Sex Educator Profiles: Kenneth Winter
By Dr. Charlie Glickman • Dec 8th, 2009 • Category: Blog
What led you to become a Sex Educator?
I actually am not a sex educator. I teach people how to have sustainable polyamorous relationships that work for everyone and stand the test of time.
How did you start giving sex advice?
I started studying relationships as a pathway to spiritual growth and emotional development twenty three years ago. I did that for my own benefit at first, I didn’t want to have the relationships that I saw around me. After a while people started asking me questions about what I was doing and I found that teaching is one of the things I am really good at.
Where did you get your education?
I went to college and ended up studying for five years and gathering the equivalent of two majors and two minors in writing, religious studies, psychology and philosophy. I then went to grad school and studied a couple years of feminist theory, sexuality and parenting. I wrote a master’s thesis on polyamorous parenting and then left academics and began to teach. I think my most important education comes from all the people I have interviewed over the years who had successful relationships that fell outside of the norm. I have always asked, “What makes your relationship work and what do you find problematic and wish there was a solution for?”
What do you love about giving sex advice?
I love the look on peoples face when I tell them that everything I teach about sex can be summed up in four short words. You will have to come to my class to find out what they are. =)
What is your most common question?
How do I love and be in relationship with more than one person at once, with integrity?
How has what you’ve done or found at Good Vibrations helped you?
The atmosphere of acceptance and good will that the staff and store project has made both me and my students feel safe and welcome. This is a blessing.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned or best advice you’ve received?
Meet everyone involved if you’re going to start dating someone who is in multiple relationships.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about sex?
I don’t actually know the answer to this question. I think one that I have run into is people believing they can have just sexual relationships without their heart getting involved. I have observed people really struggling with this issue as they try to construct a illusion of security with, “It’s just sex.”
Which is your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
The eight week course I teach was really fun to develop, it is extremely multi-disciplinary and interactive. I also had a lot of fun writing a fantasy novel that models a world in which polyamory is the normal way of being.
What projects are you working on now?
I am, with my partner Samara, working on a workbook for people who want to explore their relationship with their selves in regards to romantic relationships. It is intended to really pull people through a process of self-discovery and ability to powerfully choose what style of relationship they wish to be in.
Where can people find out more about you?
Good question. I am currently working on a website, and until that is in place I am using Facebook and newsletters to get information out. Look for Sustainable Polyamory on Facebook and email me at SustainablePolyamory@gmail.com to be added to the newsletter.
Dr. Charlie Glickman >> Dr. Charlie Glickman has been working at Good Vibrations since 1996, when he joined the staff at our Berkeley store. Currently, he is our Education Program Manager and (among other things) runs our in-store After Hours workshop program, our Off-Site Sex Education Program, trains our Sex Educator-Sales Associates and writes copy for our website. In 2005, Charlie received his doctorate in Adult Sexuality Education from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, he offers classes on sexuality for psychotherapists and workshops on teaching for sex educators.
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