“I Love Myself,”: The Power of Lighthouse Foundation’s Inspiring Sex-Positive Event, Sexplosion
On Friday, July 21, Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland hosted an unforgettable event at Room43 in Bronzeville: Sexplosion. As part of our recurring Self-Care Recharge event series, Sexplosion aimed to educate attendees about sexual health and empowerment while celebrating the Black LGBTQ+ community.
The event started with a hand-impact play demonstration by Mufasa Ali, the founder of Onyx, a community of LGBTQ+ people of color interested in kink and leather. Ali emphasized the importance of communication, consent, and understanding boundaries when exploring kink in the bedroom. This demonstration set the tone for the evening, promoting healthy and consensual experimentation.
Next came the sex therapist panel, where experienced professionals shared their insights, debunked common misconceptions surrounding sex therapy, and responded to audience questions. “You have the power to redefine your story,” Loryn Chas, LCPS, NCC, Counseling Educator and Supervisor, told the audience when responding to questions about dealing with sexual trauma.“You are not your circumstances.”
The event continued with live dance numbers by three members of Uncaged Party, a renowned act known for their powerful and energizing performances. Uncaged’s performances received thunderous praise, exemplifying the celebration of Black culture and positivity that lies at the core of our mission. Matt, the founder of Uncaged, shared that he created the group to bring Black LGBTQ+ empowerment to predominantly white spaces, like the popular Chicago gayborhood, Northalsted. “There’s one place to listen to Black music in [Northalsted],” Matt explained, “[But it’s] owned by a white person. I needed to give the Black people coming to [Northaslted] a Black experience run by a Black person. [We deserve] to celebrate ourselves, celebrate our culture, to celebrate sex positivity, to celebrate Black positivity first and foremost, and uplift our community.”
A panel featuring sex workers followed, providing a platform for their voices and experiences. The panelists shared insights into their journeys and emphasized the importance of bodily autonomy and respecting sex workers' boundaries. James Thomas, the event lead and a Black LGBT(Q)+ Caucus leader, highlighted the significance of listening to these stories. “I want to encourage us to take time to listen to the stories we so often don’t get to hear,” he reminded attendees, ‘’Cause society doesn’t want us to hear these stories.”
The event concluded on an empowering note with a burlesque dance workshop and performance led by Mocha, the CEO of Body Confidence for Queens. Mocha rallied audience members to join her in front of the room as she taught them how to walk, maintain eye contact, and command facial expressions to create the ultimate confident performance, all while embracing their uniqueness and celebrating their bodies. The room was filled with cheers of support as attendees showcased their newfound confidence, proving that age, gender, or any other factors should never be barriers to self-expression.
The presence of Third Coast CFAR, one of the event's co-sponsors, further emphasized the importance of sexual health. They provided attendees with essential resources and information about AIDS research, aligning with our commitment to holistic well-being.
Throughout the evening, Sexplosion served as a testament to our dedication to building self-worth and community. The event promoted sexual empowerment as an essential aspect of overall well-being, recognizing that sexual health is a social determinant of health. As the event drew to a close, Mocha led the room in powerful self-affirmations, reinforcing the message of self-love and acceptance: “I am beautiful inside and out. My uniqueness is what makes me beautiful. I love myself. I trust myself. And I believe in myself.”
The room echoed the affirmations back to her proudly and loudly, holding themselves in supportive hugs. “No validation is needed for me to be me. I am free.”
