Who I am and stuff I do
Registered Psychotherapist & Sexual Health Educatrix | she/her/hers.
Proud daughter of Argentine immigrants | Fierce Torontonian.
Tidy conscience | messy feminist.
In 1984, anthropologist Gayle Rubin introduced the concept of The Charmed Circle. Here is where heteronormativity thrives: the scripts of culture that state certain types of people, certain types of relationships, and certain types of interests are ‘normal’ or ‘safe,’ or ‘correct’ and whatever sits outside — in the Outer Limits — are considered ‘abnormal,‘ ‘dangerous,’ or ‘wrong‘ (i.e., queerness, sex for pleasure, oddity) and leads to chaos. Reader, it does not. Though it took many, many years for me to realize it, it‘s in the Outer Limits where I most comfortably live. My work focuses on flipping cultural scripts, celebrating difference rather than conformity.
From finding my first Playboy magazine at 10 years old, I've been fascinated with the realm of sex. As an adult, I became more and more vocal about owning my pleasure, and helping others to do the same. In 2009, I founded The Keyhole Sessions under the moniker The Madame as a welcoming community for people to safely experience the union between sex and art. We held well over a hundred life-drawing & photography sessions, rogue Nuit Blanche events, and art exhibitions, all where we packed the house full of people interested in healthy sexual expression.
I eventually became a sexual health educator, certified at SFSI {San Francisco Sex Information} in 2014. I also have certificates from University of Guelph’s Sex Therapy Intensive, as well as Sexplore’s SAR {Sexual Attitude Reassessment}. I completed my undergrad Specialist degree in Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto, {it being one of the world’s only schools to offer such a program} and finishing with the LGBTOUT scholarship award. I followed that up with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, becoming a Registered Psychotherapist. I absolutely love learning.
I’m also a multiple award-winning feminist porn producer. It’s important for me to produce erotic material that helps people safely express themselves sexually and consensually. I take pride in providing an ethical filming environment to ensure all participants are getting what they want and need out of production. My films show real relationships and partner-pairs, in all their authentic pleasures.
For a beat, I was a practicing Certified Intimacy Coordinator, having done my training between Toronto and LA. Arisen out of the #MeToo movement, this new position is helping directors and actors safely navigate scenes of nudity and sexuality for mainstream film and television.
In early 2011, events in Toronto led to five women coming together for the impromptu co-founding of SlutWalk as a way to combat victim-blaming and sexual profiling, for which I was named one of UTNE Reader's Top Visionaries, as well as one of More Magazine’s Top 50 Fiercest Women. My co-founder and I were speakers at TEDx Toronto 2012 talking about the ramifications of infected language. Individual SlutWalk events are now held in hundreds of cities around the world, advancing the conversation.
I’ve spoken on countless radio & tv shows and panels, and my work has been discussed in publications across the globe, from the CBC to Al Jahzeera to The London Times. I also used to write a sex column for Toronto Standard. What can I say? I like talking. Sometimes I say nice things. Sometimes I don’t {but only if it’s necessary}.
It’s clear I’m most at home in Rubin’s Outer Limits, and I offer an open invitation to anyone who’s curious enough to join.
Some stuff that keeps me occupied
Chatting with interesting peeps:
GetSome Podcast with Michelle Fischler
Had a blast speaking with Michelle Fischler, certified Sex Therapist and RP about ethical porn, Intimacy Coordinating, and navigating sexual health.
Visit GetSome to access the podcast.
Info Line Response,
Action Canada & Crisis Text Line
Between 2020 and 2022, I became a trained infoline volunteer responder for those in need of vital help and information.
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights helps fill the void for those seeking info on sexual health and safe abortion.
The 24/7 Crisis Text Line emergency text line saw a substantial increase in calls during the pandemic and required added hands on deck. It's an excellent access for those in immediate need of mental health aid.
Intimacy Coordination
The position of Intimacy Coordinator is relatively new. Sprouting from the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, it is the formal response by the film, television, and digital media industry to help avoid exploitation of talent on set. ICs help directors and talent navigate scenes of nudity, sexuality and otherwise vulnerable moments.
Projects I worked on include SEE, Y: The Last Man, The Kings of Napa, The Expanse.
Higher learning
I had the immense pleasure of graduating from UofT in 2019 with a specialist degree in Sexual Diversity Studies.
I received multiple awards and scholarships, as well as graduating with High Distinction. It is one of the few sexual studies programs in the world.
I also briefly worked at the Sexual Representation Collection, an extensive archive of sexual material, 'preserving the history of sexwork, sex regulation, and sex education' in Canada.
Examining the future of fucking
Some of my research foci was how technology affects sexuality. I’ve studied the phenomenon of technosexuality and what it means for our future, and how far we are willing to go — or need to go — to get off.
I also spoke on the topic for Atomic Lollipop, “Canada's premier geek festival” at their SexPosium event, held at The Ontario Science Centre; and Playground Conference.
Debating at The Phil: This House Believes That Women Should Embrace The Word ‘Slut’.
The Philosophical Society, Trinity College, Dublin is one of the world's oldest student institutions. In October, 2014, I was invited among other esteemed guests & students to debate the merit of reclaiming the word ‘slut’. We were also honoured to have been the first all-women debate in The Phil’s 330 year history.
See my viewpoint {left}. Watch the entire debate here.
Erotic filmmaking
I have directed and produced a variety of sex- & body- positive, queer friendly erotic shorts, in an effort to add to the growing industry of sexy, feminist films. Providing a filming environment that is safe and ethical is one of the main tenets of feminist porn.
All of my films have travelled the world to various film festivals, including Dan Savage's HUMP! Fest; and all have won awards.
Vanilla filmmaking
Erotic films aren't the only thing I love to direct. Basement Pictures selected 5 Toronto filmmakers to work with 5 local musicians for their Sound and Vision project under Bell Media.
I had the pleasure of working with Amy Force to be my lead in this short film about a driver's journey to change industrial wastelands into lush greenlands using music.
Sexwork Activism
While our Ministry of Justice was working to criminalize sexwork, continuing to put more people at risk & remove labour rights for those who need them most, many workers and allies are fighting back. AfterBedford.com was a place for info about bill C36 before it became law, now known as PCEPA.
Sexworkers and activists continue to challenge these outdated and harmful laws.
Representing Canada for Creative Mornings
Creative Mornings is a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Hosted in over 70 cities around the world, a monthly global theme is set and speakers are invited to talk, sharing their ideas on that theme.
April 2014's theme was sex, and I was selected to represent Toronto. I discussed the concept that porn is art and represents more than just an expression of sexual desire, from the political to the personal.
SlutWalking in Toronto
In 2011, a Toronto cop told some University students that they 'shouldn't dress like sluts if they didn't want to be victimized'.
Less than impressed, a group of us decided to make a stink about this prevailing attitude. What we thought would be about 50 of our closest friends marching to Police HQ turned into over 3500 protestors and subsequent SlutWalk satellites in over 200 cities across the globe. Our work is mentioned in countless publications worldwide. We also spoke at TEDxToronto about the ramifications of infected language.
Love us or hate us, we sparked a movement of people who just weren't going to take misogynist crap anymore.
Hosting erotic art events: The Keyhole Sessions
I founded TKS in 2009 to celebrate the union between sex and art. Believing that taboos should be broken, sexuality championed, and kink encouraged, I hosted events inviting visual artists and performers to participate in a community that celebrated all of these ideals.
From massive life-drawing & photo sessions, ethical erotic films, rogue Nuit Blanche events and art exhibitions, The Keyhole Sessions were where people have felt their creative sexual expression warmly welcomed.