May is National Masturbation Month and a time to celebrate the art of self pleasure.
In 1995,
Good Vibrations invented National Masturbation Month in protest of the firing of Clinton appointed U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders. Elders lost favor in the administration when she responded to questions about safer sex by saying that "Masturbation is something that perhaps should be taught". Elders' statement was both practical and supported by sex-positive sex educators everywhere. The folks at Good Vibrations realized that the conservative factors that booted Elders from office were making sex less safe and fun by making masturbation seem shameful. And what better way to make masturbation more visible and accessible than to give it its own month of fun events and education. Why did they choose May for this blessed month? Because "the merry, merry month of May" has long been seen as symbolizing sexual awakening. Also, because "May" and "masturbation" start with M.
Since it's inception National Masturbation Month has been written about far and wide. Almost 10,000 articles show up in a Google search. Some are critical and embarrassed, but most spread the word about the joys of this fun solo sport. Good Vibrations has continued to support this worthy cause, creating a
Masturbation Hall-Of-Fame where you can find the everyone from Carol Queen and Joani Blank to Jamie Lee Curtis and Claire Danes.
So stand up, raise your one free hand and repeat after me: "My name is_________________, and I love to masturbate!"