Seattle Sexuality Resources
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This guide provides brief descriptions and contact information for some
of the sex-positive cultural resources of Seattle, Washington.
Before beginning, we should pause to mention that:
- This guide is only intended for (and frankly only of use to)
consenting adults, since the overwhelming majority of the organizations it
describes are restricted to participants over the age of 18 or 21.
- This guide comes with no accuracy guarantees, may eventually go out of
date, in some points is (by necessity) based on second-hand suggestions
rather than the first-hand experience of its creators, and in using it you
release its creators from any liability concerning it. In other words, it
is at best a starting point, and never a substitute for using good
judgment.
- There is always time in life for new experiences, but some health and
safety mistakes can't be undone: if you haven't learned enough about safer
sex to know what you need to do to preserve your own health and that of
those around you, or aren't sure whether you're the sort of person who can
stick with what you've decided, then this isn't the guide you should be
reading right now.
- Common courtesy, and asking whenever you're unsure whether something
is OK, never go out of style.
- Three national non-profit organizations actively defending the
freedoms which sex-positive culture depends on are the ACLU (see http://www.aclu.org), the National
Coalition for Sexual Freedom (see http://www.ncsfreedom.org), and the
work the Planned Parenthood Foundation does to maintain access to
birth control and STD prevention measures (see http://www.plannedparenthood.org).
Consider supporting their work if you can.
- If you sometimes travel to
other cities on the West Coast, then you may also wish to check out our Sexuality.org West Coast Awards.
This guide was last modified on June 2, 2008, and area codes are (206) unless noted otherwise.
These resources may be considered good starting points because participation
in them is open regardless of gender or orientation, and because they strive
to serve many different parts of this region's sex-positive culture.
- The Center for Sex-Positive Culture
- (formerly known as ``The Wet Spot'' or ``The SPCC'')
is a non-profit organization which operates a real-life, membership-based community
center for the benefit of the Pacific Northwest's sex-positive culture. Currently
housed in a 4400 square foot building near downtown
Seattle, this organization is unique in that it strives to serve all
the local communities which comprise its region's sex-positive culture (e.g.,
the BDSM community as well as elements of the swing community, and everything
around and in-between). This organization is a good starting
point because it offers
a wide variety of events, classes, dances, vendor fairs, informal social evenings, guest speakers, an extensive library, and discussion/support groups, with
something almost every night of the week, and because gender and orientation
are not barriers to membership (for example: single men are as welcome
as
single women). See http://www.sexpositiveculture.org for information
on becoming a member and their current event schedule, and http://www.paradiseunbound.com
for
information on their fun annual campout called ``Paradise.'' It's
also well worth noting that several local merchants offer 10% discounts to
current CSPC members, including The
Crypt, Fantasy Unlimited, Babeland, and Sufferware.
- Babeland
- is one of only a small handful of sex toy stores across
the country which would be comfortable to almost anybody, and it serves a unifying
and welcoming role in our area similar to that of the CSPC.
In addition to knowledgeable and friendly staff, and a selection of the best
available sex toys, movies, and books, this shop offers flyers and networking
information for other local organizations along with excellent monthly
classes (see their web site for details). Babeland is located at 707
E Pike Street in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, and may be contacted
at 328-2914 or http://www.babeland.com
- New Horizons
- is widely considered the most beautiful on-premise club in the
entire country. Located on thirteen acres of wonderfully landscaped property
and offering a full-sized pool as well as three hot tubs, it's easily the most
luxurious sex-positive venue in the entire Pacific Northwest. It is not uncommon
for a Saturday party at New Horizons to be attended by over 200 people. See
http://www.horizonsclub.com for more information on this club (including
a virtual tour) and the process of joining.
- Erotic City
- A unique event held two Fridays a month at the CSPC, which does not
restrict attendance on the basis of sexual orientation or gender.
See http://www.sexpositiveculture.org for more information.
- Eros Events
- This club hosts its events at a beautiful, natural resort which
features a heated pool as well as a hot tub. More information is
available at http://www.eros-events.org
- Northwest Xchange Club
- See http://www.nwswingersxchange.com for more information.
- Original Circles
- See http://www.original-circles.com for more information.
This organization hosts two dances a month and an annual getaway called ``Campout.''
- Puget Sound Couples and BiFemales
- See http://www.pscbf.com for more information. This is an online discussion group which also arranges monthly social events.
- Hugs Club
- Located in Spokane. See http://www.hugsclub.com
Seattle's BDSM community is particularly active and vibrant, and is distinguished
from similar communities in other cities by its relative ease of entry as well
as by its unusually low levels of separation/misunderstanding between its gay
men's leather community, its gay women's leather community, and its ``pansexual''
leather community. [Note: This has been a defining characteristic of Seattle's BDSM
community for some time, and largely stems from the various communities which
comprise it sharing physical space to an unusual degree. The legendary ``KC''
parties, held from 1989-1994 on reserved nights at a local on-premise swing
club, attracted almost the entire BDSM community due to the physical beauty
and size of the space. From 1995-1999, a Capitol Hill restaurant called ``Beyond the Edge Café'' served as a nexus for the entire community due to its
central location and friendly management. After this restaurant's closure and
the Center for Sex-Positive Culture's subsequent opening in 1999,
the CSPC (in part due to its
size and in part to the inclusive nature of its mission) has had a similarly
unifying effect.]
- The Center for Sex-Positive Culture
- hosts pansexual (i.e. open to all genders and sexual orientations)
BDSM play parties every Saturday, men-only play parties on one Friday a month,
women-only play parties on another Friday of the month, one bondage party a
month, several workshops a month, a variety of BDSM-related discussion and support
groups, and typically a monthly guest speaker or author appearance followed
by a special theme party. See http://www.sexpositiveculture.org for more information
on becoming a member.
- Babeland
- hosts BDSM-related workshops in their store fairly frequently,
which anyone may register for. See http://www.babeland.com for a current
schedule.
- Seattle Men in Leather
- is a social and educational organization ``promoting
with Power and Pride'' the Seattle men's leather community. SML hosts a variety
of events for their members, including brunches, ``dress code'' socials
at The Cuff (their home bar), and club nights at two of Seattle's men's bathhouses.
They also host an annual run called ``Equinox'' and a monthly ``Tribal Instinct'' men-only educational workshop.
See their web site at http://www.seattlemeninleather.org for more details
(select the PDF file of their latest newsletter).
- Leather Bars
- Although not restricted to men, Seattle's leather bars are definitely
geared towards men. The two most popular bars are The Cuff (1533 13th
Ave, see http://www.cuffcomplex.com) and the Seattle Eagle (314
East Pike Street). The Eagle is smaller,
and has a ``rougher'' feel, while the Cuff features a full dance floor and an
expanded kitchen.
- Seattle Women of Leather
- A new non-profit social organization, open to all women. See http://www.seattlewomenofleather.org
for more details. See also http://www.geocities.com/kfbutchfemme/
for information on the Kink-Friendly Butches and Femmes Group.
The Center for Sex-Positive Culture hosts an event called
``Grind'' every Thursday,
distinguished from similar events in Seattle by the fact that their
facility is alcohol-free and smoke-free, and by the fact that play
equipment and space are provided. Another popular spot (generally with
more of a goth crowd) is the private club known as Mercury (http://www.the-mercury.com). Fetish,
gothic, or at least black clothing is preferred in each case.
Women who prefer
women-only dance spaces should check out Girl4Girl Seattle (see
http://www.girl4girlseattle.com) and Cherry (see http://www.cherryseattle.com).
There are quite a few
gay-friendly dance clubs on Capitol Hill, with new ones
appearing seemingly every few months: check out one of the club guides
on Capitol Hill for tips on which ones are currently the hottest.
Depending on what kind of dancing you enjoy, classes on various forms of sexy dancing may be available through Discover U (see http://www.discoveru.org), the Academy of Burlesque (see http://www.academyofburlesque.com), and Pole for the Soul (see http://www.poleforthesoul.com).
- Bondage Lessons by Max
- Customized workshops and classes on bondage technique, see http://www.bondagelessons.com
- The Palms Seattle
- A mixed gender spanking group, which hosts one social dinner a
month, a monthly video review brunch, and a monthly ladies luncheon.
See http://www.thepalmsseattle.com
- SexLife
- An internet radio show of local interest, see http://www.sexlifelive.org to listen.
- Alternative Lifestyle Center
- This is the web site for a series of different BDSM events in the Seattle area, hosted at a variety of different venues. For more information see http://www.alternatelifestylecenter.org
- Triskeli Guild
- Located near Bellingham, this organization sponsors the annual In the Woods campout. More details are available at http://www.triskeli.org
- Bellingham Leather Men
- Meeting in Bellingham. More details are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BellinghamLeatherMen/
- Alternative Events Association
- Located in Kent, this new organization hosts munches and
play parties. Too see their schedule select ``Calendar'' followed by ``Event Lists'' at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlternativeEventsAssociation/
These clubs are intended for men who have
sex with men, and are open until at least 5am seven days a week.
As a practical matter, if you have unsafe sex at places like these (ESPECIALLY anal intercourse without a condom),
no matter what the guy you met there looks like or what he
tells you, then you may be clinically insane: safer sex is always
important, but here it's particularly important.
- Club Seattle Baths
- is located at 1520 Summit (see http://www.clubsea.com).
It has a traditional men's bathhouse layout.
- Club Z Baths
- is located at 1117 Pike Street (see http://www.thezclub.com).
It's like Club Seattle, but with more of an SM feel and a more diverse clientele.
Club Z hosts Seattle Men in Leather's club night on the second Thursday of each
month.
- Basic Plumbing
- is located at 1505 10th Ave (see http://www.bpseattle.com) and is more heavily
focused on oral sex than either Club Seattle or Club Z. Basic Plumbing hosts
Seattle Men in Leather's club night on the first Thursday of each month.
Although various non-profit organizations have rented the Basic Plumbing facility
for special afternoon women-only events, there is no ongoing women's equivalent
of the men's baths and clubs (that is, other than some of the CSPC's
women-only events).
- Body Electric School
- This school offers a wide range of its men's, women's,
and mixed courses in the Seattle area, and across the country. Although not inexpensive,
these classes are high-quality and frequently cited by the people who take them
as pivotal in their sexual lives. See http://www.bodyelectric.org
for more details.
- ``Tantra Temple''
- Offering monthly workshops and events (some for women only, some for men only, and some mixed), their web site is at http://www.tantratemple.us
- ``Santuary Intime''
- Hosting workshops, healing circles, and art gallery showings for those who wish to learn about and expore their sexual being. Located on Capitol Hill. See http://www.sanctuaryintime.net for more details.
- ``Sexual Transformations''
- Tanja Diamond, instructor. See http://www.sexualtransformations.com
- ``Sacred Eros''
- Beth and Robi, instructors. See http://www.sacrederos.com
- ``Sacred Exploration''
- Betty Martin, instructor. See http://www.sacredexploration.com
- ``Tantric Enlightenment''
- See http://www.tantricenlightenment.com
- ``Kissing School''
- Cherie Byrd, instructor. See http://www.kissingschool.com
Erotic Arts Events
- Little Red Studio
- A unique bi-weekly event, Little Red Studio is a participatory
erotic arts happening held at a local artist's studio. Erotic dance,
poetry, body painting, theatre, and interactive games may all be
featured, although there is no explicit sex. This is a good date event,
as well as (perhaps) an opportunity to see some paintings or sculpture
which might be featured in the next Seattle Erotic Art Festival (since
the artist whose studio hosts this event is an erotic artist of
considerable note). See http://www.littleredstudioseattle.com
for more details.
- Seattle Erotic Art Festival
- This annual erotic art festival has gathered national attention
for
the quality of its offerings. Some art is offered for display only, some
for sale, and some for auction. Represented are typically some of the
best erotic artists working today, though artists at any stage of their
careers are encouraged to submit their work to the festival committee for
consideration. See http://www.seattleerotic.org for information.
- Studio Foglio
- Seattle is home to the comic artist Phil Foglio, who created the wonderful ``XXXenophile'' comics (see http://www.xxxenophile.com).
- Poly Potlucks
- A long-standing Seattle tradition, these events are held on
the second Saturday of odd-numbered months. After a potluck dinner, attendees
break into small groups to discuss some aspect of polyamory, as it applies to
their lives. See http://www.scn.org/~spg/ for more information.
- Poly Campouts
- Polycamp (see http://www.polycamp.org) has been held each year since 2004: they've been well-received so far, and will probably continue to grow in attendance over the next several years.
- Poly Workshops
- The annual Norwescon science fiction convention (see http://www.norwescon.org) generally
hosts a range of panels on polyamory. Poly workshops are also frequently
held at the CSPC and Babeland.
- Poly Discussion:
Online
- The sea-poly mailing list (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sea-poly/) hosts free-flowing discussion
on the subject of polyamory, and also serves to announce informal poly gatherings which aren't announced anywhere else.
- Seattle LGBT Community Center
- Seattle's LGBT Community Center is at 1115 East
Pike Street. See http://www.seattlelgbt.org for details and a full events calendar (including their monthly guest speaker brunches and movie nights).
- Dunshee House
- Dunshee House, formerly known as SASG offers a wide range of discussion and support groups. See http://www.dunsheehouse.org for details.
- Seattle Pride
- Seattle's annual Pride Parade and Rally brings together hundreds of community and community-friendly groups, and attracts about 100,000 people. See http://www.seattlepride.org for details.
- Event Calendars
- The Seattle Gay News (the print version of which is published weekly) and the
LRC News (whose resource guides are now available online)
monthly) are currently maintaining the most comprehensive event calendars for Seattle's gay. See http://www.sgn.org and http://www.lrc.net for more information.
- Gay City
- A remarkably forward-looking organization for gay men. See http://www.gaycity.org
- Northwest Bears
- The term ``bear'' is often used to describe men with
facial hair, a cuddly body, and a solid level of comfort with their own masculinity
and body size. Northwest Bears is one of Seattle's organizations for bears and
their admirers, see http://www.nwbears.com
- Lifelong AIDS Alliance
- Offers monthly workshops on issues such as sex, relationships, dating, intimacy, and safer sex. See http://www.lifelongaidsalliance.org
- The Olympians
- A gay men's nudist organization which has been hosting events
since 1987. See http://www.theolympians.net for more information.
- Romp Naked
- As its organizers put it, Romp Naked is a ``nude, erotic, and sensual gathering of men,'' though
not a sex party: rather, simply an opportunity to dance and
enjoy the feeling of being around other men in a clothing-free environment. Held several times a year. See http://www.rompnaked.org for more information. Note that you don't have to identify as gay or bi to attend: once again, we would like to emphasize that this is not a sex party.
- Rain City Jacks
- ``A non-profit, private JO club for adult men in the Seattle area, hosting
several monthly JO events in a highly erotic, fraternal and sex-positive
atmosphere.'' Their mission statement is: ``To promote and facilitate group
masturbation for adult men, expand our individual sexual awareness,
celebrate the basic goodness of our sexual impulse, and build a culture
of mutual respect and dignity among our fellows.'' See
http://www.raincityjacks.org for more information.
- The Lesbian Resource Center
- Established in 1971, the LRC is the oldest organization
of its kind in the country. See http://www.lrc.net for more information
and directions.
- The Wildrose
- Seattle's women's bar. See http://www.thewildrosebar.com for details.
- Seattle Bisexual Women's Network
- A very active organization for bisexual
and bi-friendly women which hosts weekly workshops and discussions. They also
publish the quarterly newsletter North Bi Northwest. See http://www.geocities.com/sbwn/
- BiNet Seattle
- A social organization for bisexual or bi-curious people and
their partners. They sponsor weekly discussion/support group meetings, one monthly social, and periodic special events (e.g. their annual picnic). See http://www.binetseattle.org. The BiNet Seattle web
site also offers information on the Seattle Bisexual Men's Union (which
hosts monthly gatherings) and Boys Time Out (which hosts monthly gatherings
for bisexual men who are ``married or otherwise interested in women'').
- Ingersoll Gender Center
- A comprehensive counseling and referral center for those
in any stage of questioning their gender identity. IGC hosts weekly support/discussion
groups, monthly educational events, and a monthly book group. See http://www.ingersollcenter.org
- Emerald City Social Club
- An active social organization for the transgendered community. See http://www.theemeraldcity.org
- Esprit Gala
- An annual convention for the Pacific Northwest's transgendered community, with a particularly strong schedule of workshops for crossdressers. See http://www.espritconf.com
- FTM: A Gender Odyssey
- An annual conference for masculine-identified people who were assigned female gender at birth. See http://www.transconference.org
- Seattle Sexplorations
- This adult social club organizes outings for its members to a variety
of the events and businesses listed above, and sponsors a few classes of
its own. Its intent is to provide a way for (even quite mainstream) folks
to broaden their knowledge of what is out there in a very non-threatening
way. See http://www.seattlesexplorations.com
for more information.
HIV/STD Testing
For HIV/STD testing and Hep A/B vaccination referrals, visit the King
County Public Health Site at http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/ or call
205-7837 (though most people end up going to the Harborview STD Clinic, which offers HIV testing as well as the full spectrum of STD tests, including the Herpes I, Herpes II, and Hepatitis C tests upon request: call 731-2271 to make an appointment).
Reproductive Health and Contraception
A Planned Parenthood clinic is centrally located at 4500
9th NE (see http://www.ppww.org).
At various times, the Department of Health (call 296-4960) has
also offered free vasectomy programs.
At the time this guide was written, emergency contraceptive pills (special doses of birth control pills that can reduce the chances of pregnancy up to five days after condom failure) were available at Bartell Drug stores without a prior visit to a clinic or physician. The Queen Anne Bartell Drug location (600 First Ave N / 284-1353) had expanded late-night hours. See http://ec.princeton.edu for current details, however.
Sex Therapy
- Joy Davidson, Ph.D.
-
Licensed as a marriage and family therapist, an AASECT certified sex
therapist, and offering psychotherapy, couples therapy, and sex therapy.
Author of the book Fearless Sex, and a sex advice columnist for several
national magazines. She has experience with a wide range of clients and
lifestyles including transgender, poly, BDSM, and gay/bi. See http://www.joydavidson.com
- Seattle Institute for Sex Therapy, Education, and Research
-
Providing quality sex therapy to the Seattle community since 1975, staff therapist credentials include ABS certification and clinical fellow status with the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists. See http://www.sextx.com
- Roger Libby, Ph.D.
-
Lecturer, co-author of the textbook Sexual Choices, fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, and board-certified sex therapist. Experienced with sexual and relationship counseling, as well as marriage counseling.
See http://www.drrogerlibby.com
Psychotherapy
- Genjo Marinello, MA, LMHC
- A state licensed mental health counselor with an M.A. in Psychology and a degree in spiritual direction from the U.B.C. Vancouver School of Theology, Genjo has extensive counseling and therapy experience with sexual minorities, including concerns related to BDSM and other forms of alternative sexuality. As a Buddhist priest and a Quaker, he also serves as a spiritual director with the Anamchara Multifaith Center for Sexual Minorities. His office number and e-mail address are 206-328-3944 and genjo_m@hotmail.com.
- Eileen Stein, MSSW, LICSW
-
A clinical social worker and psychotherapist who works with both
individuals and couples. Nonjudgmental and alternative-lifestyle aware,
her web site also indicates experience in counseling alternative routes to
conception and parenting for straight, gay, and lesbian couples. See http://www.eileenstein.com/alt.html
Counseling
- Raven Erling, Registered Counselor
-
A counselor, hypnotherapist, and NLP practitioner. His web site details
experience with relationship and sexuality counseling, and comfort with
clients representing all sexual orientations, including BDSM/leather,
pagan, swinging, celibacy, Tantra, and polyamory. See http://www.drizzle.com/~raven/
- Erika Ginnis, Ordained Minister
-
Provides spiritual counseling and coaching, as well as psychic readings,
healing, energy work, weddings, and commitment ceremonies, along with
individual and group instruction in healing, meditation, and personal
transformation. Open to any regardless of religious background, sexual
orientation, ethnicity, or gender. Pagan, poly, and leather friendly. See http://www.inbreath.com
- Gaelen E. Billingsley, MA, ABS
-
Offering relationship therapy, and listed in the polychromatic.com
poly-friendly professionals directory. Her web site indicates experience
counseling sexual minorities. See http://www.gaelenbillingsley.com
- Rebecca Bloom, ATR-BC LMHC
-
Individual counseling for people of all sexuality and gender
identifications, using talk and art therapy. BDSM, D/s, and polyamory
folks welcome. Specialties in anxiety, depression, life transitions, and
PTSD. Insurance acccepted. See http://www.bloomcounseling.com
Transgender Therapy
- Anne Lawrence, MD, Ph.D.
-
Practices clinical sexology and transgender medicine. Specialities
include gender identity issues and transexual women's issues. Adheres to
HBIGDA standards of care. See http://www.annelawrence.com
- Jude Patton, CMHC, CMFT, PA-C
-
Therapist in private practice, specializing in transgender and intersex
issues, but also providing services to the gay, lesbian, and bi
communities. AASECT certified, and on the board of FTM International and
Ingersol Gender Center. Experienced in referrals for hormone therapy and
surgery, and the associated HBIGDA requirements. See http://www.ftminfo.net/jude.html
Additional GLBT Health Resources
The Seattle and King County Public Health web site has a GLBT Health Resources section at http://www.metrokc.gov/health/glbt/county.htm which may be an excellent place to start.
Of special note is also Verbena (see http://www.verbenahealth.org) which provides a variety of free care, support, and education services for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, as well as transgendered individuals. Annual events include their Rainbow Women's Health Fair and their Trans Health Fair.
A resource specifically for gay, bi, lesbian, or trans survivors of abuse is The Northwest Network, see http://www.nwnetwork.org
Touring Seattle Sex-Positive Venues by Bicicle
The web site http://www.thesinfulcyclist.com provides
cycling routes to and through a variety of "naughty" destinations in and
around the Seattle area. Included is a special cycling tour of
important venues in Seattle's sex-positive culture.
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