Hotel chains removing adult videos

Reposting from Pro-Porn Activism:

One by one, hotel chains, which provide a major chunk of revenues for feature porn companies, are yielding to pressure from anti-porn groups to remove sex vids from their in-room video menus. Marriott may be the latest. Here’s the scoop from AVN:

avn.com/law/articles/29757.html

Well, if that’s the way the antis want to play, they’re not the only ones who travel, patronize hotels and can put on the squeeze. Write to Marriott and other chains that have already caved and let them know, loud and clear, that you will not be enjoying their hospitality in the future, not because you like dirty movies (even if you do), but rather because you don’t care to leave your dollars with companies that allow extremist organizations to dictate their policies.

Money talks. Make yours shout out.

- Ernest Greene

April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

Sex 2.0, one week later

Sex 2.0 was last weekend, and I think people are finally starting to come down from the post-orgasmic bliss state that characterized last week’s tweets, blog posts, emails, etc. (On a less pleasant note, I have yet to shake this case of con crud.)

A few days ago, I posted a big round-up of what other people had to say about the conference; but I have yet to post my reactions. So here are a few.

First of all, simply the fact that all of last week seemed like a post-orgasmic bliss-like state – and Twitter was a downright lovefest – is testament to Sex 2.0′s huge success. I had hoped for it to be successful, bring people together, foster community, blah blah blah… but it really did all that and more in a way that exceeded my wildest dreams. I am so pleased!

The only complaint I heard was that there were too many interesting sessions going on at once! I lost count of the number of people who told me they wished it had been two days.

Dacia and I were talking about how one thing that was unique about Sex 2.0 was that people seemed to be more interested in actually talking and interacting face-to-face, rather than obsessively documenting the event via liveblogging, photos, Twitter, etc. Don’t get me wrong, all of those things were going on; but it definitely was a different vibe than any other social media-related conference I’ve been to. People were so interested and engaged in the discussions, that they couldn’t be bothered to stop and pick up their iPhones. And to me that’s what it’s all about! Social media should foster the social, after all.

Also – and this might seem paradoxical to the last point, but it’s really not – instead of just talking about the various social media tools available, people were actually using the tools to create original content and do cool things. Whether it was showing people how social media can help sex workers form an online community for real-world activism, or role-playing the ups and downs of being internet famous (I’m still annoyed with myself for not going to Melissa’s session), this conference was about doing and not just being meta. Several people were inspired to create new blogs or other social media projects last weekend, and I look forward to seeing how they develop.

Overall, I believe it was the combination of strong content, the energy of the people there, and the comfort of being in a judgment-free space that created Sex 2.0′s unique heights of awesomeness. There are already plans in the works for next year; I love to see this excitement! The consensus seems to be that it will be in DC next year. Sounds good to me… I’ll see y’all there!

April 20, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

Clermont Lounge in danger!

Attention devotees of the Clermont, new and old alike…

The Clermont may be in danger of closing down!!

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/2008/04/17/clermont-lounge-for-sale/

I feel like we need to write to someone (and include Match’s podcast, if necessary). But who? The mayor?

[Via Going Through the Motions]

Update: Ah, what a relief!

April 17, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 1 Comment 

The Sex 2.0 back-channel

…a.k.a., the One True Wrap-up Post To Rule Them All.

Live-blogging

A sampling of wrap-up posts

Many more Sex 2.0-related blog posts are saved in my del.icio.us, and I’ll be updating with more as I find them.

I’ll also be checking Technorati periodically. If you write something Sex 2.0-related, please remember to tag it “sex20″ so it’ll get picked up by Technorati!

Other links

People who were Twittering at Sex 2.0

All tweets from people who used the #sex20 hashtag are at http://twemes.com/sex20.

I took screenshots of some of my favorite tweets. (I certainly missed some, because there were over 1,000 tweets, y’all.)

maeve-tweet1

match-tweet3

maeve-tweet2

melissa-tweet2

jbrotherlove-tweet1

melissa-tweet1

More screenshots here.

Photographic evidence

Of course, there is a Sex 2.0 Flickr group. Currently it’s invite-only, to keep away prying/creepy eyes. If you want to join so you can add photos, there’s a “request invitation” link (or something like that, I don’t know what the exact text is) that you can click, and I’ll add you.

—

Thanks to everyone who came to Sex 2.0 and made it a truly amazing event!! The only complaints I’ve heard about it were that there were too many awesome sessions going on at once so it was hard to decide where to go, so I consider that a success!

There’s already energy for doing it again next year… how about in Washginton, DC this time? That seems to be the growing consensus. (Maeve, I would totally be down with Burlington, VT too, if you can find a venue!)

Thanks again, y’all. It was a wonderful weekend.

[Cross-posted at Being Amber Rhea]

April 15, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 5 Comments 

Naughty American article

An article about Sex 2.0 is up at The Naughty American. It features quotes from me, Dacia, Rachel, and Steve.

Rhea expects at least 100 participants at Sex 2.0 and hopes that the meeting of the minds has a long-lasting impact, even as she admits that the event title is as much of a joke as anything.

“To be honest, I hate the term ‘Web 2.0,’ and I make fun of it,” Rhea admitted. “But I couldn’t help calling this event Sex 2.0 because it’s so catchy.”

Rhea also sees this event as heralding a shift towards how sex should be dealt with on the Internet compared to the now old-fashioned Sex 1.0 version.

“I would consider Sex 1.0 as less participatory,” she said. “It’s like the old dial up connection where you wait and wait for the part of the GIF with the boobs.”

I admit I’m a little flustered about being compared to Martin Luther King, Jr., though (seriously, that’s in the third graf). I feel like I should apologize or something!

April 10, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

Sex 2.0 Flickr group

The Sex 2.0 Flickr group is here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sex20con/

Right now it’s invitation only, so you’ll need to request to be added via Flickr. Also, let me know if you think it’s silly to make the group invitation only. I’ve just been trying to err on the side of caution (and deterring creepy people) with this stuff.

April 9, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

Sex 2.0 on HotMoviesForHer.com

Some out-of-towners like Atlanta for waffles, others for peaches… but all like it for sex.

Thanks to Dacia for writing about Sex 2.0 in her latest Hot Movies For Her column, entitled “Perverts and Peaches: Sex 2.0 Brings Internetophiles to Atlanta.”

The internet is for geeks with bad acne and missing limbs. Internet dating is a last ditch effort and can attract stalkers. People who do cybersex don’t have healthy sex lives. The sex industry is using the internet to exploit women.

These are all mildly to majorly ridiculous stereotypes of people who use the internet, stereotypes that will shatter this coming weekend in Atlanta. The first Sex 2.0 conference, primarily organized by blogger and podcaster Amber Rhea, is being held at BDSM community space 1763 in Atlanta on April 12th, and people from all over the United States will be there. The thing they all have in common is their interest in the conference’s subtitle: the intersection of social media, feminism, and sexuality. Hopefully most of them are also interested in hearing me talk, since I’m the keynote speaker and will be delivering a short (but fierce!) talk promptly at 9:15 am.

I talked (by email, of course!) with a few different people who are planning to attend the conference to find out what kind of company I’ll be in. It turns out that the participants are a pretty eclectic group who will be coming from near and far to meet up, share ideas, educate each other and have a little fun.

Full article here.

April 8, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 1 Comment 

All the Sex 2.0 info you need (a.k.a. World’s Longest Post)

TRANSPORTATION: From the airport, follow the signs to Atlanta’s humble (by New York/Boston/Chicago/DC standards) transit system, MARTA. Take the North or Northeast line (not like you have any other options) to the North Avenue station. Exit the station at the corner of North Ave. and W. Peachtree St., and the Marriott Renaissance is diagonally across the street. Here is a MARTA rail map, and here is a map showing the location of the station and the hotel.

Maps with driving directions to/from the airport, hotel, and 1763 are available here (if the embedded maps aren’t working, just click the links). If you are taking a cab, be sure to print directions to bring with you, because 1763 isn’t a place most cab drivers will just “know.” There are also phone numbers for several cab companies on the directions page. With rare exception, Atlanta isn’t the kind of city where you just go out on the street and hail a cab.

We’re renting a van to run a shuttle between the hotel and 1763 in the morning. It will leave at 8:00 a.m. Please be on time if you want a ride, as space is limited.

In the afternoon, we will run a shuttle leaving at 5:00 p.m. You are responsible for finding your own transportation to and from the Flesh and Fetish Ball (or anywhere else) that night.

Some local conference participants may be willing to drive carpools in their own vehicles, as well. Please work this out amongst yourselves.

HOTEL: When you check into the hotel, please remind them that you are with Sex 2.0. Otherwise they might conveniently “forget” to credit us your stay.

REGISTRATION: You’re probably tired of hearing me say it by now, but I’m just reiterating because I just know a few random people will show up Saturday morning and get pissed off that they can’t just walk in if their name isn’t on the list. Registration in advance is mandatory. If your name is not on the registration list Saturday morning, you will be turned away. This is to ensure the confidentiality and security of our participants’ identities.

Online registration will be open until 5 hours before the start of the event (so that’s… 3:30 a.m., if I’m calculating correctly). So even if you’re waiting until the last minute to decide whether to come, you’ll still be able to register in advance.

Your name will be listed as the name you indicated to be printed on your badge.

PHOTOS/RECORDING: When you pick up your badge, take one of three different-colored stickers: Green means “It’s okay to photograph/record/video/quote me.” Yellow means “Please ask first.” Red means “Do not photograph/record/video/quote me, or else Amber will smite you.”

FOOD: Boxed lunches from Atlanta Bread Company will be available for purchase for $6 each, cash or check. There are also many restaurants near 1763. Please remember that 1763 will have snacks and beverages available for purchase all day long. Please support Sex 2.0 and 1763 by “buying in” instead of going out! (Total concession sales [not including the boxed lunches] are subtracted from our venue rental fee.)

Snacks available at the concession stand include a variety of potato chips, Doritos, Fritos, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Mountain Dew, and bottled water.

INTERNET ACCESS: There isn’t native wifi at 1763, but the always-awesome Steve Eley has agreed to bring a wifi router and set it up the morning of the conference. So, unless there is a demon in the tubes, we should have internet access!

WEATHER: The 10-day forecast predicts scattered showers, and temperatures in the 60s-70s. Bring an umbrella.

BEFORE PARTY: Regina Lynn is hosting a reading and discussion about her new book, Sexier Sex: Lessons from the Brave New Sexual Frontier, 8:00 p.m. Friday night at Charis Books and More (one of our fabulous sponsors). Details available here.

There is a pole dancing party 9:00 p.m. Friday night. It is open to women only and you must register ahead of time. Currently there are only five spots left! If you have questions about it, just email me.

Some folks were talking about hitting the Clermont Lounge later on Friday night. I highly recommend this.

AFTER PARTY: There is a Flesh and Fetish Swinger’s Ball Saturday night at 1763, hosted by Swinging Atlanta; 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m. Bring your Sex 2.0 nametag and get in at a discounted rate: $35 for single guys, $25 for couples, and single ladies free as usual. Brent Futo, founder of Swinging Atlanta, will be at Sex 2.0 to answer any questions you may have.

Tiffany Brown put together a wonderfully comprehensive list of other fun stuff going on in Atlanta that weekend. Of particular interest is the film screening of “SEX: The Revolution.”

THE LAW OF TWO FEET: Simply put: your experience at Sex 2.0 is what you want it to be. At any time, if you’re not learning what you want to learn, if you’re not getting what you need, you have every right to depart the session you’re in and move to a different one, or none at all.

THE LAW OF NULL SPACE: You are very likely to learn the most in the spaces between sessions, at lunch, at breaks, etc. when you can just talk and hang out with people. Be ready! Have your notebook out, your business cards handy, and be ready to learn at the most unlikely times.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? No problem! Just email the Google group and someone will know the answer, I swear!

See you next weekend!!

April 6, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

Post-Sex 2.0 Fun

If the post-conference Flesh and Fetish Ball isn’t your thing, but you still want to have a sex-centric Saturday night, I’ve got some options for you.

Atlanta Film Festival

These screenings and panels take place Saturday, April 12. Admission is $10.

Will you be here Sunday too? Groovy. I’ve got some more goodies for you:

Strip clubs

More into strip clubs? All clubs listed below feature female dancers except for the Coronet Club and Swinging Richards. I have only been to one (Strokers). Information below is based on local reputation and/or the venue’s web site. (For your information: Atlanta strip clubs are all nude, but you can’t touch the dancers.)

Swinging Richards
1400 Northside Dr., Atlanta. Gay male crowd. Women aren’t banned, but bridal shower or raucous girls night out types of groups are. Please respect the space.
Coronet Club
5275-B Roswell Rd, Atlanta. All male dancers for a female clientele.
The Cheetah
887 Spring Street, Atlanta. The Cheetah is a ‘Gentleman’s Club‘ geared toward the business set. What does that mean? No poles. (Boo!) Rumor is that their upscale restaurant Alluvia is pretty good. Mostly white dancers.
Magic City
241 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta. (Warning, the web site is crap.) Word is that Magic City is the premier strip club featuring black dancers. Ludacris filmed his ‘P-Poppin’ video here. The crowd tends towards ‘baller’ (as well as the ‘I just cashed my check so I can fake it’ set). I also hear the table dances and cover charge are higher than most places. Music = hip-hop.
Strokers
1353 Brockett Rd, Clarkston. It’s in a strip mall. Crowd: hip-hop. Dancers? Mostly black. Not as heavy on the eye-candy as Magic City is rumored to be, but I think that depends on the night. Dances are $10. Cover is $10. Music? All crunk. I think Whyte Chocolate of “Tip Drill” fame still dances here.
Pink Pony
1837 Corporate Blvd., Atlanta, GA. Kind of legendary. I hear it’s fun. Dancers are mostly white.

All sexed out? (Impossible!)

Will you be all-sexed out by conference end? Here are some other options:

  • Dan Marshall at Apache Cafe. $10
  • Big at The Fabulous Fox Theatre. $25 – $125 (A collaboration between Big Boi of OutKast and the Atlanta Ballet)
  • La Moustache at the High Museum. $5
  • When Something Wonderful Ends at Actor’s Express. $27 (Closing night)
  • Doubt at the Alliance Theatre. $40 – $50
  • Eurydice at the Alliance Theatre (Hertz Stage). $30

Atlanta also has its share of bars, nightclubs and lounges. We also have some amazing restaurants with award-winning chefs. Need help deciding where to go and what to do? Just ask.

April 6, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | 3 Comments 

Volunteer meeting – Sunday, April 6th, 4:00pm @ Java Monkey

I’ve already sent out a Google calendar notification to everyone who has signed on as a volunteer, but I just wanted to make a general announcement, too. This Sunday, April 6th, at 4:00, we’ll be having a Sex 2.0 volunteers meeting at Java Monkey. If you have been thinking about volunteering but haven’t committed yet, please attend. We’ll be ironing out people’s tasks/responsibilities and addressing any questions/concerns.

April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Blog | Comments Off 

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