Jessica Drake to Speak at CatalystCon West on September 13

LOS ANGELES—Sexual wellness authority and Wicked Pictures contract performer/director Jessica Drake is a featured speaker at CatalystCon West, taking place September 11-13 in Burbank, California. Drake will join Dr. Carol Queen, Katie Mack and Zyra Lee Vanity on Sunday, September 13 for the panel “Slut Shaming in Sex Positive Communities (and Elsewhere).” She is also partnering with CatalystCon West to aid the Downtown Women's Center in addressing the needs of women overcoming poverty and homelessness in Los Angeles' Skid Row. Sunday's panel will examine the ways in which the panelists have witnessed, experienced and dealt with slut-shaming based on their collective experiences in the sex worker, BDSM, swinger, poly and queer communities. "We all know slut-shaming is an issue outside of the sex-positive community, but what about when it happens among us?" asks the CatalystCon website in its description of the panel discussion. "Does 'sex positive' always mean acceptance of the sexual interests or identities of others? What happens when sex positive people bash or criticize the sexual proclivities of others while claiming to be supportive allies? By confronting this issue, we hope to find better ways to stimulate conversations among sex positive individuals and learn how our words and actions can have an impact on others who lack the understanding of our communities." CatalystCon West is being held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport (2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank) with the panel taking place in the Sunset Room on Sunday from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. For more information, visit Catalystcon.com. "I'm thrilled to have jessica returning to CatalystCon West this year," said CatalystCon founder Dee Dennis. "Her participation and support is always appreciated! And I'm honored to be partnering with her to support such an important cause as the Downtown Women's Center during CatalystCon." "I am really looking forward to participating in a great panel as well as receiving the input of Catalyst attendees,” Drake added. "I've supported the Downtown Women's Shelter for years now, and I'm really thrilled that Dee has invited the attendees of Catalyst to join in. Specifically, this is a drive for toiletries—perfect with the traveling so many of us do—and assorted feminine hygiene products. Any donations brought to Catalyst will be personally delivered to the center by me. I'm grateful to see people supporting such a great cause, and I thank Dee for allowing me the space to make this happen!" In addition to these materials, people interested in donating clothing, household goods and other larger items may consult the center's wish list.