2/12: Orchestrating Orgasms at Mt. Sinai Medical School

Date: 2/12

Title: Orchestrating Orgasms at Mt. Sinai Medical School

Description:

Freud talked to us about the appropriate “types,” pop culture magazines scream from the shelves that we could be having better ones, and many people experience deep guilt in their quest to experience them. Still, what actually ARE orgasms? For something so celebrated, very few individuals can give a straight definition; people are seemingly just supposed to be grateful if they have them!

The simultaneous mystery and ubiquity of “The Big O” has created a fascination with orgasms, but hasn’t provided a perfect answer to the big questions people ask about them. Fortunately, Oh Megan is here to help!

In this captivating workshop, you will learn about the biological, psychological and sociological issues surrounding orgasms. What types of orgasms are there? How can one have more orgasms? Why do they feel so good? Why do some people struggle to have them? With the use of images, participation, videos, and genital models, Orchestrating Orgasms will bring down the house in a perfect symphony.

Location: Mt. Sinai Medical School

Cost: Free!

This workshop is open to Mt. Sinai Medical School students only.

11/17: Careers in Sexuality at Roger Williams University


Date: 11/17

Start Time: 7:30-8:30 pm

Title:  Careers in Sexuality: How to Become a Sexuality Educator

Description:

What is it really like to work in the highly specialized field of sexuality education? What different avenues can you take? What might a typical day be like? And, most importantly: how does one get started?

Navigating this career can be challenging to say the least, but in this workshop we will talk about how to get your foot in the door and what to expect. Oh Megan will speak about the wide range of existing organizations and individuals in the field, salary expectations, societal reactions to these career choices, how social lives are affected, and other things many Americans really want to know (but don’t want to ask).

Titillating, educational, funny, and wickedly honest, this workshop will answer the questions your guidance counselor didn’t talk about on Career Day.

Location: Roger Williams University

Cost: Free to students enrolled in select courses held at Roger Williams University

 

11/14: Super Sex! New College of Florida

Super Sex with Oh Megan

Date: 11/14

Start Time: 7:00-9:00 pm

Title:  Super sex: College Campus Style

Description:

How can you make your sex life safe while keeping it hot? Can the two happily exist together? Of course they can! Super hot safer sex will be the topic of conversation where we will teach you how to safely fondle with the best of them! 

This workshop will include: 

-Condom use (Do you know how to put one on with your mouth?) 

-The do’s and don’ts of boxed lunch 

-Silicone surprises 

-Erotic talk

-Creating cheap sex toys

-Spanking 

…and so much more!

Location: New College of Florida

Cost: Free to New College of Florida Students

What Could Make America Sexually Healthy

Over the weekend, I was speaking with a reporter who had attended The Politics of Pleasure discussion I recently held through The Chat Lounge in NYC. He asked: “If I were to be consulted by the Surgeon General of the United States, what kind of suggestions would I make to help turn America into a more sexually healthy nation?”

 

Well, many of you who have seen my presentations know of my deep love for all things medical. I do hold a strong fascination for the human body and the individuals who choose to devote their lives medicine. In fact, one of my earliest memories is of a book I found in my parent’s library called: “Man’s Body”. I was so taken by this introductory medical text that I spent hours reading the notes, examining the scientific language, and pouring over the organ systems, most especially the sexual and reproductive parts!. Alas, my mother soon noticed where the book was becoming dog-eared, and it quickly vanished from their shelves.


But back to the question: How could I help America be more sexually healthy? My answer: Mandate that all medical students, especially future pediatricians, take a full course in human sexuality. Prevention is the answer, yet so many doctors are woefully unprepared for discussions about sexual issues. On average, medical students are only receiving 10 hours of sexual health related topics in their medical school curriculums, and most of that is relegated to only three topics: birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, and GLBT population concerns. Many doctors themselves are terrified to have a conversation about sexual issues, even if the patient brings it up. But doctors remain the first source for answers when someone in the general public is dealing with issues or concerns.


They need training, they need resources, and they need support.

 

And it needs to start at the beginning, thus I think that we should pay special attention to the future pediatricians. A pediatrician with adequate sexuality training can comfortably address parents concerns/questions regarding the sexual behaviors their child may be experiencing or engaging in. If the pediatrician could model a conversation of “it’s ok to talk about this” or “this is a healthy, normal stage of development” the parents could see that sexuality can be discussed in a normative, non crisis fashion. Imagine the change this could bring!


Pediatricians have the most access to creating change in parents attitudes. Parents would learn that displays of sexuality by their child need not lead to negative or shame based reactions, and thus the child could grow up learning that sexuality is a natural, healthy part of human development. Less shame! Less fear! Less neurosis and guilt leads to more healthy attitude about sex as an adult.

 

This is why I am such a huge fan of The America Medical Student Association Sexual Health Scholars Program. It’s giving opportunities to medical students to learn about sexuality in a more detailed fashion. This is such an important piece of the puzzle in providing America with healthy sexual attitudes. Sex educators can’t do it alone. We’re a woefully small group of individuals. I mean really, how many sex educators does the average person know? It’s not the average job. But pediatricians? There are thousands of newly trained pediatricians joining the workforce every year, exactly the kind of job with W-I-D-E reach that can truly effect change.

 

I’m thankful for all the work sexuality advocates are putting forth into the community, it’s amazing to see change happening. But I want it to happen faster and I have faith that with some organizing and planning, support from the medical community would lead to reduced fear, stress, and shame most American’s struggle with regarding their sexuality.

I want that change now.

4/2: Odd Girl Out: Straddling the Fields of Sexual Pleasure and Health, Washington, DC

What: Momentum Conference


The phenomenal growth of online communication has given rise to an amazing amount of sharing, learning and experimenting with different expressions of sexuality, relationships and feminism. MOMENTUM provides a safe place to listen, discuss and learn about the ways the web has impacted our sexuality without the fear of reprisal or shaming. It is a space for acceptance and appreciation of diversity, including for those in the LGBTQ, sex-work, BDSM and non-monogamous communities.

During MOMENTUM we will discuss ways to bridge the baffling dichotomies our culture creates around sexuality. While on one hand we have unprecedented sexual freedom, on the other we continue to police sexuality with a frightening vigor. Abortion laws, restrictions on gay marriage, abstinence programs, medicalization of sex, fear of pornography and prosecutions for teenage sexting are examples of one side of the spectrum. The discomfort that strives to make us keep our sexuality hidden conflicts with the use of sex — especially the female body — to sell everything from food to cars to “performance enhancing” products.

Each participant will leave the conference with new perspectives, new connections, and a plan to carry the MOMENTUM forward into 2011 and beyond.

Topic: Odd Girl Out: Straddling the Fields of Sexual Pleasure and Health

Since Kinsey’s groundbreaking work on human sexual behavior, the scientific study of sexual pleasure has been ridiculed. In the modern field of sexual education, a huge gulf exists between the culturally safe subject of sexual health and the risqué research on sexual pleasure.  The professionals who attempt to do credible work on sexual pleasure are often shamed, discredited, or even ostracized for such heresy.

How can these two worlds co-exist?

In this workshop, participants will learn about the leading organizations and individuals that are working to bridge the gaps between sexual pleasure and health.  Attendees will also learn how to advocate for scientific research into sexual pleasure and will walk away with skills to better handle the backlash that can (and often will) erupt.  With style and grace, you too can learn how to stand strong and proud for sex positive education.

When: Saturday, April 2nd, 9:00-10:10 am

Audience: Momentum Attendees

Cost: $55.00

Register for Momentum HERE

3/17, The Politics of Pleasure, NYC

What: The concept of sex education seems to always be a controversial topic for Americans. From defunding research that examines what people do in bed to preventing discussion on how to engage in sex safely, there tends to be more defensive action than progressive steps.  The most recent attacks have been against two nationally known sex educators who choose to educate (gasp!) college students.  Apparently, some education isn’t to be allowed in the classrooms.

Join Megan Andelloux, sexologist and sex educator as she discusses her trials and travail to foster positive sexual outlooks in the minds of consenting adults.  She will explain the furor recently sparked over her workshops on college campuses.  Hear what passes for reason from those trying to deny college students access to learn about their own sexuality.

Megan Andelloux is the founder and director of the The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health in Pawtucket, RI. She is a nationally certified sexuality educator through The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists and is a board certified sexologist through The American College of Sexologists. She has worked full-time in the field of Sexual Education for more than 12 years.

Labeled by the media as “The Sex Ed Warrior Queen”, Megan lectures internationally at colleges, universities, medical schools, and sexuality institutions on issues surrounding sexual pleasure, sexual health, politics, and erotic justice. She is a Gynecological Teaching Associate at medical institutions on the East coast and developed the Gynecological Training Program for Boston University School of Medicine.

She is a regular contributor at www.sexualhealth.com, www.hercampus.com, and is an author in the book, “We Got Issues” A Feminist Response to Cultural Attitudes On Feminism. For more information, visit OhMegan.com or www.TheCSPH.org .

When: 7;30-10:00 pm

Where:

Happy Endings

302 Broome Street

New York, NY


Audience: General Public


Cost:  Free






3/14: How To Be A Sex Educator, Brown University, RI

What:  How To Be A Sex Educator with Shanna Katz and Megan Andelloux

Interested in becoming a sexuality educator?  What path should you take?  Where do you go to school?  What should you study?  How did Shanna and Megan become one?  This informal workshop takes you through how to travel down the path to becoming a recognized professional.

Where: Brown University

When: 3/14, 12:00pm

Audience: Brown Students

Cost: Free!

3/5: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Orgasms, Amherst, MA


In this day-long conference student leaders and off-campus educators team up to offer workshops and panels that address crucial but often ignored topics surrounding sexuality.



This conference is open to and inclusive of everyone, and will give people a platform to discuss things that are normally labeled off-limits and taboo. Our goal is to provide a safe, engaging, and much-needed learning environment.

Megan Andelloux will be presenting:

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of….Orgasms?!?


Take a tour among America’s obsessions with spanking, erotic literature and fetishes. Discover why handcuffs have more than one meaning when we examine the American cultural sexual landscape through the use of the media, current events and court cases.

This interactive, fun and thought provoking workshop examines your sexual rights and erotic potential, before it is stripped away.









Where:
893 West Street
Amherst, MA

When: Saturday, March 5th, 9am-5 pm


Registration form:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/472360/queerconfprereg2011


5-College Queer Sexuality and Gender Conference
Hosted by Hampshire College
http://www.hampshire.edu/studentlife/16892.htm


3/1: So You Want to Be a Sex Educator? SFSU

What: So You Want to Be a Sex Educator?

Curious about sex education as a career or calling but not sure where to start or which direction to pursue? Get the low-down from some of this country’s best and most prolific sexperts on how they got to where they are today, what being a sex educator entails, what not to do, and where they think their industry is going!

Featuring:

MEGAN ANDELLOUX

Megan is a nationally certified sexuality educator through The American Association of

Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists and a board certified sexologist through The

American College of Sexologists.  She founded The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health in

Rhode Island, is a contributing author in the books “We Got Issue: A Feminist Response to

Cultural Attitudes On Feminism” and “Sex and Society,” a comprehensive guide to current

knowledge and expert analysis of sex and sexuality and has been named the “Vagina Warrior

of the Year,” “The Princess of Pleasure” and more recently, “The Sex Ed Warrior Queen.”

REID MIHALKO


Reid of www.ReidAboutSex.com helps adults create more self-esteem, self-confidence and greater

health in relationships and sex lives. Reid has appeared on the Emmy award-winning talk show

Montel, Fox News, in Newsweek, Seventeen, GQ, The Washington Post, and in thirteen countries

and at least seven languages. His workshops have been attended by close to 30,000 men and women.

Known for his charisma, wit and emphasis on integrity, Reid travels the country teaching,

coaching, consulting and collaborating on fulfilling his mission: Create more self-esteem,

self-confidence and sexual health for adults in and out of the bedroom.

CAROL QUEEN:


Carol is a writer, speaker, educator and activist with a doctorate in sexology.

First as an organizer in the lesbian/gay community, where she helped create one of the first gay

youth groups in the United States, and later in the emerging international bisexual community, as

a sex worker and a practitioner of alternative sexualities, she typically teaches and writes from

her own experience and that of her communities. Queen’s practical advice and sense of enthusiasm

for sex has reached tens of millions worldwide. The success of her book “Real Live Nude Girl:

Chronicles of Sex-Positive Culture” is testament to the popularity of her message.

JENNA GAARDE:

Jenna has spent the last three and a half years completely immersed in the field of

sexual health and sex education. She spent two years as a peer educator at UC Berkeley with the

Sexual Health Education Program, received her sex educator certificate from San Francisco Sex

Information, has volunteered for the SFSI switchboard, the Center for Sex and Culture, and

Lyon-Martin Health Services. She is also a Sex Educator for Good Vibrations. She is currently the

Program Assistant as ISIS, Inc, a non-profit organization that is focused on providing youth with

sexual health information via technology and new media.

CHARLIE GLICKMAN:

Charlie Glickman, PhD is a sexuality educator and writer. In addition to running the education programs at Good Vibrations, he also offers workshops and classes on sex-positivity, sexual shame, various sexual practices and communities, adult education principles and techniques, and male gender socialization. He is certified as a sexuality educator by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists. You can find out more about him atwww.charlieglickman.com.

Moderated by: Christopher White, PhD

Christopher White, Ph.D., is the Director of Education and Training at the National Sexuality Resource Center at San Francisco State University. Dr. White earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Health Promotion and his M.A. from New York University in Human Sexuality Education. Dr. White has taught courses on human sexuality, child and adolescent health, and drugs and society at UT-Austin and UT-San Antonio. He has developed various sexual health and HIV prevention programs, including innovative programming that combined sexuality education with video production instruction for GLBT youth. His current interests are promoting sexual literacy through innovative and creative programs that include using popular fiction, media, and pop culture to enhance conversations and increase relevancy around sexuality issues.


When: March 1st, 2011, 1-2;30 pm

Where: San Francisco State University

Richard Oakes Multicultural Room

Cesar Chavez Student Center (Terrace Level)

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL SEXUALITY RESOURCE CENTER (NSRC),

EROS, AND THE SEXUALITY STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Cost: Free

Audience: Open to All!

“Fornication 101, The Title is Provocative…

But the Talk Provides Frank and Open Health Facts