Celebrating the success of an amazing woman!

I would like to officially congratulate a great friend and an amazing woman - Danielle Stein - on her passion and success in sexuality education and outreach.  I personally owe Dani a massive THANK YOU for her work co-coordinating NAKED (University of Guelph) while I was involved ... her passion and enthusiasm helped me to realize that I was not alone in dreaming of being a sexuality educator.

[caption id="attachment_1440" align="alignleft" width="264"] Candice and Dani[/caption]

Danielle has continued to do incredible work since our NAKED days.  She currently works for the AIDS Committee of York Region

[caption id="attachment_1441" align="alignright" width="188"] Candice and Julia[/caption]

(ACYR) and is enthusiastically working to "help people live happier and more fulfilled lives one orgasm at a time.” (Sex Life Canada).

I recently stumbled across a few photos from our NAKED days ... although you can't see her, Dani is the one wearing the giant condom!  The other photo features myself and my best friend Julia, happily posing as lovely clitorises.  :)

Now a featured personality on Sex Life Canada, Danielle is quickly becoming an essential figure in sexuality education in Canada.  You can read all about here in this Sex Life Canada article: "Sex is her niche: Danielle Stein"

Congratulations Dani, I am so happy for you!!!

xox

Candice

Find me under 'Sexual Health Education'

Last week, while in the midst of a discussion with one of my CYW instructors, I realized something ... my life revolves around sex.  You may be thinking "Well duh, you're making a career out of talking about it!", but until that moment I had not realized just how much of my life - both professional and academic - is focused on this topic.

The more I think about it, the happier I feel.

I consider myself to be very fortunate - I am building a life and career around something I love to do, albeit slowly.  I get to talk about what I think is an absolutely fascinating subject, and only some of the people I encounter look at me like I've lost my marbles.  Of course, I wouldn't be here if I were doing it all on my own.

In fact, Sex Ed Central wouldn't exist if it weren't for Mark Garland, Owner of Analyzed Marketing Solutions and my wonderful, supportive life partner.

Mark has helped me take my "dream job" and build it into a reality.  Not only did he see my potential and encourage me to "go for it!" - he has helped me to put my business together and continually helps me to figure out where to go next.  He has put together this website, taught me how to use it, and is constantly fixing it when I mess things up.  Thanks to his amazing internet marketing and SEO work, people are actually able to find me amongst the millions of websites out there.  In fact, if you go to google.ca and search for "sexual health education" (without the quotations), you will find this site listed on the first page.  Out of over 53 MILLION results, I'm in the top 10.  How awesome is that?

This post is dedicated to you, Mark, for all that you have done for me.  THANK YOU for your help and support, your skills and knowledge, and your willingness to listen to me talk about sex on a daily basis.  Thank you for not complaining when I pack our apartment with a thousand condoms and dozens of boxes of educational materials, and thanks most of all for believing in me.

Now, who wants to talk about sex?

- Candice

p.s. Here's the poster for my workshop on Wednesday!

Ethical Promiscuity

It's almost here!

Wednesday, November 10 is the date of my very exciting and unique workshop is at the University of Guelph! I will be facilitating what promises to be a very interesting discussion. The workshop, entitled "Radical Relationships and Ethical Promiscuity" is sponsored by OPIRG and will be held on campus. If you're interested in more information, don't hesitate to contact me!

The purpose of this workshop is to open up discussion about issues that fall outside of the scope of "typical" sexual health education. We will be discussing what it means to be "promiscuous" - where the word comes from, how we internalize it, and what it means for our sexual relationships. We will look at such topic as pleasure in sexual encounters, safety and self-respect, and what it means to be "ethically promiscuous".

I'm very excited - this workshop has been in the planning stages for several months and I'm looking forward to returning to my Alma Mater to make it happen.  The workshop is open to all genders, identities, orientations and preferences, and I hope to meet many new people.

I will keep you posted! As always, thanks for tuning in.

Candice :)

After the Guelph Sexuality Conference

The Guelph Sexuality Conference was last week, and it was excellent.  Held at my Alma mater, the University of Guelph, the conference brought together a variety of people from across Canada and the US, all of whom share a passion for human sexuality.  I thoroughly enjoyed the conference; it was my first poster session opportunity and it was great to get some exposure for the workshop that I spent so much time developing.   Perhaps the most exciting part of the conference (for me!) was the change to meet and network with people who have a great deal of knowledge, skill and experience and are willing to share that expertise with me.

Many of the workshop sessions I chose to attend were heavily focused on providing sexual health education to youth.  This youth-focused approach gave me the opportunity to learn about what other people have done and how they have made their programs successful with youth audiences.  As well, I left the conference with the realization (or perhaps reminder is the better word) that there is a lot more to human sexuality than I have been addressing in my workshops.  My focus has been primarily on risk reduction, and the things we discussed in several of the workshops I attended have broadened my awareness.  Stay tuned for more information about this in my "workshop" section!

Now that the Guelph Sexuality Conference is over, it's time to get back to the real work.  If you are looking for more information about my workshops or the work that I have done, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I will continue to post updates as things come together.

Stay tuned!
Candice

Up next: Guelph Sexuality Conference

In just a couple of weeks, I will be taking a drive back to what is definitely my favourite Ontario city, Guelph.  I will be spending three days at what is definitely my favourite university, the University of Guelph (go Gryphons!).  It's where I spent most of what I think of as my "formative years" ... although I was finished growing physically, my time at U of G is where I explored myself and experienced a great deal of emotional, mental, psychological growth.  I'm definitely excited to go back and experience my alma mater from my more recently developed (and more mature?) state of mind; as an alumni rather than a U of G student.

The reason for my trip to Guelph is the 32nd Annual Guelph Sexuality Conference.

The entire event - including the SAR (Sexual Attitudes Reassessment) weekend, and the Sex Therapy Training Program - lasts nearly two weeks.  I will be attending the final three days - the Pre-Conference and the Main Conference.  I've signed up for workshops discussing topics such as: what is effective for sexual health education with youth, using social media to promote sexual health, promoting inclusiveness in schools, and communicating about sex with teen girls.

I'm very excited to be part of the poster sessions as well, and am working on my poster presentation entitled "Let's Talk About Sex: A Comprehensive, Youth-Oriented Workshop".

I'm really looking forward to this conference and to expanding my knowledge and contacts within my field.  I will let you know how it goes!

Candice :)

Let's Talk About Sex

My involvement with the field of human sexuality began several years ago, with an "Intro to Human Sexuality" course in University. This course, in conjunction with my extra-curricular activities, ignited a passion for sexual health education which has continued to grow over the years.

My goal is to get "out there" and connect with young people; to get them to talk and learn about a topic which so many feel uncomfortable discussing. The reality is simple - the decisions people make regarding sex can permanently and drastically impact the rest of their lives. My current project is a joint venture between the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County and the Orillia Youth Centre. I am designing, running, and evaluating a 10 week sex ed workshop, geared towards at risk youth in the Orillia, Ontario area.

In addition to this project, I have several years of involvement with the Guelph Sexuality Conference and spent two years as a volunteer with a group called NAKED at the University of Guelph. Last year I spent six weeks in an elementary school; among other things, I taught sex ed to all of the seventh and eighth grade students.

These experiences, as well as my discussions with young people regarding all things sex, have ignited within me a determination to make my goals and dreams a reality.