When I announced the coming of Masturbation Month on Twitter, I received numerous replays all saying the same thing: every month is masturbation month! While I saw the humor in it, I think it’s important for us to remember why International Masturbation Month is so important. The history behind it affects many of us, even if we don’t realize it.

“Perhaps It Should Be Taught”

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In 1994, Joycelyn Elders, the first African-American United States Surgeon General, was invited to speak at the United Nations Aids Conference. As an outspoken advocate for sex education, contraceptives, and abortion, she didn’t hold back. When asked about masturbation as a healthier alternative to sexual activity, she replied, “I think that it is part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught.”

This statement not only sparked controversy worldwide but cost Elders her job. In December 1994 President Bill Clinton fired her for her remarks (ironic considering his own controversial history). Despite the backlash, Dr. Elders continues her work in education and promoting sex-education and health.

The Importance of Masturbation

While the idea that masturbation should be taught might be jarring and some might think something so natural wouldn’t need encouraging, it turns out masturbation might not be as common as we think.

There is an old joke that 98% of people masturbate and the other 2% are lying. However, in 1992, just two years before Elders’ speech on masturbation, the National Health and Social Life Survey showed only 32% of women and 61% of men admitted to masturbating. Now, this study was narrow and one could argue that younger generations (Millennials and Gen Z in particular) are far more sexually open than their parents and grandparents surveyed. This survey does suggest that the old assumption that masturbation is universally common is not a hard truth.

Despite conservative claims that masturbation is unhealthy or immoral, there are health benefits. According to Planned Parenthood, masturbating can

• release sexual tension
• reduce stress
• help you sleep better
• improve your self-esteem and body image
• help treat sexual problems
• relieve menstrual cramps and muscle tension
• strengthen muscle tone in your pelvic and anal areas
• figure out what you enjoy sexually

A National Holiday

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A year after Dr. Elders’ speech, sex-positive shop, Good Vibrations, declared May 7th National Masturbation Day in honor of Dr. Joycelyn Elders and her statement. Good Vibrations was developed as a feminist alternative to other adult bookstores. It not only sold vibrators but held a safe space where sexual health and pleasure could be discussed. Owner of Good Vibrations, Joani Blank is a sex educator and therapist that focuses on sex-positive feminism. This focus on sex-positivity made for fantastic soil in which the idea-seed of Masturbation Month could grow and blossom.

National Masturbation Day quickly turned into National Masturbation Month and, later, International Masturbation Month when countries like Britain, Australia, and China happily joined the celebration. Other iterations of the holiday include Wank-Week, Wank-Month, and Wank-Fest held with the same concept in mind.

Masturbate-A-Thon

Three years later, Good Vibrations held a Masturbate-a-thon in cooperation with various HIV and women’s health charity groups. The slogan “Come for a Cause” was coined by Rachel Venning, founder of sex toy shop, Babeland. The goal of the event was to bring various sex-positive adult stores together to raise public health awareness and eliminate taboos around sex.

The Center for Sex and Culture held a live event in 1999. Other live events popped up over the years with amazing records set like that of Masanobu Sato who won the Masturbate-a-thon by masturbating for over nine hours! The international reach also grew with a Masturbate-a-thon held in China in 2012 to celebrate World AIDS Day.

From 1998 to 2006 $25,000 was raised for the various charity organizations and International Masturbation Month grew in popularity. Unfortunately its popularity did not come without restrictions. Many broadcasts and publications of the events were shut down by various news organizations and whole events cancelled due to “lack of interest,” “declining editorial standards,” or too few registrations. It turns out that despite the popularity of masturbating and the joke that “every month is masturbation month,” not enough people are interested in doing it for a cause or are simply unaware of the opportunity.

How to Celebrate Masturbation Month

Check with your local adult store, Planned Parenthood, or sex-positive organizations to see if you have any International Masturbation Month or Day events in your area. If not, you can still go at it solo (pun intended). The important thing to remember is that this month is all about spreading sex-positivity and awareness. To do that you can:

• Donate your money or time to your favorite sex-positive non-profit.
• Shop for sex toys with companies that work with and sponsor sex educators.
• Make non-profits like Planned Parenthood your AmazonSmile Foundation for your next online purchase.
• Get an indie porn subscription to support safe companies and workplaces for sex workers.
• Write your state representatives to encourage sex-education in schools, reproduction rights, and decriminalizing sex-work.
• For sex workers, smut bloggers, and other influencers online – share Masturbation Month’s history and your favorite non-profits.
• If you feel like tapping into your inner exhibitionist – masturbate for a cause and raise money for every hour or orgasm and donate it to your favorite sex-positive non-profit.

Whatever you do, do it in the spirit of sexual health, awareness, and pleasure.