AUBURN, Wash. — Sexual wellness brand and retailer Lovers, which is in the midst of being acquired by Playboy, has announced the 10 finalists for their 40th anniversary “Lovers List: The Ultimate Sex Educator Awards.”
The winner will be chosen based on public voting starting today through March 17.
The awards, “to honor the most vibrant, promising and respected sex educators in the industry,” were announced last month.
“These 10 individuals have contributed majorly to sex education and pleasure advocacy,” a rep said about the finalists. “From Kevin Patterson, who is creating resources for polyamorous and poly-curious people of color; to Shadeen Francis, who created the first comprehensive sex education curricula inclusive of children (birth to Pre-K); to Elle Chase, who has inspired people of all sizes to explore their bodies.”
The finalists are in the running for a grand prize of $7,500 cash with a matched donation of $7,500 in the winner’s name to the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. They will also receive a $2,500 retail value gift basket of products from Lovers.
The finalists, with Lovers’ descriptions, are:
Goody Howard, she/her
Sexologist, Educator, and Anti-Racist, Body Positive Advocate
Based in: Dallas, TX
For 15 years, Goody has provided pleasure development and professional development opportunities and workshops worldwide, improving the lives of her clients and those around them by teaching ways to “access pleasure as a birthright.” Devoted to anti-racist and body positivity advocacy, Goody works with all individuals, with a strong focus on educators, health-care professionals, and front-line workers. Her authentic and enthusiastic way of presenting important topics allows her audiences to connect quickly to the concepts and enjoy the process of learning about the importance of pleasure and inclusion.
Kevin Patterson, he/him
Long-term Polyamorous Educator, Author, and Public Speaker
Based in: New Jersey
Kevin’s work is centered in creating representation and resources for polyamourous and poly-curious people of color. This passion led him to write “Love’s Not Color Blind,” cited as the inclusivity-centered resource that led to significant impact amongst community leaders and organizers alike, single handedly changing the way they plan events and elect leadership. He is deeply passionate about anti-oppression initiatives, opening up geek-spaces for people of color, and continuing to showcase inclusive polyamory with his interview series, “Poly Role Models.”
Marla Renee Stewart, she/her
Sexologist, Educator, Pleasure Activist, and Sexual Strategist
Based in: Atlanta, GA and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Marla’s work is focused on helping those looking to learn more about sex and sexuality, specifically in the realms of seduction, communication, and sex skills. Her work spans across workshops, coaching, her YouTube channel, and her membership community, as well as articles contributed to various publications and her book “The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay.” She founded the Sex Down South conference, which prioritizes and uplifts the voices of people of color, trans, non-binary people, sex workers, survivors, disabled people, and alternative sex communities. She enjoys supporting and educating diverse populations and encourages everyone to have fun in the process of learning!
Shadeen Francis, she/her
Licensed marriage and family therapist, Educator, and Author that specializes in sex therapy and social justice
Based in: Philadelphia, PA
Shadeen is devoted to helping people overcome “structural and internal barriers in order to live lives filled with peace and pleasure.” Her passion lies in uplifting “communities that feel unheard” and learning from them. Her personal experiences inspire her work in breaking down systems of oppression, which directly and indirectly affect people’s connection to their sexual selves and others. She created the first comprehensive sex education curricula inclusive of children (birth to Pre-K), teaches in 2 PhD programs to educate healthcare professionals on confronting sexual misinformation, fears, biases, and prejudices that often interfere with providing inclusion care, and is a founding expert of an app called Mine’d, where she provides free sex and relationship education to people all around the world.
Ev’Yan Whitney, they/she
Sexuality doula, Sex educator, Faciliator, Author, and Sensualist
Based in: Los Angeles, CA
For over a decade, Ev’yan (who coined the term “Sexuality Doula”) has helped hundreds of thousands of women, femmes, and nonbinary folks heal and liberate themselves from sexual shame. Pioneering sex education in the digital space, Ev’yan considers their own sexual journey, which they discuss openly on their various channels, to be key in their work to help others. Through courses, essays, workshops, one-on-one work, and their podcast, they’ve educated people on how to become experts of their own sexual experiences, while expressing the full spectrum of their sexuality and gender identities. They fiercely support sex workers and the Black Trans community, and are passionate about the social media censorship of non-sexual nudity.
Elle Chase, she/her
Certified sexuality educator, Writer, Speaker, Coach, and Author
Based in: Los Angeles, CA
As a body-acceptance and pleasure advocate, Elle has inspired people of all sizes to explore their bodies, express their individual sexuality, and experience their own inherent sensual and sexual worthiness. Through her own experiences, Elle saw the lack of representation in sexuality and sex education for larger-bodied and fat-identifying people, which lead her to write “Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body Positive Positions to Empower Your Life." She is the founder of The Los Angeles Academy of Sex Education, as well as the creator of the award-winning blog LadyCheeky.com. Outside her work, she is passionate in supporting causes that includes Black Lives Matter, the CSPH, LGBTQIA+ rights, sex workers rights, trauma survivors, and animal rescues.
Kim Airs, she/her
Educator, Writer, and Founder of sex store “Grand Openings”
Based in: Culver City, CA
A pioneer in the sex industry, Kim founded the 4th female-and-couples-friendly sex store, Grand Openings, and which she owned until 2005. She has taught thousands of clients about “healthy, consensual, honest and pleasureable sex”, through her workshops, product training, and beyond. She founded the country’s first amateur porn film festival, which was eventually turned into an HBO special. Her work is rooted in speaking up and helping others shed shame and claim what brings them joyful sexual pleasure.. In her spare time, you’ll find her riding hermotorcyle bedazzled in sex toy images.
Laurie Mintz, she/her
Author, Therapist, Professor, and Speaker.
Based in: Gainesville, FL
Currently a professor at the University of Florida teaching courses such as the Psychology of Human Sexuality , Laurie considers her life’s work “a commitment to helping people live more sexually satisfying lives.” She has published over 50 research articles in academic journals and six chapters in academic books, authors a Psychology Today blog, and has written two books— “Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It” and “A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex: Reclaim Your Desire and Reignite Your Relationship”. She is deeply committed to teaching and advocating for sexual pleasure and sexual justice within all communities.
Midori, she/her
Trailblazer, Author, Educator, Founder
Based in: San Francisco, CA
As an early trailblazer in entrepreneurial feminist sexuality education, Midori was one of the first women of color in North America to publicly teach about sexuality in the early 90’s, promoting sex-positive culture in response to the HIV pandemic. She recognized a “poverty of language of desire,” which she believes limits all people from feeling empowered to create truly consensual and satifying sex lives. She authored the first English-language instruction book on Japanese bondage, “Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage,” and founded Rope Dojo, the first multi-day intensive workshop on Shibari Bondage. Her ForteFemme workshops center on empowering and realistic education on kink topics for women. Today, Midori continues to teach and coach individuals, as well as work to increase awareness, cultural competency, and compassionate care around alternative sexualities among clinicians.
Briq House, she/her
Black Goddess, Erotic entrepreneaur, Professional Domme, Intuitive intimacy instructor, Healer, and Kink and sexuality educator.
Based in: Seattle, WA.
Briq leads Sexual Healing through movement workshops, one on one consultations, professional cuddling sessions, kink based anti-racism training, as well as educational events. Her background is in education, sacred intimate arts, entertainment, LGBTQIA and Sex Workers rights advocacy. She is the producer of Quink Social Club, the only Exclusively all People of Color Kink educational event and play party in the PNW; she’s also the founder of The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq: an all POC Burlesque Revue. Outside of her workshops and 1:1 coaching, Briq is a passionate advocate for vulnerable and stigmatized communities, visibility, and equitable compensation for all sex and sexuality-based professions.
To vote from now until March 17, click here.
For more from Lovers, visit their website and follow them on Twitter.
