WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dee Dennis, founder of the CatalystCon sexuality conference, announces a wide-ranging list of more than 70 speakers participating in CatalystCon East in Washington, D.C., March 15-17, 2013. Created to inspire exceptional conversations about sexuality, the first CatalystCon in Long Beach, Calif. in September featured more than 40 seminars and panel discussions on sexuality-based topics.
"I was thrilled by how well we did with CalaystCon West in Long Beach," Dennis said. "The conference was filled with people from every area of the sex-positive and sex education communities. The seminars and panels were a great opportunity for everyone to exchange ideas and information. I want to bring that phenomenon to the East Coast and keep the energy flowing to promote positive change."
The panels and workshops planned for CatalystCon East include a look at Los Angeles' controversial Measure B, which mandated the use of condoms in adult video production; a discussion of toxic toys; a seminar about sexuality for senior citizens; a discussion of California's Proposition 35, which stigmatizes sex workers as "sex offenders" as part of the fight against human trafficking; and a seminar to help educators effectively teach sexual topics.
Speakers include Swedish sexuality experts Suzann Larsdotter and Malinda Flodman, who will present a history of sex education in Sweden and discuss "the development of sex education for Swedish queer women"; sex educators Ducky Doolittle, Jessica Drake, Joan Price, and Reid Mihalko; academics Charlie Glickman, Ph.D. and Constance Penley, Ph.D.; authors Tristan Taormino and Rachel Kramer Bussel; plus activists, academics, and other experts on sexuality.
A complete list of speakers, with biographies, may be found here.
"CatalystCon is a literal Who's Who in progressive sex thinking,” stated Ducky Doolittle, who is presenting the seminar "Toxic Toys." "The conference fuels writers, bloggers, activist, educators, product manufacturers and retailers, and anyone who has an interest in the state of sexuality today. What I love is it's not just a place to learn, but it's also a place to use your voice and reach people who have an influence in the world.”
Sponsors for CatalystCon East include sexual aid manufacturers Aneros and Tantus, Inc.; Trigg Laboratories, parent company of Wet International, maker of personal lubricants and intimacy products; online exhibition space artpulp.net; adult industry public relations from Fine Ass Marketing; online radio program Sex Out Loud with Tristan Taormino; sex-positive business services resource Sexquire.com; and Minneapolis-based sexuality boutique The Smitten Kitten.
For details on sponsorship, click here.
"At CatalystCon, everyone is welcome, everyone is respected, and everyone is encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences," Dennis said. "Everyone has something to offer, and the more participants, the better the experience—for everybody."
CatalystCon East takes place March 15-17, 2013 at the Crystal City Marriott near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Discounted early-bird registration is available now here.
