Apr 13, 2008 | By: Ken Furtado
The Center for Sex and Culture presents
The 2008 San Francisco Masturbate-a-thon
San Francisco — In 1995, Good Vibrations invented National Masturbation Month to protest the firing of Clinton-appointed U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders. Elders lost favor when she responded to questions about safer sex by saying, "Masturbation is something that perhaps should be taught."
The folks at Good Vibrations believed the conservative factors that cost Elders her job were making sex less safe and fun by making masturbation seem shameful.
Although most men and women today are aware that masturbation isn't degrading, many still believe it to be an immature activity or a second-rate substitute for partner sex. We live in a society in which sexual expression has always been legislated and restricted and the pursuit of pure pleasure is frequently condemned. The Masturbate-a-thon is dedicated to honoring masturbation as an excellent way to have sex while also raising money for nonprofit organizations.
The Masturbate-a-thon itself started in 1998, as a weekend long pledge drive. Participants got their friends to pledge money for each minute of masturbation. In its first year, the Masturbate-a-thon raised $8,500.
In 2000, Carol Queen and other enthusiasts at Good Vibrations thought a live masturbation event would be more fun than solo participants wanking around the world. Dr. Queen and Dr. Robert Lawrence combined their skills and interests to create The Center for Sex & Culture, a nonprofit organization devoted to positive sex-education for adults. Good Vibrations handed over the Masturbate-a-thon to The Center For Sex & Culture so that the live event could become a dazzling, live spectacle.
Since its inception in sex-positive San Francisco, activists have brought the event to their own cities and countries. In 2006, Washington, D.C. joined the foray with a weekend long event culminating in the live pledge wank. Dark Lady of Portland, Ore. has been organizing Washington Masturbate-a-thons for several years. Last year, London had its first event, amidst curiosity and controversy. Channel 4 made a documentary of the event that was never broadcast on TV due to difficulties with conservatives. Check out the video clip at YouTube.
The 7th annual San Francisco Masturbate-a-thon will be held Sunday, May 25, 2008 at The Center for Sex & Culture, 1519 Mission St., beginning at 3:00 p.m. and lasting until the final orgasm. (Competition for the longest wank event begins at noon.)
This year expect many new and fun things, including a frst-ever tag team competition. In addition to live music by The Wet Spots, there will be a video area where spectators can watch the action unfold as it happens. The fabulous Nina Hartley will host the event.
Fun performances to keep the masturbators wet and hard will abound, including drama queens enjoying the throes of self-induced sexual bliss at the literal feet of performing opera singers; nude news; barnyard ribaldry with the farmer's daughter; and a dungeon with an elevated stage for the most daring exhibitionists. Additional contributions by visual artists, musicians and pornographers will help to keep things hot and entertaining.
Separate areas are set aside for those who prefer a single-sex space, with the rest of the room a mixed-gender venue. Only part of the room is set aside for the webcast, so less exhibitionistic attendees can participate privately.
The Center for Sex & Culture Masturbate-a-Thons typically about $5000 from participants and their sponsors, who pledge any amount they choose per minute (or hour) to support their friends' efforts. In 2007, the Longest Time Spent Masturbating award went to a man who spent 8 hours and 40 minutes in self-pleasuring; the women’s record has been unbroken since 2004, at 6 hours and 30 minutes. The Most Orgasms award is held by a woman who came 49 times during the Live London Masturbate-a-Thon in 2006. The distance record is 36 inches, held by a man, though in that competition a woman ejaculator came in at second place.
Pledge sheets and co-sponsorship links will be available at the Masturbate-a-Thon's website. Participants and supporters can also download a pledge sheet. Pledges can be paid by check and sent to CSC; they can also be remitted via the event website. All monies raised will be used to support the Center for Sex & Culture's educational and sex-positive cultural programming.
People who wish to participate but who can't find pledgers may pledge themselves at any amount plus pay a $20 entry fee. Supporters who live too far away to attend can tune in to the webcast on May 25 and masturbate at home. For more information, visit www. masturbate-a-thon.com.
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