Each of our events on MeetUp has a level (E1-E4).
Our Leveling system is based upon one originated by a Portland sex-positive group named LoveTribe and significantly expanded and refined by Gabriella Cordova, the visionary founder of Sex Positive World (SPW) and Sex Positive Portland (SPP)..
Event Levels work as follows:
Level 1 (E1) is an educational or social, fully clothed event, where there is only normal social touch (handshake, hug, etc.). Any member can attend an E1 event and bring non-member guests. Examples are many Workshops, Wine Socials, Outings, or the dance floor during Parties. At an E1 Workshop, a demo model may be unclothed for educational purposes. The only exception to being “fully clothed” is the Treehouse hot tub, which is generally open for use at E1 events, and most hot tub participants are unclothed.
Level 1.5 (E1.5) is an event that incorporates nurturing and supportive touch that is not moving sensual or sexual energy as participants remain fully clothed. These events are intended to deepen conscious emotional connection without pushing any agenda. Examples include E 1.5 Cuddles, Connecting Intimately, Leveling Up Boundaries, and the Cuddle Room at big parties. No non-member guests are allowed at E1.5 or higher events without approval from Empowered Pleasure leadership.
Level 2 (E2) is an event focused on moving sensual energy. Being topless is fine, but genitals must stay covered and there is no genital touch. No non-member guests are allowed without approval from Cliff or Charity. Examples are some Pujas, Blindfolded Sensual Dinner, or Level 2 Cuddles. Some events use Progressive Leveling like Massage-a-Trois, which starts at E2 and proceeds to E3.
Level 3 (E3) is a clothing optional event where learning how to move sexual energy without any particular goal is the point. There is no penetration and no working towards a specific agenda. No non-member guests are allowed without approval from Cliff or Charity. Examples are the second part of Massage-a-Trois, Puja-a-Trois and Adoring the Feminine.
Level 4 (E4) allows for the possibility of full sexual expression. No non-member guests are allowed without approval from Cliff or Charity. Examples are particular areas of Play Parties or higher level Pujas where E3 and E4 are combined.
In addition, each member has a Level (E1-E4).
You cannot attend an event that is higher than the level you have next to your name on your EP Meetup profile page. Here’s the link to our Leveling Up Manual & Journal.
Our member Leveling system is based on certain characteristics we see as necessary for safely and consensually engaging at higher level touch events. Leveling to E2 and above is based on a collaborative mentor/mentee relationship where both parties agree that you are ready to safely and consensually engage at a more intensive level of sensual and/or sexual interaction.
If you’re interested in Leveling Up to E2 or above, contact us via email and we will assign you an individual mentor – see Mentorship Program for details. At that point, you’ll be responsible for contacting your mentor and sharing your history of involvement in Sex Positivity. You’ll meet with your mentor to go over your understanding of boundaries, consent, and STARS (Safer Sex talk).
Your mentor will let us know when they feel you’re ready to go up to the next Level, and you’ll complete a Leveling Up request. We’ll compare that request to your mentor’s and our own observations. You’ll be asked to keep a journal/notebook, as each leveling up will have a list of writing prompts to be shared with us.
Level 1 (E1) This is where most members join Empowered Pleasure unless you have a significant amount of previous experience in sex positive environments. An E1 member may attend any E1 event and may bring non-member guests.
To progress to Level 1.5 (E1.5), you must either watch our Orientation, Boundaries, Leveling Up & Safer Sex Talk video and email us what you’ve written during the writing exercises. We’ll review your answers and move you to E1.5 if it’s clear you’ve understood these foundational points. You may now attend E1.5 events which are intended to exchange nurturing touch without pushing any sensual or sexual agenda.
To progress to Level 2 (E2), you must…
Attend the Leveling Up Boundaries Workshop
Review Dr. Evelin Dacker’s STARS TED Talk and write about your experience and send your responses to your mentor once one is assigned.
Request connection with a mentor and make initial contact with them.
For E2, we are looking for:
Awareness of your own triggers and a strategy to manage them
Capacity to say “no” to any unwelcome sensual touch
Capacity to receive “no” gracefully without pressuring or asking “why”
Capacity to interact lovingly with people who are different from you - race, nationality, gender, age, spiritual practice, ability level, orientation, etc.
You may now attend events with an E2 designation or E2/E3 progressive events.
To progress to Level 3 (E3), you must…
Attend at least three E2/3 progressive events (generally Massage-a-Trois) and discuss your experiences after each event with your mentor.
Complete a Leveling Up Journal and submit to your mentor. The journal will cover:
How do I know I’m in Sex Brain and how do I manage it?
How do I manage myself in highly sensual situations and resist driving an agenda?
How do I manage feelings of being left out, jealous, or heightened desire that cannot be satisfied in the moment?
Attend an Intersecting Identity Play event led by Mojo Mustapha..
Directly ask your mentor when you feel ready for E3, and pay attention to any suggestions they have for you. Your mentor will make the formal recommendation to us regarding leveling up when both of you agree that you are ready.
You will now be allowed to attend events with an E3 designation or E3/E4 progressive events. You will also be allowed to enjoy the E3/4 play spaces at our big parties. E3 is a beautiful place for learning the tantric techniques of giving without expectation and receiving without obligation”. Can you enjoy highly sensual/sexual play without needing to head for orgasm or pressure your play partner(s)? Can you enjoy exploring the playground that is available to you without resenting the container of the space or the boundaries of the play partner?
While these events are clothing optional, you are welcome to remain as clothed or as unclothed as you desire.
To progress to Level 4 (E4), you must…
Attend at least three E3/E4 progressive events (Adoring the Feminine, Puja-a-Trois) and discuss your experiences after each event with your mentor.
Complete a Leveling Up Journal E3-E4 and submit to your mentor. The journal will cover at a minimum:
What is your experience with “drop”, and how do you manage it?
How do you know if you are in a fight/flight/freeze/appease state?
What triggers have emerged for you in highly sexual environments and how you have worked through them?
What is your current support system, and how do you utilize it when experiencing “drop”, triggers, or uncertainties about personal boundaries?
What challenging situations have arisen for you either at an EP event or other sexual situation involving more than two people and what did you learn from it?
What have you learned about boundary setting, including setting your own and responding to other’s boundaries?
What you have learned about your sex brain - how does it impact you in highly sexual situations, and what do you do to mitigate that impact?
What is your understanding of sex party etiquette?
What behaviors feel “creepy”?
What is the difference between consensual voyeurism and lurking?
How do you ask to join an activity in a way that is not intrusive?
Please include things you are still uncertain about, because admitting we don’t know everything is both sexy and the only way to learn!
Check in with your mentor when you feel ready for E4. Please discuss why you feel you’re ready and where you still need to grow. (Hint…you are more likely to be considered for E4 if you are aware of your own growth edges.) Your mentor will contact us with a recommendation for E4 when both of you feel you are ready.
E4 allows for the possibility of full sexual expression in a group environment. You can enjoy being present with others expressing the full range of sexual activity without “yucking their yum” even if they are enjoying something that isn’t your cup of tea. You embody the attitudes of sex positivity, and can comfortably spot and address problematic behaviors from other members.
You agree to let Cliff or Charity know if you see a boundary or consent violation, and “call in” and inform Ciff, Charity, or Mojo if you hear or witness hate or derogatory speech of any kind. You actively participate in the ongoing development of a conscious and loving community and embody the values of sex positivity and Empowered Pleasure.
To avoid any appearance of favoritism, we use an individual mentoring program and will be completely transparent with any member asking for Leveling Up regarding why they are Leveled up or not. If a member is not comfortable with a particular mentor, they can and should ask for reassignment. Mentors and mentees cannot be lovers, as that creates a dual, conflicting relationship.
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