Most of us grew up in sex-negative homes. We were taught that sex is dirty, and that wanting to know more about sexuality, and explore our own sexuality, was wrong.

Studies of American families have found that when it comes to sex education, nine out of 10 times, we were taught that talking — or even thinking — about sex was forbidden. 

If that is the case with you, I would like to introduce you to a wonderful resource to expand your sexual boundaries. It’s a chain of stores called Good Vibrations.

The first store was opened (long before the Internet) in 1977 in San Francisco by sex educator Joani Blank, when the only place to find explicit sexual materials were stores on the wrong side of town where creepy people, usually men, lurked. Going into these “adult book stores” didn’t feel good back then, and it still doesn’t feel good now.

While there are only a few actual brick and mortar Good Vibrations stores, located in California and in Boston, the company’s products are also available either on the Internet at www.goodvibes.com or on their live chat service, available 9-5 Pacific Time from Mondays through Fridays.

Of course, Amazon.com has some of the items that you would find at Good Vibrations, but nowhere close to the full collection. (Not to mention that most of us don’t want Amazon tracking our purchases.)

Most any item you could need to learn about sex and explore your own body are available from Good Vibrations. Whether it’s vibrators, lubricants, safer sex supplies like male and female condoms, adult books, or adult movies, Good Vibrations carries them all.

I have also found them to be incredibly helpful on the phone, giving great advice on purchases and dealing with questions in a warm, safe, thoughtful way.

One final note: I assure you that I own no stock in Good Vibrations, I’m not a paid spokeswoman, and they don’t even seem to carry my books. I just love them, I’m grateful to them for existing, and I want you to know about them too.