SAN FRANCISCO—Good Vibrations says, "It's National Masturbation Month! Give yourself a hand! Or a vibrator, or something else stimulating, and don't forget the lube!"
With vibrators and Good Vibrations recently covered in the New York Times, one can easily forget how taboo the idea of self-stimulation once was. Good Vibrations founded National Masturbation Month in 1995 in the wake of the controversy surrounding the firing of formerClinton administration Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who evoked conservative wrath when she opined that discussion of masturbation might have a place in sex education curricula. Realizing that one simple, sensible mention of solo pleasuring was enough to lose this prominent woman, the country's first African-American surgeon general, her job convinced Good Vibrations staff that this most basic and accessible form of sex needed a serious image boost.
Some things have changed since 1995, but National Masturbation Month is still a necessary reminder that self-satisfaction is a healthy, accessible form of pleasure engaged in by almost everyone, of every gender and relationship status, at some time of (or throughout) their lives: It's relaxing, allows people to learn more about their own sexual response, is a basic recommendation of sex therapists that can help people with many different sexual concerns, relieves menstrual cramps, and helps keep the genitals fully functional. On top of that, it's the safest form of sex a person can have.
"Too many people still feel uncomfortable about masturbation and guilty about doing it," said Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, Ph.D., one of the originators of the National Masturbation Month concept. "If only so much ofU.S.culture were not so burdened with ideas that masturbation is shameful, a sin or a poor second choice to partner sex."
Over the years, Good Vibrations has done hundreds of press interviews about masturbation, encouraged other sex businesses and organizations to help celebrate NMM, engaged customers' creativity in compiling lists of favorite masturbation euphemisms, places to masturbate, and stranger-than-fiction masturbation stories, and curated a show of video clips from the great masturbation educators, like Dr. Betty Dodson, author of Sex for One. Good Vibrations also created and promoted the Masturbate-a-Thon, a charity event that encourages people to get pledges from their friends and raise funds via masturbation. (This event was celebrated privately by individuals; it has since morphed into a public event, not conducted by Good Vibrations, that raises funds for the Center for Sex & Culture, and Masturbate-a-Thons are also held in other parts of the country and world—the other largest one is an annual event in Copenhagen. For more, see Masturbate-a-thon.com. This year’s event will be held May 22.)
Though any toy can be used during sex with a partner, depending on what kind of activities are being enjoyed, certain toys are especially suited or frequently-chosen for solo sex: the Hitachi Magic Wand, favorite of masturbation expert Dr. Betty Dodson the Rabbit Habit and other twice-as-nice styles, the Pure Wand, and the G-Twist, to name a few very popular items. Men can enjoy a range of sleeves and pumps designed especially for their self-pleasuring enjoyment, like the Cobra Libre stimulator for men and Tenga Eggs.
Most importantly, however, Good Vibrations continues to celebrate masturbation as we have always done: as each individual's birthright, and as a basic pleasure that is the foundation for our other sexual experience. Visit GoodVibes.com for information (in books, videos, and from our trained Sex Educator Sales Associate staff members), pleasure products of all kinds (vibrators, dildos, and of course lubricants), and inspiration (erotic books and movies). Whether shared with a partner or kept as a solo secret, self-love is accessible to, and good for, everyone.
