RESOURCES
At Friction|non|Friction we hope to build allies, promote advocacy, and grow our resources. Here you will find a list of organizations, fellow bloggers, and other types of partners that we feel support our positions, our passions and our pursuits for a sex-positive culture. We’ll be updating this list frequently so check back often. If you’d like to be added to our list, or if you have a resource you’ve come across that you think would be a good fit, please use our resource submission form and we will consider adding your suggestion. Also, if you come across any inactive links be sure to tell us!
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All summaries are taken either in part or in whole from the sites themselves whenever possible in order to ensure that we accurately reflect their missions.
Historical and Informational
The GLBT Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets the history of GLBT people and the communities that support them. Founded in 1985, they are recognized internationally as a leader in the field of GLBT public history.
You can search their archives both online as well as in person. Information on how to schedule an appointment to the archives can be found here as well.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the USC Libraries is the largest repository of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) materials in the world. It’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible LGBTQ historical materials while promoting new scholarship on and public awareness of queer histories.
Their Traveling LGBTQ History Exhibitions feature hundreds of rare images and many never before seen documents from ONE’s renowned collection along with informative text that enrich and deepen the general public’s knowledge of LGBTQ history.
Sexuality and Sensuality
Founded in 2001 with two distinct goals: creating public acceptance and discussion of asexuality and facilitating the growth of an asexual community. Since that time AVEN has grown to host the world’s largest asexual community, serving as an informational resource for people who are asexual and questioning, their friends and families, academic researchers and the press.
They have a Resource Page with a number of links to blogs, community sites, as well as links to over a dozen AVEN sites in other countries.
Laci Green is a sex education activist living in Los Angeles. She launched her YouTube channel (home of Sex Plus) while studying at UC Berkeley. She started the project in response to what she believes to be a nationwide failure to provide comprehensive sex education and to adopt healthy, realistic attitudes about sexuality. Sex Plus now has well over 1,000,000 subscribers and viewers in all 196 countries. The project is made up of a biweekly video series, daily blogging, a robust university lecture circuit, and community activism. She also works with MTV as the host of their first original YouTube channel, MTV Braless, in addition to producing videos for Planned Parenthood.
She Bop is a women-owned sex toy boutique in Portland, Oregon specializing in body safe products and education. Their mission is to promote healthy and safe sexuality by offering quality products and educational workshops in a fun and comfortable environment. She Bop welcomes people of all genders and sexual appetites.
If you are in the PDX area, find out more about their workshops on their events page. A nice plus: workshops can be ASL interpreted upon request. See the link for more details.
SIECUS was founded in 1964 by Dr. Mary S. Calderone who became concerned about the lack of accurate information about sexuality for both young people and adults. In the next couple of years, SIECUS’ first Board of Directors was established, the first foundation grant was received, and they published their first book designed for teacher training. In the decades that have followed, SIECUS has become a recognized leader in the field of sexuality and sexuality education, publishing numerous books, journals, and resources for professionals, parents, and the public.
BDSM and Kink
FetLife is an Adult Social Network for the BDSM, Fetish & Kinky Community. “Like Facebook, but run by kinksters.” Features include groups devoted to specific fetishes, a directory of fetishes which members may indicate their interest in, and personal profile pages which include a number of sexual orientation choices as well as role choices.
An account is required to view content on FetLife. Membership is free.
A non-profit organization primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the BDSM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities.
They have an extensive library of resources with information on The Consent Counts Program, general statistics and surveys, information about SM (What is SM?), and resources for becoming or seeking out Kink Aware Professionals.
Bisexuality and Trans*
This site hopes to give a voice to the bisexual community, share accurate information, answer questions, and provide resources to learn more. The Faces of Bisexuality page introduces visitors to bisexuals from around the world who share their own stories and chime in with answers to frequently asked questions. Bisexual.org is a project of The American Institute of Bisexuality (AIB) and the Bisexual Foundation. They are a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports and sponsors projects likely to promote understanding and visibility about bisexuality through education, research, training, and media outreach.
A national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people.
Browse their page of Issues to find out the latest information about existing laws and policies affecting trans people. Topics include Immigration, aging, and voting rights.
The American Institute of Bisexuality encourages, supports and assists research and education about bisexuality, through programs likely to make a material difference and enhance public knowledge, awareness and understanding about bisexuality.
Among other tools, the site houses The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (or KSOG) is a system for describing a person’s sexual proclivities in a way more detailed and informative than previous methods. It was introduced by Dr. Fritz Klein in his book The Bisexual Option.
A youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment. In addition to the focus on creating a more trans-friendly education system, their mission is to educate the public and teach trans activists how to be effective organizers. They believe that justice for trans and gender nonconforming youth is contingent on an intersectional framework of activism. Ending oppression is a long-term process that can only be achieved through collaborative action. TSER speaks at conferences, trains teachers, collaborates with other advocacy organizations, hosts the only national trans youth activist summit, supports trans-related events, provides leadership training for trans youth, hosts scholarships for trans students, publishes materials about trans education, helps create transgender policies, and promotes trans representation in media.
Queer
Since 1997, the Equality Federation has worked throughout the country to build the leaders of today and tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ organizations, and make critical progress on the issues that matter most such as: FAIRNESS PROJECT: Educating state partners on the latest tested and effective messaging to gain support for nondiscrimination protections and to defeat religious refusal policies that would negate civil rights. STATE LEADERSHIP PROJECT: The EF build strong, resilient, and adaptive leaders who propel their organizations and the movement for equality forward. They offer coaching, strategy sessions, and advocacy planning to increase the capacity of the movement.
A civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC’s mission is to end racism and homophobia. As America’s leading national Black LGBT civil rights organization focused on federal public policy, NBJC has accepted the charge to lead Black families in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBT equality.
Native American LGBT/Two-Spirit educational resources, multimedia, and news.
The mission of The Latino GLBT History Project is to investigate, collect, preserve and educate the public about the history, culture, heritage, arts, social and rich contributions of the Latino GLBT community in metropolitan Washington, D.C. To accomplish this mission, the LHP creates educational exhibits from their historical archives collection showcased at cultural events.
Feminism
A national organization that promotes educational, political, social and economic equality for women and girls. AAUW has been empowering women as individuals and as a community since 1881. Their work influences the national discussion on topics like the pay gap between women and men, sexual harassment in schools and on college campuses, and the underrepresentation of women in science and engineering. Through new and traditional media, targeted outreach to policymakers, and member efforts, AAUW research serves as a catalyst for action.
Black Women’s Blueprint envisions a world where women and girls of African descent are fully empowered and where gender, race and other disparities are erased. They work to place Black women and girls’ lives as well as their particular struggles squarely within the context of the larger racial justice concerns of Black communities and are committed to building movements where gender matters in broader social justice organizing so that all members of communities gain social, political and economic equity. They engage in progressive research, historical documentation, policy advocacy and organizing steeped in the struggles of Black women within their diverse communities and within dominant culture.
Founded in 1993, the BUST brand is the groundbreaking, original women’s lifestyle magazine and website that is unique in its ability to connect with bright, cutting-edge, influential young women. With an attitude that is fierce, funny, and proud to be female, BUST addresses a refreshing variety of young women’s interests, including celebrity interviews, music, fashion, art, crafting, sex, and news.
An online community run by and for young feminists. For over a decade, they’ve been offering sharp, uncompromising feminist analysis of everything from pop culture to politics and inspiring young people to make real-world feminist change, online and off.
NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women’s rights. Their priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women’s health issues; opposing racism; fighting bigotry against the LGBTQIA community; and ending violence against women.
Our Bodies Ourselves advances health and human rights within a framework of values shaped by women’s voices and a commitment to self-determination and equality.
For nearly 100 years, Planned Parenthood has promoted a commonsense approach to women’s health and well-being, based on respect for each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about health, sex, and family planning.
Sex Work
ICRSE was established as the legal entity in the Netherlands in 2004 to create a European network of sex workers and allies and as the organisers of the 2005 European Conference on Sex Work, Human Rights, Labour and Migration in Brussels, Belgium.
They have a long list of resources which you can browse through, as well as a Training Manual on Sex Work, HIV and Human Rights which can be accessed here.
The Red Umbrella Fund is the first global fund guided by and for sex workers. They believe that change will only be achieved through strong, collaborative movements of sex workers advocating for their rights, with the support of their allies. Sex workers themselves are the best positioned to know what is needed for them, and best placed to do something about it. The Red Umbrella Fund exists to mobilize resources to help strengthen and sustain the movement in achieving human rights for sex workers.
Since its creation in 2012, the Red Umbrella Fund has made 78 grants to sex worker-led organizations and networks in 45 countries. All grantees are selected by the international Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) which is led by sex workers.
A group blog run by sex workers who saw a void when it came to witty commentary on the public image of the industry. The ideas promoted about sex workers in the public eye have an impact on the realities of their lives as sex workers every bit as strong as the law, so they’re not letting any more dead hooker or stripper bones jokes pass by without comment. They come from different backgrounds and locations, work as strippers, porn performers, pro-dommes, and prostitutes, and have a love of ripping apart stereotypes. Tits and Sass is their space for calling out pop culture fails, celebrating sex worker culture, and talking shop.
Families and Allies
CBIM is the only evidence-based prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength. In 2012, Coaching Boys Into Men underwent a rigorous three year evaluation in Sacramento, California funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The study found that athletes who participated in the program were significantly more likely to intervene when witnessing abusive or disrespectful behaviors among their peers, and were also more likely to report less abuse perpetration.
COLAGE unites people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities. Check out their online communities to see how people can connect with others who share these experiences.
Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization. With pages such as Advocacy 101 and an online academy as well as nationwide conferences, you’re sure to find a way to help.
A national outreach and education project created in 2007 by PFLAG National to empower new straight allies who, unlike a more traditional PFLAG member, don’t necessarily have a family connection to the gay community. Straight for Equality provides information and resources that will help straight allies understand their role in supporting and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. They’re here to be sure that all straight allies have the opportunity to share their strong and powerful voice in support of equality.
Youth
Loveisrespect’s purpose is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Highly-trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about their dating relationships. They also provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement. Free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services are available 24/7/365.
Loveisrespect also mobilizes parents, educators, peers and survivors to proactively raise awareness on healthy dating behaviors and how to identify unhealthy and abusive patterns. Through trainings, toolkits, and curriculum, they are growing community educators and advocates to promote healthy relationships and prevent future patterns of abuse.
SafeBAE exists to spark change in the culture by addressing sexual assault and dating violence starting as early as middle and high school. SafeBAE is a student-focused, survivor-driven campaign whose mission is to raise awareness about sexual assault in middle and high schools and student’s rights under Title IX. SafeBAE will focus on preventing dating violence and sexual assault by giving students the tools to change peer culture, end harassing re-victimization, and advocate for consent and safe relationship education.
An independent, grassroots sexuality and relationships education and support organization and website. Founded in 1998, Scarleteen is visited by around five million diverse people each year, most between the ages of 15 and 25. It is typically the most popular and most widely used site specifically providing sex and relationships information and support for young people worldwide.
Crisis
In crisis? Text HELLO to 741741 ™ Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Counselors bring texters “from a hot moment to a “cool calm” using techniques in empathetic listening. Once they’ve built rapport and trust, explored the issues, and established the texter’s goal, they collaboratively problem-solve to help the texter come up with a plan to stay safe.
For more than 30 years, FUTURES has been providing groundbreaking programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. With offices in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Boston, they’ve established a state-of-the-art Center for Leadership and Action in the Presidio of San Francisco to foster ongoing dialogue about gender-based violence and child abuse.
NCADV is the voice of victims and survivors. They are the catalyst for changing society to have zero tolerance for domestic violence. They do this by affecting public policy, increasing understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and providing programs and education that drive that change.
Their site includes a personalized safety plan as well as large list of resources which includes hotlines covering a wide variety of needs including suicide, POC, LGBT (and non-conforming), and elder abuse. Their site has a SAFETY EXIT for those who need a quick escape if caught while browsing.
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, creating and operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE [4673]) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Political/Legal
For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, they do not charge clients for legal representation or advocacy, and receive no government funding. They depend on contributions from supporters around the country.
A national nonprofit, founded in 1999, dedicated to increasing access to justice for the disadvantaged. Through innovative technology solutions and expertise in building and mobilizing justice networks, Pro Bono Net transforms the way legal help reaches those in need. Today, they work with a broad network of access to justice partners to close the justice gap.
A national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.
Size Positive
HAES includes the following basic components:
Respect: Celebrates body diversity; Honors differences in size, age, race, ethnicity, gender, dis-ability, sexual orientation, religion, class, and other human attributes.
Critical Awareness: Challenges scientific and cultural assumptions; Values body knowledge and people’s lived experiences.
Compassionate Self-care: Finding the joy in moving one’s body and being physically active; Eating in a flexible and attuned manner that values pleasure and honors internal cues of hunger, satiety, and appetite, while respecting the social conditions that frame eating options.
An internationally recognized crusade that was founded on the belief that your body is not an ornament, it’s the vehicle to your dreams. BIM believes that everyone has the right to love and embrace their body, regardless of shape, size, ethnicity or ability.
With plans for an Educational and Social Outreach Program starting in Australia and, hopefully, moving globally.
The Militant Baker covers a mixture of subjects which include: notes on the hazardous journey of body acceptance, how to take boudoir photos, rape culture, equality, the complicated relationship we all have with body hair, feminism rants, and general empowerment. Jes Baker has presented about the importance of body love at TedxTucson and regularly travels around the country to speak to university audiences on similar topics.
Jes is best known for her visual campaigns, both that she modeled for and also those that she directed. Some of these famous images include: To Mike Jeffries c/o Abercrombie & Fitcthemilitantbaker.com/…/to-mike-jeffries-co-abercrombie-fitchh, Lustworthy: A Statement for the Visible Woman, Bodies Aren’t Ugly, Bullying Is, The Smash the Scale Revolution, Body Love Spans Generations, #LoveTheMirror, and most recently her letter to Lane Bryant/#EmpowerALLBodies.
Jes’s book “Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls” was published by Seal Press on October 27, 2015.
Toys and Protection
Condomania, America’s first condom store, was established June 1991, in New York City. Condomania strives to assist customers of every age, sex, culture, and sexual orientation in the purchase of condoms and safer-sex products.
In the on-line store, you can do everything from buy a sampler packet, to browse their blog and learn about dental dams, organic lube, and more.
Epiphora is a pansexual feminist. From her sex toy reviews, to her thoughts about the latest and greatest and worst fails of the adult industry, as well as an annual best/worst list, Hey Epiphora will help you sort through what you need and what you can ignore.
Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan’s free weekly sex education webcomic updates every Tuesday. It covers everything sex-related from sexuality and the sex industry to toys, workshops, birth control, and much more. With the aid of guest contributors giving many perspectives, OJST strives to be relevant to a wide variety of genders, body types, and sexualities.