The Judging Process

Criteria

At SXWA, we believe in fostering innovation, creativity, and impact in the field of intimate wellness.

Here's what our judges will be looking for:

  • We value creativity as a catalyst for change and innovation. Submissions that demonstrate originality, outside-the-box thinking, and novel approaches to addressing challenges in the wellness industry will be highly regarded.

  • We're interested in the real-world impact of your work. Judges will evaluate the outcomes of your efforts, looking for evidence of meaningful change, positive influence, and measurable results. Feel free to include testimonials, social performance indicatiors, sales figures, and other indicators of impact.

  • We value submissions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in their journey towards sexual wellness.

  • We understand that the wellness industry is evolving rapidly, and meaningful change doesn't always fit neatly into predefined categories. We welcome submissions that challenge the status quo, promote diversity and inclusion, and push the boundaries of what's possible. Don’t fit neatly in a category? Send us an email and we can further advise you.

  • Safety first. We recognize brands that use body-safe, non-toxic, and high-quality materials to ensure their products meet the highest standards for intimate wellness

Timeline

  • Early Bird Discount: June 21 - August 1, 2026

    General Entries: August 2 - October 2, 2026

    Sample Send-outs: Early October

  • October & November 2026. Our judges review all submissions and prepare a list of finalists. These finalists are then submitted for final grading where they can win bronze, silver or gold from the judges, and are also eligible for our Community Choice award which opens up polling to the public.

  • All finalists announced December 2, 2026 + votes open for Community Choice Award

    Final Winners Announced January 12, 2027

The Judges

Get your brand in the hands and hearts of industry experts, design aficionados, sex therapists, wellness icons, journalists, doctors, and sexual health champions who will be joining us as judges for this year's awards. Our esteemed panel of judges bring their expertise, passion, and dedication to the table to evaluate submissions and celebrate excellence in the field.

Meet Our Judges

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  • Dr. Tara is a Kinsey-certified sexologist, a tenured professor of sexual and relational communication at California State University, Fullerton, the author of 'Sexual Communication: Research in Action,' an award-winning sex researcher, TEDx speaker, host of the Luvbites by Dr. Tara podcast, and a Los Angeles-based sex and relationship coach. She is also the top sex educator on TikTok and the TV host and resident sex expert on the popular British dating show, Celebs Go Dating.

  • Gigi Fong is a prominent sex journalist and former sex worker based in Chicago and Los Angeles. She is currently a Sex and Wellness Staff Writer for VICE and produces the TABOO newsletter, which focuses on sex tech, intimacy, and modern culture. Gigi has reviewed more than 100 sex toys and produced high-volume, deeply researched content in the intimacy and wellness space, striving to make her content informative, inclusive, and genuinely useful for readers navigating intimacy and pleasure. Alongside her journalism career, she is an editor, art director, and podcast producer.

    Before her work at VICE, she wrote for publications such as Lovehoney, Hypebae, Good Vibrations, and Tryst.

  • Dr. Shannon Chavez is a renowned clinical psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist in California. She specializes in integrating behavioral health and holistic wellness in her approach to sexual health. With over a decade of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve mental, emotional, and physical health through innovative, evidence-based therapies.

  • Vanessa Marin is a sex therapist and instant New York Times Best Selling author of Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life, co-written with her husband and partner-in-crime, Xander Marin. Follow Vanessa and Xander on Instagram @vanessaandxander and tune in to their podcast, Pillow Talks, for totally do-able sex tips, practical relationship advice, hilarious and honest stories of what really goes on behind closed bedroom doors, and so much more.

  • Mira is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT), and Certified Sex Therapist (CST). Her graduate research focused on the intersection between embodiment and erotic intelligence and led her to pursue a PhD in Human Sexuality from the California Institute of Integral Studies. During her fellowship, Mira studied sexual functions and pleasure, analyzing data on sexual pleasure, performance, and empowerment across diverse gender identity groups. Her dissertation interest is in understanding access to higher education for LGBTQIA+ students. 


    Mira is a member of The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and the
    American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Mira’s writing has been published in the American Journal of Dance Therapy and Body, Movement, and Dance in Psychotherapy: An International Journal for Theory, Research, and Practice. Mira uses a contemplative, body-centered, and socially just therapeutic approach in clinical practice. She offers a safe space to develop self-authorship and, differentiation in intimate relationships.

  • Dr. Joy is a Marriage & Family Therapist, Clinical Sexologist, Author, and Keynote Speaker. A passionate advocate her groundbreaking work with the BIPOC and LGBQT+ communities has been celebrated by media such as Goop, Essence, Well& Good, Huffington Post, NBC and more. In a society which strongly enforces codes of behavior regarding sexual orientation and gender identity Joy’s groundbreaking work as a polyamorous, sex-positive therapist and media personality, provides a safe space for others to honor and accept themselves.

  • Dr. Justin Dubin is a Urologist who specializes in Men's Health including sexual medicine and male infertility at Memorial Healthcare System in South Florida. Dr. Dubin is passionate about men’s health and education with the goal of improving both the lives of men and their partners. He has published multiple papers on both male infertility and sexual health, has been quoted in the NY Times, Insider, GQ, The Cut, USA Today, and Men’s Health and is the current co-host of the men’s health podcast Man Up: A Doctor’s Guide to Men’s Health through which he hopes to destigmatize men's health topics and motivate men to improve their overall lives.

  • Mariah Caudillo (she/her) is an award-winning and published sex educator, digital learning designer, and creator of Sex Ed Files. With a background spanning direct instruction, curriculum development, advocacy, and digital content creation, she is dedicated to making sexual and reproductive health education inclusive, shame-free, and culturally responsive. Guided by QTBIPOC wisdom and informed by her lived experiences as a Queer, Latine woman, Mariah’s work is grounded in justice, joy, and the belief that everyone deserves access to sexual health knowledge that empowers them to understand their bodies, set boundaries, experience pleasure, and make informed decisions.

  • Dr. Kiana Berry-Brown is a Board-Certified Physical Therapist, pelvic health specialist, health coach, author, speaker, and social media influencer. She is the founder of VGPLUSME Pelvic Solutions LLC and runs Vagina Plus Me on social media, where she has cultivated a community of tens of thousands of people dedicated to healing, confidence, and connection. Through education, coaching, and community support, she empowers women to overcome pelvic floor challenges, reclaim intimacy, and build lasting confidence in their bodies and relationships.

  • Dr. Emily Morse encourages us to embrace sex as an act of wellness. As a Doctor of Human Sexuality, renowned sexologist and host of the #1 podcast Sex With Emily, she has led the pleasure revolution for over two decades—helping millions navigate sex, relationships, and communication. Hailed as “the Dr. Ruth of a new generation” by The New York Times, Emily is the best-selling author of Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure  and a MasterClass Instructor on Sex and Communication. She challenges cultural taboos, dispels misinformation, and transforms awkward sex talks into embodied conversations.

  • Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya, MD, FACOG, IF, NCMP is a Urogynecologist and Sexual Medicine specialist. She caters to patients seeking expert care for issues ranging from urinary incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse, UTIs to interstitial cystitis, vestibulodynia to sexual dysfunction. Dr. Dubinskaya harmoniously blends her vast expertise in urogynecology, female pelvic medicine, reconstructive surgery, sexual health, and menopause to offer a holistic care paradigm that truly celebrates and nurtures women. Dr. Dubinskaya is globally recognized and serves as the chairperson of the Communication Committee for the International Society of Sexual Medicine.

  • Cady Moore (she/her) is an AASECT-certified sexuality educator and coach who empowers people to live their most pleasurable lives. She is dedicated to perpetuating healthy and positive messages about sexuality and self-worth, and she specializes in vulvovaginal wellness, menstrual health, pleasure exploration and communication, and non-monogamous dating and relationships. For nearly a decade, Cady has been teaching groups of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds. Cady spends her free time reading fantasy novels, painting, and caring for her ball python named Lilith, two cats, and 92 plants (and counting). Follow Cady at @ageofsexploration.

  • Dr. Jess O’Reilly, PhD, is a sexologist and relationship expert who focuses on building richer relationships from the boardroom to the bedroom. She has delivered 1000+ retreats and workshops in 50+ countries and helps people of all backgrounds cultivate more pleasure, confidence, and connection—no matter their stage of life or relationship.

  • Dr. Jon (he/him) is a board certified family medicine physician who has been in practice for 8 years. He works on the south side Chicago, at a clinic that is focused around delivering accessible patient-centered care to patients in their communities. On tiktok and instagram, he is known as @thatgaydoctor, and creates content centered around sexual and LGBTQ health, and communication strategies to use in visits with medical providers. He tries to spread the message that doctors are people too, in the hopes that patients feel more comfortable sharing about sensitive topics during their visits.

  • Dr. Nazanin Moali, a distinguished clinical psychologist and acclaimed host of the Sexology Podcast, operates a thriving private practice in Los Angeles. Specializing in enhancing sexual experiences and deepening connections for couples and individuals, she is recognized for her expertise in sexual health and relationships. Dr. Moali provides evidence-based interventions and compassionate support to her clients.

  • Lisa M. Valle, D.O., FACOG, ABIHM is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist and has been in practice for over 19 years. Her integrative medicine practice solely focuses on caring for women with female sexual concerns. Her emphasis has been on concerns such as: pelvic & vulvovaginal pain disorders, loss/decreased libido, inability/difficulty achieving orgasm, arousal disorders, and various vulvovaginal disorders. She is a member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.

  • Dr. Amanda Neri is a pelvic floor physical therapist, NASM-certified trainer, and the Founder of The Pelvic Institute. A passionate advocate for ending the stigma and shame around pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Neri also co-hosts the Pelvic POV podcast which provides judgment-free education and tackles the topics people are too afraid to bring up in the doctor’s office from orgasms and pelvic pain to medical gaslighting and dating with incontinence.

    An educator and speaker, Amanda has led workshops with Fortune 500 companies like Nike, spoken at Northwestern University, and collaborates with the pole dancing and sex worker communities to provide destigmatized, inclusive care.

FAQs

  • Score media recognition, enhance your credibility with our winners’ badge, get your products in the hands of experts and our influential judges, celebrate your hard work, boost morale for your team & stakeholders & much more. Check out the full benefits outlined here.

  • We keep our categories and criteria broad for a reason, to foster innovation and creative approaches in a space that desperately needs it. So far we’ve had brands submit everything from maternity swimsuits to perinatal training tools, LGBTQ+ designed sex toys, sexual education podcasts & more. Still confused? Send us a note on the contact page.

  • Yes please. We want to hear about changemakers in the industry. Confused about the right category? Shoot us a note here.

  • Our awards program celebrates excellence across a range of categories, while also embracing out-of-the-box submissions that challenge traditional norms and drive positive change. Send our team a note here & we will see if we can find the right solution or category for you.

  • On our submit page you will find all of our categories listed. We’ve made our submission as straightforward as possible. You can always reach out with more questions via our contact page here.

  • Yes. Our standard entry fee is $299 per product, with an early bird discount of $100 off if you submit before August 2.

    This fee helps us cover the operational costs of running an independent, expert-led program each year, and a portion of proceeds is donated to nonprofit organizations working in sexual health and wellness.

    We also offer reduced pricing for two important categories: the Accessibility Award and the Gender-Affirming Care Award. These are just $99 to enter, as we want to actively encourage innovation and inclusion in these often-overlooked areas.

  • Judging and timeline details are available on this page here.

  • Don’t fret, our team will be in touch with mailing details as we get closer to our judging period in October.

  • No sweat! Send us a note through the contact page. Please note we currently don’t facilitate returns and cannot process refunds. More on that here.

  • We get this question a lot—and the short answer is: it depends on the platform, but you shouldn’t have to censor yourself.

    At The Sexual Wellness Awards, we proudly use the full word “sexual” wherever possible. It’s part of our mission to normalize the conversation and reduce stigma. That said, we’re also realistic: platforms like Instagram and TikTok have inconsistent moderation policies that often unfairly target content related to sexual health and wellness.

    To support you, we offer two versions of our award badge:

    • One with the full “Sexual Wellness Awards” name (recommended for websites, media, and print)

    • One with a more social-media-friendly version (“S*xual Wellness Awards”) for brands concerned about shadowbanning or content suppression on certain platforms.

    Whether you’re bolding the full word or opting for a workaround, we’re behind you—and the industry is stronger when we speak up together.

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