Earlier today I emceed the annual spring fundraising event for the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH), an organization that advocates for comprehensive sexuality education for youth. There was a wonderful film shown about ICAH’s work (the film was by documentary filmmaker Ruth Leitman, of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and Rep. Jan Schakowsky gave a spot-on talk related to adolescent health issues (she was accompanied by her husband and her dedicated intern, Jake). Amy Lehman, as co-chair, tied the event together beautifully - she and her team chose the Society for Arts (1112 N Milwaukee) as the venue, as it has lovely gallery and event space, and the silent auction items were a hit. Overall, it was just very reassuring and inspiring to connect with people around these important adolescent health issues. I truly believe, and science certainly suggests, that if we provide young people with accurate information about sexuality (and info that is age and developmentally appropriate) then they can have brighter, healthier futures. Thanks to ICAH for including me in their annual event. To learn more about ICAH, visit their web site.

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Please join me this Sunday May 18 for the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health’s (ICAH) annual fundraiser event, for which I will be an emcee. You can learn more about the event as well event tickets and raffle tickets on ICAH’s web site. ICAH has a long history of advocating for comprehensive sexuality education so that teenagers can learn accurate, evidence-based information about their bodies, condoms, contraception and communication and values related to sexuality. I really hope to see you at the event - please come say hello, if you are able to attend!

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The event is about to start and everyone here is so great…just got a quick preview of out host, David, in drag, a rockin’ burlesque troupe and the amazing GayCo improv troupe.

Wish you were here…

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I’m leaving Vegas today and just wanted to say how happy I was so meet so many readers, including but not limited to Marcey, Heather, Michelle and others. You are all doing important jobs as educators and I am glad that this blog continues to be helpful to you in your work.

On to Chicago now - the Literally Sexy event at Victory Gardens is tonight!

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Whew! It’s been a busy few weeks and I apologize for not blogging more often. There has been quite a lot going on! I have had tons of flowers blooming, which has been a very good thing for me. I love warm weather and flowers and I really think spring is ready to burst onto the scene full time.

I’ve also had quite a lot going on in terms of work. We recently completed a study related to lubricants and are getting ready to embark on another study related to sexual enhancement. On Monday, I guest lectured in a Women’s Health class and taped another ten Kinsey Confidential podcasts. By the way, it turns out that we have had tens of thousands of downloads of our Kinsey Confidential podcasts so please do keep spreading the word and letting your friends and family know that they can use these to learn about sex. I’ve also been working on a feature story (yes, related to sex) for a popular magazine and will be excited when that comes out (I think this summer).

Tomorrow I am off to Vegas to join some friends and colleagues and talk about sex toys, then it is off to Chicago for a truly fabulous evening at Victory Gardens where I will be taking part in the Literally Sexy event, and finally on to Rome where I will be giving a talk about sexual problems following cancer treatment at the European Federation of Sexology conference. And yes, I will be wired and working and even blogging throughout this time.

There have been other things going on too and I can’t wait to share them with you another day. In the mean time, I hope you’ll enjoy this picture of my crocuses as they started to bloom a couple of weeks ago. (I know, I’m such a dork). Please keep reading and writing and thinking about sex - and let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to cover. I’m all ears!

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On Friday April 11, I’ll be participating in an event at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre in Chicago. It’s called Literally Sexy - here’s a description:

"Spring is here, and libidos are hatching.  Forget the oysters, try a late night variety show focused on all things sex-Literally Sexy - burlesque, drag, bondage, erotica, comedy - all in one hot night Friday, April 11th at 10:30 pm, at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.
 
This alluring evening includes a variety of Chicago’s freshest performing artists such as GayCo Productions, The Neo-Futurists, The Flaming Dames, 2nd Story, Arlene Malinowski, and Time Out Chicago’s sex columnist Dr. Debby Herbenick. The evening, hosted by Chicago’s own femme fatale, David Cerda (of Hell in a Handbag Productions) will be flowing with cocktails, music, and wine samples from Naked Winery. Plus, shop the arousing wares of G Boutique.

The mood will be set the moment you walk into the Biograph. Music and burlesque dancers will liven up the lobby as you browse for lingerie and accessories from G Boutique. Naked Winery will be on hand with samples and selling glasses of their most popular labels, ‘Penetration’, ‘Vixen’, and ‘Missionary’. $2 Pabst Blue Ribbons will be served along with a full bar.
 
The night will begin in the Biograph mainstage with host David Cerda as your favorite Madame. The fast-paced show will transition between hysterical, yet clever sketch comedy, to sensual personal stories, salacious yet teasing dances, and titillating plays to make you quiver. Sexy yes, but never taking itself too seriously. After all, sex can be hot and funny.
 
So don’t miss this provocative, sensual, smart, funny late-night sexy show. Tickets are $15. For tickets and information, call the Victory
Gardens box office - 773.871.3000 - or buy tickets online at victorygardens.org."

(From this web site)

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The Gynaecological Awareness and Information Network (GAIN) of Australia has let us know about an event they are co-hosting on Saturday March 29 at the Agnes Walsh House at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Bagot Road, Subiaco. The event highlights three key speakers and also includes tea and musical entertainment. Learn more by contacting GAIN directly through their web site. If you live in or around the area, please do consider attending - GAIN is a tremendous organization that works to raise awareness about vulvar cancer and other gynecological issues, and they could use your support.

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One thing I really enjoy is giving talks at colleges and universities. Last week I guest lectured in a class at Northwestern University. This afternoon I gave a talk about "Sex in Modern Society" at Ball State University. I was so impressed with students at both schools - they are smart, funny, highly engaged, good critical thinkers. What a great day! Thanks to Brandy for inviting me to speak.

Later this week I am off to DC for a bit… may head down to the University of Virginia… and then during the week of March 17, it will be time to guest lecture in a class at Indiana University. Um, hello, University of Hawaii or University of Florida - are you out there? Invite me to speak in exchange for some warm weather, please.

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Here is what’s on my calendar for later today - a talk at Ball State University.

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Our research team recently posted a notice about a study that we are conducting:

Sexual  Enhancement Products

What do you think about sex toys?
What do your friends or partner think about toys?
How do you feel about people who use them?

Researchers from The Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University are recruiting women and men between the ages of 18 and 60
to complete a 5-10 minute phone interview about sexual enhancement products.

We are recruiting individuals who have used toys as well as individuals who have never used toys alone or with a partner.

You will receive a $10 Target gift card in exchange for your participation in this study.

To learn more about this study, email cshp@indiana.edu

To learn more about The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, visit our web site:
www.sexualhealth.indiana.edu

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