Gender dysphoria is when someone has an emotional or physical feeling that feels misaligned with their gender identity. This class is geared towards helping ourselves, partners, or other loved ones experience the opposite of dysphoria, gender euphoria! We'll explore how positive, gender-affirming physical, emotional, & mental intimacy can make ourselves or others feel more aligned with their beautiful, authentic selves. This class was developed to support fellow trans bodies, as well as their partners, and is accessible to everyone regardless of gender identity.  

Join Patrick Califia and Lady Vivus in finding your path to more gender-affirming physical and emotional intimacy! This class will discuss multiple ways to add more gender-affirming strategies for your unique sexual practices, relationships, and self-perception.  

We will also dive into some methods of intimate physical and sexual touch and affirming language to use for yourself or your partner(s) to create more gender-euphoric feelings. We will also discuss how achieving gender euphoria during intimacy can promote mental wellness for trans folx.  

Finally, towards the end of this class, we will help you develop your own “Gender Affirming Profile” or navigate helping a trans partner create their own Gender Affirming Profile!  This class is designed for both trans folx and cis allies. Gender non-conforming folx may also benefit from pieces of this to create their own unique Gender Affirming Profile.  

Presenter Bios: 

Patrick Califia (he/him)  

Patrick Califia is a writer and retired therapist, as well as one of the grassroots organizers of the modern leather community. He has presented educational topics about kink and trans issues all over America, Canada, and Europe. His books include Sensuous Magic, a how-to manual about power play for couples, and Sex Changes: The Politics of Transgenderism. He is currently working on a memoir entitled Pioneer.  

Lady Vivus (she/her)  

Lady Vivus (she/her) is a spiritually & culturally driven bootblack, Switchinatrix, & a leather cow. She's an out, proud, & fierce-as-fire transwoman. While hailing from Detroit, Michigan, she has settled in Salem, Oregon, where she serves as the majordomo for her leather family, the Atomic Army.  

In her previous 9-5, Lady Vivus assisted in running one of the few behavior services agencies in the world dedicated to supporting folx displaying sexually maladaptive behaviors. During that time working in the field of social sexuality, she was grateful to be able to author sex & gender positive curriculum, as well as curriculum around healthy relationship development.  

She hopes to inspire others to enjoy sexuality & dynamics from an authentic place, as well as help folx their spiritual place with leather & find healing within it. Her love of community, education, & sharing ideas with other sex-positive folx is insatiable. Vivus also serves as the lead organizer for the Salem Munch and the Willamette Valley Shine On chapter. She currently serves as a resident bootblack for the Portland Eagle, 50 Shades of STFU, & Jiffy Kink.