Author: Admin

S.A.A. Salutes: Nelson Mandela

SAAgraphic12162013(12/16/13)  The world has lost a giant.  More importantly, the world has lost a friend.

Nelson Mandela was laid to rest yesterday, but his legacy lives on brighter than ever.  Though known mostly for his triumphs in civil rights and social justice, his sphere of influence–and inspiration–on a multitude of other issues reached so much further.  Among these was his steadfast commitment to expanding global HIV/AIDS awareness and championing substantial prevention strategies.  As we’ve listened to and read many of the recent poignant tributes in his honor over the past week, we’ve noticed a distinct absence of coverage regarding his efforts in this area.  Accordingly, we would like to offer our thoughts with a bit of focus on what’s been missing.

With all of the emphasis on Mandela’s courageous battles against injustice and his hard-fought victories in transforming a nation, it’s easy to understand why some aspects of his leadership might be overshadowed, but it should never be said that any of these are subordinated because they were somehow less important.  Indeed, though hardly ever the headline, Mandela made it a priority to voice his concern about HIV/AIDS and take direct action where he could.  Joining alongside other high-impact organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Philip Harvey’s DKT International, the Nelson Mandela Foundation was formed specifically with the mission to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns.  Though one might think that he would have centered his efforts specifically on his native South Africa where, according to the United Nations, there are more than 2 million orphans due to the disease, he made it a point to leverage his global statesmanship as broadly as possible, particularly in the years following his presidency.  As a direct result of these efforts and partnerships, along with inspiring other organizations worldwide, the number of new AIDS cases dropped by about 1/3rd over the past decade.  With an infected population of over 35 million people globally, obviously there is still a lot of work to be done, but at least there is a glimmer of positive progress.

A glimmer, but progress nonetheless.  Throughout his remarkable life, Nelson Mandela proved that every little thing adds up.  A key lesson that he left us with is that no problem is insurmountable if everyone does something, even if small, to make humanity better.  So, although the world is now a lesser place without his presence, we hope that many will honor his memory by becoming active in organizations such as those noted above and supporting their efforts in whatever ways possible.  Through such action, even if small, you’ll be helping to ensure that his legacy becomes even brighter–and you’ll be making the world a better place.

Sex Across America Salutes: The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom

(12/9/13)  Last week, we featured a piece on Kink Aware Professionals, a directory of medical, legal, therapeutic and administrative professionals who understand and support various sexuality concerns and lifestyle choices.  In that article, we noted that this program is managed by the non-profit National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) and, accordingly, we thought it important to expand our coverage to include a little more about this unique organization.

Founded in 1997, the NCSF’s purpose is straightforward:  They champion sexual freedom and privacy rights.  They accomplish this through direct action as well as by affiliating with social organizations, academic institutions, businesses and synergistic political action groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).  Through their activism, advocacy and educational programs, they seek to improve the political landscape as it relates to equal rights for consenting adults who enjoy alternative forms of sexuality, particularly in kink/fetish, swingers and polyamory communities.

Unlike other activist organizations who only respond to crisis situations as they arise, the NCSF has developed an ongoing, proactive platform geared towards educating communities, legal systems and media outlets at local, state and national levels.  For example, the group recently sponsored an interactive event at the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago featuring legal experts (including a sitting District Court judge) that provided an overview of issues related to federal and state laws used to prosecute consensual sexual activity among adults.  Through activities like this, they help to prevent potentially adverse situations through better understanding of facts instead of knee-jerk reactions to common myths or biased groupthink.  By building a stronger knowledge foundation along with well-informed public opinion on a widespread basis, the organization has successfully shifted both the response to and coverage of several high-profile cases regarding sexual freedom in recent years and diluted the efforts of many organizations who seek to restrict adult rights.

In short, the NCSF is an organization that’s not nearly as well known as it should be, but has had–and is having–a solid impact when it counts.  If you would like to get a better idea of some of their ongoing projects, we recommend a visit to their official website along with a quick stop at their YouTube channel where you’ll find some brief videos.  Additionally, to help increase the support and attention they both need and deserve, please take a moment to share this article throughout your circles.

Sex Across America Salutes: Kink Aware Professionals

(12/2/13)  We’ve come a long way in bringing about more candid and open conversations regarding sexuality, but the unintended irony is that we might actually have too much of a good thing in some cases.  While the quantity and quality of available resources is significantly better today than it was just a few years ago, we’re now facing a period of information overload.  This is to say that there are so many resources that it’s difficult at times to distinguish between what might be useful or not.  When you don’t really know where to start, fear being judged or are concerned about misinformation, where should you turn?

One place to start is Kink Aware Professionals (KAP), a non-profit directory of medical, legal, therapeutic and administrative professionals who understand and support various sexuality concerns and lifestyle choices.  Conceptualized by psychotherapist Guy Baldwin in the mid-80s and further developed by sex educator-activist Race Bannon, KAP has been managed by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) since about 2005 and focuses on professional service providers in the U.S. and Canada with limited listings for other areas.  Additionally, some providers offer their services either electronically or by telephone.  Professionals appearing in KAP listings volunteer to be listed and are not routinely vetted by the NSCF, however, most are verifiably credentialed in their particular field of expertise and are usually classified by experience level.

Although the name implies that the services covered are limited to professionals with an understanding of kink-oriented lifestyles only, KAP is actually much more diverse in scope, offering a wide array of resources to help regardless of particular interest.  The basic categories offered include:

  • Accounting and finance professionals
  • Counselors and therapists
  • Medical doctors
  • Health and wellness practitioners
  • Lawyers
  • Businesses that provide service primarily by internet
  • Life coaches
  • Miscellaneous (e.g., mediators, investigators, etc.)
  • Psychologists
  • Spiritual advisors and wedding officiators
  • Web design and information technologies

The bottom line is to be of service to people wanting to find professionals who are sensitive to their specific needs regardless of their sexuality–and to not have their sexuality factor in prejudicially.  KAP has been meeting that goal head on for over 25 years and, thanks to the growing crop of professionals adding their voices, is getting even better.  It’s certainly one solid method for cutting through the cacophony these days when a professional ally is needed.

If you have had experience with a service provider listed in KAP, we’d like to hear from you.  Additionally, if you know someone who might be able to benefit from this program, please pass this article along to them (a ‘share’ button is below for your convenience).

Stripping Across America

(11/25/13)  Let’s get this out of the way right up front:  We love strippers!  There.  We said it.  We love the people.  We love the artistic glamour.  We love the exotic beauty.  Having covered the stripping lifestyle extensively throughout Fallen Angel’s Dirty Dancer series, we believe we have a pretty well-informed view of what actually goes on both inside and out, so if any of what follows comes off as a bit bias, oh well.  That’s just how it goes sometimes.

Yes, we love strippers, but we fully recognize that not everyone shares the love.  Indeed, there are some perfectly reasonable arguments against ecdysiastical pursuits and, in any rational debate, these do need to be part of the conversation on the topic.  However, with one camp firmly promoting the art, entertainment and self-reliance aspects and the other entrenched in beliefs of exploitation, subjugation and deviancy, the opposing forces will no doubt repel each other for all eternity.  When a country like Iceland of all places bans stripping, you know you’ve reached a critical mass in terms of digging in on a subject. So, let’s just get past all of the rhetoric and see what’s this and thus in the profession these days.

Generally speaking (as there’s no universal set of parameters defining the culture of stripping), the basic numbers look like this:

-As you might imagine, over 90% are female.  However, it’s interesting to note that percentage is down a few points from census statistics reported following the 2000 survey as more males are now entering the sector.

-A little more than 10% have less than a year of experience, with a median age of about 24.  The bulk, more than 50%, have been performing for 1-5 years while about 20% have up to nine years of experience.  About 15% have over 10 years invested in the industry.

-The number of clubs in the U.S. with some form of stripping: Over 4,000.

-The annual revenue of strip clubs in the U.S. as of 2012: Over $3 billion.

Without a doubt, stripping is big business–with big opportunities for those truly committed to their craft.  Many a student loan has been paid off and professional careers launched from the profits of exotic dancing.  This is even more impressive when you consider that tip rates haven’t kept up with inflation; generally remaining the same over the past 30 years.  In any event, while haters are going to no doubt hate, today’s trends show that they’re having little to no effect in slowing down this niche industry.

Though there is a wide range of forms (mostly due to confusing legalities which, in many cases, vary from town to town), the most common aspect we’ve found is that the people who work in this industry genuinely enjoy what they do and take immense pride in it.  Sure, there are some who are just in it for the money (much like any other kind of job), but most will tell you that the money is less of a motivation than the more self-actualizing factors.  In essence, they feel empowered through the work they’ve chosen and, like any other artist, tremendously fulfilled through the appreciation they receive for their performance.  Most would certainly prefer to do without the negative judgments and intolerant stigmas, of course, but oh well. 

That’s just how it goes sometimes.

Sources:  U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor