Tickets on sale now! $75 for a full weekend pass. $40 for a one day pass. Includes access to Friday and Saturday night social events.

Speakers include: Lux Alptraum, Reid Mihalko, Lil Heather, JP Robichaud, Tara McKee, Dr. Ruthie, Master . . . → Read More: Playground Sexuality Conference is THIS weekend!!]]>

Sexapalooza is a fun, upscale consumer trade show dedicated to entertaining and educating out attendees on all aspects of sexuality. Expect to watch fantastic stage shows, be prepared to learn new ideas and tips during free seminars given by professionals in the sex industry, and know that you’ll be shopping for great . . . → Read More: Winter Blahs, Ontario? Sexapalooza It Up!]]>

Sexapalooza is a fun, upscale consumer trade show dedicated to entertaining and educating out attendees on all aspects of sexuality. Expect to watch fantastic stage shows, be prepared to learn new ideas and tips during free seminars given by professionals in the sex industry, and know that you’ll be shopping for great deals and the newest, hottest

toys and products for your bedroom.

Upcoming Shows

• Ottawa January 14-16, 2011 – past
  
• Toronto February 25-27, 2011
• Hamilton March 11-13, 2011

Buy tickets on-line and save!

Who is she?

. . . → Read More: Who is SexyKitty69?]]> Exploring the pros & cons of anonymity

I am very proud of the panel I’ve put together for Aprils’ Momentum conference. Faced with the challenge of running a very personal blog that features both helpful pieces and my own dating stories, anonymity is something that I deal with on a regular basis.

Who is she?

A few years ago I had a LiveJournal account and would use it to blog about my dates in (very) graphic detail. I was beginning to learn that the keyboard craved my touch more than the paper and loved being able to share sexy details with my audience. But what I was lacking was connection. I felt no more connected to my readers than they likely did with me. If I was going to share a story with them, not showing my face took away a lot of the enjoyment for me. Finally a friend convinced me to start this blog in March of 2008 and I went from anonymous sex blogger to the girl that you know today.

I wouldn’t say that coming out hasn’t come with its challenges though. Not everyone wants their story told and it is something that comes up from time to time with all my lovers, old and new. Everyone has their own levels of privacy so there have been instances when it’s been tough to really get a point across without providing the appropriate amount of context to make the blog worth reading. Even now there are people in my life that you will likely never, or very rarely, read about. I’m ok with this as it makes them feel secure and is a decision that I make entering into relationships with these people.

On the flipside, there are sometimes people like Crush that fully expect me to write about them. He says this is who he knew he was getting involved with (his first email being about my blog, after all.) so whatever I wrote about him, good or bad, he’s prepared for, with some limitations that we’ve both already agreed upon. This attitude I am extremely grateful for simply because it’s nice to have a little freedom here and there.

When we head to Washington for Momentum in April it will be an interesting discussion revolving around anonymity from four different perspectives. My amazing panel is made up of lovely woman including:

• Shanna Katz is a queer kinky disabled feisty femme sexuality educator and professional pervert currently based in Phoenix, AZ.
• Katherine Curtis is a writer, segment producer and anchor for the popular internet and television program, Naked News, and the creator of popular geek culture segment The Naked Nerd.
• Stef, creator of City Girl Blogs who has recently revealed her identity in a beautiful post that you can read here.

Session Description

In today’s world of over-sharing, it’s not hard to find out the dinner plans of your neighbors, or the musical tastes of your closest enemies by checking one of their many social networking profiles. We talk online about everything from our biggest dreams to the littlest details. What happens when we go one step further and share our most intimate details with the world?

This panel will examine the pros & cons of blogging about our dating, sex and love lives from both anonymous and non-anonymous viewpoints. We will talk to sex & dating bloggers on both sides of the coin and discuss the benefits and pitfalls involved in sharing your identity while discussing dirty deeds. How does coming out affect your relationships, your work and the way people interact with you? How does protecting your identity keep your stories relevant and entertaining to the reader?

I hope that you’ll join us in Washington for a great event!

Bent is a monthly event that showcases community members who discuss their knowledge and expertise on various chosen topics. A moderated panel discussion is followed by an open format Q&A with the audience, creating an educational and interactive experience.

This month in . . . → Read More: Bent Treats: Tonight]]> Tonight I’ll be appearing at Bent Treats: An Evening of Queer Expression at O’Gradys in Toronto.

Bent is a monthly event that showcases community members who discuss their knowledge and expertise on various chosen topics. A moderated panel discussion is followed by an open format Q&A with the audience, creating an educational and interactive experience.

This month in the spirit of Christmas we present Part 2 of an exciting moderated panel discussion called Bent Treats, featuring some of the sexiest, kinkiest, and hottest titans in Toronto. We’ll being putting forth ideas, suggestions, and discussions around such interesting topics as kink, fetishes, porn, sex work, polygamy, polyamory, bisexuality, orgasms, masturbation, group sex, exhibitionism, voyeurism, bawdy houses and bath houses. Come contribute your experiences or gather information on how to have your next one.

This is a co-presentation with Sex Life Canada and Sex City.

The panel discussion will be followed by a full evening of titillating and tantalizing entertainment in the Upstairs Lounge starting at 10pm, as part of the first annual Bent Fun-Raiser. Live demonstrations by Toronto’s vixen of kink Lady Viktoria, performance by internet icon Steven Joseph, vintage porn projections, and more exotica and erotica pleasures. Enjoy the musical stylin of DJ Poster Boy. Raffle prizes from Good For Her, Buddies in Bad Times, Come As You Are, and O’Grady’s.

Hosted by Matt Martineau.

Panelists:

• Dana Shaw – Sex Activist
• Eddie Stone – Prince of Porn
• David Findlay – Pornographer
• Samantha Fraser – Ethical Slut

Moderator: Andrew Vail, writer, The Middle Edge, www.gayguidetoronto.com.

The Details: Tuesday November 30- O’Grady’s Upstairs Lounge, 518 Church Street, 416 323 2822 – 8pm to 10pm – PWYC (Suggested $5) – All Welcome – www.ogradyschurch.ca.

Panelist Bio’s

Dana Shaw

Dana Shaw is a kinky, polyamorous bi dyke in her mid 40s with over 25 years of organizing experience in both the kink and queer communities. In 25 years of organizing kink community events and education, she has been part of XCorrigia’s earliest days, the SM Women’s Discussion Group of the 90s, Scarlet Woman, BENT and has organized the TOKink conventions in 2004 and 2006. She has presented workshops at Come As You Are, Woods Stocks in Pennsylvania, Black Rose in Washington (DC) and Unholy Harvest in Ottawa. Over 11 years in the bi community, Dana has been involved in organizing Bisexual Women of Toronto (BIWOT), the Toronto Bisexual Network (TBN), and Chaired the organizing committee for the 9th International Conference on Bisexuality, Gender and Diversity (9ICB) in 2006. She also presented at the first North American Conference on Bisexuality (2001), 8th ICB (2002), Transcending Boundaries (2003) and participated as a presenter and panelist at the Guelph Sexuality Conference (2001, 2002, 2003). For the past year, Dana ran RENEGADE, a community venue aimed at bringing communities together around sexual diversity, which closed its doors at the end of August. She’s resting after a lot of hard work, and figuring out what’s next. She’s honoured to participate in this event.

Eddie Stone

Crowned the ‘Prince of Porn’, Eddie Stone is known as one of the most sought after and highly paid performers in the industry. He went on to win awards and help Chi Chi LaRue’s Rascal Video become what it is today. Jumping out of the gate with Chi Chi LaRue as a Rascal Video exclusive, Eddie was nominated for Best Sex Scene for his very first movie. But it was a year later that he took home the coveted Best Newcomer award at both the GayVN and Grabby awards. Eddie’s good looks and charm made him the star of movies like When In Rome, Stone Fox, Eddie Stone’s Private Screening, Set in Stone and The Stone Age, all of which were written for him. Eddie has also received Best Screenwriter GayVN nominations for his scripts Little Big League 2: Second Inning and Unknown and helped co-direct Best Picture nominated, The Stone Age.His image can be found on several Rascal sex toys and Eddie even has his own dildo!Eddie Stone can be found on Wikipeida, Facebook & Twitter (as eddiestonexxx) at www.eddiestoneonline.com and as a contributing blogger on www.gayguidetoronto.com.

David Findlay

I shoot smutty still images and video for fun and profit. I’m proud of my work and proud of my reputation. I’ve been making video at a professional level since about 1993, shooting photos since about 1994, teaching Photoshop since the year of its commercial release and directing performers in explicit sexual situations since the mid-eighties. That adds up to being reasonably well grounded in some aspects of my craft, but I expect always to be learning and I’m not here to compare the length of my lens with anyone else. www.dirtysurface.com

Samantha Fraser

Samantha Fraser is an author, educator and ethical slut from Toronto, Canada. She shares her open marriage experiences & lessons on her blog, www.notyourmothersplayground.com and is currently finishing up her book “Not Your Mother’s Playground: Open Relationships for Everyday Folk”. She loves giving people insight into their own relationships by discussing taboo subjects openly, with wit and a side of naughty, personal experience. In addition to the blog, book and guest writing spots in various printed and online publications, Samantha has appeared in Canada’s National Post, on CBC Radio Q, SexMatters TV and the upcoming documentary “Thoroughly Modern Marriage” to air on CBC’s Doc Zone on Jan. 20th, 2011. Samantha also teaches polyamory and sexuality workshops in Toronto and is planning a Toronto conference on modern sexuality & relationships for Fall 2011. Never a preacher that non-monogamy is the only way, she remains open to learning about relationship structures and what works for every individual she comes into contact with. Find her on Twitter at @nympsam or become a fan of NYMP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/notyourmothersplayground.

The first, happening on November 2nd is a return of Non-Monogamy 101. Miss it the first time around? Now you can check it out!

The second, happening on November . . . → Read More: Upcoming Fall Workshops]]> ONE WEEK left to register for Non-Monogamy 101!

Lots of exciting stuff is coming down the pipeline in NYMP land and I wanted to share two upcoming workshops with you.

The first, happening on November 2nd is a return of Non-Monogamy 101. Miss it the first time around? Now you can check it out!

The second, happening on November 22nd focuses on effective relationship communication. Attending this workshop is beneficial for anyone, regardless of if you are in an open relationship or not. Learning how to communicate what you’re really thinking and understand other people is valuable for all.

I look forward to seeing you at these events if you’re in the city!
Kisses, hugs & licks,
Samantha.

Non-Monogamy 101

Tuesday, November 2nd, 7-9 pm

Do you want to open up your relationship or are you currently in an open relationship & want to hear from and talk to others to get other perspectives? In this interactive workshop, author of the upcoming guide book on non-monogamy – Not Your Mother’s Playground and accompanying blog – www.notyourmothersplayground.com, Samantha Fraser will go through the most important and sometimes overlooked aspects of open relationships for both beginners and the experienced.

You’ll receive insight into tried and true practices, learn effective ways to communicate what you need and want, tackle issues like jealousy and rules and leave with new ideas to help you open your heart and body to more than one person.

Come with questions if you feel comfortable sharing your stories or simply sit back and listen.

Admission: $30, pre-registration is required. If you do not purchase a ticket, you will not be admitted to the workshop.
Where: 10 Ravenal Street, Toronto, Ontario.
When: Tuesday, November 2nd, 7-9 pm
Admission: $30. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Register online by clicking here.
Save on tickets: Sign up for more than one workshop & save! Just $50 for 2.

Light snacks will be provided and there will be time to get to mingle with fellow workshop participants.

Communicate! (Non-Monogamy 201)
Monday, November 22nd, 7-9 pm

Is communication getting the best of you? Finding it hard to not fight? In this interactive workshop, author of the upcoming guide book on non-monogamy – Not Your Mother’s Playground and accompanying blog – www.notyourmothersplayground.com, Samantha Fraser will go through communication styles, tips & common problems for both non-monogamists AND monogamists.

This workshop will focus on:

• Being truly honest with yourself and those around you
• Speaking up for yourself
• Learning to hear
• Learning your partner’s / friends’ / lovers’ language
• How to fight fair
• Non-violent Communication & changing your vocabulary
• Preventing resentment & frustration

Come with questions if you feel comfortable sharing your stories or simply sit back and listen. Monogamous people looking to improve their communication can also benefit from this workshop!

Admission: $30, pre-registration is required. If you do not purchase a ticket, you will not be admitted to the workshop.
Where: Lucky You. 2920 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
When: Monday, November 22nd, 7-9 pm
Admission: $30. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Register online by clicking here.
Save on tickets: Sign up for more than one workshop & save! Just $50 for 2 and $75 for 3.

Save on tickets: If you have attended a Non-Monogamy 101 workshop you can attend this one for only $20. Please only select this option if you have attended. I will know if you haven’t!

Light snacks will be provided and there will be time to get to mingle with fellow workshop participants.

All you need to do is answer the following in the below comments section:

“Is marriage still relevant going into 2011?”

You can include some of the following thoughts in your answer:

This event is happening at my local sex shop, Lucky You, which has a fantastic space for workshops and is run by Tabitha, one of the loveliest gals . . . → Read More: Open Relationship Workshop series]]> I am very pleased to announce that my first ever workshop series has now launched with the first event, Non-Monogamy 101, taking place on September 23rd from 7-9 pm.

This event is happening at my local sex shop, Lucky You, which has a fantastic space for workshops and is run by Tabitha, one of the loveliest gals you’ll ever meet.

Pre-registration is required and you can sign up for the event on Facebook by clicking here.

More about the workshop:

Do you want to open up your relationship or are you currently in an open relationship & want to hear from and talk to others to get other perspectives? In this interactive workshop, author of the upcoming guide book on non-monogamy – Not Your Mother’s Playground and accompanying blog – www.notyourmothersplayground.com, Samantha Fraser will go through the most important and sometimes overlooked aspects of open relationships for both beginners and the experienced.

You’ll receive insight into tried and true practices, learn effective ways to communicate what you need and want, tackle issues like jealousy and rules and leave with new ideas to help you open your heart and body to more than one person.

Come with questions if you feel comfortable sharing your stories or simply sit back and listen.

This is the first of a three part series of non-monogamy workshops with the second and third focusing more intently on jealousy and communication.

Admission: $30, pre-registration is required
Save on tickets: Sign up for more than one workshop & save! Just $50 for 2 and $75 for 3.

Light snacks will be provided and there will be time to get to mingle with fellow workshop participants.

[Read the full story here]

When sitting up here in Toronto, Canada, looking at my wedding . . . → Read More: NOH8. The Ex Wedding Planner’s Thoughts]]>

This afternoon U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled in the case brought before him by lawyers Ted Olson and David Boies, which argued that the Proposition 8 ballot initiative denying marriage rights to same-sex couples in California was unconstitutional.

[Read the full story here]

When sitting up here in Toronto, Canada, looking at my wedding cake figurines that I bought for my first paid wedding planning gig WAY back in 2005, that just so happened to be for two lovely men from Bermuda … it’s hard to wrap my brain around the idea that these rights haven’t already been given to same-sex couples at least in somewhere like California.

California’s tourist attracting image is that of sun, sand, glitz and freedom. The open roads, the Hollywood possibilities … everything seems doable there. And while it’s mind blowing and ridiculous that it took so long … I’m glad it’s happened finally and I wish congratulations to all who have fought long and hard to tear down the wall of hate that stands between what is right and what is reality. Change is happening and that’s something we should all get behind. Keep fighting, we’re in this together.

Related: Here’s a great Funny or Die skit from the first time around with Prop 8 if you haven’t seen it yet.