‘Beyond Boundaries’ was the theme of the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), in Albuquerque, that took place between 12-15th of November. Sex Researchers, therapists, doctors, educators, biologists and many more attended the conference to explore the emerging dimensions of Sexual Science.<\/p>\n
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Doug P. VanderLaan, recipient of the Ira & Harriet Reiss Theory award, opened the conference with his plenary talk on the development and evolution of male androphilia. Following plenary sessions included Debby Herbenick on Pleasure and Health<\/em>, Stella Resnick on the Science of the Art of Romance <\/em>and Stephanie Sanders on The Biology of Pleasure<\/em>. Osmo Kontula, president of SSSS, gave a talk on the Determinants of Female Sexual Orgasms<\/em>. Other plenary talks included Robert Hatcher on Condoms with Passion and So Much More<\/em> and Walter Bockting on Transgender Health<\/em>. Mandy Carter, an American Black LGBT activist, gave an exceptional plenary talk on Social Justice <\/em>for which she received a standing ovation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Attendees had a variety of choices of concurrent symposia and workshop sessions they could attend such as Sexual Health Issues, Sexual Experiences, Sex Education, Pornography, Non-Monogamy, LGBT Experiences, Sexual Development, Intimacy issues and Sexuality Among Older Adults. Sessions encouraged discussion between the speakers and attendees. Cynthia Graham, editor of the Journal of Sex Research, also delivered a workshop on publishing in and reviewing for JSR, the official journal of SSSS.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I would like to highlight that the conference atmosphere was very welcoming for first-time attendees and students. In addition, orientation events were organised to encourage them to network with professionals and take part in discussions. From my perspective as a student, I found the poster session an extremely useful opportunity to mingle with more experienced professionals. I received valuable feedback for my work on Perceived Attractiveness and Condom Use Intentions, from researchers working in similar areas but also from attendees who found the topic interesting and inspirational. I would encourage students and young professionals to consider presenting their work in future SSSS meetings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The meeting wouldn’t be the same without the exhibitors, who provided the attendees with information about courses and certificates, sexuality books, art, jewellery, and the conference-popular vulva puppets! Additionally, the conference film festival, co-sponsored by Porntopia and Self Serve Toys, presented the films “Gender Affirmation” and “Politics of the Penis” that entertained the attendees during their last conference evening.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Save the date \u2013 The 2016 annual SSSS conference will take place in Phoenix, Arizona in November 17-20, 2016. Abstract submission begins in January 2016!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anastasia Eleftheriou<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ‘Beyond Boundaries’ was the theme of the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), in Albuquerque, that took place between 12-15th of November. Sex Researchers, therapists, doctors, educators, biologists and many more attended the conference to explore the emerging dimensions of Sexual Science. Doug P. VanderLaan, recipient of the […]<\/p>\n