Live: the Masturbate-a-thon!
WHEN: Sunday, May 25, 2008, doors 12:00 noon (for time contestants), general admission 3:00 pm.
WHERE: 1519 Mission, San Francisco, CA 94103
HOW MUCH: Suggested minimum donation $20 at the door (a filled-out pledge sheet with at least $20 in pledges counts); limited voyeur seating is $40
MORE INFO for the San Francisco event: www.masturbate-a-thon.com (not dot-org -- that's the one based in Portland)

WHAT'S THE MASTURBATE-ATHON?
It's a fundraising, and consciousness-raising, event featuring masturbation -- just like a Walk-a--Thon, except your feet don't hurt when you're done (unless you masturbate in a fascinating way that we would like to know more about!). It's a live group event at which participants will raise funds by getting others to sponsor them for the length of time they masturbate. CSC will hold the event at 1519 Mission Street in San Francisco. Special celebrity guests and MCs include Nina Hartley, gay porn start Robert Black, and performer Tom Orr, Madison Young, Sadie Lune, and more!

If you have a question you don't find the answer to here, look at www.masturbate-a-thon.com. If that doesn't answer your question, email us!

HOW DOES IT WORK? WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
If you want to break the "longest time spent masturbating" record (currently 8 hours and 40 minutes), you can arrive at 12 noon on May 25. General admission starts at 3. We'll go on til everyone is done -- probably sometime between 9 pm and midnight. Everyone will need to show ID (to prove they're over 18) and sign a release. Payment is up front at the door, or after the fact if you have a filled-out pledge sheet. (More on that below.)

One room will have a stage, cameras, and voyeurs sitting in chairs (for more about being a voyeur, see below). To enter that room, participants MUST sign a release and bring two forms of ID. From that room we'll webcast people masturbating AND Carol and Nina's MC chat AND interviews and more. Besides the stage and the voyeurs' platform, we'll have space for women to congregate together, for men to congregate together, and for all genders to occupy. Except for the voyeurs, anyone entering that room might show up on our webcast.

There will be a separate room for the people who DON'T wish to be on the webcast but who do wish to masturbate together. Again, it will be separated into women's, men's, and mixed space. There will be no voyeurs in this space. People from the webcast room may enter this room to masturbate out of the limelight, but people from this room won't be allowed into the webcast room unless they go back to the front desk and sign the webcast release.

We'll provide a secure clothes check area and a "chill space" room with refreshments. You might want to bring: your fave lube and toys; a towel; a kimono or robe. We'll have plenty of padded space.

FAQ: Can I appear on the webcast in a mask? YES! We especially favor Groucho Marx noses; we think he would approve. No George Bushes, please, we do not want an honorable activity like wanking to get mixed up in that sort of thing. If you're worried about your mom recognizing you, don't forget to cover your tats.
FAQ: Can I attend with my partner/s? YES! Masturbating together is fabulous.
FAQ: Can I masturbate my partner? NO! At least, not for long. You can stay involved physically with your partner, but think of yourself as a sex toy, an addition to their masturbatory experience. There are sex parties for partner-play -- there's only one Masturbate-a-Thon (in SF at least), and its purpose is to honor SOLO sex.
FAQ: What's an "energy vampire," and how do I avoid people thinking I'm one? EEK! An energy vampire is a person who, instead of settling down and getting busy, wanders the rooms looking for people and scenes to stare at. This can make other people feel uncomfortable, especially outside the exhibitionist room, and in a packed room, you risk invading others' personal space. Please voyeurize respectfully and at a distance (though if someone is urging you closer and egging you on, fine! Enjoy!).

WHAT IF I WANT TO COMPETE?
Let us know at the front desk when you sign in, and make sure you let us know when you're done. Our staff members will keep an eye on your progress and document time lasted, orgasms (let us know if you want an orgasm counter, or bring your own), and distance. The distance competition will be held at 7 pm. (Current distance record to beat is 36 inches.)

WHAT IS A FEATURED MASTURBATOR? CAN I BE ONE?
A Featured Masturbator is anyone who signs up in advance and provides a photo, image, or bio that might inspire people who visit the Masturbate-a-Thon website to sponsor you. It's especially good if you want to be on the webcast, though that's not required; we can report on your progress throughout the evening. Featured Masturbators are especially encouraged to alert their friend or fan networks to encourage sponsors, which can be made through the website. Want to do it? Let us know!

HOW DOES THE PLEDGE AND/OR MONEY THING WORK?
To get in, you must EITHER pay $20 at the door OR bring a pledge sheet (and you must agree to let the people who pledged you know how much money they're expected to remit based on how long you masturbated). We urge you to get at least a few sponsors, because that's the way community involvement in the Masturbate-a-Thon grows, as well as pro-masturbation discussion -- the whole point of this endeavor! If you get sponsors but they don't pledge $20 or more, you can pledge yourself to make up the difference.

IF you don't want to participate but wish to attend as a VOYEUR, the cost is $40 at the door (though more is always appreciated!). You may keep your street clothes on, but you can only enter the refreshments room and the voyeur platform. (If you get really inspired and want to masturbate too, come on over to the front desk and let us know, and then visit clothes check.)