Event promotes 'female-centered positive sexuality'

Vibrators, lube and G-spots. Although not typical lunchtime conversation topics for most students, these subjects were on the agenda yesterday afternoon for the women who attended the free, women-only Sex Toy Social at the Penn Women's Center.

The Sex Toy Social was part of a series of events to celebrate Women's Week, which started Feb. 9 and ends tonight with Maya Angelou's keynote address in Irvine Auditorium.

The event was held in an upstairs room of PWC to promote open discussion and protect the privacy of those who attended. The main presentation was given by School of Social Policy and Practice graduate student Lauren Willner, who graduate in May with a master's degree in social work.

Willner is also the graduate student intern at PWC and a consultant for Passion Parties, one of the leading suppliers of sensual products in the United States and Canada.

When asked why she got involved with Passion Parties, Willner said she "feels very strongly about promoting female-centered positive sexuality" and thought it would be a fun way to earn a little extra money.

Willner's presentation was more of an educational experience than a sales pitch, encouraging women to explore their bodies and sexuality.

The products she discussed included a wide variety of vibrators such as bullets, G-spot stimulators and dildos. In an effort to make these products more appealing to women who might be nervous about purchasing sex toys, all of the products come in fun colors and have names like the "Jelly Osaki." Willner also discussed different lubes, each of which offers unique benefits.

Although no men were allowed at the event, male sex toys were also presented. The products were only a small sampling of the merchandise offered by Passion Parties, which range in price from $20 to well over $100.

The event had a considerable turnout of over 30 women.

A College senior who is a member of the Penn Consortium of Undergraduate Women but did not wish to be identified said she attended the event "because I think this event fits along with the theme of Women's Week. I wanted to support anything that could make women feel more comfortable with their bodies."

Comments (10)

How is this allowed? Isn't it discriminatory to limit events based on Gender? What would happen if I tried to schedule an event where females were excluded?

[QUOTE id="56205280-0d24-4c03-889c-81f6453faaa2"]How is this allowed? Isn't it discriminatory to limit events based on Gender? What would happen if I tried to schedule an event where females were excluded?[/QUOTE] You're more than welcomed to shove a vibrator up your ass!

[QUOTE id="56205280-0d24-4c03-889c-81f6453faaa2"]How is this allowed? Isn't it discriminatory to limit events based on Gender? What would happen if I tried to schedule an event where females were excluded?[/QUOTE] Even more offensive: we males have to pay for it by contributing student activity fees.

In past years, especially when Penn for Choice started and ran the sex toy box social (as it was known then), men were OF COURSE invited. The entire point is to make everyone more comfortable with sexuality, and excluding men from the event undermines that goal--nevermind the fact that excluding men is pretty hetero-centric. Let's have Penn for Choice host this in the future, as they have before (and have clearly done a better job by including men and having much higher attendance).

what makes somebody qualified to run a woman's center anyway? is it required that the person be a woman? is there a political litmus test? does the person have to be non-American or just anti-American?

...I think this event fits along with the theme of Women's Week. I wanted to support anything that could make women feel more comfortable with their bodies. Is that the theme of Dr. Angelou's talk tonight? Women being more comfortable sexually with their bodies?

[QUOTE id="1d5815e1-c927-4002-a296-d1e21488289a"]In past years, especially when Penn for Choice started and ran the sex toy box social (as it was known then), men were OF COURSE invited. The entire point is to make everyone more comfortable with sexuality, and excluding men from the event undermines that goal--nevermind the fact that excluding men is pretty hetero-centric. Let's have Penn for Choice host this in the future, as they have before (and have clearly done a better job by including men and having much higher attendance).[/QUOTE] Penn for Choice was not an active group this year. So good luck with that.

Dana Vogel had made some intersting points, that we have also noticed at the parties we run for women in the UK. If you are interested in setting up your own party night for women, you can purchase you own pack's here.. http://www.myadultsextoys.co.uk/fun-stuff/party-planning.html Will this ever happend for men do you think?

Sex toys are becoming more and more popular everyday, especially with all of the new technology coming out, they really know how to turn a girl on. Rabbit vibrators are the number one selling sex toy because they know how to get the right spot!

The entire point is to make everyone more comfortable with sexuality, and excluding men from the event undermines that goal--nevermind the fact that excluding men is pretty hetero-centric.

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