SAN FRANCISCO — Good Vibrations is celebrating its 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards nomination for Education Director Andy Duran as Community Figure of the Year.
"Known widely as 'Educator Andy,' his profile in the sex education community has steadily risen since he was promoted to his position as Education Director in 2017," a rep said. "Hired 15 years ago as a Sex Educator Sales Associate and fully embracing Good Vibrations’ educational mission, he now oversees and conducts training for new SESAs; interfaces with affiliates; directs the GV-SHOW outreach and education program; oversees social media and the Good Vibrations blog; and liaises with countless community organizations as a speaker and director of GiVe, the company’s donations program."
"He has developed sex-positive programming for survivors of sexual abuse with Bay Area Women Against Rape and represented Good Vibrations at Sex Down South, CatalystCon, and other sexuality community conferences," added the rep, "and most recently has taken on two new pandemic-era roles: virtual shopping with customers who need extra information about vibrators and other sexual pleasure tools, and Zoom workshops that — for now — replace the in-store workshops that were held in the past."
Director of Purchasing & Product Development Coyote Amrich described Duran's career with Good Vibrations as "remarkable."
"From starting as a sales associate in the stores to his current position as Director of Education, he’s dedicated not just to serving up non-judgmental sex education in an accessible way but to connecting, empowering and affirming everybody’s right to feel pleasure in the body they inhabit," said Amrich. "It’s been awesome to see Andy come into himself as an educator in the sex-positive community and I am super-proud of his nomination."
Lisa Finn, brand manager of sister store Babeland, echoed that enthusiasm.
"Andy is a Sex Educator who really takes inclusion to the next level," said Finn. "Not only does he always make sure that he presents his information in a way that is accessible and encompassing of so many communities and identities, he also never fails to make the space welcoming and comfortable, with a smile that can warm up an entire room and a vast knowledge of all things sex toys. Working with and learning from Andy has continued to be absolutely amazing. I can’t think of anyone more suited to win this title."
Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist Dr. Carol Queen works closely with Duran, conducting SESA trainings with him and frequently joining him on GV-SHOW trips to academic institutions and community-based organizations.
"Andy distills the Good Vibrations mission like only an educator who has grown up in the diverse and sex-positive Bay Area can," said Queen. "He is informed by the communities that surround us, meets people where they are, and truly cares deeply that everyone he interacts with as Educator Andy will be able to access knowledge and pleasure."
"He’s a 21st-Century hero of the sex-ed world!" Queen exclaimed.
A Good Vibrations rep noted that Duran was recently featured on a Sex-Ed Superhero Trading Card issued by SheVibe. His superpower was described as "the ability to communicate with and serve those who are often voiceless."
"Calming hearts and putting folks at ease, Andy enjoys providing accurate and accessible sex information and hopes in doing so to arouse curiosity and spread truth," said the rep. "Customer service and sex-positivity are more than just buzzwords for him, but rather fundamentals that are essential for working in the field of sexual health and pleasure. Andy loves working with all types of customers, but feels a special joy when he can support seniors, survivors of sexual assault, folks with disabilities and incoming college students."
Duran described himself "with pride" as "a high school dropout turned Education Director."
"Providing education in an accessible way to the communities that need it most will always be my passion," he said. "I don’t walk around assuming I have all the answers myself. Far from it! Any good educator will confess that we never stop learning and growing. Instead, I try to carry myself in such a way that my customers and colleagues see me as someone they can trust, who’s committed to helping them on their individual journey — a role that I take very seriously, and am immensely proud to provide. Especially since I don’t fit the mold of the typical sex educator."
"Being a large fat male, who is Black and Mexican, and both queer and trans, means I stand out in the crowd," he continued. "I’ve been okay with that reality because I know what it means for the people I support. I’m representing for all of my communities and identities in everything I do. And when I see my community members surprised but relieved to see me standing before them with support, it tells me I am exactly where I need to be."
Visit Good Vibrations online and on Twitter.
The 2021 XBIZ Exec Awards, sponsored by Satisfyer, will be presented in January as part of the debut virtual edition of the XBIZ Honors ceremony. Voting is underway on XBIZ.net and continues through Wednesday, November 25.
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
Good Vibrations Education Director Andy Duran
