Sexual Science

The Newsletter of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality

Spring 2004

Volume 45 - Issue 1
Nancy Coiro, B.A., Editor

Conference Highlights

Quad S members descended on San Antonio in early November to attend the SSSS 2003 Annual Meeting. Held at the Marriott Riverwalk, the conference was a showcase of vibrant presenters, contemporary research, and unabashed networking. To appease our data-loving members, the following numbers have been generated:

•Nearly 400 participants
•Over 100 students in attendance
•43 international attendees from 14 countries

Several new attendees took the opportunity to become members. The conference featured international speakers and world-renown researchers. Opportunities abounded for learning, connecting with other professionals, and catching up with old friends.

The Saturday luncheon gave the SSSS body the chance to thank retiring officers for their year of service, and welcome the new representatives to their respective positions. It featured a moving video of SSSS co-founder Albert Ellis, Ph.D., as he received the Founder’s Award from President Beverly Whipple. Ellis exhibited the tenacity one would expect from a Quad S founder, demonstrating the humor and commitment necessary to establish a fledging sexuality research organization. Additionally, Sandra Leiblum, Ph.D., received the 2003 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award, and Edward Herold, Ph.D., nearly brought some audience members to tears as he expressed his happiness at being inducted as an SSSS Fellow.

It was refreshing to see an increased number of students attending this conference, as the Society has emphasized repeatedly in the past the need to attract new members into the important work of sexuality research. The Quad S student organization has worked diligently to facilitate student outreach, and should be applauded for its efforts.

Also announced at this conference was the pending (November 2004) release of Kinsey, a movie on the life of Alfred Kinsey. Luncheon guests viewed a movie introduction and trailer crafted specifically for the SSSS conference and featuring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney, who co-star in the film. Camera crews were on site for most of the conference, filming interviews with SSSS members as part of the film project. This film also co-stars Chris O’Donnell, Tim Curry and Gore Vidal.

Speaking of films, conference attendees were treated to a late night film festival of creative videos that entertained while educating. The Sinclair Intimacy Institute started things off with excerpts of 3 new videos featuring interviews with Quad S experts. Toronto’s SexTv contributed Losing It…Women, Men and the Myth of Virginity, an excellent documentary shown in part.

Dildo Diaries was a hysterical look at sex toy laws in Texas, featuring interviews with columnist Molly Ivans and clips of congressional proceedings where legislators discussed the illegalities of accidental anal sex acts and whether guilty parties would be required to turn themselves in. According to the film, dildos must be referred to as “educational models” in order to be legally sold in Texas, but it’s still possible to buy a strap for an educational model, should the need arise. The audience roared its approval.

The Biggest Mess was an eye-catching, high-energy outreach video that highlighted the detrimental effects of recreational drugs on both sexual response and the immune system. This entertaining show featured drugs personified in drag, candidly sharing the risks of use in an entertaining fashion. This DVD was developed by the Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training in association with Below 14th Street Films. Most (if not all) of the cast was in attendance for the viewing, and free DVDs were available to interested parties.

Joani Blank and Libido Films produced the outstanding video, Orgasm: The Faces of Ecstasy. Blank recruited participants to be filmed, from the neck up, during orgasm. She interspersed the headshots of the diverse cast with interviews and pictures of cast members reviewing their own contributions to the film. Audience response was highly favorable to this contribution by long-time SSSS member Blank.

The 2003 SSSS Conference was well planned and executed by Stephanie Sanders, Bill Yarber, and David Fleming, who were ably assisted by Robin Milhausen, Mandy Peters and Sharon McNeely. Quad S has an incredible team of dedicated professionals who consistently produce high quality conferences. Be sure to acknowledge their contributions when you can.

SSSS Seeks Nominations for Awards

Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award
This award was developed to honor a professional for outstanding scientific contributions to the field of sexology, including such activities as educational programs, publishing research or developing new medical practices. The award honors those whose careers reflect a continuing contribution to sexual science. Nominees do not need to be members of The Society. To nominate an individual, send the nominee's CV and a paragraph explaining why they should receive the award to the Awards Committee Chair, Stephanie Sanders.

Distinguished Service to the Society Award
This award is presented to a member of The Society for outstanding and extensive service to The Society. Examples of such service include extensive participation on committees, the holding of positions or offices, and the developing of new local regions or chapters. Two letters of nomination by members of The Society are required and should be sent to the Awards Committee Chair.

Public Service Award
The Public Service Award is presented to individuals whose service has had a major impact on The Society in general. Such service includes: outstanding achievement or major impact in such arenas as public awareness of sexual issues, political advocacy, professional practice by educators, therapists or health specialists or public policy formation. Two letters of nomination by members of The Society should be sent to:

Stephanie Sanders, PhD, Awards Nomination Chair
c/o SSSS
PO BOX 416
Allentown, PA 18105

From the President

It was two months ago that I assumed the presidency of SSSS following a true star in our field, Dr. Beverly Whipple. The Society owes a very special thanks to her for the triumph and success of her year at the helm of our organization. I am grateful to her for the opportunities, contacts, and guidance she provided during my year as your president elect. Also, many thanks go to Dr. Stephanie Sanders, Dr. Bill Yarber, and Dave Fleming for the magnificent meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

The theme of the upcoming Annual Meeting, November 4 - 7 2004 in Orlando, Florida, is "Sexual Science and Politics: Mutual Interactions". As many of you know, over the past year the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has had to deal with about one request per week from members of Congress on grants focusing on social issues and especially human sexuality research. Influenced by small but vocal conservative political action groups, some elected officials believe that only politically acceptable grants should be funded (see www.cossa.org/toomey.htm). Furthermore, groups such as the Traditional Values Coalition claim that the internationally acclaimed NIH peer review process is faulty and that "Nameless, faceless bureaucrats are doling out money like a federal ATM." (Washington Post, October 30, 2003:A21).

It is crucial that the leadership in the Society redress these political influences in an organized, articulate, and credible fashion. In part, the theme of the next annual meeting is one measure to monitor and proactively respond to this development and to general threats to high quality peer-reviewed science that promises to enhance America's well-being and health. In addition, the Executive Committee has authorized SSSS to join the National Alliance to Support Sexual Health, Research, and Policy. Dave Fleming represented us at their monthly meeting on January 7th.

Most importantly, I encourage every Society member to assume some level of individual responsibility and professional involvement in this matter. Here is an effective strategy that actually implements the theme of the annual meeting:

January 2004 begins the new Congressional session. Identify the Health Policy staffer in the District Office of your Congressional Representative. Make an appointment to meet with the staffer as early as possible in the legislative session. Discuss your own work as a sexual scientist and how your work benefits the constituency of the district. Inform the staff person about SSSS and provide a briefing packet with information about the Society and the current political threat to sexual science research and teaching programs. (Dave Fleming and I can assist you in custom tailoring a briefing packet). Ask for support on this issue from the member and once a good relationship is made with the staffer, ask that you meet with the member and staffer in the District Office. Remember that members generally are responsive to individual constituents. Once you garner support for this matter, maintain this relationship and provide ongoing supportive documentation. Therefore, when you need the member to take a supportive stand in Congress, you will have an established relationship with concise information needed for a politically effective response.

Keep in mind that this same strategy is equally as important and effective with your local state officials for those state-by-state sexual science initiatives.

The Call for Presentations and guidelines for submission are posted on the SSSS website. Do visit the site, consider making a submission, and plan early to make reservations to our 2004 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, for a truly international meeting. The Program Chairs for the meeting are Rafael Mazin, MD, MPH, a senior member for the Pan American Health Organization, and Professor Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, Canada Research Chair in Social Justice and Sexual Health.

Briefly Noted

The Quad S Effect: Our Endeavors Influence the World

Quad S members impact the world in ways we seldom realize. Dr. Bill Yarber, a Fellow of the Society of the Scientific Study of Sexuality, recently served as a host advisor to a visiting researcher from Eurasia. Dr. Ruslan Artykov is a Dermatologist and Venereologist from Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan. He was in the United States as a Research Fellow through the FSA Contemporary Issues Fellowship Program, a project of the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). While here, he worked under the tutelage of Dr. Yarber, researching educational and public health programs targeting STI prevention in rural US areas. Yarber is the Senior Director of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention in Bloomington, Indiana.

IREX began in 1968. It administers exchanges between the United States and the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. This year, the FSA program brought over 60 participants from the former Soviet Union to complete 4 month research programs in their respective fields. As part of Artykov’s program, he attended the SSSS Annual Conference in San Antonio.

Conference Sessions Provide Deeper Understanding

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Artykov, when asked about attending his first sexuality conference. “I thought it would be more theoretical, not practically related to real life.” He was impressed that research was based on real people, rather than abstract ideas.

Artykov said that through his conference sessions, he gained a clearer understanding of social, behavioral and personal dimensions of sexually transmitted infection prevention.

“I better understand the sexual habits of patients. This can help me overcome stereotypes of expected behaviors of clients,” he said. “It helps me to see in practice how people behave. Patients are looking for medical and psychological help with their sexuality.”

Artykov’s favorite sessions were on sex industry and technology (Do People Really Buy This Stuff?), and Gender in Latino Cultures. Until sitting through the former session, he hadn’t realized the role of adult bookstore workers in sex education. He enjoyed learning about the gender perceptions in different countries.

Developing Further Research

Artykov plans to use his newly acquired knowledge in his research into STI prevalence and prevention in Turkmenistan. While reported cases of HIV are extremely low in Turkmenistan (2 reported cases since 1999), syphilis is more of a problem. Artykov will explore existing research in his country to determine the area of greatest need for a future pilot study. He would like to present his findings to SSSS in the future.

He stated that he saw a benefit to annual meetings.

“Annual meetings are necessary to share knowledge and findings. Researchers can’t research everything; they need their contacts to access other information.”

Artykov would not hesitate to recommend the SSSS Annual Meeting to future Fellows in his program.

“I enjoyed this conference very much. I was surprised by the number of people doing research,” Artykov said. “These meetings are a good source of data. It’s a great way to reach other researchers, and to meet people to share information on how to do research, from experienced to beginner, “ he stated. “Getting experienced researchers together with young researchers is the best way to pass knowledge on for the future.”

Bill Yarber is a good example. His willingness to serve as an advisor and to share his expertise will benefit people living in Turkmenistan. Quad S members can and do positively impact the world every day.

Further information regarding the International Research and Exchanges Board can be found at www.irex.org. The web address for the Center for Rural AIDS/STD Prevention is www.indiana.edu/~aids/.

SSSS Student Focus

Greetings from the Student Involvement Chair for the 2003 Term of SSSS. We had a wonderful time in San Antonio! The most wonderful highlight for me was the number of students that were present. This is very encouraging. We must constantly seek to find methods to keep students involved with our wonderful organization. I will be distributing more information with regards to the Mentor-Mentee Program within the next three weeks. We are very excited about creating a more fluid transition for young members in the organization into their prospective career paths. Everyone needs, has had and must be a mentor. I will be working with the new Student Involvement Chair for 2004 and others within the organization to ensure that we are strong in numbers and ideas.

The Great American poet, Langston Hughes impressed upon us the importance of focusing on our dreams. We must continue to encourage each other to pursue our dreams and passions. We are a family.

John Lee Baker, Jr., M.A. Student Involvement Chair of SSSS 2003

Opportunity Alert!

Sexual Science is accepting submissions for upcoming issues. Suggested submissions may include reports of research in progress, sexuality in the news, sexuality education, sex therapy, and legal and ethical issues in sexuality. Regional information regarding the challenges faced by sex researchers, educators and therapists are also welcome. Other possible topics include international comparisons of sexuality issues and rights, cultural acceptance of difference with applications to sexuality and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and cybersex. Articles will be credited to the author and may be edited.

Please send all submissions to:

Nancy Coiro, Sexual Science Editor at:
ncoiro@yahoo.com

International Sex Museums

An upcoming issue of Sexual Science will feature an article on international sex museums. Sexual Science requests that any SSSS members willing to provide a firsthand account of visiting a sex museum or operating a sex museum contact the editor at the address above to arrange an interview.

How Did You Get Here?

A forthcoming article will address the question, “How did you get here?” There are millions of career paths available, yet somehow Quad S members choose to devote their energies to sex research. Why? What made you choose this path? Has it met your expectations? Would you do it again? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

Members wishing to be interviewed or wanting to provide input on this topic are requested to contact the editor at ncoiro@yahoo.com.

Who Inspired You?

Do you have a mentor, an unsung hero? Who inspired you to become a sex researcher, educator or therapist? What about them inspired you? This is your opportunity to publicly recognize that important guide on your professional path. Tell us who they are, what they meant to you, and how they impacted your life.

The last two issues of Sexual Science had the unfortunate distinction of carrying obituaries for members. SSSS is abounding with talented professionals who have positively affected those around them. It’s important to recognize our mentors’ contributions while we can. If you are interested in sharing the story of your mentor, please contact the editor.

Events, Meetings, etc.

SSSS Western Region Conference
>From the Brain Lab to the Bedroom
San Diego, California - April 15-18, 2004

American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
Chicago, Illinois - May 12 -16, 2004

SSSS Eastern and Midcontinent Regions Conference
Is Sex Necessary?: Or, Why Do You Feel The Way You Do?
Madison, Wisconsin - June 10-13, 2004

Upcoming International Meetings:

The 31st Annual Canadian Sex Research Forum will be in Fredericton, New Brunswick on October 7-9. 2004. The Call for papers will be in Spring 2004. While planning is still underway, according to Quad S international member E. Sandra Byers, PhD, the conference will feature 2 keynote speakers and hold a wine and cheese reception.

17th World Congress of Sexology. The World Congress will be held July 10-15, 2005, at the Montreal Convention Centre. Preliminary program is available at www.montrealsexo.com

Call for Papers

The 7th Congress of the European Federation of Sexology is accepting submissions for their conference in the United Kingdom. The conference will be held May 12-16. Submission deadline is February 29, 2004. Complete abstract submission information can be found at http://www.worldsexology.org/english/index.html

Check out the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexuality, which bills itself as the world’s largest website on Human Sexuality. This site includes international sexuality behavior surveys, on-line courses, archives on the history of sexuality and previously published sexuality research papers.
http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/

Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health
Founded by Harry Finley, The Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health, (MUM for short) seeks to provide a public forum for the display of items that depict the culture of menstruation and the history of women’s health. The museum displays items from numerous cultures and details the relationship between medicine and women. It contains archives teeming with historical ads, early reprints of sexuality information for adolescent girls and their parents, ethnic views on menstruation, and humor. It’s well worth the trip to visit this obvious labor of love on the part of curator Finley. Visit the Museum of Menstruation at www.mum.org