Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals for the 2026 conference has closed. All proposals are currently undergoing blind peer review. We hope to get results to the presenters no later than October 15. All presenters will be required to register for the conference at the presenter rate.

The theme for the 2026 conference is “Positive Sexuality Reflects Professional Ethics”

 

Call for Proposals – SexPosCon 2026 – Now Closed!

“Sex, Ethics, and Work”

We are pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for SexPosCon 2026. We are looking for virtual presentations that are dynamic, interesting, diverse, and sex-positive. The theme for the 2026 conference is “Positive Sexuality Reflects Professional Ethics.”

We are accepting proposals for live, virtual presentations of original work (15-20 minutes), speakers’ panels (30-40 minutes), and interactive workshops (30-45 minutes). We are considering offering the conference on different dates/times to be as inclusive of as many time zones as possible. In the form, please clearly indicate your time zone as well as your willingness to present up to +/- 8 hours from your time. We may ask some presenters to present the same material more than once for different areas.

Presentations should focus on the most interesting and dynamic portion of your work (think TED Talk!). Both academic and non-academic submissions are encouraged. We welcome proposals from everyone, and will prioritize submissions by and about individuals from marginalized communities including but not limited to BIPOC, disabled, and incarcerated folks. We are also particularly interested in research on marginalized sexualities, sex/genders, and relationships, including LGB+, queer, ace spectrum, intersex, trans and non-binary, polyamorous and non-monogamous, kink/BDSM, and sex worker identities and communities.

Submissions must include 3-5 learning objectives. If you are submitting a proposal for an interactive presentation, please also describe how you will create opportunities for interaction in the virtual space (Zoom).

The Center’s position on the “Positive Sexuality Reflects Professional Ethics” theme is summarized below:

Most professions have a code of ethics that must be adhered to, usually stressing the rights and well-being of clients and/or patients above all. In some professions, the ethical guidelines may be less clear but there is still an overall sense of care and safety for those we work with, or we feel there should be. For those who may not be a professional, as a society we agree to support one another in specific and general ways, even if our personal beliefs or morals may differ. “Positive sexuality also promotes what is just and right; that is, honoring the voice, needs, choices, experiences, and life of every individual.” (Williams, Thomas, Prior, & Walters, 2015, p.9).

Some ideas you may want consider include:

  • Encountering clients/students within the social/sexual communities; program directors, social workers, medical staff, etc.
  • Double standards in research (nonsexual vs. sexual topics) re. partners, dating, etc. [kinky, queer esp.]
  • Intersectionality that may create power imbalance that could be ethically challenging
  • Differences between ethics and morals; conflicts between professional ethics and personal morals; differences between professional and social ethics
  • Managing ethical violations; dealing with non-ethical standards of an institution that may conflict with the ethics of your profession
  • Updating/revising outdated ethical standards/improving ethical standards
  • Maintaining ethical standards while they are being challenged; promoting ethical standards
  • Legal/social/professional support: with ethics violations,when a larger institution is challenging the ethics of a profession, creating ethics when there is no structure (coaches, educators, etc.), within social/activist support
  • History of ethics in sexuality work/research
  • Ethics in professions involving touch (massage therapy, surrogacy, cuddlists, etc)
  • How are orgs in conservative states dealing with current climate and ethical issues

For more information about the theme, we recommend reading this brief article: “Introducing a Multidisciplinary Framework of Positive Sexuality,” available here: https://journalofpositivesexuality.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/10.51681-1.112_Introducing-a-Multidisciplinary-Framework-for-Positive-Sexuality_Williams-Thomas-Prior-Walters.pdf

The deadline for proposals extended to September 30, 2025.

Chosen presenters will need to register for the conference at a reduced rate. A limited number of scholarships are available; please contact info@sexposcon.com for more information and to apply.