. I did! www.exquisiterestraint.com

Welcome Simone!

Celebrities Coming Out

A Yahoo headline today reads “Adam Lambert finally confirms ‘I’m gay.’” Why is this news? Does this really matter? As far as I’m concerned, no. And yes.

Coming out can be an extremely difficult process, especially for someone who is already in the spotlight. Suddenly, all media coverage is focusing on the person’s sexuality and dating preferences and forgetting that this person may have actual talent that he or she is trying to find an audience (and hopefully a paying gig) for. Does it matter whether the person is straight or not? Really? I suppose by coming out it is possible that the gay and/or lesbian communities will rally around the talented individual, increasing record sales or something, but not everyone who is gay wants to be the spokesperson for the community even though he or she may have celebrity status.

We don’t suddenly see headlines “confirming” Brad Pitt’s heterosexuality all over the place, so why is it news when we find out that a celebrity is gay or lesbian? We’re living in such a heteronormative society that assumes everyone is straight until proven otherwise. No one has to “come out” as heterosexual, but it makes the headlines when we think someone might have a sexual orientation that includes members of his or her own sex.

In Kinsey’s Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, he reported that about 10% of the U.S. population was homosexual. Current data shows Kinsey’s report to be not far from the mark, with ranges from 2.5-14% of the population. Granted this is a difficult thing to survey when we still live in a society that makes such a big deal about being homosexual, and it’s not all Coming Out Galas with cake and tiaras.

However, at the same time, if we don’t make a big deal about a celebrity coming out, then all of the homosexuals who are closeted, afraid, and in real need of role models would have no one to look up to. We do need gays and lesbians who are on the front line, in front of the cameras, unabashedly displaying their sexual orientation so that others who do not live or work in a place where they can be themselves can at least have a few icons to learn from and maybe emulate.

Is this news? I don’t know. Maybe someday it won’t matter what an individuals’ orientation is. It will matter what they do and how they contribute to the greater good.