Community Organizing

The San Francisco Study Group on Sex & Politics (Sex Pols)

Eric Rofes eerofes@aol.com tel: (415) 255-6210

Presented at the Western Regional Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, San Francisco, May 2005

1. Welcome and Introduction to Sex Pols
2. Genesis of Sex Pols:
1. A. Berube, Gayle Rubin, E. Rofes, 1993
2. Isolation / Shifting Political and Cultural Trends
3. Precedents: 1970s Study Groups; SF History Project
3. Mission and Objectives:
1. Promote Ongoing Critical Thinking About Sex & Politics
2. Meet Monthly
3. Develop Collegial Relationships and Friendships
4. The Basics of Sex Pols
1. Central Coordinator: Organizing Tasks (online, meeting dates, hosting, identifying speakers, opening meeting, maintain group membership)
2. Monthly Meetings: Rotating Facilitator (topics, readings, facilitation)
3. Oversee Members’ Entrance and Departures
5. A Typical Meeting of Sex Pols
1. Pre-Meeting Announcements & Readings
2. 6:30 Arrival
3. 7:15 Business Items
4. 7:25 Topic of the Night
5. 9:00 Close-out and Cleanup
6. 9:30 Finished
6. Participants
1. Activists, Academics, Writers, Cultural Workers, Therapists, Others
2. Core Group of 10 / 15 Participants
3. Queer of Not?
4. Perspectives Represented
5. Recruitment Sources
7. Early Years
1. Founding Year Shakeout
2. Sex Pol #1 and #2
3. Activism? Book Projects?
4. Sex Pols in Exile
5. 1999 hiatus
8. 2000 through Current Moment in Sex Pols
1. Re-Ignite Sex Pols
2. Social Events / Fieldtrips / Visitors
3. Expansion Mode
9. Additional Issues
10. Perspective: David Steinberg
11. Discussion

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