The most exciting development in Seattle right now is the creation of a new sex-positive community center (called "The Wet Spot"), and the weekly play parties and fundraisers which will be taking place until its opening.
 

Information about Seattle BDSM resources has been consolidated into the Seattle BDSM Resource Guide. If you need crisis hotline numbers or similar information, visit the Seattle Crisis Resource Directory.

CONTENTS

SEATTLE ORGANIZATIONS

General Sex-Positive Resources

Seattle Sex Information: (206) 328-7711
For questions about birth control, STD's, or general sexuality, you can call this sex information line Mon-Thu from 2pm-8pm.

Society for Human Sexuality: http://www.sexuality.org/

The Society for Human Sexuality (SHS) is an all-volunteer social and educational organization devoted to the understanding and expression of all safe and consensual forms of human sexuality. SHS has sponsored public lectures by such international luminaries as Carol Queen, Laura Antoniou, Jay Wiseman, Lady Green, Cecilia Tan, Joani Blank, and Carol Leigh. SHS also sponsors periodic workshops and social events.

Shallow Water Productions

Shallow Water Productions sponsors monthly workshops on various topics related to sexuality. SWP workshops are typically very inexpensive and fun. See their web page for a current schedule of events.

Erotic Offerings: (206) 322-5477

Erotic Offerings hosts reasonably-priced, comfortable classes on many different aspects of sexuality. So far, Erotic Offerings classes have been held both on specific techniques (vaginal fisting, g-spot stimulation, anal play, etc.) and on more general topics (sexual healing, discovering what one finds erotic, etc.). Erotic Offerings classes are either mixed-gender or women-only, and are held in the Fall and the Spring.

ErotoMagik: (206) 720-4682

ErotoMagik offers reasonably-priced men-only classes on a variety of topics ranging from "Raising Sexual Energy" to anal massage.
Seattle Institute: (206) 522-8588
Seattle Institute offers sex therapy, counseling, workshops and free monthly classes by ABS certified therapists.

Body Electric School
The Body Electric School (see "National Organizations and Conferences") offers its full range of classes in Seattle.

The Stranger
This is a free alternative weekly which generally treats issues in a progressive fashion, and carries Seattle's most extensive and diverse selection of personal ads as well as commercial ads for escort services, phone sex services, and other adult businesses.

Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Resources

Gay and Lesbian Organization Directories
There are literally hundreds of gay and lesbian organizations in the Seattle area - far too many for them all to be included in a guide such as this. For comprehensive listings of gay and lesbian organizations in Seattle (as well as comprehensive listings of HIV/AIDS support organizations), we urge you to pick up a copy of the Seattle Gay News ((206) 324-4297), the LRC News ((206) 322-3965), the Lesbian and Gay Pink Pages ((206) 328-5850), or the GSBA Guide ((206) 443-4722). Gay or bi men may also find value in QueerCore or Gay City, which have local resource guides along with information on their own fun and informative events.

Seattle Bisexual Men's Union: (206) 728-4533
The phone number above provides information on the activities of the Seattle Bisexual Men's Union (as well as the Polyfidelity Group and Bi-Net Seattle). Currently, SBMU has open discussion gatherings on the second Monday of every month at 7pm in Room 304 of the Pilgrim Congregational Church on Capitol Hill. Another way to stay in touch is to subscribe to the pnw-bi electronic mailing list or browse the Bi-Net Seattle page.

Seattle Bisexual Women's Network: (206) 517-7767
This is a very active organization for bisexual and bi-friendly women. SBWN puts on a wide range of activities, and publishes North Bi Northwest. See their web page for a current events calendar.

Radical Faeries: (206) 783-2011
Seattle has a very active chapter of Radical Faeries (an organization for gay or bi men interested in exploring the nexus between sexuality and "pagan" spirituality). Radical Faerie coffee klatches are every Saturday, 10am-noon, at the Four Angels Coffee House at 14th and Union; all are welcome. Potlucks and Heart Circles are held at members' homes every Tuesday. Call the above phone number for more information and a current listing of other Faerie events.

Ingersoll Gender Center: (206) 329-6651
Support groups, counseling, and medical referrals for transgendered people are available through this valuable resource.

Polyamory and Swinging Resources

Polyfidelity Group: (206) 728-4533
Polyfidelity Potlucks are held from 6:30-9:30pm at Pilgrim Congregational Church, corner of 10th East and Republican near Seattle's Capitol Hill area. All people interested in multi-partner relationships are welcome. A small donation is requested, and you should label the dish you bring for the potluck with a list of its ingredients. Generally, Polyfidelity Potlucks are held on the second Saturday of all odd-numbered months. More information is available by calling the phone number above.

New Horizons: (206) 233-8070

New Horizons is an on-premises swinger's club just north of Seattle. It is one of the best and most luxurious of such clubs in the nation. As is the case with almost all swinger's clubs, you need to be either a female or part of a male/female couple to attend their events [schedule]. The phone number above will allow you to leave a message requesting information about New Horizons.

People's Choice and Original Circles

These are the two off-premises swinger's groups closest to Seattle. People's Choice holds dances starting at 8pm on the first Saturday of each month, discussion groups for new couples each Friday night, and co-sponsors "Wind and Waves" every February. Original Circles holds dances starting at 8pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month (except for December and July), orientation sessions for new couples before every dance, and sponsors "CampOut" the fourth weekend in July. Call (425) 227-0567 for more information on Original Circles..

Seattle Poly Reading Group

This fun group (aka The "Ethical Slut" Reading Group) meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm to discuss various books about polyamory.

Seattle Poly Discussion List

This lively electronic mail discussion list is good way to get connected with Seattle's online poly community. It frequently carries notices for real-life poly community events that aren't announced anywhere else.

STD and Contraception Resources

Broadway STD Clinic: (206) 731-4160
This is probably the best place to get confidential STD/HIV testing in Seattle. The clinic itself is comfortable, the full range of STD tests including the blood test for herpes is available, and although you must make an appointment first you can usually be seen in the same day. For STDs which require antibiotics as treatment, Broadway STD Clinic will give you the necessary antibiotics on the spot. Fees are pay-what-you-can (with the exception of the blood test for herpes, which is $15 up-front). The clinic is open slightly later (until 6:30pm) on Wednesdays. Broadway STD clinic is located in 1001 Broadway, Suite 320.

Country Doctor Community Clinic: (206) 461-4503

This clinic, located at 500 19th Ave E, is probably the best place to get your Hepatitis vaccinations ($4 for Hepatitis A and $25 for Hepatitis B). If you cannot afford to pay these fees, then sliding scales are available.

Harborview STD Clinic: (206) 731-3590

Harborview STD Clinic (located at 325 9th Ave) is like Broadway STD Clinic except that the clinic itself is not as comfortable and it is not necessary to make an appointment in advance (though you might have to wait a while in the lobby if you don't have an appointment).

Planned Parenthood: (206) 328-7700
Planned Parenthood provides a variety of services, including contraceptive counseling, abortion, and tubal ligation. The Planned Parenthood main clinic is located at 2211 E Madison. If you are male and your income level meets certain criteria, then you may be eligible for a free vasectomy through Seattle/King County Department of Health: call (206) 296-4960 for details.

Miscellaneous Resources

LARC: (360) 424-6833

A local clothing-optional organization which organizes nude swims in the Seattle area. The swims are held on first and third Saturdays from the first Saturday in October to the first Saturday in May, and last from 8:30pm-midnight [schedule]. LARC also owns a clothing-optional recreational facility near Lake McMurray (about an hour north of Seattle). Please note that sexual activity is not appropriate at LARC events; their intent is simply to provide a space for people who are or wish to be more comfortable without clothing.

Al D.: (206) 706-0333
For permanent body-piercing (including genital, nipple, and tongue piercings) we wholeheartedly recommend Al D., who now works through Greenlake Tattoo and Body Piercing (7615 Aurora Ave N). Call the phone number above for details.

Tubs: (206) 527-8827

Tubs (4750 Roosevelt Way NE) rents clean, luxurious, private rooms by the hour and half-hour. Each one is equipped with a hot tub, a sauna, a shower, a bed, a stereo, and a dimmer switch for the lights. You have the ability to lock the door to your room so you can't be disturbed accidentally. There is a phone in each room that the staff can use to call you to say when your time is up, and which you may use to order more time or drinks, all without your privacy being disturbed. Each room rents for $14.50 per person per hour (with two-for-one deals Mon-Fri before noon, and a two person minimum per room after 5pm), and suffice it to say Tubs is an ideal place to take someone for sex if your respective homes don't seem appropriate and you don't have more than an hour or so to spend together. Hours are 7am-2am seven days a week.

Fat-Positive Resources for Women
In Seattle, these include SeaFATtle, a chapter of NAAFA, and Venus. For more Seattle fat-positive resources, see the SeaFATtle resources page.

SEATTLE LOCAL PUBLICATIONS

Blackstockings: (206) 722-2665
This bi-monthly newsletter serves as an information source for Seattle sex workers and for all others interested in this profession's legalization or decriminalization. You can pick up this newsletter at Toys in Babeland and a few other locations. Steering committee meetings for this publication are held on selected Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm (call the above number for details), and a sex-industry support group (open to workers only) sponsored by Blackstockings meets on the second Friday of every month at 2pm; call (206) 610-9421 for information, location, and directions. . Also, I've just been informed that a new e-zine for male sex workers in Seattle (called hook) has also been formed.

North Bi Northwest: (206) 517-7767
This newsletter (ISSN 1050-4680) details the goings-on and social activities sponsored by Seattle's various bisexual organizations. It frequently contains high-quality essays and fiction as well. Call the above number to receive a copy.

SEATTLE SHOPS

General Supplies

Toys in Babeland: (206) 328-2914

This is THE finest and most comfortable place for women and men in Seattle to buy sex toys and books and rent videos. This store is woman-owned, and the all-women staff is quite knowledgeable and helpful. Toys in Babeland is similar in atmosphere to the famous Good Vibrations store in San Francisco, and like Good Vibrations also sponsors periodic workshops. Toys in Babeland now offers sales nationally through its new catalog. Store hours are Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. Toys in Babeland is located in the Capitol Hill area at 707 E Pike.

Rubber Tree: (206) 633-4750

This store is the best source for condoms, Glyde barriers, and Reality barriers in Seattle. Prices and selection are outstanding. Toys in Babeland has a better selection of lubes (especially in economy sizes), and Bartell Drugs or Costco are more economical for latex gloves, but for all other safer sex supplies the Rubber Tree can't be beat. Hours are Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm. They are located in the Wallingford area at 4426 Burke N.

All You Knead: (206) 328-3412
All You Knead is the best place to buy massage tables and massage supplies in Seattle. It is designed to serve Licensed Massage Practitioners and amateur therapists rather than those with sex in mind, but what you do with your purchases once you get home is up to you. All You Knead is located on Capitol Hill at 1518 Broadway, and hours are Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.

Specialty Book and Video Shops

Scarecrow Video: (206) 524-8554

This video rental store probably has the widest selection of films in the nation. They carry many popular erotic and sex education videos as well, and the staff is very knowledgeable. Scarecrow Video is located in the Roosevelt area at 5030 Roosevelt Way NE. Hours are Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight.

Beyond the Closet: (206) 322-4609

This is a bookstore which carries books, newsletters, and magazines exclusively on queer issues. They are located in Capitol Hill at 518 E Pike, and their hours are Sun-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight.

SEATTLE DANCE CLUBS, BARS, AND BATHHOUSES

Dance Clubs (Gay Friendly)

Re-Bar
1114 Howell Street, (206) 233-9873
(the last Saturday of every month, 10pm-2am, is "girlz nite" - proceeds benefit Lesbian Resource Center)

Neighbors
1509 Broadway E., (206) 324-5358

Women's Bars

Wildrose
1021 E Pike, (206) 324-9210

Men's Bathhouses

Basic Plumbing
1505 10th Ave, (206) 323-2799

Club Seattle Baths
1520 Summit, (206) 329-2334

Club Z Baths
1117 Pike Street, (206) 622-9958

Gay Bars

 Seattle has quite an extraordinary number of gay bars, including some with special themes (i.e. The Timberline has a country western/line dancing theme, etc.). See a current copy of Seattle Gay News for a comprehensive list.

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