Yep, a whole month dedicated to masturbation – not that anyone ever needed authorisation to satisfy themselves but anyway…
Born in San Francisco, 1995, masturbation month came about as a response to the forced resignation of U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders after a speech at the United Nations World AIDS Day in 1994. Elders declared that she believed masturbation is a part of human sexuality and should be considered as something to be taught as part of sex education.
This speech marked the end of Joycelyn’s career but prompted sex toy and education shop; Good Vibrations to keep up the conversation about Elders unjust firing and make people talk about masturbation.
Good Vibrations realised a lot of people needed support around masturbation and wanted to make sure they knew it was OK and normal!
Good Vibrations have since held annual events including public health and awareness programmes that promote masturbation as a way of having safer sex.
Their events also help to destigmatise masturbation and encourage people to talk about it without the giggles, awkwardness or shame!
