SAN FRANCISCO — Good Vibrations is celebrating the 20th anniversary of International Masturbation Month in May.
The company founded the idea 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 stated 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.
"It was a distinct honor to meet Dr. Joycelyn Elders in person and tell her about how we celebrate her bravery and commitment to sex education every year during May. She was touched and flattered for the recognition and I was elated to be able to thank her for her tireless efforts and life's dedication to sexual health," said Jackie Rednour-Bruckman, executive vice president, who met Dr. Elders at Good Vibrations’ sponsored sexuality conference, CatalystCon.
Good Vibrations noted that some things have changed in the last 20 years, but some things have stayed the same, and many people still need International Masturbation Month (formerly known as National Masturbation Month) as a reminder that self-satisfaction is a healthy, accessible form of pleasure engaged in by almost everyone, of every gender and relationship status. On top of that, it's the safest form of sex a person can have.
"Masturbation is fun and pleasurable, it teaches you about your own unique sexuality, and it's a great way to postpone partner sex if you're not ready for it," staff sexologist Carol Queen, Ph.D said. Queen was one of the originators of International Masturbation Month. "Why on earth isn't everybody celebrating masturbation?" Queen will do an After Hours class, "Maximizing Masturbation," to inspire and inform the public about solo sexual options.
The company’s "solo-sex mentor," author Betty Dodson (“Sex For One”) added, "Masturbation is the foundation for all of human sexual activity. It's our first natural sex act, the way we discover our genitals and the good feelings they give us when we touch ourselves."
In celebration of the event, the company introduced The Magic Wand Rechargeable, the newest incarnation of the iconic massager, calling it the “Cadillac of Vibrators” that influenced the feminist sex-positive sex toy store revolution.
