Against the backdrop of growing concern over pornography, the first “Rocky Mountain Sex + Intimacy Summit” was held Sept. 23-24 in Salt Lake City.

“The Summit empowered mental-health professionals, medical professionals, clergy, students and the general public with information they need to address what some call ‘Utah’s pornography crisis,'” said event organizer Kristin Hodson, a Salt Lake clinical social worker and owner of The Healing Group clinic.

The Summit featured presentations by world-renowned sex experts Gina Ogden and Emily Nagoski. Dr. Ogden is an award-winning therapist, family therapist, researcher, leader and author. She founded the Relational Sexuality Network, an international collaboration of practitioners whose mission is to expand the practice of therapy and sex therapy. Dr. Nagoski is the author of the New York Times best-seller “Come As You Are: the surprising new science that will transform your sex life.” She also is a frequent presenter at international conferences and symposia on human sexuality.

Hodson said the Summit addressed “how not to become a victim of the porn crisis by empowering yourself and others with information about personal sexual awareness and healthy sexuality. Understanding our sexuality is absolutely necessary when determining the effects pornography has on our relationships as a society and individually. Developing healthy sexuality also is essential to creating healthy and loving relationships."