
Those of you who caught HBO's Real Sex last weekend may have recognized your favorite women-owned, independent sex toy store. That's right, Babeland took another star turn on
Real Sex, this time as the host of an all-women
Masturbate-a-thon. In 2003, Babeland hosted its first-ever on-site Masturbate-a-thon in New York. We invited women to "come together" at our
SoHo store, and give themselves as much pleasure as they could. When HBO got wind of our plan, they asked if they could film it for their wildly popular "Real Sex" program. How could we say no? Our masturbators each found their inner exhibitionist, and the stage was set for a day of sexy fun and sizzling erotic entertainment. The event raised over $3000 for two non-profits, the
National Network of Abortion Funds, and the
New York Abortion Access Fund.
We created a carnival-like atmosphere colorful banners celebrating orgasm, cots and comfortable chairs for the masturbators and a stage for performers. One corner of the store had a sort of bedouin tent filled with pillows, fresh fruit for refreshment, and hot porn loops for inspiration. A cigarette girl circulated throughout the event offering
lube and water to our die-hard masturbation aficionados. Another helpful Babelander walked among the women offering them toys to try. If you're wondering what toy is the most reliable ticket to hours of coming--it was none other than the
Hitachi Magic Wand (powerhouse is its middle name). The
Rabbit and the
Nubby G were also participant favorites.

The performers included our good friends
Ducky Doolittle, Laura Weide,
Rachel Kramer Bussel and
Tristan Taormino, who held an intimate
anal tutorial that resulted in a woman using her ass in her masturbation for the first time. Ashley Merriman provided aural pleasure, reading red-hot erotica to the eager crowd. And finally
Barbara Carrellas took the group through a tantric breathing exercise, elevating the energy to an ecstatic crescendo. The room rang with the moans and shouts of women having orgasms with out even touching themselves. By the time we dispersed, everyone, masturbators, hosts and HBO crew members alike, felt like they'd had a sexual experience!