You should subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting ShannaKatz.com! This month, my sexuality and relationship advice column made its debut in the wonderful local (to Colorado) LGBTQ paper Out Front Colorado. If you head on over to the digital edition, and click through to page 42 (I know, perfect, right? My advice must be the meaning of life), you can see what I had to say to a person whose girlfriend masturbates A LOT and to someone looking to start exploring his anal pleasure zones in the safest way possible.
Have a question you’d like to me (anonymously) answer? Leave a comment here, message me on Facebook, DM me on Twitter, or email me at ShannaKatz at Gmail dot com. Questions can be about anything sexual, relationship, dating, anatomy, sex toys; you name it!
-Shanna
Crystal Delights Announces “Beary Beary Big Mother’s Day Give-Away” Breast Cancer Promotion
April 30, 2012– New Boston, NH – Partnering with some of their fellow industry peers, Crystal Delights is offering an amazing Mothers’ Day give-away that not only celebrates mothers but also supports several causes for all women.
“What do you get when you combine a gorgeous Crystal Delights toy with a Merci Toys Fairy Wand, beautiful nipple jewelry from NippleCharms.com, and a shimmering massage oil candle tin from Scandle, all with one large cuddly Teddy Bear?” asks the AVN-nominated company. “You get a chance to win a Beary Beary Big Bundle, a one of a kind Mother’s Day promotion only from Crystal Delights!”
The “Beary Beary Big Bundle” features the brand new Crystal Delights Colors Against Cancer (CAC) Atomic Rose pink anal plug available in a clear, smooth finish or frosted finish. This new plug is adorned with a stunning Atomic Rose vintage glass medallion from the Czech Republic and can only be described as an objet d’art.
The Tyler Hope Love Bear has a special secret – it hides your most personal items in the most adorable way. This cuddly teddy bear is 24” tall, with soft brown fur and sparkling button eyes. He also features an easily accessible opening with a magnetic closure behind the neck where you can discreetly store your favorite toys, and also comes with a soft drawstring bag to hold smaller items together.
Crystal Delights donates annually 10% of the profits from the Colors Against Cancer product line, an AVN 2012 Nominee for best overall sex toy line, to cancer charities. The Tyler Hope Company graciously supports charitable causes by donating 5% of their profits to Breast Cancer research and Battered Women’s shelters.
“We think all those special Moms in our lives will just love our Beary Beary Big Bundle,” explains Shellie Yarnell, Creative Director for Crystal Delights. “We always love the chance to partner with our business allies, especially in support of good causes.”
Anyone can enter to win the Beary Beary Big Bundle at http://crystaldelights.com/2012/04/28/bear-with-us, but only one prize will be rewarded to one lucky winner. Those who would prefer not to wait can also purchase the Beary Beary Big Bundle directly at a special price and a shipping discount at http://crystaldelights.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Shellie Yarnell of Crystal Delights at info@virtuallyabout.com.
Keywords: crystal delights, merci toys, tyler hope, nipple charms, breast cancer awareness, adult toys, toy giveaway, mothers day
About VirtuallyAbout:
VirtuallyAbout, LLC dba Crystal Delights, not only manufactures their line of upscale adult toys, the company has a mission to always give back to the community that supports them. They founded “Crystal Causes,“ and the “Colors Against Cancer” toy line, and donate a percentage of net profit annually to cancer charities. Crystal Causes also helps raise funds for worthwhile adult charities. They strive to be a green company, doing their best to produce and package with a low-carbon imprint, keeping the environment in mind. All in an effort to support the world community that supports them.
Contact Information:
Virtuallyabout, LLC | +1.603.296.1045 | info@virtuallyabout.com | www.crystaldelights.com
Proud to say that according to GetSTDtested.com and their list of the top 100 Sex, Love and Dating blogs, I’ve been selected as number 29. I’m in good company with Abiola, Scarleteen, Cosmo and more. What they had to say:
Great sex and relationship blogs are a dime a dozen on the internet, but blogs with written by a qualified sex professional with the same level of sass and realness are rare. Check out Shanna Katz’s website for a high-caliber sex blog written by a woman who knows her stuff. Armed with a master’s degree in human sexuality, Ms. Katz is a Board Certified Sexologist who provides savvy sex education workshops, sex coaching and relationship counseling to the masses by day. But by night, she spreads her sex knowledge in her personal blog that includes Q-and-A sections, insightful pro-sex articles, book reviews and more. According to a conversation on Twitter, they said they liked how I geared my answers towards all sorts of people, being inclusive of gender, sexes, identities, orientations and more.
To me, this is success. Not being chosen for the list per se, but having people tell me that they notice how accessible the sex education I provide is, and how many people can get use of it.
Win for Shanna Katz.
Repost from last year, but still, and always important:
Did you know that April is a lot of different months relating to sexuality? One of them happens to be National Get Yourself Tested Month, and I think everyone should be celebrating!
How? It’s easy! Head on over to www.GYTnow.org for information, coupons, ways of find places near by you and more. Whether you’re single, in multiple relationships, sleeping with lots of folks, or in a monogamous relationship, you should know your status regarding STIs. Being “Clean” has nothing to do with whether or not you have a sexually transmitted infection; 75-80% of sexually active Americans have or have had an STI at some point. That’s the majority — it’s OK to have an STI, but you need to know so a) you can get treated either to cure it or help the symptoms (depending whether it is bacterial or viral) and b) so you can make decisions along with your partner(s) about what type of safer sex you’d like to be having. It’s really tough to make those decisions and have those conversations if you don’t even know where you stand.
So whether you choose to head over to Planned Parenthood, your local STI clinic, your primary care physician, your gynecologist, your country health center, your campus clinic, etc, I commend you for taking the first step to power- knowledge. If you need cheap, free or sliding scale testing, it is out there. Take the plunge and get a full panel; find out where you stand so you can then take control of your sexual health and wellness to make decisions that are good for you, as well as for past, present and future partners.
Step up, and make a change!
Shanna
Every year, I right about this. Most of my thoughts from it are summed up in my piece about National Sexual Assault Awareness Month from last year. However, some things to always keep in mind.
*Sexual assault does not always involve penetration
*Sexual assault is not limited to females or women identified people
*Sexual assault is not limited to straight people
*Sexual assault does not discriminate by age, ability, race, sex, gender, socio-economic status, size, education, etc.
*Someone YOU know has been sexually assaulted. It’s never funny to joke about it, to tell someone they are lying or deserved it, or anything like that. It is immature, small and rude. And it kind of makes you an asshat.
If you or someone you know has been assaulted, there are many resources. College campuses tend to have hotlines and/or sexual assault response coordinators. You can contact RAINN (the Rape, Assault and Incest National Network). If you need LGBTQ resources, here are some to get you started. Many states have anti violence programs (in Colorado, it is CAVP). Many doctors and social workers have awesome resources as well. If you cannot find any near you/the person you’re helping, please contact me and I will help you.
Together, we can work together to both support survivors, and to change our culture to make it a safer place for EVERYONE.
A New Generation of Education-Based Sex Shops is Changing the Adult Industry
March 27, 2012 — The growing community of independent sex-positive shops has a new home thanks to the launch of the Progressive Pleasure Club (PPC), founders Molly Adler and Matie Fricker announced today. Adler and Fricker, owners of Self Serve Toys in Albuquerque, New Mexico, started the PPC to share support and resources with other shops like theirs, which help people make informed decisions about sexuality-related products.
Says Adler: “We wanted to get people talking about the unique work we do and the challenges and joys we encounter at Self Serve, and so the Progressive Pleasure Club was born. We believe everyone has a right to enjoy sexual pleasure in a smart and healthy way, and the PPC will educate customers about local, independent stores where they can feel safe shopping, and can trust the safety of the adult products they buy.”
Today a new class of social entrepreneurs are taking the lead in opening sex-positive, independent shops all over the continent. Self Serve is one of a dozen or so like-minded shops in cities from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, where trained sex educators offer a locally-owned, education-based, ethical place to shop for intimate goods. The Progressive Pleasure Club is a network of independent sex shops dedicated to helping people make informed decisions about sexuality products. Member shops are committed to the promotion of accurate and honest pleasure-based sexuality education, and to offering products that meet the highest standards of safety. “We are thrilled that the PPC came into being,” explains Gina Rourke, owner of Nomia in Portland, Maine. “Since 2004, Oh My in Northampton, MA and Nomia have been collaborating and sharing information, as well as our purchasing power. To have the opportunity to join with a cadre of similarly committed entrepreneurs with shared values is nothing short of revolutionary. We are excited to see how this collective will transform lives in our communities as well as the industry at large.”
In the next year PPC members will join forces to educate the public about adult toy safety, promote local support for small business, and lobby adult toy manufacturers to eliminate the use of phthalates and toxins in manufacturing. “We have created a unique space for sharing marginalized voices, both ours and those of our customers. The PPC is bent on radicalizing the adult industry for the better of all,” shares Lea Caughlan, owner the Rubber Rose in San Diego.
As small business owners, the members of the PPC recognize that there’s power in numbers. And not unlike the healthy polyamorous folks they sometimes serve, PPC members seek to approach business from an ethical place of abundance and positivity. After all, PPC members share the goal of promoting sexual health and pleasure for all, and believe there is room for all to succeed as they strive to reach it. Searah Deysach, owner of Chicago’s Early to Bed explains, “I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that is made up of small, local businesses that are committed to the same sex-positive, feminist values as I am. I love that we work together to help all of our shops thrive.”
Current Members of Progressive Pleasure Club
Early to Bed | Chicago, IL
Feelmore 510 | Oakland, CA
Good for Her | Toronto, ON
Nomia | Portland, ME
Oh My | Northhampton, MA
The Rubber Rose | San Diego, CA
Self Serve | Albuquerque, NM
She Bop | Portland, OR
Smitten Kitten | Minneapolis, MN
Sugar | Baltimore, MD
The Tool Shed | Milwaukee, WI
For more information about the Progressive Pleasure Club, email molly@selfservetoys.com
###
Contact: Molly Adler
505-265-5815
molly@selfservetoys.com
progressivepleasureclub.com
Hey folks:
The GLBT Center of Colorado is hosting their annual Transgender Job Fair on May 5th.
“The transgender Career Advancement project was created to bring inclusive employers and the transgender community together in a safe environment. Join The Center and employers such as Shalom Cares and the City and County of Denver on May 5th for an event you won’t want to miss. The Center will also be hosting a rooftop reception for all the attendees after the job fair. See you there!”
Where: The GLBT Center
1301 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
When: May 5th, 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Who: Trans* folks looking for work with inclusive employers
Cost: FREE!
My partner and I are heading to Momentum at the end of the month to present one of our favorite co-lead workshops; Check Yourself — Recognizing Privilege in a Sex Ed Context. We’re really looking forward to the event — we just found out that Jocelyn Elders (yes, the “masturbation is ok and healthy” Dr Elders) will be on the closing keynote panel. Many of my favorite people in the sexuality industry will be there as well; educators, authors, manufacturers, sex workers, activists and more.
If you’ll be there, please come chat me up! Often times at events, I meet people on the way out who say “wow, I didn’t realize you’d actually want to talk to me” and at that point, I really do, but we’re heading to the airport. If you’ll be at Momentum, I absolutely want to meet you, get to know you and have sexy nerdy talk, so stop by and say hi.
Can’t wait for all the sex geekery this weekend will provide. Hope to see you there!
-Shanna
Out Front Colorado is having a write in contest for all of the best things in Denver. They seemed to have left out the Best Local Sexuality Educator.
If you’d be so kind to click here and vote in the last write in box (where you can write in anything you want) and vote for Best Sexuality Educator: Shanna Katz, I’d really appreciate it!
Much love,
Shanna
Link to outstanding award nominations: http://outfrontcolorado.com/ofcblog/outstanding-award-nomination/
Question: I have been celebrate for almost three years, and am terrified to “get back out there.” Any tips on how to reverse or overcome my apparent phobia?
Answer: This can be a scary question to even ask, the I applaud you on putting yourself out there by showcasing self awareness of your nervousness.
It’s tough for EVERYONE to be out there, whether they have never dated, never had sexual partners, etc, whether they have taken some time off from being sexual, or whether they have a different partner every week. We all innately have a huge fear of rejection, whether from family, friends, potential partners, current partners, employers, etc. Being “out there,” what ever that looks like, can be really hard for any one.
Tip number 1: Be yourself. It’s very easy to try and mimic people in magazines, TV shows, fashion shows, head of cliques, etc. Sometimes it feels as though playing a role is easier than being ourselves, because if we do wind up feeling rejected, we can comfort ourselves with the idea that it was out facade that was rejected, not actually ourselves. However, being yourself is a) easier, because you’re not trying to be someone else and b) better, because if you do wind up finding someone you like, and they are interested back, you will KNOW that it is truly you they like, and not wonder if it is the role you’re playing.
Tip number 2: Don’t make too many goals. When we are so set on finding someone to kiss/fuck/date/marry/bring home to mom, we often psych ourselves out. Most couples will tell you that they found their ideal partner just when they had given up looking, or had taken a step back from aggressively searching. Why? Because it’s easier to just be you when you aren’t searching actively for someone, and because people will see a more relaxed you, rather than the trying to impress people you, which is usually what people prefer.
Tip number 3: Meet people in areas of YOUR interest. For some reason, it’s thought that meeting people in bars is a great idea. And it is possible that for some specific people, it is. If you frequently hang out in bars, that might be a good place to try. However, if like most people, you hang out more often in places that don’t have tall stools and booze, you should try to meet people in areas in which you feel comfortable. Like chess? Chat up that cutie at chess club. More of a runner? Ask that smarty pants to be your jogging buddy! Spend a lot of time volunteering at an animal shelter? See if your fellow volunteer would like to talk up the cute kitties and puppies after your shift. This way, you know you already have a shared interest that goes beyond getting wasted.
Tip number 4: Be gentle to yourself. Getting “back out there” can feel incredibly intense, and if you are super nervous about it, you may either go under board or overboard, over share or under share…and guess what? It’s all ok. Just take your time, relax, and congratulate yourself for even giving it a good try and getting back out there. No hurry on finding the one, whether it’s for one evening or for longer. Take a breath, take care of yourself.
Best of luck,
-Shanna
Have a question you want answered (anonymously)? Contact me and I’ll post the answer!
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Kink Academy Along with more than 50 other educators, I offer video instruction across the spectrum of sexuality. 18+
Enter Kink AcademySupport Your Sex Educator Sex education is not often the high-paying and oh so glamorous job people tend to believe it to be. Between travel and lodging costs, items for demos, paper, printer ink, hosting fees, continuing education classes and more, it can add up. If you can, please help support sex educators to keep classes frequent and affordable!
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