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The Redhead Bedhead: Sex Educator JoEllen Notte
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Remembering ‘Why Good Sex Shops Matter’

As I prepare for the next leg of the Superhero Sex Shop Tour I’ve been thinking back to how it all began. While the first shop profile took place during my visit to Portland last December (What’s up She Bop?! Love you guys!) the real mission of the project didn’t become clear until one day in January – the day I visited a bad sex shop. It was then I realized that people need to know that not all sex shops are created equal and it matters which ones we give out business to – not just for the businesses but for our own sexual well-being. At that point the mission of the Superhero Sex Shop Tour became educating consumers about where to find the sex positive retail experiences they deserve.

The mission of the tour has since grown and expanded, because sex positive retail has the power to change lives! I want to not only educate consumers as to its existence but also retailers as to why they should be providing their customers with high quality, body safe products, accurate education and an awesome, inclusive environment – I’m on a mission to bring sex positive retail to more areas! And it all started with this one trip to a bad sex shop. I decided to dig out that post again today because it’s important to remember why it matters and it’s fun to remember how this all started!

Why Good Sex Shops Matter

and How I’m Going to Help You Find Them

Pigalle“…That’s the difference, that’s why it matters, that’s what makes some shops call themselves “sex positive” or even “woman-friendly”…. Shouldn’t you be shopping somewhere that provides you safe, quality materials, not potentially harmful crap? Finally, sex is something natural and fun that we all do, don’t you want to shop somewhere where they are willing to talk to you about it, about how to enjoy your products about how to improve your play time rather than somewhere where they just want your money and couldn’t care less if you throw “Barbie’s Dream Jelly Dildo with Glass Shards” immediately in the trash? Don’t settle for bad sex shopping! You deserve healthy materials, quality education and great experiences!…” (read the entire post here)


Photo by ricardo.martins on Flickr


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About JoEllen

JoEllen Notte is a writer, speaker, and mental health advocate whose work explores the impact of depression on sex and relationships. Since 2012 she has written about sex, mental health, and how none of us are broken here at The Redhead Bedhead.

JoEllen has led workshops nationwide on sexual communication, navigating consent, having casual sex kindly, and dating as an introvert. She has toured sex shops, spoken at length on dildos, and even started a sex school but she is happiest and most effective when writing and speaking on behalf of quiet people who have sex. Check out her video series on attending conferences as an introvert and her extensive writing on sex and depression.

JoEllen has spoken at Clark College, University of Chicago, University of Tennessee, the Guelph Sexuality Conference, Woodhull’s Sexual Freedom Summit, and the Playground Conference

JoEllen’s first book The Monster Under the Bed: Sex, Depression & The Conversation We Aren’t Having was published by Thorntree Press in March 2020. Her new book In It Together: Navigating Depression with Partners, Friends, and Family was published by Thornapple Press in March 2023.

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  • Sex & Depression
    • JoEllen’s Writing
    • Podcasts & Radio
    • Writing Tips
    • In The Media
    • Resources
  • Superhero Sex Shops
    • The Map – Find a Shop
    • The Write-Ups -What’s Up at the Shops
  • Blog
    • Best Of Bedhead
    • Being Cool With The Sex
    • Body Basics & Beyond
    • Geeking out
    • Gettin’ Riled Up
    • Live & Learn
    • Toys for Grown Ups
    • Reviews
  • Online Learning
    • The Business of Blogging About Sex
    • Will Work For Sponsorship Online Class, Tools, & Coaching
    • Conferences As An Introvert
    • Resources
  • Shopping
    • Recommended Reading
    • Get JoEllen’s Favorite Stuff!
  • Press | Media
    • In The Media
    • Video
    • Podcasts & Radio
    • Photos

 

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