Tanya Bass
Tanya Bass
Occupation: Founder of North Carolina Sexual Health Conference (NCSEXCON)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
The Sex In My Business: Sex is the central focus of the work I do. NCSEXCON is North Carolina’s only conference that provides opportunities for agencies and individuals to share information, strategies, and best practices around sexual health across the lifespan. My vision for NCSEXCON is to connect professionals and students within the various disciplines of the sexual health profession (including but not limited to clinical care, maternal and child health, intimate partner violence, counseling, education, reproductive health and justice, HIV/STDs, LGBT healthcare, advocacy, policy development, and overall sexuality from birth to death). I plan on expanding this event from just a yearly conference to offering various types of professional development throughout the year.
A Typical Day: My days include many things, such as teaching undergraduate students at North Carolina Central University, planning workshops for adults and community members, and planning professional development opportunities for sexual-health professionals. Often, I am working on content to teach and strategies to connect with participants and students. I read articles and books on various topics related to sexuality, sexual health equality, and the benefits of professional development. My areas of interest also include intimacy, sensuality, and various models for teaching sexuality.
The Best Part: I enjoy teaching everyone, but I most like training sexual health professionals so they become more proficient. It feels like home when we learn together. I also love planning meaningful professional development for myself and others. As an adult learner, I try to offer and coordinate opportunities that can be useful immediately.
The Worst Part: The hours. Sometimes we work too many of them to make sure we give our best! On top of that, this work does not always pay well, which is also less than ideal.
How I Got Here: I have a degree in public health. I started working on the National STD hotline, taking calls to provide STD information to callers all over the United States. I later worked as a disease intervention specialist providing HIV/STD counseling and testing. Most of my work was focused on prevention, but once I approached it from a holistic view of sexuality with a sex-positive lens, things became more interesting. I soon started planning conferences and writing lesson plans and curricula for peer educators. The rest is HERstory!
What Society Thinks: Lately, I have found there to be more acceptance of my work. People are supportive and want to ask questions. It seems to be becoming more normal for society to appreciate sexuality and sex education as a life skill. My mother and I have the best conversations! Sometimes I do worry about the negative attention my conference, my family and friends, and my alma mater may receive due to my work, but this has also motivated me. It helped me decide to pursue my doctorate degree in human sexuality studies because I want to ensure that this profession is taken seriously.
When I’m Not At Work: I actually make beaded jewelry, and I have to say: I am pretty good!
Published in Issue VI: Identity