The very first Sexie Awards, given for excellence in Sex-Positive Journalism, were presented on Saturday night at Splash on West 17th Street. Not only did Playboy sweep the three awards given in its category, but, I’m delighted to say, “Sex in Iran”, by Pari Esfandiari and Richard Buskin, a piece I edited, won first place. In citing Pari and Richard, one judge said, “What an achievement this article is. Serious, attentive reporting and terrific scene-setting, with profound attention to the social and political context of sexual mores. A window onto a world of contradictions most Americans know nothing about. The best piece of sex reporting I have read in some time—and the best reporting on Iran as well.” Another said, “This is amazing journalism . . . the authors don’t just tackle teaching us about sex in another cultural context—they have to get us up to speed on that context at the same time.” I was happy that Richard, accompanied by his girlfriend Marci Shontz, flew in from Chicago to receive his award (the moment immortalized, above.) Afterwards, we went out to dinner at Republic on Union Square with a friend of Pari’s, Yasmin Madadi, who is a researcher at Rolling Stone, and a couple of her chums. And as if all that weren’t perfection itself, I bought some raffle tickets to support future awards, and I won. My prize? Oh, not any of the erotic art that was featured, or any of the many books, or even the black T-shirt (size small) that said in neon pink letters “I [Heart] Female Orgasms.” No, I won a wet gift certificate that entitles me, if I read the feint, water-blurred letters correctly, to a free drink and a free table dance at Mary’s Strip Club in Portland, Oregon. Congratulations to all the winners, and to Miriam Axel-Lute, the determined, persuasive journalist who conceived of the awards, and pulled them off.
Above, a not entirely successfully captured panoramic view of the winners; below left, Richard and Marci; below right, celebrating after dinner.
