It is time for me to write about one of the most extraordinary and under appreciated people I have known.
Dr. Ted McIlvenna has done more to shape modern America and the world than many others I have known. And I have known several world shakers.
Ted changed my opinions about human sexuality and the opinions of millions of others.
He began as a Methodist minister. I met him when I was business manager of the Glide Memorial United Methodist church. He had already begun a program called The National Sex and Drug Forum. The forum was used to teach ministers and doctors about human sexuality.
The method Ted settled on was to overwhelm the students with many hours of sexually explicit film that included every imaginable form of sexuality. After the overwhelming exposure, the students were readily able to discuss sexuality and learn about the incredible variety of human interactions.
You may not think that professional understanding of human sexuality is extremely important.
You would see that differently through the eyes of a gay person in the world that denied his existence and his desires. You would see the world differently through the eyes of the disabled person who wanted to live a full sexual life. And you would be happy to have a better understanding of what a medical doctor faces when people present him with complex sexual questions. For example, is there a date when a pregnant women should stop having coitus? (No.) Is it possible for a male and female to get stuck together (like dogs) during coitus? (No.)
Ted made it possible for all of these issues and questions to be opened up at the professional level in American society. He later founded the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. The Institute grants advanced degrees and PhD's in human sexuality. I was on the Accreditation Board for the Institute. It is a masterpiece of advanced academia.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of Ted's earliest associates.
Phyllis Lyon worked with Ted on all of his projects. She is an astounding person. Like Ted she is kind, gentle, honest and incredibly competent. Phyllis was married to Del Martin. Together they started the first lesbian publication in the early 1950's.
Working with Ted, Phyllis was able to let the world understand the needs and desires of women in the lesbian community. She lives with grace and authenticity. Anyone who meets her has immediate sympathy for the interests of Phyllis and her friends.
To be born into the Puritan world I was born into, where condoms were never discussed and could only be bought by males over 21 from behind a drugstore counter, I was greatly relieved to meet and work with Ted McIlvenna.
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