Hello and welcome to the sixty fourth issue of Boston's Sex-Positive Newsletter! If sixty four sounds like a large number, that's because it is. "The Newsletter" (as I call it to my friends, as if it were the most notorious email newsletter to ever exist) aka "BSPN" (as I call it in my private document titles and nowhere else because it is a purely utilitarian acronym and has zero pizzazz) has been around for a good chunk of time. It's been around longer than one of my best friends, Jambalaya, aka my roommate's cat. (=^ェ^=)
It all began (</ passive voice: I started it) in 2014, seven incredibly long (from my perspective) years ago. In case you've ever wondered what sparked the creation of this newsletter, or are just starting to wonder now that I mentioned it, I will tell you.
I came up with the idea for a local sex-positive newsletter when I began putting my own sex-positive work online and a bunch of local sex-positive people started coming out of the woodwork.
I thought to myself, "There are so many awesome sex-positive projects and events going on in Boston! I've spent years being passionate about sex-positivity and I'm just finding out about them now?!"
I decided to create an easy way for people to get involved in local sex-positive efforts and learning opportunities, and meet other people who share their values of sexual freedom. Thus, Boston's Sex-Positive Newsletter was born to help you keep up with all the great sexuality-related events and projects going on in the area.
And now we are on our sixty fourth issue, which for some reason (?) I am making a big fuss about. Just wait until we get to #69! You can expect there to be a big fuss made about that milestone.
If you enjoy this newsletter and want it to keep going strong, here are some ways you can support it:
✎ Donate via Venmo @NicoleMaz.
✎ Become a monthly donor on Patreon.
✎ Buy Pleasure Pie's zines and art.
✎ Buy our sexy shirts and stuff.
✎ Share the newsletter with your friends.
Any support you are able to offer is amazing!
Also, thank you to Katy Harrison (she/they) and Aren (they) for bringing this issue of the newsletter into existence!
With pleasure,
Nicole Mazzeo
pleasurepie.org
P.S. Want to tell us what you think of this newsletter? What are we doing well, and what could be better? We are so curious about your thoughts! You can give feedback here.
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L O C A L + V I R T U A L
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Thurs. 7/1: KINK: SIN’SUAL Class & Skillshare
7 PM / Virtual / Free!
This monthly erotic skill share includes topics such as: kink, leather, BDSM, healthy relationships, spirituality, self care, and much more. This event is open only to the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community.
Sun. 7/4: CAREER: BLACK SWEAT: I Am Not Your BBC (Big Black Cock)
3 PM / Virtual / $25-50
BLACK SWEAT is a professional development opportunity to learn from emergent and seasoned Black sexuality professionals. This session is with Tyrone Davis Jr. and the topic is I Am Not Your BBC (Big Black Cock).
Mon. 7/5: SEX WORK: Sex Work Coworking Cafe
2 PM / Virtual / Free!
Join the Black, Indigenous, People of Color Adult Industry Collective (BIPOC-AIC) for music, vibes & coworking with other sex workers. Share info, get advice and be in community while focusing on the business that pays you. For BIPOC sex workers only. Every Monday.
Mon. 7/5: TRANS: T4T Magic- Joys & Challenges of a Trans Relationship
8 PM / Virtual / Suggested Donation $10-30
Sit down and talk with Tee & Coyote Park about their trans-for-trans (T4T) relationship. They will discuss topics including the differences within a partnership without a cis person, coexisting and cohabitating together, navigating challenges, and growing a better understanding of each other in recognizing their own experiences both individually and collectively.
Wed. 7/7: DISABILITY: Making Sexual Health Education Accessible to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
7 PM / Virtual / $25
This course is designed to help participants gain an understanding of accessibility considerations, evidence-based methods to improve accessibility of sexuality education, and provide examples of how to apply these methods in various settings.
Wed. 7/7: TRANS: Nonbinary Craft Group
8 PM / Virtual / Free!
A place where people outside of the gender binary can come to work on creative projects and chat. Meets every Wednesday.
Thurs. 7/8: CAREER: Gender Diversity Basics
6-8 PM / $30
This class is intended for behavioral and medical healthcare providers who want to increase their competence with working with transgender patients.
Sat. 7/10: TRANS: Edge of Sex: Trans Identities Across Generations
3 PM / Virtual / $35-75
Trans authors of various ages discuss their trans identities and how being trans has influenced where they are in life based on their age, gender presentation, work, and family.
Sat. 7/10: KINK: Dominant Not Domineering
4 PM / Virtual / $8
This class will explore the skill of inspirational leadership in kink practices. Participants will learn from experienced kinksters about: techniques and philosophies, personal mistakes, and lessons that have helped them become better leaders.
Sun. 7/11: DRAG: Drag Brunch
11 AM & 1:30 PM / Cambridge / $20
This monthly Brunch Drag Series includes two outdoor drag performances with food and drink available for purchase. Tickets include 1 Pride Cocktail and a portion of all ticket sales will support the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth (BAGLY). This event is 21+.
Sun. 7/11: FEMINIST: Girls Rock Campaign Boston: Halloween Reeboot
2:30 PM / Somerville / $10-15
Attend this Halloween-themed cover band show to get in the spooky spirit and support a great cause! The Halloween Reboot will feature various Girls Rock Campaign Boston artists and proceeds will go to the non-profit. Because who doesn't love untimely holiday celebrations with liberatory themes?
Sun. 7/11: SENSUAL: BLACK SWEAT: Sensuality v Sexuality: How to Live More Sensually
3 PM / Virtual / $25-50
BLACK SWEAT is a professional development opportunity to learn from emergent and seasoned Black sexuality professionals. This session is with Goody Howard, MSW, MPH and the topic is about sensuality versus sexuality.
Sun. 7/11: PLEASURE: Threesomes, Group Play & More: Planned vs. Spontaneous
3 PM / Virtual / $15-19
Sex educator Lola Jean will separate the myths from the facts for folks who are thinking of adding a third or longing to be the third. This session will focus on planned versus spontaneous and address the question: what does planning group sex or a threesome actually entail?
Sun. 7/11: LGBTQ+: LesbianNightLife - Second Sundays TeaDance
4 PM / Dorchester / $10 Cover
The LesbianNightLife LGBTQ+ Women and friends is taking over a brewery biweekly and has a grand opening! This event is a warm, safe space for all LGBTQ+ Women and Friends. The venue will be transformed into a dance hall with various DJs and has a beautiful, rooftop venue in the heart of Boston. Attendees must be 21+.
Wed. 7/14: POLYAM: Queer and Polyamorous Women's Group: Wednesday Social
7 PM / Somerville / Free!
Come join the Boston Queer and Polyamorous Women’s Group for their second Wednesday social that has been going for 15 years now. The event will consist of introductions and discussions on queerness, polyamory, and more.
Wed. 7/14: EDUCATIONAL: Guilt, Pain, and the Absence of Pleasure: The Sexual Socialization of Black Female Adolescents
7 PM / Virtual / $25
This session will explore Black female adolescents’ pleasure expectations, the role of sexual guilt, and how society socializes them to expect sexual pain and guilt over sexual pleasure.
Fri. 7/16: EDUCATIONAL: Sexual & Reproductive Justice: History & Action Intensive
4 PM / Virtual / $175-275
An intensive course on sexual and reproductive justice from a historical and current perspective. This course offers an historical overview of how Reproductive Justice came to be, the global connections, successes, and missed opportunities that have also expanded to include sexual justice.
Fri. 7/16: OPEN MIC: Smut Slam DC: Sweetest Taboo
7 PM / Virtual / $0-10
At this month’s Smut Slam, the theme is “Sweetest Taboo” where audience members tell stories all about desires, fetishes, our uniquely weird erotic fixations, and the things in our society that are considered shocking and depraved.
Sat. 7/17: RELIGION: Edge of Sex: Negotiating Sexual Identity and Religion
3 PM / Virtual / $35-70
Various authors address how they discovered their sexual and gender identities in a religious environment, including navigating expectations of virginity, gender identity, and asexuality.
Sat. 7/17: KINK: The Kink Starter Pack: a spank, choke and a hairpull
3 PM / Virtual / Donation Based (Suggested $19)
In this fun and informative class, participants will learn all about the Kink Starter Pack, including the appeal, the mechanics, and how to bring up kinks in discussion with a partner/lover. Open to everyone, from novice to pros.
Sat. 7/17: LGBTQ+: Biversity Brunch
11:30 AM / Somerville / Free!
If you’re bisexual and love brunch, check out Biversity Brunch! Meeting on the 3rd Saturday of each month in Davis Square, this brunch welcomes bisexual and bi-friendly people of all genders from the Greater Boston area to come together, meet new people, and converse over brunch food.
Sat. & Sun. 7/17-18: KINK: Kink Between the Lines Conference
Virtual / $15-30
This conference exists to center marginalized perspectives and topic matters that are generally given the backseat in the kink community, like mental health, disability, race, gender, socioeconomic status, trauma, religion, recovery status, parenting, HIV and STIs, and more.
Sun. 7/18: DRAG: Vaxxed + Relaxed Harbor Cruises
12:30 PM & 2:30 PM / Boston / $75
A 90 minute harbor cruise with hilarious Drag Queens, upbeat music, curated bites, and hosted bar.
Sun. 7/18: ASEXUAL: Monthly Aces Social
2 PM / Cambridge / Free!
This regular social meetup, hosted by the New England Aces Meetup Group, is for people on the asexual spectrum in Boston. There will be an asexuality-related discussion topic to chat about in small groups for the first half hour and then a chat about a variety of topics, not limited to asexuality.
Sun. 7/18: CAREER: BLACK SWEAT Sexuality Series with Brena Jean
3 PM / Virtual / $25-50
BLACK SWEAT is a professional development opportunity to learn from emergent and seasoned Black sexuality professionals. This session is with Brena Jean and the topic is Brena Jean, Live from a Lipedema Body!"
Wed. 7/21: KINK: Communication Tools for Fetish, Kink, & Desire
3 PM / Virtual / Donation Based (Suggested $19)
In this class, we define sex-positivity and some of the lingo thrown around in sex-positive spaces. Participants will learn about the dangers and safety concerns, starting points, and comfort levels relevant in fetish, kink, desire, and play.
Wed. 7/21: KINK: Face Sitting Skills with Luna Matatas
8:30 PM / Virtual / $15-25
In this trauma and equity informed class, Luna Matatas teaches various facesitting skills including communication, accommodation for various bodies, and confidence when on top. Any body and any gender can enjoy face sitting, and there is no partner or experience required!
Thurs. 7/22: CAREER: Lived Experience of Gender Diverse People
6-8 PM / $30
This class is intended for behavioral and medical healthcare providers who want to increase their competence with working with transgender patients. It is intended for providers who already have some basic knowledge of gender diversity.
Sun. 7/25: CAREER: BLACK SWEAT Sexuality Series with Jazz Goldman
3 PM / Virtual / $25-50
BLACK SWEAT is a professional development opportunity to learn from emergent and seasoned Black sexuality professionals. This session is with Jazz Goldman and the topic is to be determined.
Sun. 7/25: WORKSHOP: Rejection Bootcamp
3 PM / Virtual / Donation Based (Suggested $19)
Lola Jean teaches this interactive class on rejection and the fears, behaviors, and actions that tend to apply themselves to rejection. The class will explore why rejection is important, how people can mentally (and physically) process rejection, and what type of role rejection can play in our sexual, romantic, platonic, and familial relationships.
Thurs. 7/29: LGBTQ+: Bi/Pan+ Guyz Social Night
6:30 PM / Boston / Free!
This space is for people who identify as bi/pan+ (curious) guy/z to hang out in a relaxed, supportive, safe space with no particular agenda. There will be no set topics or questions or requirements for discussion (other than mutual respect and carrying assumptions lightly).
Sat. 7/31: KINK: Accepting Service
7 PM / Virtual / $8
In this webinar, participants will learn various ways to accept service. Both "sides of the slash" will benefit from this class as Sir Amber talks about the protocols, etiquette, logistics, meaning, and gratitude (that should be) behind the acceptance of service.
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Donate blood: There is currently a severe blood shortage, according to the Red Cross. If you're a gay or bisexual man/AMAB folk, you might know that there are restrictions on your ability to donate blood. But, as of June 14, 2021, these restrictions have opened up a bit! See if you're eligible to donate blood here.
Contribute: Learn about and contribute to mutual aid: COVID-19 Mutual Aid Resources (Boston); If you live outside of Boston, you can also google mutual aid for your area.
Volunteer: The Survivor Stories Project of Medford, MA is looking for a Product Designer/Developer to help with their new self-care app, SARA, which is made for survivors by survivors.
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Jobs in the Sexuality Field
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Policy Coordinator
National Network of Abortion Funds
Graphic Designer
National Network of Abortion Funds
Individual Giving Associate
National Network of Abortion Funds
Development Officer - Events
Planned Parenthood
Campaign Director
Planned Parenthood
Volunteer Manager
The Network/La Red
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Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers free counseling for people who have been sexually assaulted (and their loved ones). BARCC is making their services available virtually. Counseling will be done remotely, and their 24/7 hotline is running as usual.
The Network / La Red provides support for people experiencing relationship abuse.
Planned Parenthood's Sexual Health Counseling & Referral hotline is 877-686- 5772, option #3.
Fenway Health offers walk-in STI testing on Wednesdays.
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The Transgender Emergency Fund offers financial assistance to transgender residents of Massachusetts who need it.
Harbor Health Services offers free HIV & Hep C testing in Dorchester.
The Sexual Freedom Legal Defense and Education Fund helps people with alternative sexual lifestyles.
Here's a list of culturally competent local resources for LGBTQ survivors.
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Recommended podcast: The Best is Yet to Cum is a new podcast celebrating sex and pleasure in all its beautiful forms. Made by awesome queer Asian zine maker Christina Hu.
Leadership opportunity: The Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts is looking for Board Members! This is an unpaid position that does come with travel reimbursements.
Want to support this newsletter? You can make a donation to Pleasure Pie here. Donations start at $1 a month. There are perks!
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