Author, sex educator, pro blogger, podcaster, reporter, and Forbes Web Celeb Violet Blue interviewed me about open relationships and my book for her San Francisco Chronicle column “Open Source Sex.” Violet rocks in so many ways, they are too numerous for me to go into here. I can’t wait to see her when I go to San Francisco next week! However, some of the comments in response to the article posted on the Chron site are misinformed, mean, and negative. Show your support for positive, healthy, satisfying open relationships! If you have a different perspective, I encourage you to go there and comment.

Watch the second part of my interview with SerpentineLibertine for Red Light District Chicago, an internet and public access TV show about sex work. If the player doesn’t work above, go to http://redlightchicago.blip.tv/file/870939/

Tristan Taormino Kicks Off Spring/Summer Tour Sponsored by Astroglide

Vista, CA—BioFilm, Inc., makers of Astroglide, announced today that Astroglide will be the official sponsor of Tristan Taormino’s spring/summer tour.

Taormino will be touring to support the publication of her new book, Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships (published by Cleis Press) and the release of two new videos from Vivid Entertainment, The Expert Guide to the G-spot and Chemistry 4: The Orgy Edition. She will host two launch parties, give several booksignings and discussions, and teach sex and relationship workshops. She has confirmed events in New York, Tempe, Glendale, CO, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Madison, St. Louis, Columbus, and New Orleans; she has in-studio radio appearances booked in some of those cities as well. In addition, she is finalizing plans for Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Boston, and Washington DC.

As exclusive sponsor, Astroglide will provide product samples and literature for Tristan to distribute at her events. She will also introduce consumers to their newest product, Astroglide X silicone lubricant. “This was a natural fit for both of us,” says Tristan. “I think Astroglide Gel is the best lube on the market for anal penetration, and I love their new glycerin-free, paraben-free lube. I’m excited they’ve come out with a new silicone lube. I already recommend Astroglide products to people and feature them in my videos.”

Lisa O’Carroll, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BioFilm, says, “We are thrilled to be working with such a well-respected woman in both sex education and the adult industry. Tristan’s passion for her work and her commitment to helping people achieve better intimacy in their lives is right in line with Astroglide’s mission.”

Tristan’s tour begins May 16 with an anal sex workshop at Fascinations in Tempe, Arizona. She will appear on John Holmberg’s “Morning Sickness” show on 98 KUPD to promote her appearance. “I cannot wait to introduce people to Astroglide products and giveaway some free lube. Everyone can use free lube!” says Tristan. Her complete tour schedule can be found on her website.

About Astroglide:
Astroglide is made by BioFilm, Inc. of Vista, California. Hormone free and water soluble, Astroglide is as close as you can get to natural moisture—only a little better. Astroglide Brand Products are designed for use with latex condoms and can be found at pharmacies, chain drug stores, and selected food stores. For more information or to receive free samples, please visit the website at www.astroglide.com.

Here’s number three of four of my posts about the book, “Making A Straight/Queer Marriage Work” on the new Village Voice sex blog Naked City edited by Audacia Ray.

After Chicago, I headed to Milwaukee where I spoke at the University of Wisconsin. When I first walked into the Student Union, I saw the biggest poster of myself I’ve ever seen (check it out above)!! The first night, I gave my talk “The Path to Sexual Empowerment” as part of the Union’s SexPo series. It was in a large ballroom with a stage, lighting, very fancy. The talk went really well, and I got great questions from the audience. Afterwards, we went out to sushi with some students and University staff members. Rebecca from the Union and Laura from the Norris Health Center were both wonderful. The next day, I gave a workshop on open relationships for a much smaller group. Neeve, an old friend (who I didn’t even know was in Milwaukee) showed up and we reconnected, which was great. I really love to see friends when I am on the road! I wanted desperately to buy tons of local cheese, but we had nowhere to put it, so I refrained. That night, I taught my Anal Sex 101 workshop at The Tool Shed, a hip, sex-positive sex toy shop; they have a space downstairs which looks like a 70s rec room: it was so groovy! I’m coming back in June, can’t wait…

 I am trying to catch up on blog posts, and I need to back track a bit. Last month, I went to Chicago where I spoke to a Human Sexuality class at Oakton Community College and taught Anal Sex 201 at Early To Bed (see photo above of me and store owner Searah Deysach). The college class was wonderful, taught by a professor I met at last year’s Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality conference in Indianapolis. I just loved the group I got at the Early To Bed class, they were so much fun. SerpentineLibertine and her friend came up to the front of the class to help me demonstrate anal sex positions, and they were so brilliant that I want to take them on the road with me so they can be models for all my classes. The Q&A period was lots of fun, with very advanced questions from “What’s the best position to have anal sex in when my legs are tied together?” to “Why do I always have to go to the chiropractor for an adjustment after I get fisted?” Serious stuff. I am still researching that second question. Luckily, I have an awesome chiropractor who I have no qualms asking. Stayed tuned for some insight.

Here’s the second of my four posts about Opening Up on the new Village Voice sex blog Naked City edited by Audacia Ray. It’s called “Solo Polyamorists.”

The party was a great success! Before 7 pm, when it was supposed to start, there was actually a line around the block. We were all amazed, and the turn out exceeded our expectations. Both floors of Happy Ending Lounge were packed. There were so many people there that I felt like I had like one half of a 30 second conversation with over 400 people, which was a little overwhelming. The literati and sexerati were out in full force. I got to see one of my idols, Esther Perel, author of Mating in Captivity, who blurbed my book. Audacia Ray of the new Village Voice sex blog Naked City was there, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Helen and Betty, 2008 Penthouse Pet of the Year Runner Up and burlesque performer Justine Joli. I also spotted Jefferson, Tracie of Jezebel, Barbara Carrellas and Kate Bornstein, adult performers Alexandra Silk and Luc Wylder, Sirius radio host Diana Cage, Wil and Papi of Morty Diamond’s new movie Trans-Entities, Jacq from Sugar in Baltimore, Lolita Wolf, Lux from Fleshbot and Boinkology, Funky Brown Chick who blogs for Nerve, Scott Brown from Entertainment Weekly Viviane, and many more!

Due to the size of the crowd, we were unable to show the preview of Chemistry 4: The Orgy Edition, my reality porn series for Vivid in which Mark and Patricia make a guest appearance. The club managers were concerned that we would be creating a fire hazard if we played the clip and everyone came upstairs. They didn’t want a riot on their hands! I am working on getting it up online so you can still see it. Obviously, it’s been a week since the party, and I have lots to catch up on, so more later, I promise.

We are frantically getting ready for the New York launch party on May 13. There is a lot to coordinate: we’ve got to stuff all the gift bags, finish signage, get another folding table, figure out what to wear, find one more helper to work the door, finalize the RSVP list, and lots more. Will Mark and Patricia pick up the mini-bottles of liquor from our sponsor? Will the disk with the Chemistry 4 preview arrive at Happy Ending and work in their player? Will books arrive in time? Will PyreXion’s donation for the raffle door prize come in the mail? Will the gorgeous porn star/burlesque performer/Penthouse Pet of the Year Runner Up Justine Joli really come to the party (she RSVP’ed!)? As I said, lots to do!

I’m doing a series of blog posts all month about the research for Opening Up at The Village Voice’s new sexuality blog, Naked City, which is edited by the fabulous Audacia Ray. Here is the first one: “Open Up: Women With Two Husbands.” Enjoy!