This month, we've got a grantee book publication to share, and we want to officially introduce you to The HEAL Project, an amazing org the Foundation started working with this past fall.

"Honey & Hot Wax: An Anthology of Erotic Art Games," which was awarded two Effing Foundation grants, has just been published by Pelgrane Press!

Honey & Hot Wax is an anthology of games about sex by a diverse group of nine designers, edited by Lucian Kahn and Sharang Biswas. From games that merely talk about sex, to larps that feature sex acts, these games will challenge how you think about roleplaying, sexuality, and human relationships. The anthology includes a foreword by game designer Naomi Clark of Consentacle and a chapter on safety and consent by Maury Brown. It also includes games suitable for remote play via video chat and games ideal for those living together during social distancing.

To celebrate, we have five 20% off coupons to give away. Please enter our drawing here, and make sure that "[email protected]" is in your email contact list so you don't miss our message if you're a winner. You have until Monday, August 31, at 11:59pm US Eastern Daylight time to enter.

We apologize it's taken so long for us to introduce you to the newest members of the Effing Foundation family! The HEAL Project is a BIPOC, Trans/Non-binary, and Survivor-led educational initiative using media to prevent and end Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) through healing the wounds of sexual oppression, and embracing sexual liberation. 

CSA is not a childhood issue; it cycles through generations and impacts people of all ages. In order to disrupt this cycle, The HEAL Project provides education on relationship building skills for children, parents, caregivers, educators, advocates, and elders around bodies, agency, boundaries, and communication. 

The HEAL Project incorporates healing rituals and healing justice practices to address the harms of sexual oppression such as CSA. With a vision to shift from separation to integration of mind, body, and consciousness, The HEAL Project advocates for free, accessible, and shame-free holistic sexuality education as a tool for empowerment, resilience, and liberation. 

At The HEAL Project, sexual liberation is believed to be the antidote to sexual oppression. They do not shy away from discussing any aspect of human sexuality and connection, and openly engage with topics including sex work, asexuality, kink and BDSM, non-monogamy, and pornography. 

The HEAL Project stands against all systematic and state-sanctioned violence occurring in law enforcement, prisons, the criminal justice system, ICE, and other institutions that perpetuate harm. Instead, The HEAL Project advocates for community-based alternatives such as cultural counseling, transformative justice, and healing circles.

Currently, The HEAL Project offers multiple media programs providing empirical, anecdotal, as well as data-supported information. They also offer consultations, speaking engagements, workshops, and sexuality coaching services.

Pure Love Talks is a talk show between Ignacio Rivera (Founder & Executive Director) and their daughter Amanda. In each episode, Ignacio and Amanda model honest, vulnerable, and intimate conversations about sexuality spanning from Amanda's childhood through her current role as a mother. In their heart-felt and witty back and forth, Ignacio and Amanda normalize the sex talks and shift the culture of sexual violence by offering tips and resources for families.  

Tuesday Q&A is a written education program dealing with the challenging moments of survivorship, healing, and child rearing in a culture of shame and secrecy around sexual abuse of children. Every Tuesday, a question is answered with an emphasis on relationship building skills as the foundation for holistic sexuality education.

Connecting The Dots, is a video project offering analysis of the world of sex, connection, violence, and power in media. With witty comments and much food for thought, the discussions encourage a path through shame and secrecy to connecting and healing.  

The HEAL Project is also developing a new series called, “Caution: Unrestricted!”. This series features conversations between Ignacio Rivera and Aredvi Azad (Director of Education & Programs) on breaking open sexual stigma and taboo. With many content warning notices, Ignacio and Aredvi offer an unsanitized version of untold stories, uncomfortable thoughts, and unsavory inquiries. This series is meant for adult survivors who are further along in their healing journey and are ready to engage in brutal, and at times sarcastic, truth-telling. 

You can sign up for their monthly newsletter here, and make a tax-deductible donation to this ground-breaking initiative here. Follow their work on social media (IG-FB-TW) @heal2end. 

The Effing Foundation is proud to have the opportunity to support The HEAL Project as its fiscal sponsor, and we hope you'll join us in sharing and celebrating their work!

With best wishes to you and yours as we continue fighting for a sex-positive, equitable world,

Kit
Kit Stubbs, Ph.D., Founder & Executive Director ([email protected])

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