In 2014, Marla and Tia set out to create a sexual health and wellness conference for BIPOC and LBGTQIA people. Their goal was to create a space for people to explore sexuality as a tool for self-liberation. This conference turned influential platform has brought together thousands of attendees from across the world and is ireturning to Atlanta for the 2024 Red Light Special edition! Through education and true connection their dream has provided a space of healing and discovery that every human is deserving of.
Throughout the conference, attendees can expect to get their curiosity nourished, uniqueness celebrated, and experiences held compassionately. The advanced education that is provided is also something that needs highlighting as the scope of the conference is left intentionally broad. Through the workshops, groups, and presenters that have been carefully selected, attendees will see those who are often unseen, unheard, and marginalized. Attendees will be provided with the opportunity to learn how to foster a healthy relationship with sexuality on their road to liberation.
Marla & Tia’sVision: a world where sex positive people of all walks of life come together to learn, love, and play. They hope each individual who attends their conference generates positive sexual narratives for themselves and their community- fee of guilt, shame, or stigma.
And this is perhaps the most important part- a narrative free of guilt, shame, or stigma. The world will do all it can to teach you how to hide, to give you reasons as to why you should feel ashamed, or not enough. It takes a brave and unyielding person to decide that self-liberation is the ultimate path to freedom. And though the road isn’t always easy, it is always worth it. The work of Marla and Tia truly provides others with a space designed for this special path.
From the outside looking in, I don’t know that we have seen all the effects of what they have created. Based on the thousands of participants in the past we can see that their work is not just important, but also integral to each of our human experiences. And the cascade of changes that will come from the generational and cultural healing behind sexual health and self-liberation is something no one can quantify.
Atlanta is blessed to have these two visionaries bring the workshops, education stations, healing spaces (with volunteer healers of varying modalities), and performances to the 2024 Sex Down South Conference September 3-7! It’s important to have the conversations held at this event. It’s important to prioritize BIPOC voices. And it’s important to celebrate the beautiful world of sexuality and how each of us is worthy and deserving of liberation and pleasure.
For more information, to see the full lineup of speakers/workshops, and to BUY YOUR TICKET click HERE
2024 Sex Down South: Red Light Special Event Schedule:
9/3: Love out Loud Film Fete 1:00pm - 7:00pm
9/4: Love out Loud Film Fete 1:00pm - 7:00pm
9/5: Workshops + Venders 8:00am - 5:00pm
little Bang 8:30pm
9/6: Workshops + Venders 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sanctuary Live 8:30pm
9/7: Workshops 8:00am - 5:00pm
Big Bang + Dance Party 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Labyrinth 10:00pm - 12:00am