AASECT 2018 Annual Conference Theme

Hello from your conference co-chairs!  We are excited to share with you the conference theme for 2018, Bridging the Divide: Shedding Light on the Taboos and Pleasures of Sexuality. While it hasn’t been too long since the last conference, we’ve been hard at work reviewing evaluations and implementing your feedback into the Denver programming.

We are hoping to create space for sexuality topics and related issues that have traditionally existed within the margins of our profession, society, and culture. It is also our intention to explore these several of these subjects within the paradigm of pleasure. Please consider submitting a conference proposal that would both shed light on new issues and build connections to the work we do on a daily basis.

Take a sneak peek at the call for submissions and consider joining us in Denver, CO, June 14-17, 2018!

Call for Submissions

As AASECT moves forward as an organization, we remain focused on expanding our professional reach and welcoming innovative ideas into the field of human sexuality. In doing so, we must also create space for sexuality topics and related issues that have traditionally existed within the margins of our profession, society, and culture. This includes limited affirmation and inclusion of intersectional identities and behaviors, as well as alternative sexualities and practices. As we learned during our most recent conference, pleasure is often absent from both mainstream and professional discussions of human sexuality; however, now more than ever, there is a need to push this and other taboos into the forefront of dialogue and practice. The current political climate brings new obstacles, and many individuals are left seeking guidance, comfort and support. These challenges provide opportunities for important conversations within the field. As such, we seek to create space at AASECT’s 2018 Annual Conference for attendees to gather and exchange ideas that will ultimately shed light on the various taboos of sexuality while also offering best practices for sexuality education, counseling, therapy and research. Conference attendees will be encouraged to move beyond contention, lean into discomfort and strive for understanding and connection.

The abstract submission portal will be open soon in September 2017 so watch your email for additional information on how to submit your proposal for consideration! 

We hope to see you in Denver in 2018!! 

Jayleen Galarza, PhD, LCSW, MEd, CST and 
Juan Camarena, PhD, CST
2018 AASECT Annual Conference Co-chairs