HMU Academy: Women of Color & Pleasure - discussing empowerment & self care

Pleasure can be an act of empowerment by women of color. Fight oppression by leaning into your sexual self.

This session will explore barriers of pleasure for women of color, and how pleasure can be an act of self care. We will learn and discuss how the rules and norms of society and patriarchy at large have owned women of color's bodies and dictate how they experience pleasure. Also, we will discuss how the patriarchy has always had control over the bodies of women of color. We will also highlight how stereotypes of women of color through various forms of media contribute to fetishization of women of color, which often leads to sexual violence. Tips of how to utilize pleasure as a form of self care will be identified.

Level/Who should attend

No skill pre-requisites. Can attend solo or with a partner(s)

What to bring

Anything that helps you feel safe (blanket, soft mat, fidgets, safety person)

What to wear

Comfortable clothing, whatever makes you feel good. No nudity please.

Instructor Bio

Jay (they/them) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor with 15 years practicing in clinical/professional skills within the social services and behavioral healthcare fields. Their ambition is to decolonize sexual intimacy in order to promote mental wellness for marginalized communities. Jay engages in community integration, consultation, providing supervision for pre-licensed clinicians, collaborations workshops and presentations. They are also an advocate for the queer community, BIPOC and women. Jay is an Intersectional feminist. They often involve themself in protests and fundraising, which is a way for me to dismantle the chains of oppression. Jay is also part of the LGBTQIA+ community and a proud Queer Filipinx Sex Therapist that carries a diagnosis of Complex PTSD.

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💜 Equity pricing: We recognize that folks have different access to financial resources for a variety of reasons, including being of a marginalized identity. If you do not have the financial capacity for a full-priced ticket please email admin@hitmeupnyc.com .

💜 Volunteers: Limited volunteer spots available. Please email admin@hitmeupnyc.com to express interest.

💜 Location: Lower Manhattan. The space has an elevator. Please email hello@hitmeupnyc.com if you need any accessibility accommodations.

💜 Full vaccination is required. While we recommend getting the booster shots, we are not verifying them at this time.

💜 Consent Policy: This is an ASK FIRST event and the rules of respectful and consensual behavior WILL be enforced. You will be responsible for reading the policy and behaving appropriately. Please click here to read our consent policy in full.

💜 Membership: This event is open to the public. We reserve the right to refuse entry if needed.

Hit Me Up also hosts private events which are invite only, and anyone new to Hit Me Up must apply and be approved to attend—no guests or plus ones. Please visit https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/join to join. You are welcome to inquire as to your status or that of your friends, but please do not act as if you have an entitlement to access our space or members. Building special spaces is hard, and while we are inclusive and welcoming, we reserve the right to curate our membership as needed to maintain our flourishing community.

💜 Please stay home if you are feeling ill or if you have had recent close contact with someone who tested Covid positive (within the past 5 days). You could be incubating and still test negative. Any requests for refunds for any reason will be honored up to the day of the party. Remember: safe, sane, and sanitary Just email hello@hitmeupnyc.com and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

HMU’s public events are 18+. Our vetted & private lists are 21+ only.