Spring Fever: Smart Sex & Tech Gatherings in 2009

In the upcoming months there are going to be several really interesting sexuality, social media, and technology conferences happening around the country. These are all really well worth checking out:

Sex::Tech – Focus on Youth – primarily a conference for non-profit and activist types working on sexual health issues for teens. Sponsored by the Internet Sexuality Information Service and held in San Francisco on March 22 and 23, this is the second year of the conference. Last year organizations in attendance included various local branches of Planned Parenthood, Advocates for Youth, Sex Etc, plus lots of fascinating individuals like Cory Silverberg, Regina Lynn, and many others. Deadline for abstracts is this coming Monday, January 12.

Kink for All – an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people of the kink, queer, sex-positive and related communities to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, presentations, and interaction from all participants. It is inspired by and based upon the BarCamp community. The New York City event is tentatively set for early March, but if this sounds like fun you should put one together in your city. The info site is a wiki – so add yourself to it and think about participating. Though it’s got the word “kink” in the title, the aim is to bring together a diverse group of people who are interested in discussing sexuality – it’s not a play party. Check out what one of the un-organizers has to say about the ideas behind the event here.

Sex 2.0 – Sex 2.0 will focus on the intersection of social media, feminism, and sexuality. How is social media enabling people to learn, grow, and connect sexually? How is sexual expression tied to social activism? Does the concept of transparency online offer new opportunities or present new roadblocks — or both? These questions, and many more, will be addressed within a safe, welcoming, sex-positive space. Like Sex::Tech, Sex 2.0 is in its second year. It looks like it will be held in the Washington DC metro area, most likely on May 9th. Originally the brainchild of Amber Rhea and held in Atlanta last year, Sex 2.0 is a mix of laid-back socializing and good solid nerdiness about social media and sexuality.

And two more – not directly about sexuality, but about feminism, the web, and media:
Fem 2.0 – Feminism 2.0 brings together the leadership of major women’s advocacy organizations and online women’s communities to further the connection between today’s issues and women’s voices. Feminism2.0 is intended for all women interested in better policy for women, families and society. February 2nd in Washington DC.

Women, Action and the Media – We all belong inside some communities or networks and are new to or feel excluded or alienated from others. The tension that exists between insiders and outsiders to any given movement, identity, industry or ideology can be destructive, but it can also be harnessed toward mutually beneficial change. At WAM!2009, we’ll explore both sides of this inescapable dynamic in our relationships, organizations, societies and movements. March 27-29 in Boston.

I’ll definitely be at Sex::Tech and Sex 2.0 and depending on the date I’ll most likely be at KinkForAll. Not so sure about Fem 2.0 and WAM!