Posts tagged as:

Tristan Taormino

10/12/2011
7:00 PM

takemthere Take Me There: transgender and genderqueer erotica reading @ Bluestockings

 

Join editor Tristan Taormino and local contributors as they read their work from Take Me There, a groundbreaking new collection of transgender and genderqueer erotica. Readers include legendary author of the Marketplace series Laura Antoniou, queen of erotica Rachel Kramer Bussel, and Sinclair Sexsmith of The Sugarbutch Chronicles, and poet/performer/activist Rachel K. Zall.

Where: Bluestockings, 172 Allen Street (bet. Stanton and Rivington), NYC
Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/dhrth

Cost: FREE, but we will pass the hat in support of Bluestockings.

Post reading drinks and socializing at:

The Magician
118 Rivington (bet Essex and Norfolk)
212-673-7881
Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/bvj8b

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07/29/2011to07/31/2011

The Floating World of 17th-century Japan was a pleasure district. Its visitors enjoyed an unprecedented level of sexual freedom, unbound by gender or class. Our 21st-century Floating World aims to create a similar space — a space of safety and freedom, the ideal environment in which to explore.

The Floating World is three full days of classes, workshops, and panel discussions, alongside a marketplace brimming with toys and clothes to excite and entice. At night, our playspace opens to its full capacity, including special events hosted by our diverse participating groups.

The Floating World assembles several of the finest organizations in the alt-sex realm, each with its unique experience, and encourages all comers to build bridges, create friendships and share knowledge; we make each other stronger by strengthening our common ground.

We invite you to explore who you are, and who you can be. Experience pleasure in a playspace roomy enough to accommodate the strongest passion and the wildest idea. Learn from the country’s top educators — and from each other.

When: July 29 – 31, 2011
Where: NJ Expo and Convention Center, Edison, NJ
Fetlife RSVP: http://fetlife.com/events/33419
Facebook RSVP: http://on.fb.me/jWmEAS

View the schedule (subject to change) http://bit.ly/tfw11sch

Visit our website: http://www.thefloatingworld.org
Join our Fetlife group: http://fetlife.com/groups/1232
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tfw2011

NEW THIS YEAR

Official 2011 Cell Phone Policy
http://fetlife.com/groups/1232/group_posts/1488276

Announcing the $99 Floating World 2011 Saturday Day pass!

http://fetlife.com/groups/1232/group_posts/1507347

A FEW OF OUR PRESENTERS

-Acclaimed author, educator and artist, Midori
-Author of the well known Marketplace novels, Laura Antoniou
-Award-winning author, columnist, editor, and sex educator, Tristan Taormino
-2010 International Ms Leather and well-known educator, Mollena
-Spiritual and erotic educator/author, Lee Harrington
-Professional rigger, evil genius and educator, Sir C
-Sexuality & relationship educator, Sarah Sloane
-Author and award-winning educator, Lolita Wolf
-Fetish porn star and kink educator Princess Kali
-Master piercer, teacher, and body modification artist, Sharrin Spector

For the full list of presenters, please visit:
http://thefloatingworld.org/web/presenters-education-2011/

SPECIAL EVENTS (confirmed so far)

-AfterCare Pool Party – Hosted by the NYC Fetish Tribe
-All-Age Ageplay Meet & Greet – Hosted by Team Taboo
-Animal Romp and Pet-Petting Party
-Big/Little Social – Hosted by Team Taboo
-Bootblacking – Hosted by Jim Deuder
-Equestrian Event – Hosted by The Dragonfly Stables of the Aerie
-FemDom Meet and Greet – Hosted by LIFE in Nassau
-FetFest WarmUp Party – Hosted by British Lucky Paul
-FloatingWreck! A Drag Show and Cabaret – Hosted by Heywood Wakefield
-Fucking Machines Workshop/Lounge – Hosted by British Lucky Paul
-Kinky Karaoke – Hosted by Sisco Kid Entertainment
-Midnight Buffet – Hosted by Lady Shimla
-Pony Extravaganza Practice – The Dragonfly Stables of the Aerie
-Pony Play 101 – The Dragonfly Stables of the Aer
-Pony Play Workshop – The Dragonfly Stables of the Aerie
-Pool Party – Hosted by Team Taboo
-Pretend Time – Hosted by Team Taboo
-Queer Meet and Greet hosted by SWITCH!
-Rope Lounge – Co-Hosted by Delano, Dov, Jack ElFrink, Lolita Wolf, RopeBoi and YOU!
-Scavenger Hunt – Hosted by Team Taboo
-Stories & Snuggles – Hosted by Team Taboo
-TNG Meet and Greet – Hosted by NYC TNG
-Wonderland Tea Party – Hosted by Team Taboo

For the regularly updated list of special events, visit:
http://thefloatingworld.org/web/special-events/

THE PLAYSPACES

We have 100,000 square feet dedicated to play alone – one of the biggest playspaces in the world. You’ll find almost a hundred pieces of gear, 28’ ceilings for our multiple suspension frames, 10,000 square feet dedicated just to pony play, plenty of space to swing an 8’ whip…space for the biggest of your heart’s desires. Yes: there is space to wrestle, special space for fire and wax play, to roll around in a puppy cage, get out your coloring books, or stage a gang bang…the list goes on and on.

THE MARKETPLACE

An event of this kind needs an exceptional vending area, a place where you can explore, try out or try on toys, clothing and fetish items from all over the world. Online is fine – but there’s nothing like holding a first class flogger and meeting the person who made it, or getting your leatherware custom fit by one of the country’s leading experts.

For a list of vendors confirmed so far, visit:
http://thefloatingworld.org/web/vendors-2011/

REGISTRATION (Closes July 15th)

$99 Saturday Day Pass (9:30 AM Sat – 4:00 AM Sunday) NEW THIS YEAR

$225 for members of participating groups
http://thefloatingworld.org/web/participating-groups/

(If your group is interested in becoming a participating group, please email info@thefloatingworld.org).

$250/non-member

Register now: https://www.regonline.com/tfw2011

See you in July!

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03/22/2011
7:00 PMto10:00 PM

RS31 Tristan Taorminos Rough Sex 3: Adriannas Dangerous Mind Release Party

Fleshbot and Tristan Taormino
invite you to celebrate the release of

ROUGH SEX 3: ADRIANNA’S DANGEROUS MIND

Celebrate the release of this much-anticipated film which represents a collaboration like no other–between feminist pornographer Tristan Taormino and adult superstar Adrianna Nicole. Adrianna picked her co-stars and the scenarios based on her real fantasies; the film she imagined gives viewers an unprecedented look at her explosive sexuality. See what’s inside Adrianna’s dangerous mind.

  • Meet Adrianna Nicole, co-star of the film Jiz Lee, director Tristan Taormino, Danny Wylde and other special guests
  • Complimentary Original Sin Hard Cider from 7-8
  • Sip on “The Eleven” and “Pure Plug,” the signature cocktails of the evening inspired by Adrianna’s favorite toys
  • Celebrate Adrianna’s birthday
  • Get your free poster signed by the stars and a sexy gift bag
  • See a sneak preview of the movie!

Where: Fontana’s, 105 Eldridge St, NYC (Get directions using Hopstop)

Cost: FREE

Co- Sponsored by

Gift bags sponsored by

More info: http://bit.ly/taorminoRS3

Facebook RSVP: http://on.fb.me/ttrs3fb

Fetlife RSVP: http://fetlife.com/events/44095

Updated:

Tristan’s been posting (NSFW) pics from the Rough Sex 3 on her Tumblr:

Adrianna Nicole and Jiz Lee
http://bit.ly/fEiu7i

“Cash” starring Adrianna Nicole & Ramon Nomarxxx
http://bit.ly/gvTRVg

Adrianna Nicole & Jada Fire
http://bit.ly/g8J00u

“Jock” Nat Turnher, Danny Wylde, Keni Styles & Evan Stone give Adrianna Nicole a workout
http://bit.ly/edzMmu

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Posted online at http://www.puckerup.com/media_kit/osu_update

February 7, 2011

Contact: Tristan Taormino (asktristan@gmail.com)

Three weeks ago, Tristan Taormino’s keynote for Oregon State University’s Modern Sex Conference was cancelled by administrators, who cited her involvement in pornography as the reason (complete background at http://www.puckerup.com/media_kit/osu_press_release). Response from local and national media, bloggers and sex educators, and on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook was extensive, and the University received hundreds of emails and calls criticizing its decision to un-invite Taormino.

In response, OSU students organized to raise funds from student activity dollars, and they have succeeded: Taormino will give her original talk, “Claiming Your Sexual Power,” on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 pm in LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University. Her talk is presented by The OSU Memorial Union and open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members. The presentation will be held the night before the Modern Sex Conference. “I am thrilled at the outpouring of support and honored that the students worked so hard to bring me to campus. I want to thank Memorial Union President Craig Bidiman, his advisors, and the ASOSU for all their help,” says Taormino.

After Taormino was first uninvited from the OSU Modern Sex Conference, she was contacted by a professor at the University of Oregon who was interested in having her appear on campus. On Wednesday, February 16, she will give her talk “My Life As a Feminist Pornographer,” at the University of Oregon. She will talk about her definition of feminist porn, what she hopes to accomplish with her films, and the challenges she faces in her career in the adult industry and in her professional career as a sex educator. She will address the recent controversy at OSU and why she believes a feminist is the most “dangerous” kind of pornographer. Her talk is sponsored by The Center for the Study of Women in Society; Robert D. Clark Honors College; Departments of Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Comparative Literature, and Cinema Studies; Oregon Humanities Center; The Women’s Center; LBGTQ Alliance; and The Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team. Professor Jennifer Burns Levin, who organized the event, says, “Tristan’s involvement with pornography made OSU administrators uncomfortable, but I think they missed the point. Tristan’s sex-positive, woman- and queer-friendly work in an industry known for its exploitation of women addresses exactly the kind of labor issues we should be discussing on college campuses. And preemptively withdrawing funds from a provocative speaker in a time of legislative budget cuts sets a bad precedent, in my view, for others speaking on controversial topics. So we’re very happy to have her at University of Oregon. It should be an energized and popular lecture!”

For more information about these events as well as her two appearances at She Bop sexuality boutique on February 13 and 14 in Portland, see http://www.puckerup.com/tristan_on_tour/.

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  • OSU Cancels Keynote Speaker Payment for LGBT Conference | KEZI – News video, with interviews with Tristan Taormino and OSU Modern Sex Organizer Rachel Ulrich
  • Tristan Taormino, Ann Coulter, And The Disgrace Of Oregon State University | violet blue ® :: open source sex – Oregon State University is doing a huge disservice to its students. Not only in missing the opportunity to have Taormino speak (an already-vetted speaker at dozens of universities) – but in assuming the students are ignorant about how taxpayer-speaker money is spent. Tristan Taormino takes private money to make pornography (among other sex ed products). OSU does not give speakers money to make products – unless OSU has something they need to tell us about paying for the creation of Ann Coulter’s 2002 book “Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right.”
  • Sex Conference Un-invites Keynote Speaker For Being Too Racy? | The Bilerico Project – There is speculation that the reason for the cancellation is due to her work in the porn industry. If so, the university has overstepped significantly in this case. First off, the talk is not about porn whatsoever and to make hiring decisions based on a contractor’s other unrelated employment sets a dangerous precedent around academic freedom. Secondly, if there was ever a conference where it is appropriate to invite a feminist pornographer to talk about their work, it would be a feminist conference titled Modern Sex. And finally, to turn away a feminist pornographer while allowing Playboy to annually spend a week on campus recruiting for the “Hottest Girls of the Pac-10″ smacks of a horrific double standard.<br />
    <br />
    The ironic part is that while Tristan’s speech was not about feminist porn, I will be presenting at the conference on that exact topic – and showing clips.
  • Pucker Up – OSU Press Release – Sex Educator And Speaker Tristan Taormino, Set To Give Conference Keynote, Uninvited By Oregon State University Because Of Her ‘Resume And Website’
  • Tristan Taormino, Modern Sex conference organizers weigh in on OSU controversy – National Sex & Relationships | Examiner.com – Oregon State University’s Intercultural Student Services (ISS) and Office of the LGBTQ Outreach and Services are presenting Modern Sex: Privilege, Communication, and Culture on campus, February 14-16, and controversy around the conference and its invited speakers came to a boil this week. Since my own coverage of the hubbub around Tristan Taormino’s canceled keynote lecture — and the university’s response — has been garnering significant attention, I took the opportunity today to speak at length with Taormino and Rachel Ulrich, co-organizer of the Modern Sex conference, for more on the story.
  • Oregon State U Shuts Tristan Taormino Out | Charlie Glickman – Second, it’s not clear to me how making porn invalidates Tristan as an educator or as a speaker. She is a porn producer AND a sex educator. And from talking with her, I know that each informs the other. But if anything, that makes her a better speaker on the relationships between feminism, sex and porn than most people. (Which is absolutely not meant as any slam against Tobi Hill-Meyer, who is also one of the best folks to talk about these topics.)
  • State Budgets, Higher Education, and Sexual Freedom | Sex In The Public Square – When experts are rejected because their work is controversial, we should be worried not only about sexual freedom but also about academic freedom more broadly. There are places where evolution is the hot-button issue, or where the politics of Israel and Palestine is the main cause of political concern.  We can’t ignore this instance of self-censorship simply because it has to do with sexuality. Once “we can’t afford to offend the legislature” becomes a widely accepted rationale for canceling or refusing to fund programs, we can expect to see many more threats to the foundation of public higher education in general.
  • Got a WordPress blog? This plugin tells you if any of your readers are on the Gawker hacker list | TNW – With Shared User Checker, WordPress admins are now able to detect which users have been compromised, making their own sites more secure but also giving the option to alert the users that they may have had their details stolen in the Gawker attacks.

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January 19, 2011

Contact:
Tristan Taormino
tristan@puckerup.com

Award-winning author, columnist, sex educator, and filmmaker Tristan Taormino was set to be the keynote speaker at Oregon State University’s Modern Sex conference, scheduled for February 15-16, 2011. Yesterday, she was uninvited by a university representative, who cited her resume and website as the reason.

On October 28, 2010, organizers of the OSU Modern Sex conference booked Taormino to give the keynote talk; they confirmed the date and agreed to fees, and Tristan’s management received a first draft of the contract on November 1. That contract was incomplete and sent back to OSU for revisions. As with many negotiations, the contract was pending as all the paperwork got done, but in late December, OSU again confirmed Tristan’s appearance and conference organizers told her manager to purchase airline tickets, for which OSU would reimburse her.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, Steven Leider, Director of the Office of LGBT Outreach and Services contacted Colten Tognazzini, Tristan Taormino’s manager, to say that the conference had come up short on funding. Tognazzini told him that since the travel was booked and the time reserved, they could work with whatever budget they did have. Leider said that would not be possible: “We have to cancel Ms. Taormino’s appearance due to a lack of funding. It has been decided that OSU cannot pay Ms. Taormino with general fee dollars, because of the content of her resume and website.” At OSU, ‘general fee dollars’ include taxpayer dollars given to the University by the Oregon State Legislature to defray various costs. They differ from ‘student activity dollars,’ which are part of every student’s tuition and help fund student groups and activities.

Taormino’s resume includes her seven books on sex and relationships, the 18 anthologies she has edited, numerous television appearances from CNN to The Discovery Channel, and her award-winning adult films. She was a columnist for The Village Voice for nearly ten years and has given more than 75 lectures at top colleges and universities including Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Brown, NYU and Columbia. Her website, puckerup.com , includes sex education information, advice, and information about the films she directs for Vivid Entertainment, one of the largest adult companies in the country.

“In my ten years of booking Tristan at colleges and universities, of course there has been some controversy. But I have never had a university cancel like this last minute,” says Colten Tognazzini, Taormino’s manager. “It’s not unusual for contract negotiations to drag on. Once they confirmed we should book her travel, I felt comfortable the event was a done deal. I continued to work with them in good faith that a signed contract would be forthcoming. I believe that the conference organizers’ hands are tied, and this decision came from much higher up. They have cancelled with less than a month’s notice during Tristan’s busiest season. She gave up other opportunities to go to Oregon. Without a signed contract, we may have no recourse, and were told we will not be reimbursed for her travel.”

Tognazzini spoke to a source at OSU who speculated that the University feared that when it went before the legislature in regards to future funding, legislators would use OSU’s funding of a “pornographer” on campus as ammunition to further cut budgets. This source, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Tognazzini, “I think they’re uninviting Tristan because they don’t want to have to defend her appearance to conservative legislators.”

“I’m extremely disappointed that OSU has decided to cancel my appearance. I’ve been protested before, but never uninvited. I have never misrepresented who I am or what I do. I am proud of all the work I do, including the sex education films and feminist pornography I make,” says Taormino. “The talk I planned to give at this conference, titled “Claiming Your Sexual Power” has nothing to do with porn, but the porn is such an easy target for anti-sex conservatives and censors. I find it ironic that one of the missions of the conference is to understand diverse perspectives of sexuality. Apparently, my perspective—one of educating and empowering people around their sexuality—isn’t welcome at OSU.”

If OSU students and others still want to hear Taormino speak, she will be teaching two workshops at She Bop in Portland on February 13 and 14. “She Bop supports a healthy perspective on sex and sexuality and we are proud to have Tristan Taormino present two years in a row at our shop in Portland. Tristan is a leading educator paving the way for others to help break down the stigma around sex in this country. It is part of our mission as a female friendly adult shop to support sexual empowerment and growth,” say co-owners Jeneen Doumitt and Evy Cowan.

***

Note from Tristan:

Don’t Let the Anti-Sex Conservatives Win!

If you support free speech and my mission of sexual empowerment, please voice your opinion about OSU’s decision to cancel my appearance at the last minute (and not reimburse me for travel expenses) to the following people. I would really appreciate your support —Tristan

Larry Roper
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
632 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2154
541-737-3626 (phone)
541-737-3033 (fax)
email: larry.roper@oregonstate.edu

Dr. Mamta Motwani Accapadi
Dean of Student Life
A200 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2133
541-737-8748 (phone)
541-737-9160 (fax)
email: deanofstudents@oregonstate.edu
twitter: @deanmamta

Dr. Edward J. Ray
President
600 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2128
541-737-4133 (phone)
541-737-3033 (fax)
email: pres.office@oregonstate.edu

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rough sex 2b 213x300 Tristan Taorminos Rough Sex 2

Directed by Tristan Taormino

Starring Claire Adams, Chayse Evans, April Flores, Sinnamon Love, Adrianna Nicole, Dylan Ryan, Bobbi Starr, Madison Young, Mark Davis, James Deen, Shane Diesel, Richard Mann, Nathan Menace, and Orpheus Black.

The second installment of the AVN Award nominated series from award winning author and filmmaker Tristan Taormino. The scenes are based entirely on the real fantasies of female performers, which run the gamut from dominance to submission. Through deeply personal interviews, you’ll discover their definitions of rough sex, why they love it, how they establish trust with their partners, and what they need to feel safe to play on the edge. With scenes that are part documentary and part erotic vignette, Rough Sex dares to challenge conventional wisdom about the fantasy lives of women.

They create the scenes. They choose their partners. They control what happens. Mistress Claire takes her pet April on an unforgettable ride. Bobbi tastes total submission at the back of her throat. Ponygirl Madison gets trained. Chayse and Mark double team slave Adrianna. Madison bakes a cake for her Mistress with interesting results. Sinnamon serves her Master (and his friends) at a poker game. Each woman shares her most intimate desires, tests her own boundaries, and rides the seductive line between pleasure and pain. Witness female sexuality at its most extreme: raw, rough, and real.

With food fetish play, facesitting, strap-on sex, pony play, flogging, training, clothespins, forced orgasms, spreader bars, bondage, wrestling, slapping, spanking, dominance and submission, service, punishment, knife play, hot wax, and faceslapping, Rough Sex 2 is a lot kinkier than Rough Sex 1. It explores some of the most alluring and taboo elements of BDSM.

Purchase: http://www.puckerup.com/?cPath=&products_id=513&tpid=8

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ANAL SEX POSITION GUIDE Guest Review: The Anal Sex Positions Guide by Tristan Taormino
So, the first thing I noticed about this book is that at first, it comes across as aimed towards cisgendered/heterosexual vanilla couples. Which makes sense, since really, that’s the demographic that needs a book on anal sex positions, which, IMO, isn’t rocket science.

Personally, I would have liked it if there was more of a broad demo, leaning a little more queer. I especially would have liked some queer models for the photos, but hey, that’s me, what can I say? And again: the demo seems to be cis-hetero-vanilla. Though a little bit of the BDSM leaks through in some of the comments made about power dynamics of different positions.

The first section of the book covers the anal sex basics – the hows and whys, lube, communication, etc. Its a great condensation of the info in Tristan’s ‘Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex For Women’. Not everyone who picks up this book is going to have a solid grounding in the how to’s of butt-loving, so this is excellent information to have!

Also covered in a later chapter are toys, and safety issues with them – the biggest one, IMO, is using a toy with a handle or flared base. It constantly amazes me that people don’t think of that on their own, but if they don’t want to go to the hospital and explain why they got whatever they got stuck in their butt stuck up there…they’ll get something with a flared base.  Tristan also shares my dislike of anal beads made of hard plastic and string – icky! Too hard to clean, and too easy to break. There are sooo many nicer types of anal beads out there, and she shows a variety of pictures of toys for people, so they can know what they’re looking for. Or at. Buying toys can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for and haven’t ever bought, or even seen, a sex or butt toy before!

I particularly loved that Tristan repeatedly mentioned that, for men, attempting to ‘slip in’ the back door without consent is totally not cool. Having heard stories of that from my friends in the past, I know it does happen. That is the absolute *worst* way to get someone to have the buttsechs with you!

I also love that in the commentary about each position, along with including information like how well the position is for skin to skin contact, or communication, she also covers how the position works, or doesn’t, for those who are larger, have mobility issues, or who may not be as physically strong as others.  This is *excellent* information to have about a position, and this is the first book of sex positions of any type that I’ve read that talks about those issues. (And I’ve read quite a few books about sex positions. I wish someone told me that after four minutes in doggy style I’d be face down, ass up, and hugging a pillow until I built up the upper arm strength to hold it. This is information I would have liked to have known as a teen!) Though I did notice another bit of info I would have liked when I was a newly budding ass queen hadn’t been mentioned – when fucking a man in the ass, make sure you know where his balls are. I still remember the first time I whacked a mans balls with out meaning to because I was enthusiastically fucking him, and he had low hangers. icon smile Guest Review: The Anal Sex Positions Guide by Tristan Taormino Maybe guys fucking other guys figure this out on their own, but I had to learn from experience.

An excellent section of the book, towards the end, covers how to choose the ‘best’ position for anal sex. Tristan points out that for everyone, this is different. Hell, on different days, different positions are better. She talks about communication, comfort, sexual/power dynamics, access to different body parts and other topics briefly, and suggests a few positions/variations that are best for each issues. (See my doggy style/arm strength issue above icon smile Guest Review: The Anal Sex Positions Guide by Tristan Taormino

Another thing I enjoy that was carried over from the Guide are the snippets of anal erotica and short fiction included throughout the book. I luuuurved that part of the Guide, and I love it here!

Overall, I think this is a great intro to butt sex book – it covers what I find to be one of the most common questions I’m asked about anal from anal newbies – ‘what position should I try?’I think this is also an excellent book for people looking to try anal the first time, or who are new to it. For me, I find it to be a nice reference, something I can show people when I need to explain a bit of information to them. Its not quite as in depth about anal as Tristan’s ‘Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women’ in terms of anatomy and such, and it doesn’t go over fisting or other extreme anal practices, but as I said, this is a book for beginners. Us anal-sluts all had to start somewhere, and this is a great place to start!

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openingup Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships

Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships” by Tristan Taormino is an enlightening and thought-provoking book that explores the diverse aspects of nonmonogamous relationships from solo polyamory, to partnered nonmonogamy, to triangles and groups.  The book features a wealth of information from stats to brief histories of polyamory in the U.S., as well as Taormino’s own research on the subject where she interviewed over 100 people living in open relationships over the past ten years.

The Guide begins by relating the history of polyamory, as well as breaking the myths of monogamy and traditional relationships, why you might want to choose a nonmonogamous lifestyle and what makes nonmonogamy work.  Section 2 looks at the many styles or models of nonmonogamous relationships and Section 3 talks about creating and sustaining relationships.  There is also a resource guide at the end which lists books, organizations and websites for further information.

Throughout the book Taormino uses checklists and practical advice for the reader which she says can be used like a roadmap to navigate your own way through the different styles and create your own model based on you and your partner(s) needs, desires, and unique situation(s).  Like any emotional or sexual relationship, polyamorous relationships have unique problems, potential issues and conflicts that arise that are common to open relationships.  Taormino deals with each of these giving practical advice and coping strategies including: jealousy, fear of abandonment, time management, negotiating boundaries, violating agreements, new desire, coping with change, safer sex as well as legal issues.

The highlight of the book is the real life experiences Taormino uses with quotes, stories and advice from a diverse group of people who share their desires, fears, challenges, solutions, successes and failures with the reader to provide meaningful context.  This book is really a thoughtful and comprehensive guide on open relationships of all kinds, leaving no stone unturned.  Enlightening, inspirational, and practical, this book is for anyone interested in or already living in responsible nonmonogamous relationships.

You can purchase “Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships” by Tristan Taormino at Babeland.


 Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships

 Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships

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Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus (2006)
Director: Tristan Taormino
Studio: Vivid/Smart Ass Productions
Cast: Justine Joli, Ariel X, Kelly Kline, Richard Kline, Cindy Crawford, Jack Lawrence, Tristan Taormino (non-sex)

oralsexcover 713x1024 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

Well-known sex writer, educator and anal expert, Tristan Taormino, has been directing adult educational films since her debut with “Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women” (Evil Angel, 1999).  Both her guides and her Chemistry Series (reality TV meets gonzo porn) have been very popular with critics.  In “Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus” she covers the art or oral sex for women, starring Justine Joli who demos a live workshop followed by two hetero couple scenes and a bonus scene with Justine and Ariel X.  This is categorically an instructional video and not porn that is meant to titillate, unlike Nina Hartley’s guides, which are a bit of both.

Scene 1: Workshop with Justine Joli, Ariel X, and workshop attendees

 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

Justine begins by educating her class on female sexual anatomy with the aid of a diagram and then on live model Ariel X.  The instruction is fairly basic, but if you didn’t know much about female genitalia, then you would definitely get something out of this.  I myself learned a new word: “fourchette” which is the skin where the inner lips meet at the bottom of the vulva.

Next, Justine demonstrates cunninglingus techniques and various positions with Ariel.  Justine has a very long and nimble tongue, so you can see clearly what she is doing and tell that she is definitely an expert at female oral sex.

Scene 2: Kelly and Richard Kline

 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

Kelly and Richard have been together since Kelly was sixteen.  Richard knows Kelly’s body well and is very aware of how she responds to different techniques both verbally and through her body language, which both of them say is key to pleasuring your partner.  I found the scene(s) a little bit long (it is cut up to show various positions) and it is shot from mainly the same angle with little variation (except for a few close-ups) which gets a bit tedious after a while.  This leaves the scene feeling a bit static and you don’t really experience much momentum building because of it.  Then again, it is meant to be instructional and not pornographic or artistic.  The good thing is that the menus will let you view various parts of the scene if you wish.  It does demonstrate the various positions very well and Tristan seems to be quite fond of Liberator Shapes.

Scene 3: Cindy Crawford and Jack Lawrence

 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

I enjoyed watching this scene quite a bit more as Cindy and Jack are fairly dynamic characters.  Jack begins by saying why he loves eating pussy and he is quite passionate about it.  His tip for dealing with cunninglingus fatigue: Eat more pussy!

Next, Cindy exits a bathtub and Jack shaves her pussy for her, which Tristan says (voice-over) can be quite erotic.  Tristan also talks about how some women feel uncomfortable about their genital odors, which she says can be cured by frequent bathing, especially just before the act of oral sex.  Although, this sounds like common sense, I’m glad Tristan brought it up, as many women do have that fear, so it is a good point to make.

Jack definitely knows his way around a pussy and takes his good old time getting to the sensitive bit, the clitoris.  This is one of his techniques as he allows for a build-up of tension and arousal, so when he finally does get there, Cindy is going crazy.  He sensually licks Cindy’s inner thighs and all around her mound, and then teases her occasionally by licking quickly over her pussy and clit.  When he finally goes for the kill, Cindy is possessed by passion.  He demonstrates the “ice cream” lick, a long vertical lick from the fourchette to the clitoral hood, and horizontal tongue flickering.  Justine says in the beginning workshop that many women prefer the horizontal flickering (side to side) more than the vertical licking, which is something I didn’t know.  I guess I have never really analyzed what types of licks I like when receiving oral sex as it all felt good, but I will make a point of testing this theory out now.  Another point that Tristan makes is that some women prefer one side of the clitoris over the other, which I have found to be true when I masturbate, and for me it is the 9 o’clock position.  I have also heard this from a girlfriend of mine who is a self-appointed expert at cunninglingus.  This scene is also a bit long, but there is more vibrant action, so doesn’t feel static and there seems to be much more variation in cutting from close-ups to long angles.  Jack ends by rimming Cindy which she says later drives her wild.

Bonus Scene: Justine Joli and Ariel X

 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

I am really glad they added this scene to show oral sex between two women making the film more diverse.  I think many guys become pretty good at giving girl head from lots of practice, but many women at more tentative or too enthusiastic with their techniques, because they don’t get as much practice.  At least I have found that is the case for me and my partner: Gladiator (which roughly translated means” Glad-he-ate-her) a nickname he has had since I met him.  I guess it goes without saying he is a confident pussy licker.

Again, Justine goes down on Ariel and does a fantastic job eating her out with that super-fantastic Gene Simmons’ tongue of hers.  They then reposition themselves for a 69 and the scene has lots of enthusiasm.

Extras: Playing with Toys & Safe Sex

Tristan adds two extras as described above which demos using toys with oral sex, and then safe sex which demos using dental dams, plastic wrap and making a tongue condom.  There are also trailers for Tristan’s other films including her “Expert Guide to Anal Sex”, “Chemistry”, and “Chemistry 2″, which I can’t wait to see.

Things that worked well:  Tristan uses voice over throughout the scenes to give a few tips that are being demoed which are very useful.  The music is mellow and unobtrusive.

Things that didn’t work well:  Tristan uses these “pop-ups”, kind of like pop-up video, which are a bit distracting and many times hard to read.  Although it is a cute and novel idea, I think her voice-overs are more effective.  Also, the audio quality is sometimes lacking in the segments, and some of the shooting is very static as I already expressed.

“Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus” is a superb film and excellent guide, especially for those who feel they lack certain skills.  I think anyone can learn something new watching this film and I know I did.  I definitely recommend this film to couples or anyone who wants to become a cunninglingus artist.  It is always great to watch Justine Joli as well because she rocks, bringing her all into every film she does.


babeland 468x60 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

showban.asp?id=1117&img=babeland 468x60 Tristan Taorminos Expert Guide to Oral Sex #1: Cunnilingus

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Linkage for May 15

by Viviane on 05/15/2009

in sex

A meddlesome hussy takes on the enemies of sexual sanity: Furry Girl has a new blog: Feminisnt.com.

Karina Longworth reviews The Girlfriend Experience:
“On the whole, Soderbergh seems less interested in what it feels like to be a professional girlfriend, and more interested in what it looks like to be in any kind of relationship in a time and place where economy is at the center of every conversation, everyone is looking to get more out of every transaction, and the culture accords an extraordinary amount of fetish power to young, beautiful women who can  commodify themselves without compunction.”

Always Aroused Girl has a new project:
“Beyond the Birds and the Bees will be an online resource where people can share accounts of conversations between parents and children on the topic of sexuality. We’ll explore how people have taught their children about sexuality, how they’ve been taught, what’s effective, what’s not, and what’s downright funny.”

Violet Blue has a column about the terrific new Carnal Nation site (and is nice enough to mention this blog in the same paragraph as Fleshbot and Nerve.com):
“Locally run, it’s a new national sex magazine that’s starting from home base with Carnal San Francisco — with features like Andrea Nemerson’s sex and parenting “Now What” column, a column on sex disasters, sex horoscopes, and timely news features like Dead Wood: Hard Times Equal Flaccid Sales for Erotic Mags, Bigger Prices for Bigger Bras: A Bust in Britain, Doin’ It Doggie Style: French Company Making Sex Toys for Dogs and even Idaho Mayor Declares May Anti-Pornography Month.”

Bacon lube: “Damn, that’s bacony!”

A Bronx woman was stalked and killed yesterday by a man she met online (NOT CL).

Tristan Taormino is posting pics on Twitpic from the set of her latest movie (NSFW)

The adult theme park of your dreams. With butt sinks.

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darkodysseywinterfire Dark Odyssey Winter Fire: Rates go up Jan. 5th

Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire
Valentine’s Weekend
Washington, DC
February 13-15, 2009

We have confirmed our line up of nationally acclaimed authors, award-winning educators, and incredible presenters from all over the United States. We are proud to feature these new folks who will present at Dark Odyssey for the very first time:

  • Penny Flame, award-winning adult film star and Vivid-Ed director
  • Princess Donna, webmistress and director of WiredPussy.com, Kink.com superstar
  • Graydancer, bondage master from Madison and host of “The Ropecast” podcast
  • Mistress Constance, Louisville’s First Lady of Leather, Pantheon Woman of the Year Nominee
  • Lochai, renowned bondage expert, educator, award winning photographer, rigger for Hogtied.com, creator of AlternativePresenters.com.
  • Mollena Williams, BDSM educator and writer from San Francisco
  • Amy Jo Goddard, sexuality educator, author performer, artist and activist; director/producer of the documentary At Your Cervix
  • Trent, renowned Tantra teacher; founder of Evolutionary Erotica and the Tribe Performance and Training Center in New York

We are thrilled to welcome back some of the most popular DO teachers:

They offer some of the most unique, exciting workshops anywhere, with an emphasis on hands-on demonstrations, including:

  • Urban Tantra: Sex Magic for Couples
  • Basic Bondage
  • Hands-on Hand Jobs for Him and Her
  • Kinky Open Relationships
  • How to Suck Cock Like a Pro
  • Knife Play: Steel¹s Sensual Dance
  • Tantric Fire Yoga
  • Bringing It Down: Rock Solid, Heavy Hitting, Sensual and Hot
  • Wired Pussy: Electricity Play for Girls
  • Public Humiliation Scenes
  • Erotic Fantasy Workshop
  • The Tao of Pain
  • Diplomacy and Tact in D/s Relationships
  • Communicating Gender
  • Taboo Play
  • TwoPlay: The Art of Making Out
  • Working Through Extremes
  • How To Be a Better Top
  • Dancing on the Edge
  • Rough Play, Rough Sex
  • Introducing Rituals into Relationships
  • Hypnotic Roleplay

In addition to these incredible workshops, Dark Odyssey features nightly parties, a Saturday night banquet with entertainment, hospitality suite, incredible vendors and, of course, a huge, fully equipped dungeon and other intimate play spaces. And it all happens at one the most gorgeous hotels in Washington DC to ever host an event like ours.

Early Registration rates end on January 5th. The hotel has graciously extended the original $159/night room rate through January 5th ensuring we will sell out the last 80 rooms on our dedicated floors.

Visit our website, http://www.darkodyssey.com for more details. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

Best Regards,

The Producers of Dark Odyssey:
Tristan, Greg, Karri, and Colten

darkodysseywinterfire Dark Odyssey Winter Fire: Rates go up Jan. 5th

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Every year at kinky sex camp, we create a multi-room erotic play-space for attendees, and for one night, each room has a theme. We like to keep things fresh, so we change up the themes every couple of years, but one never seems to go out of style: the Brothel. It’s a modest space with eight stations, each with a bed, a little table, and a flimsy curtain separating it from the next bed, plus a back room with a double bed and a little more privacy (which costs more, natch). We have our own currency at the event (kundalini kash), which campers can win, earn, borrow, and eventually spend. There’s a madam who recruits and organizes the whores, collects kash, matches clients with workers, and generally oversees the place. It’s always the busiest room.

People don’t tire of the sex-for-money fantasy. Actually, there is no one fantasy, but multiple scenarios, dynamics, and roles possible within the brothel setting. I talked to a bunch of this year’s whores (who included men, women, transfolk, and cross-dressers) about what they got out of their experiences. Some said they like being a whore because it’s taboo, naughty, and transgressive; the fact that it’s illegal prevents them from pursuing it in real life.

more. . .

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 Tristan Taormino Laid Off At Village Voice (Gawker)

Tristan Taormino

Tristan Taormino, the “Pucker Up” sex columnist who has been with the Village Voice for nine years, was laid off on Friday, she confirmed to Gawker today. Voice editor Tony Ortega told her she was a victim of budget cuts.

Link

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summercamp design2 01 Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp 08   Workshop list

Dark Odyssey Summer Camp 2008. Banner photo by Hypnox

Dark Odyssey Summer Camp 2008
September 10-15, 2008
Northern Maryland

RATES GO UP AUGUST 25!
My readers of my blog are entitled to a discount – please email me.

The confirmed list of presenters and workshops for Dark Odyssey: Summer Camp ’08 just went live on the website and we are so excited to share it with all of you!

From a world-renowned porn star and an infamous performance artist to nationally acclaimed authors and award-winning educators, we have presenters from around the world, including:

Anton * Barbara Carrellas * Bear * Beth and Preston * Bobby * British “Lucky” Paul
Captain Beatrice & Benedick * Foxy & Sherifox *  Lady Hilary and The
Marine *  Lee Harrington * Lolita Wolf * Margo Eve & Elkor *  Nina Hartley *
Reid Mihalko & Marcia Baczynski * Sarah Sloane *  Sharrin Spector * Sir C *
Susan B * SwitchMe * Whittney Matlock * Wintersong Tashlin

The most unique, exciting workshops anywhere, with an emphasis on hands-on demonstrations. Plus, there are classes are ones you will ONLY see at Dark Odyssey, some of which have been created especially for the DO community, including:

  • Archetypes: Accessing and Integrating your Sovereign, Lover, Magician and Warrior
  • The Art of Seminal Expansion: Taoist Sexual Practices for Men
  • Becoming Orgasmic Providers
  • D/s Tantra: The Tao of Power Exchange
  • Energy, Magic, Sex and the Great Outdoors
  • Flogging Intensive
  • Getting your FeetÅ Wet: Erotic Energy Play 101
  • Inner Monsters: Delving into the Darkness of our Desires
  • Needle Bound: Merging Temporary and Permanent Piercing
  • Poly for Non-Primary Partners
  • Predicament Scenes: Damned if you do. Damned if you don¹tÅ .
  • A Re-Introduction To The Only-Mostly-Dead Art Of Chivalry
  • Seven Touchstones for Getting and Keeping Passionate Relationships
  • Sucking It Up: Erotic Fire Cupping
  • Urethral Play: A Hole of Your Own
  • Yielding to Brutality: Punching and Kicking with Love


PLUS, LOTS MORE ON…

Sex: Cocksucking, Fisting, G-spot and Female Ejaculation
Relationships: Poly and Practicality, Asking for What You Want
Body Mod Play: Cutting, Advanced Cutting, Branding
Spirituality: Energy Pull Ritual and Erotic Awakening Massage
PLUS: An Entire Track of Classes & Events Devoted to Fireplay

In addition to workshops, Dark Odyssey features creative social activities, nightly special events, erotic rituals, lakeside bonfires, the Sex-O-Rama playspace, and a 10,000 square foot fully equipped dungeon open for play around the clock. Legendary special events include:

Body Beautiful * Sunset Yoga * Night in Flames * Energy Pull Ritual * Garden of Carnal Delights * Cupid’s Gambit * Fucking Machines Show * Cigars & Chocolate * Cuddle Party * Fire Spinning * Petting Zoo * Pajama Party

All this happens in a fun camp environment at a retreat with great accommodations: forty cabins with real beds, full bathrooms, hot water showers, and electricity; two swimming pools, canoeing, and hiking; plus, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack included.

Unlike a typical conference event, where you have to pay for registration fees, hotel room costs, plus meals, Dark Odyssey is an all-inclusive event.
Current registration rates are good through August 25, but you can register up until September 9.

Visit our website for more details. We hope you will join us for this exciting event!

Best Regards,

The Producers of Dark Odyssey:
Tristan, Greg, Karri, and Colten

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