CENTER FOR SEX AND CULTURE

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Center for Sex and Culture

WELCOME

The Mission of the Center for Sex & Culture is to provide judgment-free education, cultural events, a library/media archive, and other resources to audiences across the sexual and gender spectrum; and to research and disseminate factual information, framing and informing issues of public policy and public health.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PERVERTS PUT OUT! Midwinter Edition
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Saturday January 28, 7:30 PM

perverts

On a late-January Saturday night, come join us for PPO!'s yearly lighting of a hot, lusty fire in the midwinter darkness. Dr. Carol Queen and Simon will host yet another brilliant bunch of perverted performers including Sherilyn Connelly, Jen Cross, Daphne Gottleib, Philip Huang, Juba Kalamka, Kirk Read, Thomas Roche, and horehound stillpoint.

more info: simonsheppard.com/pervertsputout.html


 


John Leslie Memorial Gathering
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Sunday January 29, 5:30 PM

X-JohnLeslie

X-Jack--Lenny
John Leslie and Richard Pacheco from Talk Dirty To Me

Porn great John Leslie died last December, and we will gather on the anniversary of his birthday to remember a life that changed erotic imagery as much as any other porn star of the Golden Age or beyond.

Join John’s longtime colleague Richard Pacheco, his widow Kathleen Nuzzo, and the Center for Sex & Culture community to honor John’s memory. A true renaissance man (of porn and many other creative endeavors), John’s life will be commemorated with film clips and a memory circle starring his friends, colleagues and fans.

No charge – donations to CSC gratefully accepted! Refreshments provided (bring something to share if you are so moved), and please pass it on to others who worked with, cared about or were fans of John.


[SSEX BBOX] [PREMIERE]!!!
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Monday January 30, 7:30 PM

ssexbbox

IT IS FREE!

FILM SCREENING + DJ + DRINKS!

[SSEX BBOX] is a social justice web series and documentary that aspires to create sexual awareness worldwide. We believe that sex should be discussed, explored, felt and consciously experienced more “outside of the box”.
... [SSEX BBOX] expands consciousness by examining and challenging two dimensional, archaic and obsolete understandings of sexuality and gender.
Constructing community, education, & dialogue - dismantling ignorance, isolation & shame...

This event will screen the first and second episodes of the [SSEX BBOX] documentary series.

Explore the world outside of your sex box through thought-provoking interviews with nationally recognized sex educators and sex-perts , such as ; Dossie Easton, MFT (Psychotherapist & Writer), Chris White, PhD ( Director of Education and Training at the NSRC), Charlie Glickman, PhD (Sex Educator & Sex-Positive Activist) Jessi Fischer, MA (Writer & Sex Educator) and more…
and conversations that matter!

Meet the director and [SSEX BBOX] crew after the film!
   


Sex Workers' Writing Workshop
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Saturday February 11, 2:00 PM

gina_devries
photo: nakedeyephotography.com

Cost: Sliding scale $10-$20 (more if you can, less if you can't, **nobody turned away** -- if you're broke you should still come write with us! - 2nd Saturday of Every Month)

Workshop facilitated by Gina de Vries.

This is a writing workshop for current and former sex workers to share their writing and get honest, non-judgmental feedback. Workshop participants are not obligated to write exclusively about sex work, but writing about work in the sex industry (as well as writing about other topics) will be welcomed. This is a place where people can write and share about their sex work experiences without having to censor themselves or explain every detail. Beginning writers are encouraged to attend along with more seasoned wordsmiths.

Sex Workers’ Writing Workshop is all-genders. We define the term “sex worker” broadly, as people who have exchanged erotic labor for money/food/shelter, including but not limited to:

+Street and Survival Sex Workers
+Escorts and Personal Companions
+Sensual Massage and Sensual Body Work Providers
+BDSM workers; pro-dommes, subs, and switches
+Adult Film Actors; Porn Models and Performers; Nude Models; Cam Girls and Boys
+Exotic Dancers; Strippers; and Peep Show Workers
+Phone Sex Operators
+And many other Sex Workers and Adult Entertainers!
(If we’re forgetting your area of the industry in this definition, tell us!)

**Email questions, volunteer inquiries, etc, to queershoulder@gmail.com.
**If wheelchair access is needed, please contact mail@sexandculture.org in advance of workshop.
**While we can’t guarantee a scent-free space, we ask that all attendees please refrain from wearing scented products to ensure that workshop members with chemical sensitivities can attend.
**We ask that our non-sex worker friends, lovers, partners, allies, and clients respect that this space is FOR SEX WORKERS ONLY.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Gina de Vries is a genderqueer femme, a queer Paisan pervert, and a writer, performer, and activist with a long history doing political organizing in and withqueer, trans and gender-variant, and sex worker communities. She co-edited the queer youth anthology [Becoming] with Diane Anderson-Minshall in 2004, and her publications include Coming & Crying: true stories about sex from the other side of the bed, Take Me There: Trans & Genderqueer Erotica, Bound to Struggle: Where Kink and Radical Politics Meet, The Revolution Starts at Home, $pread, Curve, make/shift, and On Our Backs. Gina is the founder and co-curator (with Elena Rose and Julia Serano) of “Girl Talk: a trans & cis woman dialogue,” a spoken-word show fostering and promoting dialogue about relationships of all kinds between cis and trans women.

She has performed, taught, and lectured everywhere from chapels to leatherbar backrooms, and recent university appearances include Harvard University and Yale University. Gina regularly presents on issues ranging from sex work to intersex activism for the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program of the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps, and works a day job fundraising for St. James Infirmary, the nation’s only clinic run by and for current & former sex workers.

She is the founder and facilitator of Sex Workers’ Writing Workshop, a writing class for current & former sex workers at San Francisco’s Center for Sex & Culture (where she also serves on the Advisory Board). A graduate of Hampshire College, Gina is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing at San Francisco State University, where she is working on a memoir and a book of short stories. Find out more at ginadevries.com, and keep track of her on the daily at queershoulder.tumblr.com.



SF Jacks
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Monday February 13, 7:30 PM

SF Jacks - now in our 27th year of Pubic Service!

* Just dik... desire... and lots of naked guys in a room!

* SF Jacks meat the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

* Doors: 7:30 - 8:30 PM only, play until you're finished.

* $7 Donation Suggested; no one turned away for lack of funds.

* 13th Jacks Virgin is our guest!

* For more info, call: 415 267-6999

sfjacks.com


My Sucky Valentine 2012
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Tuesday February 14 - All Day

MySuckyFootShot

 My Sucky Valentine 2012 is not happening but will return next year! Please stay tuned for a Valentine-themed event that may be produced so you heart fetishists will not be left high and dry.

   


SF D/s Discussion Group
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Monday February 20, 7:30 PM

 A $5-$10 donation to our host, the CSC, is requested.

Generally meets on the third Monday of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30pm.
Doors open at 7:00pm; meeting starts at 7:30pm

For a directed discussion--held in a spirit of fellowship and mutual respect, on matters pertaining to Mastery, slavery, Dominance and submission, with an emphasis on our M/s and D/s lives--among persons of a variety of backgrounds, views, sensibilities, and philosophies.

The meeting is open to adults having a sincere, positive, personal interest in M/s or D/s, and who agree to keep confidential, within their own dynamic, what transpires at the meeting. All roles, gender identifications, and orientations are welcome.

Please RSVVEP(*) in the week preceding the meeting to either of these addresses:
Eric Arkouda < EArkouda@mailworks.org>
SF D/s Discussion Group mailing list < SFDsDG@yahoogroups.com>

* RSVVEP: Repondez si vous voudriez être présente, "respond if you'd like to attend", a statement of desire to attend. Please send this in if there's a 50% chance of your being able to attend; for my gathering of rough numbers, and saying hello. 


Erotic Reading Circle
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Wednesday February 22, 7:30 PM

ercircle

 $5 suggested donation

Come share new or old work with us! We listen non-judgmentally and share our responses with any writer/reader who feels s/he/ze can benefit from peers' feedback. And it's great practice if you've been thinking about doing any public readings. We welcome writers of any experience level and every orientation. A Best of the Bay award-winning event! 4th Wednesdays.

Facilitated by Jen Cross (of Writing Ourselves Whole) and Carol Queen


SF Jacks
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Monday February 27, 7:30 PM

SF Jacks - now in our 27th year of Pubic Service!

* Just dik... desire... and lots of naked guys in a room!

* SF Jacks meat the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

* Doors: 7:30 - 8:30 PM only, play until you're finished.

* $7 Donation Suggested; no one turned away for lack of funds.

* 13th Jacks Virgin is our guest!

* For more info, call: 415 267-6999

sfjacks.com


Sex Workers' Writing Workshop
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Saturday March 10, 2:00 PM

gina_devries
photo: nakedeyephotography.com

Cost: Sliding scale $10-$20 (more if you can, less if you can't, **nobody turned away** -- if you're broke you should still come write with us! - 2nd Saturday of Every Month)

Workshop facilitated by Gina de Vries.

This is a writing workshop for current and former sex workers to share their writing and get honest, non-judgmental feedback. Workshop participants are not obligated to write exclusively about sex work, but writing about work in the sex industry (as well as writing about other topics) will be welcomed. This is a place where people can write and share about their sex work experiences without having to censor themselves or explain every detail. Beginning writers are encouraged to attend along with more seasoned wordsmiths.

Sex Workers’ Writing Workshop is all-genders. We define the term “sex worker” broadly, as people who have exchanged erotic labor for money/food/shelter, including but not limited to:

+Street and Survival Sex Workers
+Escorts and Personal Companions
+Sensual Massage and Sensual Body Work Providers
+BDSM workers; pro-dommes, subs, and switches
+Adult Film Actors; Porn Models and Performers; Nude Models; Cam Girls and Boys
+Exotic Dancers; Strippers; and Peep Show Workers
+Phone Sex Operators
+And many other Sex Workers and Adult Entertainers!
(If we’re forgetting your area of the industry in this definition, tell us!)

**Email questions, volunteer inquiries, etc, to queershoulder@gmail.com.
**If wheelchair access is needed, please contact mail@sexandculture.org in advance of workshop.
**While we can’t guarantee a scent-free space, we ask that all attendees please refrain from wearing scented products to ensure that workshop members with chemical sensitivities can attend.
**We ask that our non-sex worker friends, lovers, partners, allies, and clients respect that this space is FOR SEX WORKERS ONLY.

INSTRUCTOR BIO
Gina de Vries is a genderqueer femme, a queer Paisan pervert, and a writer, performer, and activist with a long history doing political organizing in and withqueer, trans and gender-variant, and sex worker communities. She co-edited the queer youth anthology [Becoming] with Diane Anderson-Minshall in 2004, and her publications include Coming & Crying: true stories about sex from the other side of the bed, Take Me There: Trans & Genderqueer Erotica, Bound to Struggle: Where Kink and Radical Politics Meet, The Revolution Starts at Home, $pread, Curve, make/shift, and On Our Backs. Gina is the founder and co-curator (with Elena Rose and Julia Serano) of “Girl Talk: a trans & cis woman dialogue,” a spoken-word show fostering and promoting dialogue about relationships of all kinds between cis and trans women.

She has performed, taught, and lectured everywhere from chapels to leatherbar backrooms, and recent university appearances include Harvard University and Yale University. Gina regularly presents on issues ranging from sex work to intersex activism for the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program of the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps, and works a day job fundraising for St. James Infirmary, the nation’s only clinic run by and for current & former sex workers.

She is the founder and facilitator of Sex Workers’ Writing Workshop, a writing class for current & former sex workers at San Francisco’s Center for Sex & Culture (where she also serves on the Advisory Board). A graduate of Hampshire College, Gina is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing at San Francisco State University, where she is working on a memoir and a book of short stories. Find out more at ginadevries.com, and keep track of her on the daily at queershoulder.tumblr.com.



SF Jacks
LOCATION: CSC, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco
DATE: Monday March 12, 7:30 PM

SF Jacks - now in our 27th year of Pubic Service!

* Just dik... desire... and lots of naked guys in a room!

* SF Jacks meat the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.

* Doors: 7:30 - 8:30 PM only, play until you're finished.

* $7 Donation Suggested; no one turned away for lack of funds.

* 13th Jacks Virgin is our guest!

* For more info, call: 415 267-6999

sfjacks.com


sfweeklybestofover

Best Palace of Self-Pleasure

Center for Sex and Culture!

more info

Help celebrate Carol Queen's birthday by supporting the Center for Sex and Culture!

Through this cause, the Center for Sex and Culture hopes to increase their funds so that the crucial classes and sexuality education can continue.

DONATE NOW

Newsletter Signup

 

Best of the Bay 2009

IN THE GALLERY: January

subtleHorror  
The Subtle Horror of the Everyday - New work by Finley Coyl
Viewings by appointment January 6 - 27, 2012 and at other CSC Events

Finley Coyl's new work will be installed in the CSC gallery for January as a mural-sized unravelling of the grotesque, the fantasized, the ridiculous, the pretty, the struggle, and the obscene. These large-scale drawings in marker, pencil and paint on canvas with found objects and digital prints indirectly reference Picasso's Guernica from a perspective of queer potential amidst a crumbling economic landscape. Coyl's fantastic experiments in large-scale figurative work will transform the entire CSC space. While this is a traditional wall-based piece, it would not be a stretch to speak of this work in terms of an installation as much as a drawing or painting.