Since last year’s Grammy awards, we have asked our customers to nominate music videos that send a “positively sexy message” celebrating pleasure and body/gender acceptance. Our original concept was to name a “winner” and give and “award” at the end of 12 months of nominations. Alas, we have fallen behind in posting all of the nominations, and it turns out that many “old school” videos were nominated with a backlog of at least ten nominations. For the new year, our goal is not to create an “award” or a “competition” but simply to celebrate the performers and performances that send positive sexual messages.
Of the nominations we received, wanted to acknowledge the many and mentions sex-positive influence of Lady Gaga, especially for “Born this Way”.
Since the award winning “Born this Way” video became an anthem for the LGBT community, we decided to feature the gender-challenging video for “You and ,” along with the groundbreaking live performance and interviews that resulted from its production. We’d like to give “Born this Way” some breathing room and revisit the positivity in its lyrics and video in the future, when a reminder would be more welcome and less “overloading.” This seems fitting, especially in light of the fact that “Born this Way” resulted in the MTV Video Music Award and ensuing performance that brought the newer and very different, “You and I” into public spotlight.
Bringing a new level of awesomeness to award shows, Lady Gaga completely reinvented themselves from the her famously femmetastic stage-show grandeur that and performed in full drag at the MTV Video Music Awards last August.
In addition to her performance, Gaga remained in character through the end “You and I” video she has been interviewed in character as “Joe Calderone,” creating buzz and raising a bit of controversy about gender roles and “proper etiquette.” But by and large, the performance and her alter-ego were widely received with love, especially from the lgbt advocates interviewed by MTV.
For more information and news about the world’s favorite pop diva, visit the Lady Gaga Official Site
What’s your favorite video that sends a positive message about sexuality and sexual expression? Nominate your favorite here!
This week saw some struggles and some victories for pleasure professionals in North America, demonstrating both the need for more activism on this continent, and the benefits of organizing against unfair laws and practices.
In North America: Philadelphia arrests exotic dancers, Lousianna removes "sex offender" status for those convicted of "crimes against nature" and Ontario upholds the planned decriminalization of prostitutes.
PENNSYLVANIA LOSESPhiladelphia Daily News recently reported that several exotic dancers in Philadelphia “Gentlemen’s Clubs” have been arrested for agreeing to perform sex acts for money. In the article, anti-porn activist and sexual trauma counselor Mary Ann Layden was quoted as saying. “You can’t truly separate stripping from prostitution. It’s a continuum.”
Using this logic, it could be argued that shaking hands and anal sex are a continuum, but most folks have shook hands with many, many more people than they have had anal sex with (if in fact they have ever had anal sex). It might also be asserted that dating and sex, or sex and rape happen in a continuum. The “typical scenario” Layden describes in the Daily News column may be typical for exotic dancers that end up seeking counseling in the sexual trauma and psychopathology center she directs, but seems by no means “typical” for the myriad of female college graduates who have moved on after stripping their way through school. If you want to provide counter-opinion to this news story, which quoted only enforcement and pro-enforcement voices, email the Daily News and tell them that they should not exclude the voices of the true victims in this story, women who are doing their jobs (in some cases above and beyond the call of duty) and are harming nobody.
Philadelphia burlesque performer Melissa Bang Bang is organizing a day of actions to protest both the police actions and the media coverage of the Philadelphia stripper busts. Look for news posted in the comments section.
The larger issues at hand are why the government is even involved in the logistics of consensual sexual entertainment/ activity. If the same women arrested in strip clubs this past month were having sex in private without the money, there would be no crime. Without a victim, where is the crime to enforce in a city where violent crimes like assault, robbery and murder are prevalent?
This is not an issue that is specific to Philadelphia. There is a movement, often fueled by the religious right (but on this issue often supported by liberals and feminists) to limit/criminalize sexual activity, especially where the exchange of money is involved, in the name of “protecting women and children” from abuse. Anti-sexwork crusades have shut down the adult entertainment sections of Craig’s List and are attempting to shut down the adult sections of The Village Voice‘sBackpage online classifieds, without acknowledging that lack of a voice drives workers underground where there is less “evidence” and where it potentially would be more difficult to track and prosecute violent and abusive customers.
Victories have been won elsewhere on the North American continent, though, so here’s hoping that Philadelphia’s law enforcement and criminal justices systems will find more worthy battles to fight than crimes without victims (other than the people arrested).
ONTARIO WINS In 2010 , a judge in Ontario overturned many of Ontario’s prostitution laws in an effort to allow prostitutes to create safer working conditions and to report violent crimes against them. Last week, Canada’s high court upheld the limited decriminalization that will go into effect next year.
Get involved!
If you are a sexworker or an ally (customer, family worker, friend, etc) looking to support and create safer working conditions and full civil liberties for persons involved in these industries, take a moment to plug in to groups and organizations fighting this fight.
Demand basic human rights for all adults who perform pleasure professionally.Exotic Dancer Advocacy ResourcesSex Industry Advocacy Resorces
Posted in Religious Sex on February 6, 2012 by Kali Morgan
TODAY: February 6, 2012 is the observance of our mother store’s 16th anniversary in business!
The evolutionary journey that resulted in the birth of Sexploratorium 4 and a half years ago, began in Philadelphia 16 years back (Actually it was last fall, but since Fetishes Boutique opened at the current PASSIONAL storefront on Feb. 6, we celebrate on Feb. 6!) Sexploratorium is joining the celebration of PASSIONAL’s birthday today (and we will celebrate our own birthday in September).
Today is your last chance to redeem your rewards! Plus if you bring us an anniversary or sweet 16 birthday card, you will save an extra 16% off your Sexploratorium purchase*! Your card will be displayed on our front door through Valentine’s.
* 16% discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers besides rewards redemption!
REWARDS REDEMPTION ENDS TODAY.
All the purchases you made have been tallied and you have 5% of last year’s purchases to spend toward a purchase through February 6 at 10PM! If you did not receive a reminder email from us (check/correct the contact info you provided), stop by or call the store at 215-923-1398 to find out how much you have to spend!
You may redeem your rewards online, using the term “apply rewards” in the “comments” section of your checkout form.
Members of our affiliate organizations earn double rewards!
Simply provide your club ID # at checkout (in-store or online)
Lelo has been blowing the minds of the staff of the Sexploraotorium (and before that at PASSIONAL) since they started selling in the USA, and Siri is no exception. It’s not one of Lelo’s newest toys but still stands out among the toys of similar size in Lelo’s arsenal of amazing!
The Siri fits wonderfly into the palm of your hand and unlike it’s older counterparts the Nea and Lily the controls are on 4 buttons instead of 2. This means you can have any of the 6 pulse modes on any speed you like, instead of being forced to have it on the top speed like many vibrators do.
The Siri is also gosh darn powerful for a toy of it’s size. I am a Hitachi owner and will say that the Siri alone is not a thing that can knock my socks off because of this. I do find, however, that it can knock my socks off when accompanied with oral sex, penetrative sex (whether that be with a partner or a toy) and using it on the sweet (external) spots on my male bodied partner!
In case you are not familiar with Lelo here are a few facts: They have a 1 year quality warranty on all their toys, so if it breaks (which is crazy unlikely) Sexploratorium will replace it for you for free! They also have a 10 year quality guarantee, so if anything happens to it, you’ll be able to get half off another one through Lelo. This is a better promise on quality then you’d find on most items at Best Buy let alone other sex toys. The Siri is rechargeable so you will NEVER have to buy batteries. It has a wonderful soft silicone for the part that touches whatever it is you’d like to vibrate. This means that it is ridiculously easy to sanitize for toy sharing or just general cleaning between uses.
Bottom line is, the Siri is Lelo’s most powerful non insert-able toy. If you are going to make an investment on a sex toy, this might just be the one!
There’s no question that blindfolds are wonderful toys to have in your collection. Whether you simply like sex in the dark or you’re interested in light and sensual to heavy BDSM, blindfolds come in handy. For beginners and people who like to occasionally dabble into the world of kink, using a blindfold to restrict sight can heighten the other senses (especially touch) and turn a simple feather or ice cube into a thrilling sensory experience. For heavier players, blindfolds are almost a necessity for play that involves more total sensory deprivation or tease and denial. But the trick is that there are probably hundreds of blindfolds on the market, all wildly different in construction and price. It can be hard to find a really well-made, comfortable blindfold at a low price.
Fortunately, there are blindfolds like the Blind Jockey available. The Blind Jockey is a leather blindfold made by cutting and then folding the material so that the part covering the eyes is almost cup-shaped. The back strap is stretchy elastic that can be adjusted much the same way a bra strap might be, with a piece that can slide back and forth, rather than a buckle. It’s available in black, that ever-popular staple color for BDSM toys, and available in either Small or Large.
Sometimes, a flat blindfold can feel as though it’s being mashed up against the eyes while feeling like it’s not conforming to the curves of the face, allowing light in especially around the nose. The cup-shaped eye portions of the Blind Jockey are wonderful because the person wearing the blindfold can easily open and close their eyes, but without the gaps. It’s a lot more ergonomic. And if someone wears contact lenses or makeup, they can comfortably wear the blindfold without feeling eye irritation or experiencing as much smudging. More eye makeup will stay on the face, and less will end up on the blindfold. And because there aren’t gaps, the blindfold is pitch black on the inside whether the wearer’s eyes are open or closed. It’s even lightly padded to provide some cushion and softness on the inside!
The strap on the back feels more comfortable than buckle-style straps; there’s no dangling strap to get in the way, no buckle to dig into the head, and it’s wide enough to stay put. The stretchy and adjustable elastic of the strap means that one of the two sizes available will comfortably fit nearly everyone. The blindfold can be pulled over the head (and not come undone) and then easily removed with just one hand. Quick, easy, and comfy!
And the best part is that the comfort and ease of this blindfold is also affordable! There are similar blindfolds on the market (albeit with even more features) that are considerably more expensive than this one, but you get all of the basic features of a more expensive blindfold for just under $35 when you buy the Blind Jockey! It’s constructed to be durable, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality for price. The Blind Jockey is a great investment for all kinds of people, and definitely something I’d recommend checking out!
Posted in Religious Sex on January 12, 2012 by Kali Morgan
Happy new year from Sexploratorium! We have lots of great news, the most important being about your reward points, which are redeemable now through February 6, 2012.
All the money y0u spent with us during 2011 have resulted a rewards tally that is good toward any purchase now through February 6th.
Important Rewards information:
If you receive more than one reminder email from us, it means that you joined our rewards program in more than one of our stores, and you can add both of your reward amounts together toward a purchase equal to twice your total rewards amount.
You may use your rewards with a purchase online, in person at PASSIONAL Boutique, in Sexploratorium, or in our booth at an upcoming convention (see sidebar).
You must use your rewards on a single purchase. You may apply your rewards to a layaway or sales order (with the appropriate percentage of cash due as deposit), but that layaway or sales order must be paid in full by February 6, 2012, or you will forfeit your rewards and be liable for full price payment.
Affiliates receive double rewards. Affiliate club memberships must be presented at the time of purchase to redeem this offer.
Passion 101 Sexuality education and resources-
Sexploratorium’s Passion 101 class program is running stronger than ever, with classes scheduled every week on topics like massage, sexual technique, tantra, bondage, spanking, and more! We have sold-out more classes in 2011 than in any previous year, with class tickets ranging in price from $15-$50 This year we are welcoming returning and new celebrity guests including:
Rope bondage sensei Dov January 13
Body modification artist Elayne Angel April-13
Transman porn celebrity Buck Angel April 14
Internationally acclaimed author and educator Midori April 20-22
As well as planned appearances by Princess Kali, Sissy Stephanie and others. See www.passion101classes.com for full details.
Aphrodite Gallery
As of 2011, a new arts exhibit is featured in Aphrodite Gallery every two months. For 2012, we are showcasing the works of
Jan-Feb Oil Paintings by Adam Holden Rosenberg
Closing artist’s reception 7-9PM Friday February 24
Mar-April Wallpaper and Paintings by Madame Cindy Playful
Artist’s reception 7-9PM Mar 23
May-JunePhotography by Lisolette Gilcrest
Artist’s reception May 25
Special Events- Mark your calendars- We sponsor and support two major events each year .
Our dates for 2012 are:
LibertineBall- Intergalactic Asylam – Saturday July 14th
Stay in Touch- Social Networking and Blogs- We’re moving on into the modern age, and we hope that you will connect with us on your favorite social networks and participate in the contests and polls we hold on our blogs. Our main sources of contact continue to be our email lists, where we send newletters to your inbox once or twice monthly. If you wish to reach our stores directly, please send an email as we rarely check messages on other networks due to the overload of messages we receive on each network.
John Y. nominated this sexy anthem of experimentation- bisexuality, bondage and rubber hoods are just some of the exotic treats on the menu of Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera that triggered his enjoyment.
With so much pleasurable adventure going on, it almost compels one to get out on the dancefloor an try a few new moves, in a few new roles! Christina Aguilera can belt it out better than most pop-divas with a variety of styles that has us expecting more nominations for this artist’s work!
Nominate a “Positively Sexy Video” we will share a video each month, and award the best next January! Nominate any video by a celebrity or independent artist that celebrates sexuality in a positive non-sexist, non-phobic way.
Just fill out the nomination form below:
Time to saddle up, fellas! NEW Dude Lube and Ride Rub by Sliquid are now in stock...pick one up and get ready to ride off into the sunset!! 5 hours ago
Tons of new vibes from FUN FACTORY are on the shelves! Try a UFO shaped rechargeable vibe for an out of this world experience! 10 hours ago
