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 [...]]]> 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

This post, Meet the Progressive Pleasure Club, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on March 30, 2012.

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 [...]]]> 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

This post, Trangender Job Fair in Denver, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on March 28, 2012.

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 [...]]]> 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/

This post, Vote for Denver’s Best Local Sexuality Educator, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on March 12, 2012.

I’ve been nominated for Denver Westword’s #WebAwards 2011 as one of the best sex bloggers. Check out the official link: http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/11/2011-denver-web-awards-finalists.php?page=2

Now, my old sex blog has one quite a few awards, but I never really counted this as a sex blog. Unlike most people who are identified as “sex bloggers,” this blog [...]]]> Fabulous news!

I’ve been nominated for Denver Westword’s #WebAwards 2011 as one of the best sex bloggers. Check out the official link: http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/11/2011-denver-web-awards-finalists.php?page=2

Now, my old sex blog has one quite a few awards, but I never really counted this as a sex blog. Unlike most people who are identified as “sex bloggers,” this blog doesn’t see me writing about *my* sex life; rather, I write about sexuality, sex education, identities, and more, as well as answer sex questions that I am asked. I kind of view it more as a sexuality blog than an actual sex blog. Ergo, it’s nice to be recognized as a sex blogger, because even though I don’t share all of the exciting sordid details of my sex life, the writing I do is still sexuality centric.

I’m happy to be in a category with three of my friends. Mistress Saskia is an amazing bastion of the Denver Kink community, and Evey Bird and the Red Headed Slut are both close friends of mine. Congrats to them as well for getting the nominations. Note; These sites are 18+ and are Not Safe for Most Working Environments.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 16th is the official #WebAwards party at Cassleman’s in Denver. Here’s to hoping I win!

This post, Nominated for Denver Westword #WebAwards, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on November 15, 2011.

However, Vivianne (provided for me by Fascinations) has never been alone. She has her little sis, Val (short for Valerie) purchased for me by a dedicate reader/fan of mine:

And now, the two have been joined by a third, soon to be revealed purple [...]]]> Everyone (or almost everyone) knows my vulva puppet Vivianne:

However, Vivianne (provided for me by Fascinations) has never been alone.  She has her little sis, Val (short for Valerie) purchased for me by a dedicate reader/fan of mine:

And now, the two have been joined by a third, soon to be revealed purple and lavender vulva puppet. However, my new vulva puppet is sadly without a name! How horribly sad is that? So, I ask you, my fearless followers, to help me name my newest vulva puppet.  My favorite five names will make it into a run off contest (with links to your blog or twitter pages if you’d like), and the ultimate winner will get a little mini prize pack from me (I’m not telling what’s it in, but if you know me, you know it’ll be fun).

It’s easy to enter – just comment on this post with your suggestion (s) for the name for this new member of my vulva family by August 26th. Please make sure I have a way to contact you in case you make it into the final round. Please be creative, but not offensive (any vulva-negative suggestions will be deleted), as I love my vulva puppets and take them everywhere with me!

Alright; let the creative juices flow! (pun totally intended)

-Shanna

This post, Vulva Puppet Naming Contest, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on August 16, 2011.

As many of you may know, I am the newest addition to the Board of Directors for the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health in Pawtucket, RI. The Center is an incredibly important space, both physically and in a general sense – a place for people to come and learn about sex; reading books, [...]]]> Hello!

As many of you may know, I am the newest addition to the Board of Directors for the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health in Pawtucket, RI. The Center is an incredibly important space, both physically and in a general sense – a place for people to come and learn about sex; reading books, watching movies, touching toys, petting vulva puppets, asking questions, exploring their identities and more.

One important thing about such an organization is of course, fundraising. Right now, Crystal Delights toys has partnered with the CSPH. Now through July 31st, if you donate ANY amount of money to the CSPH through this link: http://www.giveforward.com/helpcsph , you are entered to win an AWESOME prize basket, containing toys from Crystal Delights, Lelo, Papaya Toys, T.O.Y and many, many more. What a great way to donate to an incredibly important cause, and get yourself an entry to an amazing prize at the same time.

Whether you can afford $5 or $500 (or $5000???), please take a moment to donate to the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, and keep this sex positive, affirming space running for years to come.

Thanks,

Shanna

This post, Support the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on July 14, 2011.

I’ll be in Philadelphia and New Jersey June 30th – July 5th, and have some open slots for one on one, two on one, three on one, etc sex coaching and counseling sessions, as well as invididual or group classes and workshops. Go ahead and contact me to let me know if you’d [...]]]> Hey Folks!

I’ll be in Philadelphia and New Jersey June 30th – July 5th, and have some open slots for one on one, two on one, three on one, etc sex coaching and counseling sessions, as well as invididual or group classes and workshops. Go ahead and contact me to let me know if you’d be interested in booking me while I’m on the East Coast, and we’ll get everything set up. Both counseling/coaching and workshops are always on a sliding scale to be as accessible for everyone as humanly possible!

-Shanna

This post, Sex Coaching and Relationship Counseling in PA and NJ, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on June 28, 2011.