 "Take two of these..." In 2005, Just Suck It Already campaign organizer Betka Schpitz (right) was already dispensing advice during Portland's Pride Parade. |
Bored with the same old, same old this Valentine's Day Hang on a couple weeks until the Just Suck It Already safer-sex campaign hits town.
On March 3, five women dressed in naughty latex nurse costumes will hit Portland streets to hand out free condoms, dental dams (for oral sex) and safe-sex information.
The main target initially will be Old Town. But planners, who have printed 1,000 bumper stickers, expect to continue the weekend event in perpetuity—opening eyes (and mouths) citywide to the joys of latex and safer sex.
"I think latex is important," says campaign organizer and Portland dominatrix Betka Schpitz. "It's sexy and safe and feels great. Just give yourself a hand massage with a latex glove and some lube and tell me you don't agree."
This is Just Suck It Already's first venture in Portland, though the city has a long history of alternative safe-sex campaigns. In 1995, Danzine—a nonprofit that began as a magazine—was created by, and for, people in the sex industry. Before closing in 2003 because of financial shortfalls, Danzine provided information about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and birth control, and offered a needle-exchange program.
What distinguishes Just Suck It Already—a not-for-profit safe-sex movement—is its fire for educating people about the pleasures of latex. Or, as Schpitz writes on justsuckitalready.com, "We are passionate perverts here to encourage moral hedonism and gourmet sexuality in all of its forms."
"It's probably not how we'd deliver the message, but it's great," says Loreen Nichols, program manager for Multnomah County Health Department's HIV and hepatitis C programs.
One campaign sponsor is San Francisco-based Vixen Creations, which bills itself as the world's premier maker of "heirloom-quality" silicone dildos and anal plugs. Another is Syren Latex, a Los Angeles company that makes rubber evening gowns and formal latex evening wear. (Syren also has made Hollywood costumes for Batman, Catwoman and the 2005 Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie flick, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.) The campaign's condoms will be provided by New York-based Condomania, which touts itself as America's first condom store.
"We will be handing out at least 1,000 condoms a month," Schpitz says.
Just Suck It Already will also be sponsoring the "Blasphemy Ball" on March 10 at Dante's (1 SW 3rd Ave.). Event organizer Stacy Bias expects "at least 300 kinksters, radicals, queers and activists" to attend what's being billed as a "night of focused, therapeutic rebellion."
Asked what to expect if you're unaccustomed to the kink community, Bias says you're likely to leave saying, "Whoa, I need a shower."
As for Just Suck It Already's larger campaign promoting latex costumes, rubber cocks and dental dams to get Portlanders to practice safe sex and moral hedonism
"I'm here to open a door for that to happen," Schpitz says. "And I can be very persuasive."
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Thanks guys! Your pursuit of pleasure at all costs has ushered in a new generation of problems. "Moral hedonism?" Isn't that an oxymoron? Or just moronic?
One thing that saddens me to no end that I can rely on, not only journalism of this caliber but also of individuals that promote "free love"...is that the message is entirely focused on self. "How can I bring MYSELF pleasure?" "How can I make sure I don't get an STD?" This isn't so much about caring for others as it is about indulging in whatever desire one has and calling it undeniably "holy."
If we are getting our cues on love and sex from people like this and from Hollywood, then why is it these people cannot seem to keep a relationship for longer than an average middle-school student? Thanks Kinsey! Thanks Willamette Week! Keep up the good work of dragging the moral compass down while increasing the need for society to justify the whims of one's own appetite while ignoring bothersome things like conscience or responsibility. Thank you for making relationships that much harder for the rest of us that seek to find real love...love that is based on something greater than rubber and lube. Love that might go out of it's way to think about what is truly best for others! Love that has a portion of patience...
I am not "Bias," but I do agree with one thing...whoa, I need a shower.
undermines the message. It isn't hip or cool, it's just dumb.
I personally feel like if people were more educated in non-patronizing ways about the risks involved with having unprotected sexual contact, and shown that protecting ourselves can be done in a way that doesn't take away from a sexual experience but rather enhances it, we might not have such an epidemic on our hands here.
Moral hedonism isn't an oxymoron. Break it down and don’t let the opinions of society define things for you.
Here is the definition of hedonism as pulled from www.dictionary.com :
1. the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good.
2. devotion to pleasure as a way of life
and the definition of moral :
1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.
Putting those two words together makes sense to me. Everyone is born with the right to pursue a pleasure filled life. What an individual decides is pleasurable for himself or herself is really quite personal and shouldn't be attacked by anyone if it is done with good intention. Yes, there are people on this earth that enjoy sex and want to be around people who enjoy sex, AND want those people to be safe when they enjoy sex.
I think the message Just Suck It Already is trying to convey is that we DO need to take care of ourselves AND each other. If people want to indulge, so be it. Encourage it! Let's indulge responsibly and have a damn good time while we are at it. That right there is consciousness and responsibility in action.
Believe it or not, there are millions of people who incorporate as much hedonism into their lives as possible AND have long lasting, healthy relationships, successful careers, raise happy families, and probably exchange hello’s and niceties with you on a daily basis without your knowledge that they are perverts behind closed doors.
Stop the oppression. Our government has dished enough.
As for feeling like others are ruining your chance at finding a lasting, healthy relationship. I feel sorry that you think that, hope you don’t always think that way, and wish you the best in life.
I (a moral hedonist) am so fortunate to have a long-lasting and healthy relationship with another moral hedonist who has taught me the importance of personal responsibility.