LOS ANGELES—Dee Dennis, founder of the CatalystCon sexuality conference, has announced the lineup of Closing Keynote speakers for CatalystCon West, which will take place Sept. 11-14 at the Westin LAX. The panel, which will close out the four-day event, will feature Annie Sprinkle, Veronica Hart, Candida Royalle, and Veronica Vera, moderated by Good Vibrations Executive Vice President Jackie Strano.
Along with Gloria Leonard, Sprinkle, Royalle, Vera, and Hart formed Club 90 in 1983 to support each other on their journeys as stars during the “Golden Age of Porn.” They went on to pursue their personal goals and blaze new trails in the fields of human sexuality, women’s empowerment, gender, erotic expression, and free speech, and all now hold doctorates in sexuality.
"The four of us combined bring 149 years of sexual exploration and creative expression to this keynote. We promise to dazzle and delight!" said Sprinkle, who is currently pioneering the ecosex movement and will be speaking on a panel on the subject during CatalystCon. Royalle adds, “At this point in my life and in my career, there is so much I want to share, and CatalystCon is the perfect venue. I can't wait!”
The keynote panelists will offer a taste of the days when New York City was America’s sex film capital, movies were shot on 35mm film, making porn was cause for arrest, and Times Square was X-rated. The members of Club 90 will share the memories, the laughs, the drama, and the intimate stories of their controversial support group, as well as honoring the memory of founding member Gloria Leonard, who passed away earlier this year. Says Vera, “In sharing my personal sexual evolution, I hope it inspires you to trust yourself, and follow your own path, wherever it leads.”
“It is my distinct pleasure and honor to be part of this very special closing Keynote at CatalystCon West this year,” said Strano. “This fabulous group of women collectively represent a huge part of feminist and sex positive history and this panel will be our version of the Kennedy Center Honors. Buy your conference ticket and be in L.A. that weekend because you will want to be able to say one day that you were there.” Discounted early-bird registration for CatalystCon West is available until June 29 at catalystcon.com/register.
