"The Goddess Factory uses movies and motivation to empower women emotionally, politically and sexually. Each of these tenets is equally important to empowerment. It's a holistic approach. You can't feel completely empowered politically if you are not empowered sexually. You can't own yourself sexually or emotionally, if you don't own your political self.

Corporations are trying to own & market our sexuality. It's being bought, sold and traded on the open market. It is vital not only to criticize but to offer an alternative voice to those seeking this kind of content. Clearly this is challenging with so many negative and exploitive images dominating popular culture.

We work with V-Day to stop violence against women and girls. A central part of this initiative is being clear that sex is not wrong or bad. The results of irresponsible sexuality and representations include teen pregnancy and growing rates of HIV. However, we need to be clear that there is still a healthy place for erotic joy in communities that that have been viewed consistently as over-sexualized.

The sexual representations are damaging, not sex. People have a vested interested in owning and controlling our sexuality and we will no longer allow them to do so."

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, March 8, 2007, 7:00 - 9:30pm
Chashama Gallery, 112 West 44th Street

Hoes, Putas, and Dragon Ladies: Our Sexuality ReMixed is a multimedia exhibit featuring film, performance, visual art, and readings for Women's History Month at The Chashama Gallery and The New School for Social Research in NYC. The objective of the exhibit is to examine, consider, reveal and comment on sexuality and sexual representations of women of African, Latin and Asian descent by women of color artists.

Visual Arts Exhibit: March 8-14th, Chashama Gallery
Opening Reception with Performance by Liliana Velasquez
Participating Visual Artists:
Ifetayo Abdus-Salam, Damali Abrams, Nancy Encarnacion, Jennifer Fuentes, Devorah Hill, Urban Envy, Liliana Velasquez

ADDITIONAL EVENTS:
Fri March 9th (7-9pm), Chashama Gallery
Bless Da Mic Spoken Word & Readings
An Open Mic With A Twist presents women-friendly erotic performance poetry and readings, hosted by Damali Abrams

Sun March 11th (1-3pm) Casa Atabex Ache, Chashama Gallery
Spiritual Sexuality Workshop
Casa Atabex Ache presents a workshop for women on sexual empowerment. Casa has a unique approach in supporting collective transformation and social change by providing holistic and alternative healing techniques for the self-empowerment of wimmin of color worldwide to reclaim the power of their minds, bodies and spirits, and as a consequence their rights.

Exhibition is a community event, spread the word!

Tues March 20th New School for Social Research, Swayduck University Auditorium.
Sneak Preview: AfroDite Exposed: Sexual Empowerment in an Adult Hip Hop Film. Panel discussion with filmmakers to follow.

The New School for Social Research, in conjunction with Terry Williams as part of his Sex in the City series, invites you to a preview screening of Afrodite. Directed by Venus Hotenttot & Produced by Natasha Cortes.

PLEASE NOTE: Like Shortbus, 9 Songs, Brown Bunny & Destricted, the film contains nudity and real, un-reinacted explicit sex and sexual acts, and only those who can show ID to prove that they are over 18 will be admitted. This is an art film being shown in a university setting. If you are in any way offended by sex or sexuality, please do not attend. The New School, filmmakers and related parties take no responsibility for your reactions.

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