About this episode... Today we talk with Tuppy Owens and her work as a sex-positive activist and helping disabled individuals find their sexuality. But trust me, Tuppy has been a strong force in the UK and world sex and disability scene since the 70s. She has even been seen on stage performing burlesque to celebrate her birthdays... but you should listen to find out more about that... A little about Tuppy... Tuppy Owens was born in Cambridge. She gained a degree in zoology from Exeter University, and then worked in ecology in Africa and Trinidad. She settled in London and worked as a scientific administrator at the Natural Environment Research Council. Then, in the late 1960s, she established a sex education book publishing company, for which she wrote and published The Sex Maniac's Diary successfully between 1972 and 1995, and which she operated as a thriving business from her Mayfair flat — for example, the 1975 Sex Maniac's Diary was launched in August 1974 with a reception at the Bristol Hotel in London which was reported on the following day in the Financial Times. Tuppy Owens remains active in running Outsiders. At the same time, she also advises the promoter of the Sexual Freedom Ball to fund Outsiders, and the organizers of the fundraiser, The Erotic Awards, now called The Sexual Services and Entertainment Awards. Owens is now the chair of the Sexual Freedom Coalition. Back in the 90s Owens worked campaigning with Prostitution Pride, parades through London, which was funded by Arcadia events in North London. Owens has been working with the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering in the hope that they will be able to create sex toys that can be used by disabled people who, without them, cannot masturbate. Owens will be the editor of a forthcoming website, The School of Sex for Disabled People, which is being created by sexually experienced disabled people and those who provide them with sexual services. She is currently writing her autobiography. Great Documentary on the Outsiders and Tuppy on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofzxzBRpKFM Links to more information on Tuppy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuppy_Owens https://www.theguardian.com/profile/tuppy-owens https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ppm838/tuppy-owens-interview http://www.outsiders.org.uk/outsidersclub/author/tuppy/ https://www.raggeduniversity.co.uk/2016/12/19/an-interview-with-dr-tuppy-owens-human-capabilities-and-supporting-disabled-people-with-their-sexual-lives/ https://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/2009/04/sex-and-disability-educator-dr-tuppy-owens/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22885798-the-sex-maniacs-diary https://www.amazon.com/Tuppy-Owens/e/B00JJFPXIQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1520291657&sr=1-2-ent http://equalitytime.co.uk/2378/2014/02/19/interview-tuppy-owens-specialist-in-sex-and-disability/ Author of Supporting Disabled People with their Sexual Lives: A Clear Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals Help the BCBC show thrive... Then check out other ways you can support the show: Donate to the show and get stuff here: www.patreon.com/bcbcpodcast Please LIKE AND SHARE THE FACEBOOK PAGE with everyone... www.facebook.com/bcbcpodcast Read our blogs and leave us a message on our cool new website: www.bcbcpodcast.com You should also watch and subscribe to the video show!!! https://www.youtube.com/bcbcpodcast Would you like to donate to a non-profit education program? Contact us at bcbcpodcast@gmail.com