SAN FRANCISCO—Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the former U.S. Surgeon General who lost her job after voicing her belief that masturbation should be taught as part of sex education, was the closing keynote speaker as last weekend’s CatalystCon West event, and Good Vibrations Executive Vice President Jackie Strano took the time to thank Elders for her courage and informed her Good Vibrations launched Masturbation month in response to her brave statement.
“Dr. Elders is one of my personal sex positive icons for her bravery and for telling a simple and necessary truth during a climate of intense fear around sexuality in this country's history. I was so honored to meet her and let her personally know that her life's work is celebrated every year by us and means so much to me,” said Strano, who was part of the Opening Keynote Plenary Address at CatalystCon.
Strano said Elders was pleased to hear about Good Vibrations' work in the field of sex education and providing a safe place to access accurate information and quality sex toys.
For the past 19 years, Good Vibrations has dedicated the month of May as "Masturbation Month" in homage to Elders' bravery and commitment to pleasure, sex positivity and sex education, and to remember the sound advice from “America's Doctor.” Elders is distinguished not only for her candid and sensible views on sex education, but also for being the country's first African-American and first female Surgeon General. Dedicating a month in her honor seemed like a fitting tribute.
In 1994 at a United Nations conference on AIDS, when asked whether masturbation ought to be promoted as an alternative to riskier forms of sex, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders replied, "I think that it is part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught." This simple statement cost Elders her job and revealed the depth of shame around sexuality and masturbation, even at the expense of public health.
Good Vibrations, the trusted San Francisco-based company that takes pride in providing accurate information on sexuality and quality sex toys for grown-ups, founded National Masturbation Month in 1995 in the wake of the controversy surrounding the firing of Elders, who evoked conservative wrath for her practical acknowledgment of masturbation. Realizing that one simple, sensible mention of solo pleasuring was enough to lose this prominent woman her job convinced Good Vibrations staff that this most basic and accessible form of sex needed support.
Others have embraced Good Vibrations' declaration of May as Masturbation month, but Good Vibrations pays tribute most sincerely to Dr. Elders' work with dedicated education around the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, transmission of HIV and other STDs, and sharing the merits of pleasure in the realm of sex education. Elders inspired Good Vibrations, and the company is happy to inspire others.
For more information, visit GoodVibes.com.
Pictured: Dr. Joycelyn Elders, left, with Jackie Strano
