It’s May, and everyone here at the Effing Foundation for Sex-Positivity is looking at pleasure, exciting news for the summer, and the first of our Grantee Spotlights!
May is Masturbation Month!
As a part of our mission here at Effing, we work to reduce the shame and stigma around sex. Masturbation is unfortunately the source of a lot of sexual shame, despite being one of the most common sexual activities. A 2019 study indicated that 55% of Americans don’t talk about masturbation, yet 84% percent of Americans masturbate. A great deal of this misinformation comes from the myths that masturbation is unnatural, harmful, or somehow immoral.
Masturbation is a natural part of human sexuality. It has a multitude of sexual, health, and physical benefits. It’s a way for people to (literally) get in touch with thier sexual needs and desires. Self pleasure is for every gender expression and every body type. It can be practiced in an accessible manner for many and can be enjoyed regardless of relationship status. We hope you’ll explore and enjoy Masturbation Month and the deeper subtext of what it means for sex-positivity.
Effing At The Sexual Freedom Summit!
In August, Effing makes its return to in-person conferences at Woodhull's Sexual Freedom Summit. Our Executive Director, Carlton Perry, will be presenting "Deconstructing the Dungeon: Anti-Racism for BDSM and Sex-Positive Communities." Watch our social media throughout the summer to learn how to connect with us at SFS2022!
The May Grantee Spotlight!
Welcome to our first Grantee Spotlight! In the coming months, we’d like to introduce you to our 2022 grant recipients. This month, we’re spotlighting The Black Trans Prayer Book, Hans Lindahl, and Midori.
The Black Trans Prayer Book
The Black Trans Prayer Book: A Documentary explores the lives, reflections, performances and spiritual journey of Black Trans, Non-Binary and/or Gender Expansive people. Through animation, interviews and performance, the Black Trans Prayer Book takes the audience on a journey that is simultaneously beyond faith and interfaith. From accountability for religious institutions to Black Trans deities and spiritual practices, this film addresses the impact of religion on Black Trans and Non-Binary people in secular and faith communities. An adaptation of the previously published text of the same name, this work is a living testament to the ways that Black Trans people capture history, divinity and storytelling.
The Black Trans Prayer Book project is led by previous grant recipients J Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi. Learn more about their work here.
Hans Lindahl
Hans is a writer and artist known for expansive commentary on intersex issues. This work builds on the blessing of a childhood spent among multiple generations of intersex activists, and formative experiences in Bay Area queer comics and activism communities.
While in California, Hans’s organizing and digital strategies as the former Communications Director of interACT helped pass the country’s first legislation denouncing infant genital surgeries. Hans’s articles, videos, and comics promoting affirming and non-medical views of intersex people have been translated into four languages.
Following this, Hans aims to write a graphic novel on these themes tackling the question: how do you come of age when puberty never happens?
Also a previous grant recipient, learn more about Hans by visiting Hans’ website.
Midori
Trailblazing educator, sexologist, artist, and irritant to banality, Midori founded Rope Dojo and ForteFemme: Women's Dominance Intensive. She penned the first English instruction book on Shibari, "The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage" in 2001, paving the way for the popularity of rope. Dan Savage calls her the "SuperNova of Kink," while others affectionately call her Auntie Midori for her cool, tell-it-like-it-is, funny, reality-based teaching. She is also the author of "Wild Side Sex," "Master Han's Daughter," and "Silk Threads." Learn, laugh, and enjoy her special online classes, events, and art at www.patreon.com/PlanetMidori, where she is working on her next shibari book through Patreon.
Although a first time grant recipient, Midori is highly recognized for her deep and rich history as a sex and kink educator, whom we’re excited to support. Get connected to Midori by checking out PlanetMidori.
Donate
Whether it's talking about pleasure, advocacy, or highlighting our grant recipients, our work at Effing is directly supported by generous donations from our benefactors. If you’d like to ensure that sex-positive art and education continue to exist, please visit our donation page and learn how your support directly allows Effing to continue our mission of reducing the shame and stigma surrounding sex.
Sincerely,
Carlton Perry (he/him)
Executive Director - The Effing Foundation for Sex-Positivity