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Sex 2.0 - a brief recap of an amazing event
Sex 2.0 was amazing.
What do you get when one exceptionally talented organizer and her team bring together 80 or so people to talk about sex, feminism and social media in a gorgeous and very well appointed dungeon? You get Sex 2.0, which took place this past Saturday, April 12, in Atlanta.
It was a really amazing event. (Note: this was a conference, not a party. Despite the number of desirable and skillful people, and the amazing equipment, we all kept focused on the important discussions taking place.)
It was amazing because it brought together people will a huge range of connections to sex and the 'net. There were sex workers, BDSM practitioners, bloggers, academics, sex educators, community organizers, outreach workers (please note that many people fit in more than one of those categories). It was amazing because of the range of topics covered.
I led a discussion about building and maintaining the sex commons, and you can read a brief outline of my remarks here.
I'm off to Sex 2.0!
I've been looking forward to this weekend for months. If airline glitches don't stop me in a few hours I will be in Atlanta for this weekend's Sex 2.0 conference.
Click here for the list of presenters
Sex 2.0 will focus on the intersection of social media, feminism, and sexuality. How is social media enabling people to learn, grow, and connect sexually? How is sexual expression tied to social activism? Does the concept of transparency online offer new opportunities or present new roadblocks — or both? These questions, and many more, will be addressed within a safe, welcoming, sex-positive space.
More intelligent talk on sex work...
Thursday night I was at a reception in honor of the launch of a new nonprofit organization called "Sex Work Awareness." Formed by the amazing folks at $pread Magazine, SWANK, and PONY it promises to make truly important contributions to sex work advocacy, research and community organizing. I think they're definitely an organization to watch!
And tomorrow I'll be on a panel at the Left Forum with one of Sex Work Awareness's founders, the seemingly indefatigable Audacia Ray. Also on the panel are some other sex worker advocates I admire deeply: Ignacio Rivera and Amber Hollibaugh also of Queers for Economic Justice and the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, and Antonia Levy from the Graduate Center at CUNY. Here's the panel info:
Desiree Alliance Conference- Pulling Back the Sheets: Sex, Work and Social Justice
Location(s)
SAVE THE DATE: The 2008 Sex Worker Convergence is hitting Chi-Town!
____________ _________
On July 16-20 of 2008, hundreds of sex workers and sex worker activists will converge on Chicago at the Desiree Alliance Conference:
"Pulling Back the Sheets: Sex, Work, and Social Justice"
The Desiree Alliance is a diverse, volunteer-based, sex worker-led network of organizations, communities and individuals across the US working in harm reduction, direct services, political advocacy and health services for sex workers. They provide leadership development and create space for sex workers and supporters to come together to advocate for human, labour and civil rights for all workers in the sex industry.
The time is NOW to get active in the movement, so click on the link above to join the yahoo group mailing list!
UN Commission on the Status of Women - Parallel Event on Sex Work and Human Rights
“Empowering Sex Workers to Ensure Safety, Health and the Protection of Human Rights”
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 52nd Session
Parallel Event Sponsored by Sex Workers Project, Urban Justice Center & International Women’s Health Coalition
February 27, 2008 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Church Center (Across the street from United Nations, 44th and 1st) Hardin Room (11th Fl.)
777 United Nations Plaza NY, NY 10017
As leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS and trafficking, sex workers are integral to educating their clients, their communities and the public about safe sex practices and to helping prevent forced sex work. Panelists will discuss how sex workers rights must be protected to ensure access to health, legal, educational and social services. Taking the Pledge, a short film about USAID funding restrictions in regards to sex workers, will also be shown.
Sex in the Public Square: Not just online!
Twice in the last week I had chances to talk to groups of people face to face about what we're doing here at Sex In The Public Square, and twice I got a tremendous sense of support and encouragement. The building of spaces on the Internet where sex -- of all sorts -- can be discussed openly, and where the connections between sex and the rest of our lives can be explored instead of studiously ignored, is so important. I know I'm not speaking just for myself when I say we're glad to be part of that effort.
And part of that effort involves, happily for us, stepping away from the computer and meeting face-to-face with other folks who are doing related work. In the next couple of months I'll be talking about different parts of this work in four very different settings. They are:
One New Year's Resolution!
You may have noticed that my contributions to the square have been a bit sparse since September. What's up with that? For one thing, I finished my first semester back in the classroom (what an adjustment!), spent two separate weekends at union conferences (union work being another of my passions), and just got back from a trip to Georgia to see family.
So, one New Year's Resolution: To get better at combining blogging with my other work, and next semester a lot of my other work is related to this site, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic!
What's up for next semester? Well, for one thing I'll be teaching a course in Sociology of Gender, being offered for the first time at NCC. That's very exciting, and one way that I plan to integrate some of my blogging and some of my teaching. In addition, I'll be speaking at a bunch of conferences about stuff we discuss here. (If you're local to any of them, drop by!) Here's where I'll be:
Southwest Leather Conference
Location(s)
"The Quest: Journey Into the Elemental"
January 11-13, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ
www.southwestleather.org
ABOUT SWLC
Now in its sixth year, Southwest Leather Conference has become known as "The Leather Family Gathering of Heart and Spirit." Gathering over 600 Leatherfolk and BDSM Lifestylers from all over North America, SWLC offers a deep, meaningful and creative experience of Leather and BDSM through the exploration of the interpersonal and spiritual dynamics of Leather & BDSM Relationships and SM Practices. SWLC also provides a vehicle for regional leather clubs, organizations, leather families and individuals to gather and celebrate the tribe of which we are all a part.
THIS YEAR'S THEME: THE QUEST
National Sex Worker Leadership Training Institute
Location(s)
Have you ever traded sex for the things you need?
So... Are you tired of the laws that punish people for how they earn a living? Are you tired of the police harassing you because of how you dress or because of who you are? Are you organizing to make a change? Would you like to organize for change?
Be a leader for your community!
And learn how to make rights a reality at the
NATIONAL SEX WORKER LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE
Washington, DC
October 25 to 27, 2007
Southwest Leather Conference
Location(s)
"THE QUEST: JOURNEY INTO THE ELEMENTAL"
JANUARY 11-13, 2008 IN PHOENIX, AZ
In the year 2000, a new idea was born. To create an event that celebrates and explores BDSM & Leather Relationships, SM and Spirituality. To gather, under one roof, people of all genders and orientations, from Leather & BDSM communities all over North America. A space to celebrate and explore the similarities and differences of our various BDSM and Leather related lifestyles and cultures. An event that offers opportunities for singles, couples, families and friends a deep, meaningful and creative experience of Leather and BDSM.
THIS YEAR'S THEME: THE QUEST
What is a quest? A call to adventure. A journey towards a goal. A seeking or pursuing of something important. A time of initiation and transformation. An encounter with the self and others. As each of us embarks on our individual quests, we find common threads that bind us all together, with our paths ultimately crossing at Southwest Leather Conference.
ABOUT SWLC