Mission

Ask First is a sticker campaign that crates awareness about consent. The campaign consists of eye-catching stickers and temporary tattoos that simply read, ‘Ask First’. With the intent of creating a safer space for all, Bay Area sex worker and sexual health educator, Maxine Holloway, founded this simple yet effective sticker project. 

“If people can understand the importance of consent in alternative and sexualized environments, this will assists our entire culture in understanding that there are no caveats when it comes to consent. Whether you are in your home, walking down the street, in a bar, or at a BDSM fair - consent must always be present. This campaign promotes consent and fights against sexualized violence everywhere.” 

Maxine Holloway  |  MPH, Campaign Founder

History

The project originated at the 2014 San Francisco Folsom Street Fair, an annual BDSM event designed to celebrate alternative sexualities and community. Public sexuality is a huge part of what makes the Folsom Street Fair important. But all to often consent gets erased in sexualized environments, especially ones held publicly. The Ask First Campaign strives to make consent more visible and active in these spaces.

Ask First has now spread all over the country and has been making consent visible at Pride events, sex toy shops, lamp posts, school notebooks, kink events, underground parties, subway trains, mirrors in bar bathrooms, and college campuses. 

“I’m impressed by this consent campaign - from its clear messaging to its simple and fun implementation via stickers shared by delightful people. And it's effective! What a beautiful gift to the Folsom Street Fair and our communities at large.”

Jiz Lee  |  Queer Porn Producer, Actor & Author