Sep. 07, 2010 - Issue #777: The Sex Issue 2010
River city sexuality
As an Edmonton-based sexual health educator and retailer, I've talked to thousands of people and answered all kinds of questions, but there's one that comes up over and over that surprises me every time, "Don't you find it difficult doing this kind of work in such a conservative city?" It seems Edmonton has a reputation as a very straight-laced place, a haven for the sexually repressed. After 11 years of experience working in the sex biz in the City of Champions, I can say that nothing could be further from the truth.
We may be different from our larger sister cities. We may not be as big and flashy and open as Toronto or Montreal, but underneath our demure exterior is a thriving and vibrant network of sexual exploration that few who only visit here ever get the chance to experience.
Edmonton is home to a large and very active kink community. In fact, it is rumoured to be larger than Vancouver's, when compared to population size. On an almost weekly basis, there is some type of BDSM meet-up, play party, presentation or event happening in our city. We are also host to a large and respected BDSM festival that attracts speakers from across North America.
We also have two swingers clubs in our city. Although many Edmontonians are not even aware of their existence, these clubs have been running quietly and successfully, offering a meeting place and social events for, as they put it, "free-thinking and fun-loving" Edmontonians, for more than 10 years.
On the professional side, Edmonton is on the cutting edge of progressive sex education. We were the home to the group Sex Positive Innovations, which sought to bring sex-positive messages into sexuality education. Although the group disbanded a few years ago, SPINN left the legacy of the Sexual Pursuit: Not a Trivial Game which has been used as an entertainment and education tool in bars and campuses across Canada. SPINN helped set an enduring tone for sex-positivity in our sexual health services.
Edmonton is also the birthplace of the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health. ASPSH offers leading edge professional development courses for anyone working in the sexual health field and is considered a pioneer in sexual health education promotion. ASPSH workshops and its major biennial conference attract participants from across the country.
Every day, I see the influence these groups and individuals have on the atmosphere of our city. I see average people, perhaps the less sexually adventurous, become inspired to embrace, appreciate, and learn more about their own sexuality. In spite of our reputation, we actually do have a climate of openness around sex that allows for these small and profound personal explorations.
Yes, Edmonton is a more conservative place in some respects. We don't flaunt our sexual adventures openly in the same way you might see in other metropolitan centres. Our connection to our sexuality is deep, personal and interpersonal. We value it, explore it, relish it, nurture it and share it with other in exciting and interesting ways. You may have to look a little longer and harder to find the sexual adventurers, but there are lots of them and they are pushing boundaries and creating communities in truly exciting ways. I'm looking forward to bringing some of those undercover explorations and discoveries to light and sharing them with Edmontonians.
If you would like to share a story our about city, or if you have a question you'd like to ask, write to me at brenda@vueweekly.com.
Brenda Kerber is a local social worker and sexual health educator. She is the owner of Edmonton-based sex-positive adult toy boutique, The Traveling Tickle Trunk.
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