LOS ANGELES — CatalystCon Conference founder Dee Dennis is returning to the West Coast to spark open communication about sexuality, activism and acceptance.
CatalystCon West will be held September 27-29 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Described by Dennis as a "melting pot of sexuality," CatalystCon West will bring together hundreds of sex educators, sex workers, health advocates, writers, activists and more to attend 40 sessions and workshops on sexuality-based topics like toxic toys, polyamory, sex work, homophobia in communities of color and feminist porn.
CatalystCon is currently accepting proposals for sessions from anyone who has something to share and the desire to spark conversations in the realms of sexuality, activism and acceptance.
Individuals, therapists, educators, media specialists, bloggers, activists, women's rights advocates, health professionals, and anyone with a passion for creating change is encouraged to submit a proposal.
“At CatalystCon, everyone is welcome, everyone is respected, and everyone is encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences,” said Dennis. “Everyone has something to offer, and the more participants, the better the experience — for everybody.”
Author, sex educator and radio host Tristan Taormino will be bringing her radio show, Sex Out Loud to CatalystCon West and will be recording interviews with speakers and attendees in front of a live audience. She will also be presenting a pre-conference workshop Sex Educator Boot Camp on Friday.
"CatalystCon brings together a vibrant, active group of sex-positive people from all different communities and industries," she said. "It's an exciting event that I just can't miss."
The closing keynote — Afternoon Tea with Dr. Joycelyn Elders — will feature remarks from the former Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service under President Clinton, followed by an informal interview of Elders by Lynn Comella.
"Last year I attended the inaugural CatalystCon West as a speaker. I'm thrilled to not only attend again this year, but to host an 'afternoon tea' with one of my idols," said Comella, a women's studies professor at UNLV. "What I love most is that CatalystCon brings a diverse group of people together over the course of a weekend to discuss, debate and think about issues that matter deeply to many of us, from sex education and healthy relationships to sex worker rights and censorship."
Four returning sponsors from CatalystCon East — Sportsheets International, Tantus Inc., Wet International and Sex Out Loud with Tristan Taormino — have already committed to sponsoring CatalystCon West.
"CatalystCon West 2013 will be our third CatalystCon sponsorship," said Metis Black, Tantus president and founder.
"Sponsorship at CatalystCon isn't a vending opportunity; it's a chance to talk with peers and experts, hear their voices and ideas and share common ground."
For information on how to become a sponsor of CatalystCon, visit CatalystCon.com.
Registration is now open here. Early bird pricing is available until June 20.
