The awards were founded by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, the Center for Sex and Culture, sex toy retailer Babeland and journalist Miriam Axel-Lute.
"For the past decade, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom has dealt with media reports that include sensationalized and false information about sexual issues," NCSF spokesperson Susan Wright said. "These articles cause harm by encouraging discrimination and persecution of adults who engage in consensual sexual expression. NCSF is proud to support the Sexies and sex-positive journalism in America."
The Sexies will be given in four categories: News, Feature, Opinion and Unsexy, which will represent the most egregious violation of the Sexies' criteria. News, Feature and Opinion have three divisions, depending on circulation of the publication. Winners will receive a cash prize and a plaque.
Entries currently are being accepted for consideration from writers and readers. Articles should deal with sex, be aimed at general audiences and meet journalistic standards and other specific criteria. A submission form is available on the website. Submissions are due by March 23.
The winners will be selected by judges with a background in both journalism and sex-positive advocacy: Dan Savage, author of the sex-advice column “Savage Love”; Carol Queen, Ph.D., writer, speaker, educator, and activist with a doctorate in sexology; Liza Featherstone, journalist and author of “Sex, Lies, and Women’s Magazines” for the Columbia Journalism Review; Claire Cavanah, founder of Babeland; and others.
Corporate sponsorships are available, and individual monetary donations to support the awards can be made at the awards website.
A date for the awards ceremony has not been announced.