When the SEXx Collective put together this year’s conference, organization cofounder Elicia Gonzales said they “wanted people to think about the mind, body and spirit of sexuality.”
“Our collective came together and recognized that all of us were very angry. We were very motivated to take action. As people of color, as queer people, as people who are in the sex trade, as people who are poets and artists — that we as a collective, ourselves — [we] resist what’s happening on a daily basis,” Gonzales said.
“Sex as Resistance” is the theme of the Collective’s May 17 event. During the evening, attendees can view TEDx-style presentations followed by performances, all based on topics related to sex and sexuality.
“We just want to highlight that we have a unique opportunity and obligation to drive home the point that our bodies are under attack,” Gonzales said. “Our gender representation, our sexual orientation, our livelihoods are really under attack. And yet we continue to resist. And yet we continue to rise, create, live in our power and be sexually liberated.”
The first portion of the evening, which will take place at William Way LGBT Community Center, will focus on TEDx-style talks based around sexuality. Gonzales noted that HIV, health care and the right for women to masturbate are among the topics being discussed by the 13 presenters.
Gonzales said SEXx Collective received several proposals for presentations and noted the process of narrowing down the presenters was “challenging.” Ultimately, the Collective selected individuals who spoke to the “resistance” theme, particularly for underrepresented communities.
One of those individuals is Feminista Jones, the host for the evening.
“Feminista is just a powerhouse who really centers her experience on being a black, feminist sex-positive woman,” Gonzales said.
Jones is an author, a speaker, blogger and podcaster. She spoke at previous SEXx events about black women’s sexuality. For her opening presentation this year, Jones said she plans to talk about black women and their engagement in BDSM.
“I love being able to connect with an audience and giving them a different perspective,” Jones said. “There’s all these stereotypes about black women and our sexuality. To have a black woman stand up and challenge those notions is really important. I’m excited for that.”
Later in the evening, attendees can take in performances ranging from burlesque to musical and dance numbers at Franky Bradley’s.
“We have — on the performance end — people who in their day-to-day life and with their performance art really represent what it means to resist not just the gender binary, not just resist patriarchy, but resist what folks would think of as acceptable,” Gonzales said.
This year, SEXx attendees can purchase tickets with a sliding-scale price beginning at $5. Portions of the proceeds will go toward Project SAFE, an advocacy organization for women working in street economies. Gonzales noted that the organization works with people within the sex trade, a demographic who will be in attendance at SEXx.
“We really wanted to be intentional with giving funds to organizations that are really doing grassroots community organizing [and] critical lifesaving work,” Gonzales said. “Project SAFE really embodied that.”
Jones encouraged people to attend SEXx if they are champions for human rights and individuality. Additionally, she said attendees can learn more about sex and sexuality from people with whom they might not necessarily interact on a daily basis.
“People should come because they are interested in learning more about how sex can be used as a tool of resistance and how people can come together and affirm their sexual identities and gender identities in empowering spaces,” Jones said. “We are in a time in this country where there are attacks on so many people that we have to find ways to affirm ourselves, our humanity and our right to live as individuals.”
Jones will host a Twitter chat 9 p.m. May 14. To participate, follow @FeministaJones and use the hashtags #SEXxPHL and #sexasresistance. Presenter Chris Crowder (@XavierDLeau) and performer Seraphina Malizia (@Scareaphina) will serve as guests.
SEXx: Sex as Resistance will take place May 17. The TEDx-style talks will occur 7-9 p.m. at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Performances will follow from 10 p.m.-midnight at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. Visit www.sexxinteractive.com for a full lineup and to purchase tickets.