PORTLAND, OR – It is spring in Portland, which means roses are in bloom, the rain is getting a bit warmer, and the Trailblazers are preparing for the off-season. Of course, spring in Portland also means it’s time for Darklady’s annual Portland Masturbate-a-Thon.Slated for the night of Saturday, May 20th, this year’s event marks the 5th year of the Portland Masturbate-a-Thon, a concept which Darklady says was “initially developed by Good Vibrations and Babes in Toyland in order to celebrate the safest sex anyone can have.”

Darklady adds that the event was also created to raise money for “sex positive” charities,” as well as “to honor Dr. Joselyn Elders, who had been fired by President Bill Clinton for having the audacity to suggest that youths should be encouraged to learn to masturbate.”

“After attending my friend Carol Queen’s first landed Masturbate-a-thon,” says Darklady, “I knew I had to do something similar in Portland.”

The theme of this year’s event is “Darklady’s Pansexual Pajama Party of Pleasure,” and Darklady says she’s crafted a variety of different activities designed to bring partygoers out of their collective shell.

“Because people are often a bit shy about public sex with themselves or anyone else, I provide plenty of ice breaker activities for folks to participate in,” Darklady explains.

Included in the event will be “music for dancing, costume themes for playful or sexy dress up opportunities, a potluck for socializing, a bar for staying hydrated and relaxing a few inhibitions,” plus “fun and non-threatening party games like Spin the Bottle and Human Twister for helping people get to know one another better.”

For those who are already more inclined towards adventure, Darklady says the party will include a dungeon for “indulging in kink fun,” a casting couch for “budding porn stars,” and the “Rubitorium,” which Darklady says has been expanded to make it “even more inviting to exhibitionists and respectful voyeurs alike.”

With proceeds benefiting several worthwhile charities, the Masturbate-A-Thon also poses an opportunity for attendees to “cum for a cause.”

“A percentage of profits will go to the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and San Francisco’s Center for Sex and Culture,” says Darklady. “We are also collecting personal hygiene items for Friends of People with AIDS and pet supplies for the Dandelion Dog Rescue, which is run by leatherwoman Judy Tallwing McCarthy and helped save dozens of dogs and cats after Hurricane Katrina.”

Due to Oregon Liquor Control Commission regulations, Darklady says that an RSVP from prospective attendees 21 or older is “absolutely required.” It’s also absolutely simple to RSVP, since all you need to do is contact Darklady for directions and other details. Darklady can be reached via email at darklady@darklady.com

“Anyone interested in getting on board the Masturbate-a-thon love train as a sponsor or donor is encouraged to contact me,” says the energized group-grope organizer. “The 5th Annual Portland Masturbate-a-thon looks like it’s going to be the biggest and best Masturbate-a-thon the city has seen – so far. Now I just have to figure out what I’m going to wear!”