Introducing: Sex and Society

Philosophically oriented sharing circle starts July 9th

Starts July 9th

Open Circle

Sex and Society

is a philosophically oriented personal sharing circle. It is a space to explore sex, gender, and the tension between the two through themes such as embodiment, sexuality, identity, performativity, social reality, and politics. It is an intimate space for sharing and reflecting on personal experiences and how they shape and are shaped by the world in which we are situated. As a sharing circle, we aim to open a space for free association and full speech where participants can develop new understanding of sex and gender in their own lives and the world around them, without reducing one to the other. In holding space for that tension, we hope to allow for the non-relation between the two to speak, and in doing so, strive to cultivate the emergence of larger themes gesturing towards a greater understanding of humanity, society, and freedom inclusive of their interdependence and immanent contradictions.

Circle Leader

Circle Leader, Rebecca Rose Prentice

Rebecca Rose Prentice

is a philosopher and silly goose living in Souther California. Her primary influences are existentialism, German Idealism, and Lacanian psychoanalytic theory. She has a ken interest in the intersections of metaphysics, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, and critical theory, and her thought explores questions of subjectivity, desire, and the structures that shape human experience. Whether through writing, research, or discussion, she seeks to challenge assumptions, hold open the space of not knowing, and provoke deeper reflection on the nature of human existence both abstractly and personally. She also enjoys cooking, occasionally writing poetry, and stealing her lover’s food.

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Message from Rebecca: At this moment where conflicting ideas around sex and gender are being put forward as central talking points in larger socio-political debates, it seems more important than ever to think critically and carefully about where we are as a society and what we think we know. If you’re interested in exploring questions about sex, sexuality, gender, and identity — and how they manifest in society through various tensions and conflicts — I invite you to join us in this collaborative thinking process. I hope you find in this space a place both for deep contemplation and personal exploration, connecting with others who share a curious fascination with the intricate complexities of human life.

Theoretical Backbone

This circle is oriented towards free association. However, and at the same time, Alenka Zupancic’s What Is Sex? represents the theoretical backbone for this circling activity. This means that various conceptual prompts inspired by What Is Sex? will be used to provoke reflections on the intersections between sexuality/libido and social contradictions, impossibilities, and non-relationality as the positive grounds for thinking about the construction of gender identity. Consequently, this circle seeks the in-between space of, on the one hand, the conservative collapse of gender construction into sex, and on the other hand, the progressive separation of gender construction from sex.

Schedule

Online / Wednesdays @ 7pm CET

• July 9th / Sex and Society Circle 1

• August 20th / Sex and Society Circle 2

• September 10th / Sex and Society Circle 3

• October 29th / Sex and Society Circle 4

• November 12th / Sex and Society Circle 5

• December 10th / Sex and Society Circle 6

Two ways to access: purchase as a stand-alone sharing circle via Rebecca Rose’s Patreon or Substack, or join The Portal as a monthly/yearly member

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