The Rubin Museum of Tibetan Art in NYC had an exhibition of ancient Goddesses and Priestesses a couple of years age. The beautiful complex art was filled with symbolism. There was one scroll that described special powers bestowed on any Priestess who turned seventy-seven with number seven in the year. I calculated that would apply to me for the first eight months in 2007. At the time the idea was very exciting, but then I forgot all about it.

At the beginning of 2006, I received an email from a production company in the UK saying they wanted to do a documentary about my work for BBC's Channel Four. After expressing interest, I didn't hear from them again. That's not unusual for me. Teaching sexual skills to women via masturbation is not society's favorite subject. I've been censored far more often than not, probably because some big television executive is afraid his wife or mistress will prefer a vibrator over him.

Six months later in June, the documentary conversation began again, this time in earnest. The production company had been given the go ahead by the BBC's Channel Four to produce a one hour documentary titled, "Masturbation for Women." When I read their proposal, I must say I was impressed. The four page outline began with a quote from me, a statistic from Kinsey and a promise that this ground breaking documentary would shatter one of the very last taboos- female masturbation.

"For the very first time on television, three women will learn how to masturbate. We take three women for whom masturbation represents a very closed off world to New York to meet Dr. Betty Dodson. There they take part in Betty's revolutionary masturbation training. They will undergo an intensive week of psychological and practical instruction, including private sessions and group workshops. The girls will learn how to use dildos and other sex toys and be personally coached and coaxed into their first orgasm through masturbation."

It sounded good if not a bit sensational. I was aware it could turn out to be one of those goofy reality shows, or it could be a breakthrough documentary film. I was both excited and terrified over the possibilities as I fielded countless questions about me, my work and my life. After a week of emailing and talking to different people on the phone, they wanted to come to New York within a few weeks and shoot the doc in the middle of July in my apartment. Absolutely not possible! There was a building under construction right outside the windows of my apartment. They'd have to find another location or set another date.

The next hurdle was a request that I do the opening segment of my old Bodysex Group where I sit cross-legged in a circle with nine other nude women. The fact that I hadn't done a workshop in over ten years was irrelevant to them. They wanted the image. That's when I asked myself if I was prepared to "bare all" at my age. Instead of confessing my ego-based reservation, I latched onto my recently-sprained ankle and said there was no way I could sit cross-legged yoga style even if I wanted to. At that point I said, "Thanks, but no thanks," and felt a big wave of relief.

The producer, Natalie Goldberg eventually got back to me with a new date for the end of October. She had checked with the construction company next door who said that by then they would be installing wiring so the production could be shot in my apartment. Next we had to negotiate a fee and finalize everything with a written agreement. That done, the project was on. By then I'd realized they were shooting a documentary about these three women, not about me. I was the orgasm doctor they would come see, but it could still be an exceptional film about the importance of masturbation.

The first woman was a 36 year old single mother who'd never had an orgasm alone or with a partner. She was a classic case of teaching basic skills and how to use the electric vibrator. It was a very successful session and she had her first orgasm. The second woman was a 43 year old married woman with three children, no orgasms and complaints of having constant pain with intercourse. Turned out she had a medical problem instead of a sexological one. Vestibulodynia is a nerve disorder just beginning to be researched and understood. Doctors in the UK had been telling her there was nothing wrong, so now she at least knew her problem was real and it had a name. The third woman was 24, single, and had been happily having orgasms with her vibrator for the past four years. Now she wanted to learn how to come with her fingers so when she met Mr. Right, he could "make her come."

The way I usually handle this is if the woman is in her thirties and has learned how to have her first orgasm with a vibrator, I urge her to incorporate the vibrator into partnersex and see it as a sexual preference. But when they are in their twenties, some might be able to switch over to manual if they will take the time and are very patient. During our session after what seemed like an hour or more, she finally had a small orgasm. She figured she could use a vibrator occasionally if her future boyfriend didn't mind.

This is one of my pet peeves. Why do women always have to make an effort to have the "right kind" of orgasm to please their partners? Why on earth would it matter how we come as long as we do? When are people going to let go of the old worn out idea that a man is responsible for "giving" a woman her orgasm? We still cling to the procreative image of a penis moving inside a vagina as the most desirable kind of partnersex. Men get their preferred kind of stimulation while women who want some form of direct clitoral stimulation are left out. Each new generation is raised on this outdated notion because sex education in the public schools is still controlled and curtailed by religious beliefs.

Unfortunately I never had a chance to look at any of the footage. When I was doing the private sessions, Natalie and Kat, her camera woman, were over in the corner of the room shooting from the side. That meant they weren't getting any images of women's vulvas. Keeping it mild for the BBC left out important information for the viewing public as to what direct clitoral stimulation looked like when combined with vaginal penetration. Still, just talking about masturbation without making fun of it could turn out to be a very positive learning experience for many people.

After getting women on board to re-create the opening scene of a Bodysex Group, it never happened. The three Brits didn't want to take their clothes off and sit in the circle nude. I had to laugh at all my fuming and fussing about my own nudity. As a result of this experience, I intend to shoot a new Bodysex Group filmed in my space. An updated version of the sexual priestesses sitting in the sacred circle sharing how they feel about their bodies and orgasms.

The UK documentary is supposed to air the end of February this year. The only way American's will get to see it is if one of our cable companies like HBO or Showtime pick it up. This is where the Tibetan prophecy comes in, right? I'm seventy-seven and we are entering the new year of 2007. Very propitious! No matter what happens, I'm glad I did it. I proved to myself that I could hold it together under less than ideal circumstances, be part of a team effort and have enough trust to submit my life's work to strangers.

Meanwhile, Click here to go to youtube.com and see me drawing the clitoris from the inside out.

This is just one of the many new creative projects on the way. Join me in looking forward to a happier, healthier, sexier and more democratic 2007.

Happy New Year