This book contains questions I have been fortunate enough to receive over the last 2 years through texts, emails and the rare letter. A majority of the texts messages came from audience members who attended my show SEXED, an interactive performance on sex, love and relationships. Many people asked the same question in different variations so I condensed some of the questions into one question. The three most popular topics of discussion are: 1. Penis size. This topic was most popular among men who confessed they are plagued with insecurity about their own endowment. 2. Female orgasm. This question came from women who were struggling with this issue and from men wanting to give women orgasms. 3. Anal sex. Inquiring minds just want to know.
The last chapter in this book is autobiographical. I have always used my life experiences as a way to educate, entertain and inspire people to live the best life they can regardless of challenges.
In many cultures, including our own, the prevailing attitude is that sex is sinful, dirty, bad, and scary. It has become taboo, something we should not discuss. The topic is then only ventured in effort to tell people not to do it because they will die or get some horrible disease. The issue of sex is also a psychological trigger used as a tool by ad companies to sell everything from automobiles to self-esteem. The purpose of my work in this field and this book is to answer questions about sex, love, relationships and life in general in the best way that I can. My intention is not to moralize or demoralize sex neither is it to advocate one to have or not to have sex. My goal is to give the reader the answers to the questions they asked.
People often do not ask their family, church or even doctors these questions because they do not want to be judged. There is so much shame, guilt and fear surrounding the topic of sex. I wanted to create a safe space in my performances and in this book where you can find simply the facts as best I know them and researched them.
River Huston is an award winning journalist, performer, poet and activist. She travels through the United States speaking on issues related to HIV/AIDS, sexuality, self-esteem, and alcohol abuse. She has a degree in Physical Education and Music from Hunter College and was awarded and honorary Doctorate from Albright College in 1995 for her work in the community.
In 2009 she was given the Leeway Transformation Award in recognition of how her work has had an impact on society over the last two decades. In 1998 she was awarded the Dorthea Lange/ Paul Taylor award for A Positive Life: Portraits Of Women Living With HIV. In 1996 she was named Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Pennsylvania and is the author of several books of poetry including, Jesus Never Lived Here, The Bones of Susan and In Which I Lost 1000 Pounds. River is the creator of Goddess: A New Guide to Feminine Wisdom and wrote and directed a one woman show which she has performed around the world called, Sex, Cellulite and Large Farm Equipment: One Girls Guide to Living and Dying.
Currently River Huston lives in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. She travels around the world doing performances and presentations on love, life and relationships. She also is the co-director of sevenminuseven, an alternative arts alliance in St Thomas. She spends her days on the island, painting, writing and walking her ancient, small dog, Buddy.