Life
7 Sex-Positive Organizations That Need Your Support This Holiday Season
The end of the year is traditionally a time to give to charity. It’s a time to think of those less fortunate than you are, as well as those who are doing good work that maybe doesn’t pull in the big bucks. This year, why not consider giving a few bucks to a sex-positive organization? If you believe in building consent culture, people’s right to make their own decisions about their bodies and sex lives, and the right of children and teens to non-judgmental, comprehensive sex education, then it’s the time of year to put your money where your mouth is.
This year has been rough, particularly for those who identify as women. We had to watch a man who's been accused of sexual assault by multiple women take the highest office in the country. We recounted our sexual harassment and assault traumas with #MeToo and held space for the stories of our peers, friends, mothers, sisters, and strangers on the internet. We watched as a man accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls was endorsed by politicians. We’ve been threatened with rollbacks of our reproductive rights; our comprehensive sex ed programs took a hit.
Yeah, it’s been a rough year. But through all of that, there’s a beacon of hope. Women are organizing. We’re running for office. We’re standing up and saying, “Not anymore.” We might not be able to take on the president (yet), but we sure as all hell can fight back in other ways. And one of those ways is by giving some end-of-the-year money to one of these seven amazing sex-positive organizations. Because while we all might need a break now and then from the 24/7 news cycle of sexual assault allegation after sexual harassment allegation after sexual assault allegation, these are the people who are working to change our culture, every day. These are the people fighting rape culture by working to change the way we talk about sex and consent. They are the front lines — and they need your support.
1The Center For Sex & Culture
The Center for Sex and Culture is a San Francisco OG of sex positivity. Started in 1994 by sexologist Dr. Carol Queen and her partner, Dr. Robert Morgan Lawrence, the CSC has been bringing classes, books, events, and even a sex-positive library to the world for longer than Harry Styles has been alive. However, they are a nonprofit trying to survive in the astronomically expensive city by the bay — rent doubled this past year and they’re struggling to keep the doors open. You can support their work and keep sex positive culture alive.
2Lady Parts Justice League
The Lady Parts Justice League fights for reproductive rights — with a healthy dose of humor. From being abortion clinic escorts to hosting reproductive rights-focused comedy shows to hilarious videos and social media campaigns, The LPJ is kicking ass, taking names, and making people laugh both online and IRL. If you feel like everyone could use a little more laughter, you can donate to their cause.
3SFSI
One of the most important ways we can change rape culture is through comprehensive sex education and San Francisco Sex Information (SFSI) is training the next generation of sex educators. Their 60-hour sex educator training covers everything from consent to gender to trauma to pornography, with a science-based, inclusive approach. SFSI grads (including me!) get more education about sex education than doctors do. They’re totally volunteer run and even the training is donation-based, making it available to lower income people who otherwise might not have the opportunity. You can support what they do by making a donation here.
4The Effing Foundation
Over on the East Coast, the Boston-based Effing Foundation for Sex-Positivity is all about reducing shame around sex and normalizing human sexuality through sex-positive art and education. They provide income to sex educators on their advisory council and also have a long running nerdy sex toy event. They’re currently trying to raise $40k by the end of the year in order to launch a grant program for sex positive art and education projects. Help them meet their goal by donating here.
5The Woodhull Freedom Foundation
The Woodhull Freedom Foundation bills itself as “the only national human rights organization that focuses entirely on protecting sexual freedom and ending sexual violence.” They believe that “consensual sexual expression is a fundamental human right” and I am all about it. Based in DC, these folks are working on policy in partnership with activists, advocacy organizations and coalitions across the country. Like everyone else listed here, they’re a nonprofit, so if you’re down with the idea that consensual sexual expression is a human right, you can donate here.
6Sex Workers Outreach Project
Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) is a national social justice network committed to supporting and defending people who work in the sex trade. They provide community support to sex workers, do national advocacy on behalf of sex workers, and provide grants for sex worker projects. If you want to support their support of a community that’s marginalized and majorly oppressed, you can donate here.
7Advocates For Youth
Advocates for Youth is bigger and more established than the other groups on this list, but I wanted to include them because they’re one of the best groups advocating for comprehensive sex education for young people in America. As most of you I’m sure know, the state of sex ed in the United States is… Not so great. Advocates for Youth has been fighting since 1980 for comprehensive sex education for teens in the United States and around the world. Now if that kind of dedication doesn’t deserve your donation, I don’t know what does! You can donate to Advocates for Youth here.
And so as we give the middle finger to 2017 as it walks out the door, set the stage for a better 2018 by donating to one of these sex-positive organizations. Even if you can only give a few bucks remember: Every little bit counts.
