Doctors Beverly Whipple, Gina Ogden, and Marty Klein Have Been Inducted into the Emeritus Editorial Committee

The beginning of 2014 has seen a multitude of changes to AASECT's online image, and to the ways in which information is disseminated among members. In addition to a thriving listerv, AASECT's monthly newsletter — Contemporary Sexuality — continues to bring organizational news and sexual discourse to its membership, even as it moves locations and continues to grow and shift. And the new website has provided even more options for sharing member and industry news, and encouraging discussion, with its brand new blog: AASECT Express.

In the face of these changes, it's important to note how far we've come since AASECT's founding in 1967, when it became clear there was a need for order and direction in the emerging fields of sex education, counseling, and therapy. In the years since, AASECT has acted as a powerful influence on the field of sexology, helping to establish it as distinct from marriage and family counseling, psychiatry, social work, and the other helping professions. 

The content we provide to our members has been a huge part of that, and we're proud of the work we've done through Contemporary Sexuality since it was first published — under a different name, initially — in the 1990s. 

Which is why we'd like to honor three members who have had a tremendous impact on Contemporary Sexuality over the years. 

This past March 2014, the board voted to name Beverly Whipple, Gina Ogden, and Marty Klein as charter members in AASECT's Emeritus Editorial Committee because of their decades-long commitment to quality and professionalism in Contemporary Sexuality. 

Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, FAAN, was Editor of the newsletter when it was first published, and remained so for many years. Whipple oversaw each issue of the newsletter for almost two decades, contributing ideas for features and other sections. She also copyedited each issue, and was dedicated to giving AASECT members the latest information about sexuality and sexual health.

Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT became involved with Contemporary Sexuality in 1992. Back then, she worked monthly with Mary Anne Williams, the editor at the time, discussing each issue with her by phone, reading her faxed stories, and sending back corrections by fax. 

Marty Klein, PhD, LMFT, CST helped give Contemporary Sexuality a design makeover years ago, which resulted in a new masthead, a modern look, and the shiny paper format that was still in use until the web edition took over. As an editorial board member, he strove to push the publication beyond merely accepting the "trends" that were regularly announced in conventional media — many of which turned out to be passing fads or urban legends.

Even with all the time they devoted to AASECT, and to Contemporary Sexuality, each of these members has managed to distinguish themselves as luminaries in the field.

Whipple is Professor Emerita at Rutgers University, and a certified sexuality educator, counselor, and sex researcher. She has appeared on over 300 radio and television programs and has been featured in many magazines. She has delivered over 800 talks and keynote speeches and published over 180 research articles and book chapters. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, and has been an officer in a number of organizations. New Scientist named her one of the 50 most influential scientists in the world, and the University of Puebla has named a scientific research institute after her. 

Ogden is a Diplomate of Sex Therapy, family therapist, researcher, teacher, and author. In addition to conducting retreats and trainings internationally, she has written seven books on women's sexual health, pleasure, and the meanings of sexual relationship. Ogden's groundbreaking survey, "Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality" (ISIS), is the first nationwide survey to investigate the multidimensional nature of sexual experience. In fact, she is founder of the ISIS Network, an international collaboration of practitioners whose mission is to expand the practice of therapy and sex therapy beyond limiting notions of function and dysfunction to include a wide range of experience.

Finally, Klein has authored over 100 articles and written six books. One of his books — America's War on Sex — was honored as AASECT Book of the Year in 2007. He's a popular guest on both TV and radio shows. Klein has also given over 700 keynote speeches, training programs, and popular lectures to groups including the American College of Surgeons, First Amendment Lawyers' Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists, and others. His early work critiquing "sex addiction" was recognized when he was invited to join Pat Carnes and Eli Coleman on the opening plenary panel at the AASECT annual meeting in 2002.

Considering the breadth of these members' work, we've been lucky to have had access to their wisdom and expertise as guiding forces for Contemporary Sexuality over the years.

Please welcome me in congratulating them as we honor them with this formation of the Emeritus Editorial Committee. As AASECT continues to grow, we only hope we can continue providing the high quality of content and information they've always inspired.