LOS ANGELES—Longtime fans of adult entertainment are already familiar with filmmaker and sex educator Tristan Taormino from her work with Vivid Entertainment Group and Adam & Eve Pictures—and now, educational organization Everyone Deserves Sex Ed (EDSE) has invited the award-winning and internationally acclaimed writer, educator and radio host to return for its upcoming 25-hour sex educator certification program, scheduled April 18-19 and 25-26 in Los Angeles. Taormino will discuss the intersection of pornography and sexuality, giving attendees an important understanding of porn literacy and how to discuss adult entertainment with clients in an informed and nonjudgmental manner.
Having worked with and lectured about sex and relationships for more than two decades, Taormino made history as one of the first female filmmakers to sign with a mainstream adult production company, receiving international praise for her award-winning Chemistry series and her renowned Expert Guides for the Vivid-Ed educational arm of Vivid. Having helped set the scene and tone for education-centric adult entertainment, Taormino has been a vocal advocate of ethical porn, sex workers’ rights, and dispelling myths and misinformation about the role pornography plays within relationships.
Taormino also is the author of eight books, including the award-winning The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women and The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure, and she is a regular speaker at colleges and universities across the country, often stirring controversy for her frank and informed discussions of topics often shunned by mainstream educational institutions. Taormino brings immense experience, perspective, and knowledge to EDSE’s sex education certification and will leave attendees with a unique understanding of the important role that erotica and porn often plays in human sexual development.
“I jump at almost every opportunity to teach the public about stigmatized sexuality topics and I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge in adult entertainment to EDSE’s next certification,” Taormino said. “I’ve known and worked with Anne for years and always appreciate her passion for normalizing subject matter that’s often left out of traditional training programs. If anyone has ever felt unsure or unsettled about pornography, especially as a teaching or relationship tool, Everyone Deserves Sex Ed’s certification is for you!”
EDSE founder and lead educator Anne Hodder-Shipp, ACS, invited Taormino to teach this portion of the certification because of her storied career within the adult and sex education industries, and her unmatched expertise in ethical porn production and activism.
“I consider Tristan a dear friend and a trusted colleague, and I can’t think of anyone better suited to discuss porn to EDSE attendees,” Hodder-Shipp said. “Tristan is known for her high-energy and candid discussions, whether at lecture halls, workshops, or live on the radio, and her knowledge base is enviable. It’s an honor to have Tristan join us again this year, and I can’t wait for our spring attendees to experience her in person!”
Well-suited for budding sex educators, health and social service workers, and anyone looking to bolster their sex ed knowledge, the EDSE certification program prepares attendees to have informed, inclusive and confident conversations about sex. Over the course of two weekends, EDSE attendees will learn key information about human sexuality, intimate health, consent, and communication skills and be trained to respond to sex-related questions in a concise, intersectional, and nonjudgmental manner. Attendees also will leave with new insight into their own sexuality—a fun side effect of sex education training.
The next EDSE certification will take place April 18-19 and 25-26 in Los Angeles. Individual certification is $2,095, and payment plans are available to those in need.
To apply, fill out this form. An EDSE representative will review and be in contact within 48 hours of submission.
“During my time as a sex educator, and a sex blogger before that, there was one thing I noticed most people had in common: a lack of confidence in, and even a little fear about, talking about sex,” Hodder-Shipp said. “This insecurity has a dramatic trickle-down effect. It leaves professionals feeling unprepared for workplace dynamics, parents terrified of having ‘the talk,’ and service providers caught off-guard during sensitive conversations with their clients. My goal with EDSE is give people access to the kind of professional and educational support so many of us have lacked throughout our personal and professional lives.”
More information can be found here, or email Hodder-Shipp directly at [email protected].
