About the CSPC
About The Center
Founded in 1999, the Center for Sex Positive Culture is a nonprofit, membership-based community center. The Center was a one-of-a-kind organization 11 years ago, and remains unique given its nonprofit status and community center architecture.
It was established in a bold attempt to create an environment that was accommodating to sex positive communities and transformative in all areas of human sexuality, and has succeeded in creating that environment.
Latest News:
The Center for Sex Positive Culture is very proud to announce that we have created our first (but not last) chapter in Boulder, Colorado. We are very interested in helping promote sex positive culture around the globe. If you're interested in creating a center chapter in your area, contact our executive director, Allena Gabosch (director@sexpositiveculture.
Mission and Sex Positive Vision
The Center for Sex Positive Culture encourages the exploration and celebration of the many facets of human sexuality. Through an encompassing variety of events, created by and for its membership, the CSPC seeks to educate, to facilitate consensual open sexual expression and dialog, and to provide a venue for fellowship and community.
As proponents of sex positive culture, we believe that the appropriate uses of sex extend beyond reproduction. They include creating personal pleasure, bonding interpersonal relationships, promoting spiritual growth, and enhancing emotional and physical health. In a sex positive world, everyone has the freedom and resources to pursue a fulfilling and empowering sex life.
Framework
We have developed a framework to ensure a safe and supportive community center by requiring all new members to attend an orientation and providing them with clear facility rules and event rules, guides to appropriate conduct and etiquette, safer sex and cleanliness guidelines, and a privacy and confidentiality agreement.
We are a leader in the sex positive culture, creating norms of inclusion and non-discrimination, and serving as a model for other organizations launching centers around the country. Sex positive groups like the Sharma Center and Love Tribe in Portland were inspired by it.
Offerings, Activities and Outreach
The Center hosts more than 100 events every month - daily events including themed dance parties, daytime playtime space, and special events like New Year's Eve. We host offsite events like Paradise Unbound and the Seattle Erotic Art Festival, founded in 2002, which is now run by our sister nonprofit, the Foundation for Sex Positive Culture.
We collaborate with the Foundation, hosting workshops, discussion and support groups, and other Foundation events, and also house the Foundation's Pacific Northwest Library for Sex Positive Culture. We both actively participate in national conferences focusing on various topics on sexuality and related to sex positive organizations like Pride and GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender). In addition, we both participate in Seattle festivals like the Capitol Hill Block Party and Pride, host regular forums at local colleges and universities, and participate in radio talk shows.
Structure and Leadership
As a Washington State nonprofit 501(c)(7), our conduct is guided by a board of directors who are seated for three-year terms. Board members are vetted through a nominations committee and voted into office by the Foundation Board of Directors. We follow a corporate structure, with a full-time executive director, part-time site coordinator, and executive officers including a president, secretary and treasurer, each serving one year terms.
Volunteering
We are a grassroots effort and with a few exceptions are run primarily on volunteer effort. Many volunteer opportunities are available. We offer volunteers free entry to events at which they are working and other perks depending on the type of work and time spent, and volunteers gain valuable experience that can be applied in the greater community.
Membership
We have over 2,000 current members. Membership is required to attend most of our events, though all Foundation events are opent to anyone 18+. We offer different levels of membership with varying costs and benefits. In order to support all groups and interests, we encourage members to suggest and organize events, and new ideas are always welcome.