Sexuality and Liberation Saketopoulou Study Group

Wednesday, 7/15 at 5:30 - 7:30PM Wednesday, 7/22 at 5:30 - 7:30PM Wednesday, 7/29 at 5:30 - 7:30PM Wednesday, 8/5 at 5:30 - 7:30PM West Philly Location

Description

A four-part, in-person study group for community organizers + care workers asking how sexuality can help us take meaningful risks during a time of heightening repression. Rooted in Avgi Saketopoulou's concepts of Limit Consent (which may include choosing to move into the unknown together) and Exigent Sadism (which may include surfacing urgent friction), this group applies sexuality theory to liberatory and abolitionist change work.

Background

I was stunned, confused, and intrigued when I read Sexuality Beyond Consent- for me, it felt like one of the many beautiful roadmaps I had been looking for.

Stunned, because it pushed back on the affirmative and enthusiastic consent model. Which, as a sexuality educator, I had been teaching for over two decades. Confused, because the pushback made so much sense. I was also confused because the book was so dense (for me) and I had to read and re-read it in order to inch closer to it’s meanings. But mostly, I was intrigued because it felt like another way to talk about power and control in both sex and politics.

The increasing attacks on queer and trans people; immigrants; folx of color; students; and political dissenters effects not only my clients and me, but the world that I most want to live in. With the belief that we each have a role in defending our desired world, I’m running this study group because I want to study Saketopoulou’s writings in the company of other community members dedicated to change and care work. I am not an expert but another learner running an experiment in order talk about what I am most curious about: liberation and sex.

Design

The space will be rooted in abolitionist politics and will explore the ways we protest during surge of white supremacy culture in America. As a group we will explore what role we believe sexuality has to play in resistance work. Given the sensitivity of the topic in a contentious political climate, this study group will start with a group safety and intention setting.

Articles and podcasts will both be provided each week so introduce the same concepts so that people will different learning styles can have access to theory. Each week will focus on a different article except for the last week which will focus on application. Doing either the readings or the listenings each week will help people to have a fuller understanding of the theory, though learning also happens through lived experience and discussion so please just aim for the engagement that is right for you.

This group will meet in-person and be limited to ten people. Please be ready to come to three out of the four sessions so we can build group trust.

The fee is pay-what-you-wish given that Summer ‘26 is the initial exploration of this study group. $12 per group offsets space costs and anything more supports future groups happening again and me learning a range of reasonable pricing for the future.

Each participant will be asked to bring snacks twice and will be coordinated in advance.

Safety

Masking is required. Weather permitting, we’ll have doors open and air circulating.

Embedded safety measures will include (1) a pre-screening vetting form for interested people (2) location disclosed after vetting and (3) establishment of individual accountability measures to the group due to the sensitivity of the material discussed and the vulnerability of members/community members affected by the current political climate.

The meeting room and bathroom are both accessible from the ground floor. Please let us know on the form if you have any additional accessibility needs.

If you’re interested, please fill out this interest form, or email questions to alvarez.lcsw@gmail.com. There will be a short vetting process to assess for group fit and access needs, and participation in the group will be finalized by July 13th.