ARLINGTON, Va.—More than 350 attendees gathered in Arlington, Va., March 27-29 for the CatalystCon East sexuality conference. Created to inspire exceptional conversations about sexuality, the event featured 40 sessions and workshops on topics such as body image, sex and aging, racial justice in sexuality education, and sex positive parenting, as well as live podcast recordings in the CatalystCon Studio. Described by founder and organizer Dee Dennis as a “melting pot of sexuality,” CatalystCon unites sex educators, sex workers, public health professionals, writers, activists, and others with a passion for creating change.
During the CatalystCon East Opening Reception, Francisco Ramirez was presented with the Catalyst Award by Dee Dennis.
“Receiving the Catalyst Award was unexpected, touching and above all, encouraging,” said Ramirez. “Many of us working in sexuality function independently, rarely receiving formal praise of any kind, and many of us are attacked for doing the work we do. To be celebrated in a room among my peers and mentors was a uniquely humbling experience.”
CatalystCon returns to the West Coast from Sept. 11-13 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport. Rachel Kramer Bussel will be returning with her pre-conference erotica and sex writing workshops, and CatalystCon West will also feature the return of Tristan Taormino’s sex educator boot camp.
CatalystCon West is accepting speaker submissions until June 7. The conference welcomes anyone who has something to share and the desire to spark conversations about sexuality, activism and acceptance. To apply to speak at CatalystCon West, visit catalystcon.com/call-for-speakers.
“Interacting with participants at CatalystCon was a great reminder that we are stronger than the challenges we’ve experienced and the backlashes we’ve endured in our work,” said Ramirez. “More than ever, I feel encouraged to continue to be vulnerable and to take risks with my work. Attending CatalystCon reaffirmed my conviction to speak up around injustice—and more importantly—to continue listening to those around me.”
For more information, visit CatalystCon.com.
