We’ve gone and done it. Because organizing a conference just isn’t quite enough work for your intrepid organizers (that would be us, Tess and Dee, we’re waving at you), we decided to add another project to fill up our spare time. Of course, we wanted it to be something amazing, and since we have a group of amazing presenters, who also happen to be writers, we decided to put together the first MOMENTUM anthology. Thankfully a lot of our presenters thought this was a smashing idea, and generously wrote essays based on their 2012 sessions. So you can take the con home with you! Or if you missed it, for whatever reason, you can download the book on Amazon and read all about it. It’s the next best thing to being there!

MOMENTUM, the conference, deals with a plethora of issues that revolve around the themes of sexuality, feminism and relationships. In today’s climate, with a veritable war on women happening all around us -the Rush vs Sandra brouhaha, Susan G. Komen and the Planned Parenthood nightmare, worries about the availability of birth control, and some newspapers pulling Gary Trudeau’s dead on Doonesbury strips dealing with compulsory transvaginal ultrasounds prior to abortions – events like MOMENTUM become even more crucial.

This collection, begins with a foreword by a truly amazing and inspirational woman, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, that reads like a rousing call to action, something those of us who believe in MOMENTUM, can well relate to and ends with the hauntingly, beautiful poem by Leela Sinha, Easy Does It, that reflects on what would happen if we let pleasure be a guide. And in between that motivational start and reflective end, you’ll find the same diversity there is at MOMENTUM; stories about sex work and social justice, about the Pleasure Revolution, about the challenges of being a sex educator, about combating sexual abuse and violence within our communities, about senior sex and about sexual orientation and gender and much, much more.

We are so very proud of this book and so very grateful to the authors of the essays and to our co-editor, Inara De Luna, who can publish a mean e-book. Seek her out if you need assistance! Wait, don’t, we need her!

Now go, check it out on Amazon – Momentum: Making Waves in Sexuality, Feminism, & Relationships - and pick it up for only $9.99. That’s a lot of smarts for ten bucks!

New York, NY – The 2^nd annual MOMENTUM Conference (momentumcon.com) will take place in Washington DC from March 30^th through April 1^st, 2012.  The conference will be held at the Crystal City Marriott at Reagan Airport. MOMENTUM brings together the best people in their fields of the LGBTQ, sex-work, BDSM and non-monogamous communities. Speakers will discuss ways to bridge the baffling dichotomies our culture creates around sexuality.

Abortion laws, restrictions on gay marriage, abstinence programs, medicalization of sex, fear of pornography and prosecutions for teenage sexting are examples of one side of the spectrum. The discomfort that strives to make us keep our sexuality hidden conflicts with the use of sex — especially the female body — to sell everything from food to cars to “performance enhancing” products.

The opening Keynote Plenary Panel is moderated by the legendary Dr. Carol Queen and features esteemed panelists Bill Taverner, editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Sexuality Education, author and sexuality educator, Dr. Logan Levkoff, founder and director of the Red Umbrella Project, Audacia Ray, and university professor and Education Program Manager at Good Vibrations, Charlie Glickman, PhD. Our Closing Plenary features author of the international bestseller Mating in Captivity, Esther Perel, and journalist, Lara Riscol. The conference will kick off with an exclusive meet & greet and performance by comic Maria Falzone.

MOMENTUM is geared toward anyone interested in intelligent conversations about the influence of new media on sexuality. After a sold out first year in 2011, MOMENTUM has expanded its space, presenters and sessions, with over 40 sessions and 60 presenters.

MOMENTUM will cover a wide range of viewpoints on sexuality, and the program is sure to have something of interest to everyone.

Each participant in MOMENTUM will leave the conference with new perspectives, new connections and a plan to carry the MOMENTUM forward into 2012 and beyond.

Pre-registration is required to attend MOMENTUM. Go to momentumcon.com or http://momentumcon.com/registration/hotel for registration.

For more information, please contact Brian Gross, BSG PR, (818) 340-4422. Email: brian@bsgpr.com. Twitter: @bsgpr

So far, presenters Diana Adams, Brian Ballard, Lisa Speer, Jazz Goldman, Sarah Elspeth Patterson, Sabrina Morgan, Nicole Clark, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Rebecca Chalker, will be in attendance to talk about their presentations and generally mingle and canoodle (I just like that word and needed to use it, no canoodling promises are actually being made) with our Chat Lounge guests. If you’re a presenter and are able to attend, who wants to be added to this list,  just email tess@tiedupevents and I’ll add you.

And for those of you who may not know what MOMENTUM is all about here’s a brief description:

The phenomenal growth of online communication has given rise to an amazing amount of sharing, learning and experimenting with different expressions of sexuality, relationships and feminism. MOMENTUM provides a safe place to listen, discuss and learn about sexualities and gender without the fear of reprisal or shaming. It is a space for acceptance and appreciation of diversity, including for those in the LGBTQ, sex-work, BDSM and non-monogamous communities.

During MOMENTUM we will discuss ways to bridge the baffling dichotomies our culture creates around sexuality. While on one hand we have unprecedented sexual freedom, on the other we continue to police sexuality with a frightening vigor. Abortion laws, restrictions on gay marriage, abstinence programs, medicalization of sex, fear of pornography and prosecutions for teenage sexting are examples of one side of the spectrum. The discomfort that strives to make us keep our sexuality hidden conflicts with the use of sex — especially the female body — to sell everything from food to cars to “performance enhancing” products.

Geared toward anyone interested in intelligent conversations about the influence of new media on sexuality, MOMENTUM is the conference to attend in 2012. With more than 50 presenters, among them  Esther Perel, Dr. Logan Levkoff, Audacia Ray, Bill Taverner, Dr. Charlie Glickman, Maria Falzone, Dr. Lynn Comella, Twanna A. Hines, Dr. Carol Queen, Abiola Abrams, Chloe Angyal, Francisco Ramirez, and Rachel Kramer Bussel,, and over 40 sessions covering a wide range of viewpoints on sexuality, MOMENTUM’s jam-packed program had something of interest to everyone. Our Friday evening opening keynote plenary panel is preceded my our signature free Ice Cream Sundae Meet & Greet and Saturday evening entertainment includes a Cinekink screening, Dirty Bingo with Ducky Doolittle and a Bedpost Confessions reading.

Each participant will leave the conference with new perspectives, new connections, and a plan to carry the MOMENTUM forward into 2012 and beyond.

Be sure to register ASAP to take advantage of our early bird savings!

In Crazy Little Thing: Why Love and Sex Drive Us Mad, published by Cleis Press’ Viva Editions, author Liz Langley explores the highs and lows of the mental illness we all want to have -  love – and what happens in our brains and our lives when our hearts take the wheel from our heads.

Tales of a grave-robbing love slave, love among the circus freaks and a filmmaker whose break-up was one for the holy books – these are among the stories Langley will read from Crazy Little Thing along with some expert input on the brain chemistry that causes us to go through such divine damned madness.

We’ll talk about some of the brain chemistry of love, some of the psychological reasons we do things in love that seem totally counterintuitive,  look at some of the crazy love stories that have appeared since the book was finished and talk about the fact that we often feel so ridiculous when things go wrong in love despite the fact that it happens to all of us and often.

Liz Langley was born in Brooklyn, NY, was shanghaied to Florida at a young age and has decided to stay because now they know her at the local nudist resort. Also in Florida, 46 is considered really young. An award-winning freelance writer, she has appeared in more than 20 publications including Details, Alternet and Salon and in the Cleis Press book “Best Sex Writing 2008.” She writes a column for SeXis magazine and dreams of having her own Airstream trailer but not needing to live in it.

The party starts at 10:00pm but will really get going at 11:11pm, when guests arrive fresh from the Fleshbot Awards, which will be presented earlier in the evening at the Highline Ballroom. At the ceremony, ten custom-engraved njoy Elevens will be awarded to winners who blur the lines between mainstream and adult entertainment in categories such as Sexiest Movie, Sexiest Music, and Sexiest Fashion. All 300 show attendees will then be invited to the Gaslight Lounge for the njoy-sponsored 11.11.11 After-Party, where guests will be able to mingle with some of the sexiest movers and shakers in the adult and mainstream entertainment industries.

One specially engraved Eleven – The 11th Eleven – will be raffled off at 1:11am to one lucky party attendee. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature a DJ set by the ever-stimulating HARSHBOYS.

njoy, who have been producing shiny stainless steel instruments of pleasure ever since 2005, provided Elevens for the first Fleshbot Awards, which went to celebrities including Sasha Grey, Patricia Field, Levi Johnston (yes, him) and the folks behind True Blood. This year’s awards are hosted by Stoya and Sara Benincasa, and feature a performance by legendary porn star Belladonna.

For more information, visit:
www.njoytoys.com

http://fleshbot.com/fleshbotawards

Reid Mihalko

Date Your Species: What’s Wrong with Relationships Today and How You Can Evolve!

Happy Ending Lounge

302 Broome Street

New York, NY

October 20th 7:30 – 10:00pm

Dating, marriage and the reasons we stay in relationships has changed a lot since the days of our great grandparents and sex and relationship expert Reid Mihalko of ReidAboutSex.com thinks he knows what culture needs to be telling us to make the current dating and mating scene less screwed-up. Join us for this humorous, frank and informative talk where Reid boils down more than 150,000 conversations he’s had about sex and relationships to his best thinking and advice on making sex, dating, relationships and mating work!

Taking the conversation out of the chat room, The Chat Lounge, focuses on bringing people face to smiling face, to meet, sip scrumptious cocktails and munch on salty and sweet snacks, while we talk about current issues in sexuality and the impact they have on our lives. Meeting the 3rd Thursday of every month at Happy Ending, 302 Broome Street, from 7:30 – 10:00, The Chat Lounge will feature a different speaker to guide discussions covering body image, gender, pornography, identity, orientation, love and relationships, the science of sex and much more.

The Chat Lounge is a free event, open to all adults 21 and over.
ABOUT REID MIHALKO: Reid Mihalko of www.ReidAboutSex.com helps adults create more self-esteem, self-confidence and greater health in their relationships and sex lives, no matter what their self-expression of those happen to be.

From his rated-PG/PG-13 workshops (Cuddle Party, Speed-Flirting) to the rated-R (Iron Slut Sex Educator Showdown) to his explicit, NC-17 rated, Show-N-Tell sex education workshops (where audiences get to watch, take notes, and ask questions), Reid’s workshops have been attended by close to 30,000 individuals from myriad walks of life, orientations, relationship styles, countries and religions. Known for his charisma, wit and emphasis on integrity, Reid travels the country teaching, coaching, consulting and collaborating on fulfilling his mission: Create more self-esteem, self-confidence and health for adults in and out of the bedroom.

http://www.crystaldelights.com/charity.html

Tied Up Events is thrilled to team up with VirtuallyAbout LLC as they announce that they have
been working together with some of the most distinct adult toy manufacturers in the industry
for Crystal Causes, a charitable effort that supports sex-positive communities. The $12,000
Give-Away event offers up twelve baskets for lucky supporters via donations to supporting
organizations. Each basket is filled with a fantastic array of high-quality adult products from
seventeen companies committed to furthering sex-positive education. With donations coming
from as far as Israel from T.O.Y (Thinking of you)!

Crystal Delights™ brand toys, sculpted of smooth jewel tone glass and finished with sparkling
Swarovski elements and vintage glass medallions, are only one of the sensational additions to the
drive, joined by everything from luxury vibrators to sex toy storage for enviable assortments that
will please any donor to the cause.

Shellie Yarnell, of Crystal Delights™, explains, “Crystal Causes grew out of our passion and
commitment to support the community that supports us and our products. We began our business
with a mission and a sense of responsibility to always be paying it forward.” When asked about
the generosity of the other companies supporting the project, Shellie continued, “We’ve been
humbled by the wonderful partners in our industry that have contributed to the gift baskets that
are being given away to twelve lucky winners.”

Pamela McKee, Managing Partner at PAPAYA Toys, added, “We pride ourselves on social
responsibility, and so there was no question that we would participate when Crystal Causes
approached us. This is a cause that is near and dear to so many, and we at PAPAYA are happy to
help in any way we can.”

In all, Crystal Causes will support seven worthy organizations with the drive. Ms. Yarnell
explained, “The list of organizations had been longer, but we discovered that not all charities
are interested in support from the adult industry – though disappointed, we understand why.”
The seven organizations provide services and support to a variety of individuals with personal
challenges that might not otherwise be able to receive the help they need. “Views on sexuality
are changing in this country,” Ms. Yarnell continued, “but it still has a long way to go. We want
to support that effort, as do the wonderful sponsors joining us.”

The seventeen adult industry sponsors are donating products and services, which are arranged
into a dozen baskets to be given to as many winners. The retail value of each basket is over
$1,000.00, which values the entire give-away at over $12,000.00 in prizes. To enter, individuals
should donate to one or more of the Sex-Positive organizations supported by the Crystal Causes
fundraiser. The event offers several ways to donate, play and win – full details and basket
information is available at: Crystal Causes

$7.00 will help 7 great organizations and give you 7 chances to win part 

of $12,000 in amazing products!

Burlesque & The Body with N “The Only Letter in Burlesque”

Happy Endings Lounge

302 Broome Street

September 15 – 7:30 – 10:00pm

Burlesque is an art form long rich in history, scandal and maybe even a swarovski crystal or two! In this lecture, N will discuss the use of body imagery in burlesque and how it can pertain to your everyday life. When it comes to taking off clothes, there is alot of insecurity associated with nudity in our culture. Learn how to embrace your body and enhance flaws with glitter and a good dose of shimmy.

In this lecture we will also learn the history of the bump and grind as well as the ladies who graced the stage. There will even be a glove peel-OFF by our audience members for a chance to win your own pasties and a hat by It’s a Little Stormy! Following the lecture will be a LIVE BURLESQUE PERFORMANCE by N – The ONLY Letter In Burlesque and It’s A Little Stormy!

N – “The ONLY Letter In Burlesque” is an multi-form, multi-media artist who is a jill of all trades! Born out of gay clubs, drag queen lashes & The Miss Lez Pageant, this award winning burlesque star has traveled throughout the country to bring her queer, unpredictable, Technicolor performance that will leave you thinking, laughing and breathless for more. She combines Drag, Burlesque and a Voice that won’t quit that showcases a unique take on the neo-burlesque scene. In addition to performing, this Female-Female Impersonator is also well-regarded as the host of several events and shows including non-profits and charity work. She is also an activist for marriage equality, sex worker rights and vows to bring more love and inclusivity within the LGTBQ communities, one Lady Gaga parody song at a time.

N has performed at various venues, and festivals such as The New York Burlesque Festival 2008 & 2009 with her work with Hypergender Burlesque and the Boston Burlesque Expo for what she won the Most Humorous award in 2009 with Hypergender Burlesque.

It’s A Little Stormy

ecdysiast/ makeup artist/ hat designer: proprietess of Its a Little Hat,  totally unbalanced Libra.

Fontana’s
105 Eldridge
New York, New York

Join editor Rachel Kramer Bussel and Obsessed contributors, along with The Lost author Caridad Piñeiro, and Tied Up Events for a fabulous book party celebrating The Lost and Obsessed: Erotic Romance for Women!

Author readings, free cupcakes, gift bags from The Pleasure Chest NYC, snacks, giveaways and more!

August 18th 7:30 – 10:00pm
Happy Ending Lounge
302 Broome Street
New York, NY

Join Brandon B.for No blacks, no Asians, no fatties, no femmes. Welcome to underground gay sex culture! Join us for a light hearted but passionate discussion of a very serious (though seldom discussed) topic as we explore what a history of intolerance towards LGBTQ individuals has done to ghettoize gay sex and culture. Find out ways that you as an ally can support your LGBTQ peers, suicidal youth, or how you as a LGBTQ individual can empower yourself and inspire others through the power of YES HOMO.

Brandon B. is a sex educator, writer, and performer living in New York. He conducts workshops out of various venues including the famous Pleasure Chest in the West Village where he is the manager. In 2009 he created TheINQUEERY.com; a sex toy and product review site specifically for gay men. In 2010, he began live readings of erotic pieces from his personal mini-art zine at various venues including a 12-month residency at The Bowery Poetry Club for the queer performance art show Auralfixia. In 2011, he was a model for the New York Sex Blogger Calendar and presented at the MOMENTUM conference in Washington DC. Recently he became a writer, model, and manager for DarlingHouse.net, currently in beta.

Taking the conversation out of the chat room, The Chat Lounge, focuses on bringing people face to smiling face, to meet, sip scrumptious cocktails and munch on salty and sweet snacks, while we talk about current issues in sexuality and the impact they have on our lives. Meeting the 3rd Thursday of every month at Happy Ending, 302 Broome Street, from 7:30 – 10:00, The Chat Lounge will feature a different speaker to guide discussions covering body image, gender, pornography, identity, orientation, love and relationships, the science of sex and much more.

The Chat Lounge is a free event, open to all adults 21 and over.