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Additional Abstracts

Session 2A
Stephanie Saur; Titilayo A. Okoror, Ph.D.; Scott Butler; E. Thomaseo Burton; Julie Truesdell; Elaina Murray, B.SC Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
What Is "Good Sex": Socio-Cultural Constructions of Sexual Satisfaction among College Students
The purpose of the study is to qualitatively assess socio-cultural constructions of sexual satisfaction among college students. Recent studies have identified a strong correlation between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction in young adults. However, no study has explored the role of culture in how students construct what they consider to be "good sex" or a sexually satisfying encounter. Exploring the socio-cultural constructions of sexual satisfaction will increase our understanding of human sexuality and the influence of culture, race and gender. We conducted five focus groups of white males/females, black males/females, and a mixed group of white males/females. Each group had eight to ten participants. Three general questions guided the discussion: 1) What is good sex? 2) What types of sexual relationships/experiences do you find most satisfying? 3) What do you do if you are not sexually satisfied? Nvivo qualitative software for data management was used in data analysis. Findings suggest that there are socio-cultural influences and racial differences in what students describe as sexually satisfying encounters.


Session 2B
Barbara Sayad, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Kathy Koser, DrPH; Sarah Sayad, B.A., California State University, Seaside, CA
Intervening in Nepal's Child Sex Trade Industry: An Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Reversing and Healing the Trends
In November 2007, a group of nine health professionals and three graduate students will spend three weeks in Nepal studying risk factors, suggesting interventions and providing healing to families who have been vulnerable and exploited by the lure of profits of the child sex trade industry. Specifically, a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, and public health specialists will work in tandem to interview and when appropriate advocate and educate on behalf of children. This work shall occur at the macro level (university setting), where policy shall be scrutinized in faculty and student discussions, and micro level (village and family), where meetings and interviews shall occur, to assess whether collective efforts can reverse and heal the tendencies of some to exploit children. It is anticipated that as a result of this visit, girls will receive educational scholarships, families will become educated about alternatives, and universities will be able to better educate and advocate on behalf of the children of Nepal. Applications of this work can be made to other third world countries that might rely on similar interventions.


Session 4B
Shay Rotem, B.A., International Professional Surrogates Association (IPSA)
Healing Sexuality for Women with Surrogate Partner Therapy
This presentation will use one in-depth case of Intensive Surrogate Partner Therapy as a platform for discussing a variety of female sexual concerns that can be resolved in Surrogate Partner Therapy. The client was a disabled heterosexual female; the surrogate was an experienced heterosexual male surrogate trained in Israel. The clinical issues addressed in the 14-day Intensive Surrogate Partner Therapy included: late virginity, Dyspareunia, post-traumatic stress, cognitive and physical limitations associated with life-long pain and restricted mobility. Together the surrogate partner and client created a collaborative relationship, focusing at first on creating a rapport, and building a sense of safety and trust. The intensive second half of therapy included genital introduction, initial penetration. The client showed marked improvement and was pleased with the results. Implications for successful utilization of surrogate partner therapy will be discussed.


Session 6A
Jordan Rullo, B.A.; Donald Strassberg, Ph.D.; Esther Israel, M.A., University of Utah
Category-Specificity in Sexual Arousal/Interest as a Complex Function of Sex and Sexual Orientation
The present study assessed the interaction of sex and sexual orientation on the specificity of sexual arousal/interest in gay and lesbian men and women, utilizing an alternative measure of sexual interest, i.e., viewing time. Participants (N = 99) rated the sexual appeal of sexually provocative pictures while the length of time they spent viewing each picture was unobtrusively measured. As hypothesized, same-sex oriented individuals, both men and women, demonstrated a category-specific pattern of sexual interest. That is, both gay men and lesbian women (1) viewed preferred sex pictures significantly longer than non-preferred sex pictures and (2) rated preferred sex pictures as significantly more sexually appealing than non-preferred sex pictures. Furthermore, (3) the differences in viewing time and sexual appeal ratings between preferred and non-preferred sexual stimuli was greater for lesbian women than that demonstrated by their heterosexual counterparts (i.e., as assessed in Israel & Strassberg, in press). The results of this study and our previous work suggest that, among men and women with same-sex and opposite-sex attractions, all groups except heterosexual women showed a strongly category-specific pattern of sexual interest.


Session 6B
Kathryn Akemi Ando, D.H.S., The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA
Attitudes and Behaviors Concerning Erotic Breath Control
Erotic breath control is the umbrella term that encompasses, but is not limited to: asphyxiophilia, erotic and autoerotic asphyxiation, breath control play, choking, drowning, face sitting, gagging, hypoxyphilia, kinging, queening, scarfing, sexual asphyxia, smothering, and strangulation. The common term in this sexual community is "breath control play." While popularly associated with life-threatening activities and consequences, respondents revealed a broader range of erotic breath control behaviors than commonly assumed. This paper is a presentation of the preliminary results from a study of erotic breath.


Session 6C
Rhea Orion, M.Ed., Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, San Francisco, CA
Polyamory as a Healing Paradigm for 21st Century Relationships and Families
Multiple-partner relationships remain 80% more common than monogamous partnerships among dozens of species including humans, yet being polyamorous presents legal and social risks for those who find the manifest lifestyle natural and necessary. This investigator will present literature and multiple case studies of people in three types of polyamorous arrangements. Results suggest that polyamory is a modern form of multi-partnering that is natural to, and potentially successful for, many 21st century humans. Data gathered by interviews on relationships, details of poly arrangements, positives and negatives were analyzed using qualitative methods, which revealed several emergent themes and issues, and may benefit future research. Participants were sometimes compelled into polyamorous agreements, challenging the stereotype that poly is necessarily a free choice. Sexual benefits were an advantage but were not the first mentioned by any participants. Positives included: personal and spiritual growth, a sense of living one's true self, feeling part of a community, and closer bonding in the primary partnership. Negatives included: difficulty with time management, jealousy, relationship complications, social stigma, scarce professional help, and potential legal issues.


Session 7B
Corie Hammers, Ph.D., Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA
An Examination of Lesbian/Queer Bathhouse Culture and the Social Organization of (Im)Personal Sex
Physical features of space shape the sexual interactions that occur within bathhouses. While there is scholarly interest in, and documentation of, male public sexual cultures, lesbian/queer public sexualities have been sorely neglected. In examining two Canadian lesbian/queer bathhouses, Pussy Palace in Toronto and SheDogs in Halifax, this presentation hopes to fill in some of this gap. Utilizing ethnographic methods such as in-depth interviews and participant observation techniques, this presentation has two primary goals: to describe the bathhouse settings and how modifications of space can impact lesbian/queer sexualities; and to compare these findings on lesbian/queer bathhouse culture to that which has been documented in the way of the gay male bath scene.


Session 8A
Elias J, Duryea, Ph.D., University of New Mexico
What Every Sexuality Specialist Should Know about Sexual Numeracy: How We Present Quantitative "Risk" to Constituencies IS Critically Important
Sexuality educators, therapists, counselors and researchers all communicate sexuality information to their constituencies. Much of this information contains numeric or quantitative estimates. Sexual numeracy is that branch of health literacy that refers to an individual's proficiency in comprehending sexuality information that is quantitative in nature. For example, parents/guardians might not fully comprehend their child's sexuality education class when homework refers to calculating the failure rates for various contraceptive methods. Similarly, most general population adults have difficulty telling the quantitative difference between hearing of an increased incidence of a health/sexual disorder or an increased prevalence of it. If we wish for people to make more informed sexual decisions, we must invest efforts in improving their ability to comprehend the quantitative sexuality information that they routinely consume. In this presentation suggests ways to more clearly tailor numeric sexuality information, especially: types of format, use of time periods, how to compare absolute vs. relative risk, probability vs. odds, incidence vs. prevalence, and related numeric concepts relevant to sexuality specialists.


Session 8B
Breanne Fahs, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ
Compulsory Bisexuality?: Challenges of Sexual Fluidity as Performance
This paper explores the relatively new and rapidly proliferating phenomenon of heterosexual-identified women reporting that they engage in bisexuality as a type of performance, defined primarily as engaging in homoerotic acts with other women, usually in front of men, and exclusively in the context of social settings. Drawing upon interview data from 40 participants, this paper explores performative bisexuality by analyzing women's narratives, examining implications for same-sex eroticism, and considering its symbolic impact. While performative bisexuality appears more common among younger women (18-39) and white women, older women and women of color also reported intensifying pressures from their partners to publicly engage in homoerotic acts. Key questions include: Does performative bisexuality represent a trend of increasing acceptance toward bisexuality for women in general? Is performative bisexuality a manifestation of efforts to control and manipulate women's sexuality for male pleasure? How commonly is performative bisexuality "compulsory," and when it is, how does this reality impact women's sexual consciousness?


Session 8C
Stuart Shipko, M.D., Private Practice, Pasadena, CA
Post SSRI Antidepressant Sexual Dysfunction
It is well known that the antidepressants which target serotonin frequently cause sexual dysfunction. What is less well known is that the sexual dysfunction that results from these drugs can persist indefinitely, even after stopping these medications. The symptoms, etiology, treatment, prevalence and the scientific studies concerning antidepressant effects on sexuality and sexual dysfunction are reviewed. Case studies illustrating persistent SSRI antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction persisting long after the drugs are stopped will be presented. Implications of these findings for health care professionals and clinical sexologists will be discussed.


Session 9A
Richard Topolski, Ph.D.; Ashley E. Turnmire, B.A., Augusta State University, Augusta, GA
Dating in the Social Network: Is your Sibling's or Best Friend's Ex an Option?
Recent taboos have arisen against dating the ex-partner of a close friend or relative. In the current study, participants (N=300) reported their willingness-to-date a person who had previously dated someone within their social circle, and possible reasons they would not date one of these individuals. Overall, participants were less willing to date a person who had previously dated within the participants' intimate social circle, p<.001. A MANOVA revealed differences for gender (males reported a higher willingness-to-date an ex of a sibling, p=.002, or best friend, p=.01) and number of sexual partners (those with ten partners or more reported a higher willingness-to-date an ex of a sibling, p=.05 or best friend, p=.005). The highest ranked reason for not dating a siblings' ex was "it's immoral," whereas for a best friends' or coworkers' ex, it was "to avoid conflict." The results suggest the importance of social constraints and on dating behaviors.


Session 9B
Barbara Sayad, Ph.D., M.P.H.; James Tarin; Christine Mata, California State University, Seaside, CA
Beyond the Plumbing: Teaching towards Understanding and Healing
The purpose of this paper is to share qualitative data, curricular materials, pedagogy, and anecdotal remarks about how sexual self-esteem and healing impacts students taking an undergraduate human sexuality course. Targeted course assignments, use of the "Classroom Performance System" survey tool, peer educators, anonymous online "Blackboard" postings, enforced ground rules, and small group discussions provided data to suggest a significant increase in student perceptions of sexual self-awareness and improvements in their sexual self-esteem. The course from which this data is drawn is an upper-division, ethnically diverse group attending a West Coast university. This interactive session, co-facilitated by two peer educators and their professor, will demonstrate and integrate the "Classroom Performance System" into its presentation. As a result of this presentation, sexuality educators will be better poised to bring sexual self-esteem as a construct and outcome into their curricular materials and discussions. With this, students can bear witness to their evolving sexuality and well-being.


Session 9C
Remi Newman, M.A., Sexuality Educator Santa Rosa, CA
It Starts in the Womb: Helping Parents Understand Infant Sexuality
It has long been asserted that our earliest interactions with our infants set the stage for their future intimate relationships. "Having 'the talk' before they can talk" is a sexuality education workshop for new parents to help them become active participants in their child's healthy sexual development. This presentation takes a close look at the workshop and the importance of recognizing infant and child sexuality. The current lack of family sexuality education contributes to unhealthy sexual identity development, which in turn results in a variety of societal ills including high rates of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, sexual abuse, low sexual self-esteem, and the inability to achieve intimacy and have a fulfilling sexual life. By helping parents gain comfort and confidence in their role as their child's primary sexuality educators, this workshop attempts to give a new generation a better chance at healthy sexual identity development.


Session 10A
Mark Schoen, Ph.D., sexsmartfilms.com
The Transsexual Phenomenon: Harry Benjamin, Gender Pioneer
Dr. Harry Benjamin, author of the ground-breaking book, The Transsexual Phenomenon, died in 1986 at the age of 101. On January 10, 1987, there was a memorial service held for Dr. Harry Benjamin at the New York Academy of Medicine. This three-hour service was videotaped and edited down to 15 minutes. Those who spoke at the service and appear in this presentation include Christine Jorgensen, Renee Richards, Albert Ellis, Leah Schaeffer, Tina Wheeler, Richard Green, John Money, Hans Lefeldt, Charles Ihlunfeld and others. This is a unique opportunity to both see and hear these prominent sexologists share their memories and perspectives.


Session 11A
Stephanie-Renee Anckle, M.A., Claremont Graduate University, Los Angeles, CA
Sexual Healing: Effective Ways for Black Women to Recreate Sexual Identity
In order for Black women to start the healing process and release themselves from ubiquitous hypersexual portrayals which permeate our society, African-American women must find and cultivate effective ways to detach themselves from the negative perceptions associated with Black female sexuality and recreate their sexual identity for the benefit of both self and society. This process of sexual healing and positive identity development can effectively occur through Black women discovering effective ways to become sexually empowered by rejecting negative portrayals, increasing sexual knowledge, developing sexual communication strategies and engaging in positive sexual exploration.


Session 11B
Hanny Lightfoot-Klein, M.A., Lightfoot Associates, Tucson, Arizona
29 Years of Activism against the Genital Mutilation of Children
29 years ago, in the course of a back-packing trip into Africa, the author literally stumbled upon a millennia old practice which affects an estimated 130 MILLION African women-the genital mutilation of females-still tenaciously adhered to in most parts of Africa, usually regardless of social class. She began researching this topic, trekking through sub-Saharan Africa for 6 years, into more and more remote areas, while utilizing ethnographic methods such as in-depth interviews and participant-observation techniques, living with families, and interviewing people in all walks of life. The presenter's book, Prisoners of Ritual, published in 1989, has been hailed as ground-breaking. In 2001, she was asked to serve as expert witness in an asylum hearing for a genitally unmutilated African woman, who had escaped from her country using false papers, and who was sure to be mutilated if she were extradited and returned to her country. Since then, she has won asylum for approximately 90 African women, and equally significantly, their U.S. born daughters.


Session 11C
Edita Ruzgyte, Ph.D., Texas Wesleyan University, Mansfield, TX
Sexuality in Pre and Post Soviet Union Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the three Baltic States countries and one of the numerous countries in Europe that gained its independence from Soviet Union in 1991. This oppression resulted in continues problems facing Lithuania such as issues of human sexuality and the lingering effect of Soviet history, a lack of funds for research within Lithuania, stigmatization of mental health, the lack of a nationwide program that addresses sexuality in Lithuania, and a paucity of professionals who can provide education and counseling for sexuality related concerns. Research was conducted in Lithuania in August 2007 during which the investigator sought to explore the differences in sexuality attitudes and behaviors between two generations (pre and post Soviet Union) of Lithuanian citizenry. The goal of this study is to broaden the scope or our understanding, by examining the vast cultural terrain shaping human sexuality as experienced by Lithuanian people today.


Session 14B
Erika Thost, M.D., private medical practice
Prostate Massage: Sexual Healing for Men, Couples, and Society
This presentation describes the theory and practice of male prostate massage. In current popular language, the prostate is sometimes called the "male G-spot." We'll describe how this type of massage is done, how to teach the technique to clients, and how to help professionals and clients to discuss it more comfortably. Based on experience in medical practice, discussions in sex and couples' therapy, as well as structured interviews, we'll examine the potential benefits of prostrate massage, including: promoting prostate, pelvic, and anal health; opening up additional avenues for pleasure, whether alone or shared; orgasmic intensification; and deepening intimacy among willing partners. We'll also examine the pitfalls and resistances that sometimes stand in the way. For example, visceral discomfort may be experienced due to early learning that the anal area is dirty or fragile. In addition, some men erroneously associate the enjoyment of prostate massage with being gay. A live demonstration (withy no nudity) will be used to give participants a clearer picture of the process.


Session 15B
Tina Schermer Sellers, M.S., LMFT, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA
Working with Couples Whose Sex Isn't Working: Factors in Modern Life Diminishing Couples' Sexual Satisfaction
In today's fast-paced culture we are in the middle of a sexual breakdown largely shaped by the convergence of cultural, philosophical, and religious tends and traditions. In this presentation we will explore three subtle yet powerful influences on the sexual health of couples: 1) corporate demands on time couples' and finite energy, 2) underground sexual shame and religious ambivalence, even among those who consider themselves sexually sophisticated and 3) the lingering impact of bedroom patriarchy. In this presentation we will uncover the effects of these factors to assist couples in consciously constructing sexual lives that address the particular needs across the lifecycle while addressing the urban work/life dilemma. Participants will be given tools to help couples custom-craft sexual lives better suited to contemporary challenges.


Session 15C
Jody Myers, M.A.
The Healing, Educational, and Experiential Benefits of Paying for Sex: Current Findings and Therapeutic Possibilities
Many people are unaware that Paid Sexual Interactions (PSIs) can be healing, learning and even therapeutic experiences. I will offer sexologists increased awareness of the faces and voices of the participants. This illegal and stigmatized activity has distinctive characteristics, which can both benefit and hinder married, single, and alternative men. Clients can deepen self- knowledge and self-awareness through sexual experimentation and practice with a compassionate, skilled provider. As a therapist for two years and a sex worker for thirteen, this presentation is from the perspective of my sex-worker career and will include my observations as a participant /observer in the field, statistical analysis and the language of direct, firsthand experience. Potential problems with PSIs are well known and will be discussed; however, more attention will be given to the potentially unknown benefits of PSIs. All voices will be included in this discourse to allow a more informed discussion of sex work participants.


Sunday Plenary
Heather Corinna, Founder/Editor, Scarleteen.com; Deb Levine, M.A., Founder/Executive Director, Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS-Inc.org)
Talking Publicly with Young People About Their Sex Lives: A New Media Approach
New media offers a vast and somewhat untapped potential for reaching young people with information and support for their emerging sexualities. In our current climate of abstinence-only and repression of sexual expression-especially for youth-the Internet, mobile phones and other devices provide new mediums for sexual conversations in a public space. Heather Corinna, founder of Scarleteen.com and author of S.E.X.; and Deb Levine, M.A., Executive Director of Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS-Inc.org) and author of The Joy of Cybersex, offer their perspectives on technology and young people's sexuality, sexual health, and sexual pleasure in the new millennium.


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