LOS ANGELES — KKitty Stryker’s new book, “Ask Yourself: The Consent Culture Workbook,” will debut on June 2.

“Ask Yourself,” available on paperback and Kindle, is a how-to guide to help navigate the undercurrents of social influences while building an affirmative culture of consent to practice in everyday lives.

The title is a companion workbook to Stryker’s “Ask: Building Consent Culture,” inviting readers on a contemplative journey through 28 days of journaling over four weeks. The various sections explore “Introspection,” “Our Relationship to Each Other,” “Our Relationship to the Community” and “Reflection,” through discussions of sexuality, boundary violations, substance use, sexual assault, abuse, trauma and other topics.

Stryker called the book “a much-needed resource that addresses the nuanced dynamics of consent in our society, and hopefully sparks conversations about cultivating a more enlightened culture based on mutual respect and autonomy, which challenges the existing power structure that often rewards entitlement and overshadows individual agency.”

Published by Thornapple Press with a foreword by Wagatwe Wanjuki, the book also features insights from a diverse group of writers, journalists and activists exploring how consent can empower individuals and inspire self-examination.

“Ask Yourself,” a rep noted, “equips readers with the tools they need to better understand the complexities of consent and firmly establish their boundaries through their words and actions.”

“Ask Yourself: The Consent Culture Workbook” and “Ask: Building Consent Culture” are available through Stryker’s author page at Amazon.com.

LOS ANGELES — YouTube removed on Wednesday an episode of the “Holly Randall Unfiltered” industry podcast, an interview with Reason magazine journalist Elizabeth Nolan Brown debunking myths spread by anti-sex work activists, mainstream media and politicians about sex trafficking.

YouTube informed Randall the content had been removed due to a supposed violation of its policies against “harmful conspiracy theories.”

Randall appealed the removal and YouTube quickly dismissed the appeal, claiming it had reviewed the content “carefully, and have confirmed that it violates our policy on harmful conspiracy theories. We know this is probably disappointing news, but it’s our job to make sure that YouTube is a safe place for all.”

The Google-owned platform informed Randall that they “won’t be putting your content back up on YouTube.

Incredibly Disappointing

Randall told XBIZ she is “incredibly disappointed that YouTube decided to remove my interview with Elizabeth Nolan Brown, a respected journalist who I was so thrilled to have on my show.”

The fact they claimed their thoughtful conversation endorsed “harmful conspiracy theories,” Randall noted “just once again demonstrates an anti-sex work rhetoric that continues to dominate mainstream media.”

YouTube consistently platforms anti-porn, anti-sex work, pseudo-scientific and religious attacks against sex workers and the adult industry without flagging its lack of factuality. One controversial anti-porn TEDx talk with millions of views, which has been criticized by its use of scientific language to support the notion of “porn addiction,” for example, continues being shown by YouTube above a disclaimer by the TEDx organizers distancing themselves from the content.

The podcast’s description of the episode notes that Nolan “is a senior editor at Reason magazine and a journalist who has written extensively on sex trafficking. In this episode she exposes some of the inaccurate statistics being shared on social media, and how hysteria and conspiracy theories have resulted in bogus police busts, racial profiling, and ultimately hurting legitimate sex workers.”

An excerpt of Randall’s conversation with Nolan Brown debunking “sex trafficking” myths can still be found on the platform here.

An audio-only version of the “Holly Randall Unfiltered” episode featuring Nolan Brown can be heard here.

XBIZ has contacted YouTube/Google for comment.

NEW YORK – Brittany Andrews will be headlining at Sapphire Times Square tomorrow evening.
 
Andrews’ performance will begin at midnight (EDT). She will also be available for photos and VIP lap dances, and will be selling her merch on site.
 
“I always love being in New York, and the Sapphire gentlemen’s clubs are always a blast,” said Andrews. “If you’re in the city, definitely stop by. You might want to get presale tickets or go VIP to ensure you get in because it will be standing-room only.”
 
For more information and to book VIP packages, visit Sapphire Times Square online.

Follow Brittany Andrews on Twitter.

LAS VEGAS — Cassidy Luxe earned a nomination for Best Female Performer of the Year at the upcoming 2023 AltStar Awards.
 
Notably, this marks Luxe’s first industry awards nomination.
 
“I was so excited when I saw I was nominated,” said Luxe. “I’m definitely going to attend the two days of events in Vegas. I would love to win this, so please vote for me as much as possible.”

For additional details about the 2023 AltStar Awards click here.

Follow Cassidy Luxe on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — James Bartholet’s next “Inside The Industry” livestreams today, with guests Elana Bunnz, Chaney Crossfire and Nikki Knightly.

“This will be a special party broadcast,” said a rep, and will also be taped for the recently debuted “Inside The Industry with James Bartholet” Roku TV Channel. The show will also be taking calls from the audience during the live broadcast. 

The latest “Inside the Industry” will stream on InsideTheIndustry, the show’s Facebook page and on iHeart/Spreaker today at 6 p.m. (PDT).

Follow James Bartholet on Twitter; direct inquiries to u.

LAS VEGAS — Lauren Phillips has received a 2023 AltStar Awards nomination for Best Female Performer of the Year.
 
“I’m very honored to have received one of the top nominations from the AltStar Awards,” enthused Phillips. “It’s amazing to be recognized for your hard work. I’m even more excited about their show next month and would love to win. If my fans vote for me as much as possible, I could take home the trophy.”

For additional details about the 2023 AltStar Awards visit here.

Follow Lauren Phillips on Twitter.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Comedian Oliver Wong, known in the industry as Delphine Films director Bloomer Yang, is set to perform two stand-up sets this weekend in Los Angeles.

First, on Friday, Wong will be performing at The Fourth Wall in Hollywood at 7:45 p.m. (PDT) along with a slate of other comedians.

He will then be returning to Teresa Lo’s Noho Comedy Showcase at The Good Nite on Sunday for a 7 p.m. (PDT) show. The show will feature a dozen comedians and will be followed by karaoke.

“I’m excited to be back on stage in Los Angeles,” said Wong. “Both my shows this weekend feature some really amazing comics and you’re guaranteed a great time. Plus, I will try out some new jokes, so be ready.”

Purchase tickets for The Fourth Wall show here. Teresa Lo’s Noho Comedy Showcase is a free event with a one-drink minimum.

Follow Oliver Wong on Twitter.

CHICAGO — Carnal media is a presenting sponsor for the upcoming 2023 Grabby Awards America, taking place May 25-27 in Chicago.
 
Festivities will kick off on May 25 with the “Skin Trade 24” party at Hydrate, hosted by Carnal Media and Chi Chi LaRue in celebration of twenty-four years of The Grabby Awards.

Legrand Wolf, CEO of Carnal Media, and exclusive talents Cole Blue, Adam Snow, Eddie Patrick, Ethan Tate, Serg Shepard, Tucker Barrett, Noah White and Milo Miles will be in attendance.

“Carnel Media is excited to take part in the upcoming Grabby Americas award show and festivities,” enthused Wolf.  “We are excited to bring eight of the company’s exclusive stars to the incredible events and the award show. This will be a memorable weekend for all who attend.”

Additionally, the company has also received numerous Grabby Award nominations.

“We are absolutely honored to be nominated with the best and the brightest in our industry, and we look forward to celebrating the work everyone at Carnal Media has put in to make all of this happen,” said Wolf.
 
The Grabby Awards America will take place Saturday, May 27. For more information, click here.

Visit Carnal Media online and follow the company on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES — Fun Factory’s Vim wand has been dubbed the “Biggest Quiet Rumbly Vibe” by sex toy educator Susan Bratton as part of her Quiet Vibe Awards.

The Quiet Vibe Awards highlights products that produce minimal sound while in use. According to Bratton, this year’s winners’ acoustics ranged from 35-70 decibels.

Fun Factory’s latest product, Vim, is the company’s first wand-style vibrator and is designed to be “fifty percent quieter than leading wands on the market,” noted a rep. Vim also features customizable vibrations, a lightweight and textured handle, flexible neck and an edging program.  

Nora Langknecht, Marketing Manager at Fun Factory enthused about the award.  

“A seal of approval from Susan Bratton is a badge of honor,” she said. “We know that Susan has tried and tested most of the toys in the business, and for her to constantly praise and commend Fun Factory is a testament to the hard work our team put in to ensure the toys are absolute top quality. The new wand has a wide range of rumbly vibrations and programs, and users can micro-adjust the intensity on each one for a personalized experience. Additionally, the unique motor in Vim is entirely new, delivering a weighted rumble rather than an overwhelming tickle, so it feels amazing at any speed.”

For her part, Bratton noted, “My ultimate motivation to find the combination of power and quietude comes from my understanding that many lovers such as autistic or highly-sensitive people are particularly annoyed by sounds. And a full thirty percent of people are auditory in their ‘theta state.’ Your theta brainwave state is your state of orgasmic bliss, meditation and flow. Loud toys can knock us out of our bliss. And those of us who are kinesthetic — or more connected to the physical feelings of sensuality — can be distracted by noise. Why buy a loud toy when you can have the whisper-quiet pleasure of a best-of-breed tool?”

Fun Factory’s Manta vibrating stroker and the Nos vibrating penis ring also received awards in their categories.

Find a complete list of award winners here.

Learn more about the Vim wand at FunFactory.