HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Kelly Shibari is coordinating the adult track for high IQ society Mensa’s Annual Gathering for a second year.
The PRSMGroup CEO is presenting four unique conversations at this year’s conference, all focusing on sex and relationships from political and societal angles.
“I’m so honored to coordinate this year’s adult track for the Mensa AG again,” Shibari said. “I’m thrilled to bring educators and thought leaders who deal in the realms of sex, relationships, gender and kink to such a highly esteemed group of people, who are just as curious about the world and its many different and interesting facets as I am. With a particular bent towards the current political climate, this year’s four presentations should make for a lively evening for all who attend.”
The four presentations curated by Shibari for this year’s Annual Gathering are as follows:
Eugenics: Improving the Human Race, or Scientific Validation for Racism?
- by Erin Basler, M. Ed., Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health
- In medically beneficial, societally harmful and ethically specious ways, eugenics-based practices are still being used in the US. This workshop aims to educate eugenics history, contemporary practices, and how the history of eugenics is intertwined with contemporary sexual health and rights.
Reclaiming Sexuality & Narrative After Sexual Trauma
- by Cassandra Corrado, member, NC Sexual Health Conference
- According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 71 men, will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives; 80% of the assaults will be committed by someone the survivor knows. We will discuss the emotional landscapes after sexual violence, ways sexual violence impacts desire, fantasy, and sexuality, & how survivors can reclaim their sexualities and personal narratives after trauma, including information and tools relevant for both survivors and their loved ones.
LGBTQ Health Policy & Sexuality: Surviving in the Age of Trump
- by Jen Laws, public policy analyst & advocate, & Steve Patton, disease intervention specialist
- Since the HIV epidemic of the 80’s, public health policy has had to consciously consider the lives and sexuality of the LGBTQ communities. The last 30 years have been both reflective of, and influential to, LGBTQ sexual expression and the evolution of social understanding of gender identity. This presentation will specifically discuss what has happened for the LGBTQ community in terms of culture, health, and sexual expression since the 2016 election.
BDSM: Sexual Power Dynamics & Play in Relationships
- by Elizabeth “Kitty” Davis, BA
- BDSM and fetish play offer many layers of engagement, from one-off to long-term, sexual and non-sexual, casual and intimate, playful and spiritual. This presentation will cover relationship structures, pacing relationship development, communication styles, recognizing natural power dynamics and their impact on communication, playing against type and 'switching,’ developing new relationship skills with broad application outside of the play space, and the personal politics of change.
“Many people think eugenics is part of the past,” said Basler of her presentation. “I'm honored to bring a discussion about its current impacts to the Mensa community.”
Corrado added, "I'm so thrilled to speak at the Mensa Annual Gathering this year, and I'm even more excited to learn from my fellow presenters. It's sure to be a great weekend!"
Laws commented, "I'm exceptionally excited to be presenting on LGBTQ health policy at Mensa's AG this year; I'm particularly thrilled to get to do this presentation with Steven [Patton]. So grateful for the opportunity Kelly [Shibari] provided in this, to expand our reach to a new audience."
Patton agreed, "I'm excited not only to be presenting on a topic I care about at the Mensa AG, but to be doing so with my dear friend and policy guru, Jen Laws!"
"I'm so excited to present at the annual conference,” Davis enthused. “I’m looking forward to sharing and interacting with all of the attendees.”
Held at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla this year, Mensa’s 2017 Annual Gathering will occur July 6-10. Attendance for the adult track is limited to Mensans 18 and older; IDs will be required. To view all session descriptions, click here.
For more information on this year’s AG, including registration, click here.
