Newsletter No. 2: FALL 1997

Introduction

When we got together to start this second newsletter we had a great debate over what should go in this section. One idea was to feature sex type news stories, profiles about new happenings in the world of sex. Another was to make this a forum to put back out ideas that customers have given us and ask for others input on the future direction of the store, our workshops, and our mandate. It was also suggested that this could be a place to let you know more about the work COME AS YOU ARE does both inside and outside of the store.

Well, as usual consensus reigned and below is mishmash of all three. 

A Phyre has started in Toronto! While the early '90s saw a burgeoning of sex magazines - fueled to a large degree by the explosion of queer activism - by the mid-'90s, the best of these magazines (Frighten the Horses, Future Sex, Quim) had folded. Happily, the remaining ones are being joined by a new crop in the world of sex publishing.

Word is, On Our Backs the notorious lesbian sex magazine - will begin publishing again at the end of this year. (It is now owned by the publishers of Girlfriends, a lesbian lifestyle magazine.) Closer to home is Phyre. The mandate of this Toronto-based magazine is "the celebration of sexuality," according to publisher Laurie Huston. The first issue of Phyre will hit the newsstands in December.

One overwhelming trend at COME AS YOU ARE so far is the popularity of the book The Ethical Slut. Not only are many picking this book up and loving it, but we've lost count of the number of customers who are coming back with the same comment: "I bought this and loved it and now I want to buy copies for all my friends." Well it didn't take us too long to figure out something is going on here. It seems like this book on non-monogamy has touched a collective nerve/need. So, we're interested to know where those of us who are fans of the book want to take our interest? Should we organize an Ethical Slut workshop? Ethical Slut social events? Drop us a line, call us, or come on in and let us know what you think.

This time around we thought we'd let you know about some of the services we provide to folks working in the area of sexuality. We've come up with a few ways to support sex-positive work, but we're always open to other ideas, so if you have any ideas about how we can further support our various communities, please let us know.

First, we provide discounts for any educators and sex workers who need material for their work. Second, we make our (wheelchair accessible!) space available for meetings and workshops free of charge. Finally, we provide training and education to professionals and laypeople alike on topics from sexual health to sex toys, through our outreach programme. This is also a service provided for free.

If you'd like to know more about this, or have any suggestions about other services we could provide, please call and ask for Cory.

Books

Comic books have always been a sexy medium. From Crumb to Hothead Paisan, comic books have reveled in provocation and arousal. Our selection at COME AS YOU ARE includes erotic favourites Milo Manara and Michael Manning, illustrated classics such as The Story of O and The Kama Sutra, and underground women comic artists Roberta Gregory and Leanne Franson. Three new comic titles will soon be gracing the shelves of COME AS YOU ARE.

No Love Lost by Ariel Bordeaux is a story about a group of friends struggling with their relationships. Their friendships become complicated by their romantic entanglements. This comic book is both cute and a fun, winsome meander through everyday troubles as framed by conversations from the main character who reflects on life while doing laundry. 

Rina's Big Book of Sex Cartoons is the third collection of Toronto-based artist Rina Piccolo. Fake orgasms, sex education, the missionary position, the National Dildo Company and Dr. Ruth on a bad day, are some of the comic romps included in this collection. Devil Babe's Big Book of Fun is full of sexy new drawings and tattoo flash by underground art darling Isabel Samaras. In this big book, you can colour in Devil Babe's luscious lips and tantalizing body parts, play connect the dots to discover naughty pictures, and whip up finger-licking taste sensations like Ultra-Chocolate Devil's Food Cake. 
No Love Lost 9.95
Rina's Big Book of Sex Cartoons 12.95
Devil Babe's Big Book of Fun 16.95

Onto more serious things: One of COME AS YOU ARE's how-to books has been gaining notice for its attention to eroticism and sexual arousal. While most sex guides focus on the nuts-and-bolts physical aspects, The Erotic Mind (by Jack Morin) is devoted to the exploration what turns you on and why. From looking at "core erotic themes" and the interplay of eroticism and emotions, to troublesome psychological issues, The Erotic Mind is an essential roadmap to understanding your own complex eroticism. Interactive, insightful and wise.  The Erotic Mind 20.00

Toys

This issue's toy news features a group of brand new products, plus some products that have become instant classics. We had promised ourselves that we would save these products for December (something special for winter!) but the samples we got were so great, that we couldn't wait.

Silicone vibrators from Germany are on their way. Gigolo, Flipper, Obelix and Amor come in completely nutty colours (think Fisher Price toys) and are made of a much firmer, completely scentless silicone. As if that weren't enough, they are less expensive than any of our other silicone toys. We'll be getting a few non-vibrating styles in as well, so be sure to come in and check them all out.

On the classic side of things, the surprise sell-out of our first three months was the Slimline Clear Jelly Butt Plug. Just a wee bit of a toy, this 4-inch wonder looks and feels great. Perfect for beginners and those on a budget, it's also the smaller sibling to the medium plug, so there's room to move bigger! Also available in plain rubber red and hot pink. 
Slimline Jelly Butt Plug small 13.00
Slimline Jelly Butt Plug medium 14.00

Art

Those of you who dropped by COME AS YOU ARE during the month of August will have seen our display of Michael Baker's erotic photographs. His work was the first display of artwork in the store on erotic and sexual themes. Drop by to see what's fresh on our walls and send us any artists, because we are always interested in looking at new work.

Workshops

Women's Sexuality at Midlife: a focus group Wed. September 24 7:30 - 9:30 pm Zelda Abramson, a therapist and women's health counsellor, will lead a focus group for women, aged 40 - 55, to discuss basic sexual issues.
Cost is free.

Women Making Porn
please call for dates & times
Learn how to write a thrilling sex-plot, a hot & convincing cum-shot and more, in this practical, theoretical and participatory workshop led by filmmaker Kika Thorne. Previous filmmaking experience is not necessary.
Cost of $125 covers equipment and stock.

Female Ejaculation
Tues. November 8 7:30 - 10:30 pm
A fun and informative look at communicating your sexual desires and fantasies to a partner, with Carrie Gray, of CAYA Co-operative and Aslan Leather. Cost is free.
Pre-registration is necessary for all workshops. Sliding scale is available. For more info or to register, please call Sandra at COME AS YOU ARE, 416-504-7934. 

postponed:

Playshop for Men
exploring eroticism, body image and touch 
upcoming in the winter:
Presentation by LAURIE TOBY ANDERSON, erotic photographer and co-creator of Women En Large. (c) Come As You Are and CAYA Co-operative Ltd., 1997