Last night I attended the orientation for my newest, favoritest MeetUp Group called Sex Positive LA. The Sex Positive Movement is made up of people who believe that sexual expression with all of its diversity is a welcome and celebrated part of human experience. Sex Positive LA has over three hundred members; the Portland group has nearly six hundred!
When I first met the Organizer, Gabriella Cordova, I signed up and within days became an Assistant Organizer – the energy was that strong for me. I’d been looking forward to the Sunday night orientation for weeks.
About twenty people gathered in a circle of chairs in a spacious room. With Gabriella’s expert guidance, we each shared something significant about our sexual background, challenges, desires and hopes. Within an hour, this group of strangers became a group of fellows I wanted to support and know better.
We learned about the organization and how we could get involved. After a yummy potluck, it was time for intimacy building exercises. I was invited to look fellow participants – both men and women – in the eyes. Later, I received a delicious shoulder rub and gave quite a few, too. It felt so good to give loving touch to people. So human!
We were now ready for the cuddle part of the evening. I’ve been so looking forward to this! We grabbed blankets and pillows from a big stack and were put in a group of five. Our instruction was to ask for touch how we wanted it and be clear about our boundaries when giving permission or not. I was terrified!
I took the lead and suggested, “Hey, maybe she can lie down and you, if you’re comfortable, you can lie there and we can put a pillow there and you there and then me and then you.” I think it’s sort of sweet that I leapt into action to manage my own fear. Yet I also think my group appreciated it. So there we were the five of us – and in the midst of it all – me – cuddling with a man on either side of me. Heaven! Pillow talk!
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| Here’s a pic from the Cuddle Party site – ours was cozy like this. |
When the evening concluded, I got into my car and saw on the clock that it was 11:00pm. I had no idea it was so late. I was filled to the brim with a happy feeling that is still with me this morning.
Thanks Sex Positive LA, Gabriella and the peeps who cuddled with me!