TOKYO—Tenga Co. Ltd. launched today #DoItInMay, a campaign celebrating National Masturbation Month and aimed at broadening the conversation and furthering cultural acceptance around sexual wellness and self-pleasure beyond taboos and euphemisms.
The month-long program will encourage consumers to join the movement with a pledge to go “above-and-beyond,” by not only masturbating during the month of May but helping to de-stigmatize self-pleasure.
“Masturbation is a natural part of life that not only gives individuals a better understanding of their bodies, but also empowers them to take control of their own pleasure,” said Dr. Chris Donaghue, PhD, LCSW, CST, and Tenga brand ambassador. “#DoItInMay is an opportunity to bring this to the forefront and celebrate masturbation for what it is: a positive and healthy sexual practice, whether it's enjoyed by oneself or with a partner.”
Participants can take the pledge online at DoItInMay.com, and if they chose to, can promote the campaign via social media. For every person who takes the pledge, Tenga will donate $1—and will donate an additional $2 for every use of the hashtag "#DoItInMay" on social media, up to $10,000, to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). SIECUS advocates for the right of all people to accurate information, comprehensive education about sexuality, and the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services.
“There is still much stigma and shame in talking about sexuality and about masturbation,” said Chitra Panjabi, President & CEO of SIECUS. “We are proud to collaborate with Tenga and Dr. Chris Donaghue on the #DoItInMay campaign and help further cultural acceptance of sexual wellness, including masturbation. We thank Tenga for their generous contribution to help advance advocacy efforts to ensure that all people have access to the information they need to understand themselves and their bodies through comprehensive sexuality education.”
As a thank you to all #DoItInMay participants' commitment to de-stigmatize masturbation, Tenga will provide a free sex toy to the first 50 individuals to take the pledge. Everyone who takes the pledge will also receive a coupon for 10 percent off purchases made via Tenga's e-commerce store. Participants must be 18 years or older.
“We believe everyone should explore their bodies, discover their preferences and embrace self-pleasure,” said Eddie Marklew, Global Marketing Manager, Tenga. “We're proud to champion #DoItInMay and further cultural acceptance of sexual pleasure through masturbation.”
National Masturbation Month was introduced in May 1995, in response to President Clinton's firing of U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders for suggesting that masturbation should be part of sexual education. Since then, sex-positive organizations all over the world have honored Elders and celebrated masturbation in May.
More than 20 years later, not everyone is comfortable talking about masturbation. Tenga's 2016 United State(s) of Masturbation survey1 found that 88 percent of all Americans masturbate, but more than half of those surveyed were uncomfortable openly discussing it. By participating in #DoItInMay, we can help change the conversation about masturbation and promote a message that self-care is a common, sex-positive act that should be celebrated, not hidden.
For more information on Tenga's #DoItInMay campaign, or to take the pledge, visit DoItInMay.com.
