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You are viewing: News and Events: Press Releases: Good Vibrations Celebrations Masturbation Month

For Immediate Release

May 1st, 2013

Media Contact: Camilla Lombard
Events and Publicity Manager
(510) 380-8814 ext. 216
camillal@goodvibes.com

Good Vibrations Celebrations Masturbation Month

Sex-Positive Retailer Says Knowledge is Pleasure, Encourages Masturbation!

SAN FRANCISCO (May 1st, 2013): Good Vibrations, for 36 years America's trusted purveyor of sexual knowledge and quality products for women (and everyone else), says, "It's National Masturbation Month! Give yourself a hand! Or a vibrator, or something else stimulating, and don't forget the lube!"    

Good Vibrations founded founded National Masturbation Month in 1995 in the wake of the controversy surrounding the firing of former Clinton administration Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who evoked conservative wrath when she opined that discussion of masturbation might have a place in sex education curricula. Realizing that one simple, sensible mention of solo pleasuring was enough to lose this prominent woman, the country's first African-American surgeon general, her job convinced Good Vibrations staff that this most basic and accessible form of sex needed a serious image boost.    

Some things have changed since 1995, but National Masturbation Month -- now International Masturbation Month -- is still a necessary reminder that self-satisfaction is a healthy, accessible form of pleasure engaged in by almost everyone, of every gender and relationship status, at some time of (or throughout) their lives: It's relaxing, allows people to learn more about their own sexual response, is a basic recommendation of sex therapists that can help people with many different sexual concerns, relieves menstrual cramps, and helps keep the genitals fully functional. On top of that, it's the safest form of sex a person can have.    

"Too many people still feel uncomfortable about masturbation and guilty about doing it," says Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, Ph.D., one of the originators of the Masturbation Month concept. "If only so much of US culture were not so burdened with ideas that masturbation is shameful, a sin or a poor second choice to partner sex."   


Over the years Good Vibrations has done hundreds of press interviews about masturbation, encouraged other sex businesses and organizations to help celebrate Masturbation Month, engaged customers' creativity in compiling lists of favorite masturbation euphemisms, places to masturbate, and stranger-than-fiction masturbation stories, and curated a show of video clips from the great masturbation educators, like Dr. Betty Dodson, author of Sex For One. Good Vibrations also created and promoted the Masturbate-a-Thon, a charity event that encourages people to get pledges from their friends and raise funds via masturbation. (This event was celebrated privately by individuals; it has since morphed into a public event, not conducted by Good Vibrations, that raises funds for the Center for Sex & Culture, and Masturbate-a-Thons are also held in other parts of the country and world -- the other largest one is an annual event in Copenhagen.) 

Though any toy can be used during sex with a partner, depending on what kind of activities are being enjoyed, certain toys are especially suited or frequently-chosen for solo sex. Some of our favorites for the Masturbation Hall of Fame are: Original Magic Wand Vibrator, favorite of masturbation expert Dr. Betty Dodson, the Rabbit Habit  and other twice-as-nice, rabbit-style vibrators styles, the Pure Wand and the G-Twist are some popular customer favorites. Men can enjoy a range of sleeves and pumps designed especially for their self-pleasuring enjoyment, like the Fleshligh and the Tenga Flip Hole and Tenga Eggs.


The Original Magic Wand Vibrator
The Original Magic Wand Vibrator

Rabbit Habit Vibrator
Rabbit Habit Vibrator

Tenga Egg Masturbation Sleeves
Tenga Egg Masturbation Sleeves

Tenga Double Hole Cup
Tenga Double Hole Cup

Pure Wand Metal Dildo
Pure Wand Metal Dildo

Browse Good Vibrations' Masturbation Shopping Guide

Good Vibrations continues to celebrate masturbation as each individual's pleasure birthright, and as a basic pleasure that is the foundation for our other sexual experience, confidence, and empowerment. Visit Good Vibrations goodvibes.com for information (in books, videos, and from our trained Sex Educator Sales Associate staff members), pleasure products of all kinds (vibrators, dildos, and of course lubricants), and inspiration (erotic books and movies). Whether shared with a partner or kept as a solo secret, self-love is accessible to, and good for, everyone.  

Please note: Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist Carol Queen, who was inducted into the Masturbation Hall of Fame in 1995, offers a free lecture on Thursday, May 16th.

Ask Our Doc! Masturbation Demystified with Dr. Carol Queen
Thursday, May 16th
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
FREE!

Good Vibrations Polk
1620 Polk Street (at Sacramento Street)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 345-0400 

Whether you've been doing it for years and are looking for some new methods or haven't yet found your groove, celebrate Masturbation Month at this fun and informative workshop! Learn about human anatomy, the physiology of orgasm, masturbation techniques and sex toys. All genders and sexualities are welcome!

ABOUT GOOD VIBRATIONS
Good Vibrations is the San Francisco Bay Area based retailer trusted for more than three decades to provide a comfortable, safe environment for finding sex-positive products and educational materials to enhance one’s sex life. Good Vibrations offers its products through its retail stores and website, goodvibes.com. Stores are located in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, CA and in Brookline, MA.

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