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Frequently Asked Questions

Please read these FAQ responses to the most common questions, and if you need more information, use the Contact Us form below.
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  • -> There is a sobriety requirement of a minimum of 1-year abstinence from all non-prescribed chemical substances (including alcohol, drugs, etc.)
  • -> For men (ages 21+) who have preferably completed all 12-Steps with their sponsors
-> PDA welcomes sober men who have sex with men
-> We want men from diverse backgrounds, including all body shapes/sizes, skin colors, cultures, ages, socioeconomic statuses, & dis/abilities
-> Trans-men are welcome to PDA
-> Your input is invaluable to us, so please reach out via the Contact Us form below if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions
-> In our first year, we’re focusing on male-centric programming for men who have sex with men
-> We acknowledge the rich spectrum of gender identities and various sexual identities in our community
-> We are committed to learning and growing, aiming to increasingly address and include non-binary and diverse gender identities in our future programs
-> Some of our workshops may request that you be in various levels of undress
-> In some cases, participants will be invited to get completely naked
-> We respect all bodies as beautiful & will not tolerate shaming others for any reason

-> We welcome men to engage in a consensual exchange of erotic and sexual energy at PDA

-> Though there will be intimate touch and body contact, this is not a sober sex party, not a place to hook-up, nor a retreat simply for sexual gratification

-> The Academy weekend will be an opportunity to learn new intimacy and communication skills while practicing the tools of 12-step recovery

-> No, we do not define our Academy program as therapeutic
-> We guide men through skillful experiences, leaving participants to define its meaning & value
-> You are encouraged to get professional self-care outside of PDA as appropriate
-> To create comfort & emotional safety of all participants, there will be no use of mobile phones in any non-private spaces
-> No photography is permitted until the “Gear Profile Pictures”, & the last hour of the final day
-> Any & all photos require the explicit consent of the subjects
-> When you register via Eventbrite, we will email or text you to confirm your participation
-> If you do not hear from us, use the Contact Us form below to let us know
-> Academy registrants will be invited to a private Slack channel to communicate with each other and remain connected with organizers, presenters, and alumni
-> You can get a full refund until 30 days before the start of the retreat. For 2025, that’s before July 7th.

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Ask your Questions

PDA welcomes your ideas, support, feedback, and we also want to hear about your concerns. It may take us a little while to get back to you. The PDA committee is all-volunteer so please be patient as we attempt to respond to you.

Help Make PDA Happen

Your donation helps to make this experience available for those who would like to attend but are unable to afford it. Please give generously today.