The sex shop Come As You Are is once again facilitating the annual Masturbate-A-Thon to raise money for charity and celebrate the art of self-love.
The Masturbate-A-Thon, which takes place Saturday, May 26, aims to eradicate stigma around the healthy act of masturbation while also raising money for a community group. This year’s recipient is Maggie’s: The Toronto Sex Worker Action Project, which helps provide education, advocacy and support to sex workers.
Masturbate-A-Thon is celebrated as part of Masturbation Month (May) in six countries around the world. More than 1,500 people have participated officially since 1998, but it can be assumed that the other 7 billion people on the planet celebrated Masturbation Month in their own way.
Participants can sign up and get pledge forms at Come As You Are or from their website. They then collect pledges for every minute or hour that they spend masturbating on May 26. The whole event is conducted under the honour system, as there are no judges, and participants will perform their self-abuse in the privacy of their own homes, at roadside stops and in gym steamrooms.
But meat-beaters won’t be completely alone during the event. Participants are encouraged to tweet their progress over the course of the day, while Come As You Are will be retweeting the best posts on its account (@caya_coop).
Sarah Forbes Roberts, a spokesperson for Come As You Are, says the event is open to people of all genders. Participants are encouraged to use whatever styles and techniques they enjoy best when self-loving, although it is an endurance event, so participants should be careful not to enjoy themselves too much too quickly.
So far, the record amount raised by a single participant is $1,000. The top five fundraisers this year will win a selection of exciting and gratifying prizes from Come As You Are, although clearly, they don’t need the help.
Why you can trust Xtra
