Image: 30 04 07 - Cuddle Party by blogTO Flickr pooler Cliph.

There's a Cuddle Party tonight! What's a Cuddle Party you ask? According to the invitation, a Cuddle Party is "safe non-sexual event/workshop to explore giving and receiving affectionate touch, like hugging, massaging, foot-rubbing, spooning, nuzzling." Essentially the party is for anyone who enjoys human touching (which is pretty much everyone, as far as I know.) The parties are meant to give people an opportunity to be physically close with others, without the pressure of social norms or sexual activity.

Almost everyone loves a hug, but in many cases it's socially awkward to hug someone you are not in a relationship with. Even many close friends are not on a "it's okay for us to hug" basis. The Cuddle Parties are also a place to "learn communication skills and boundary-setting around touch."

So what can you expect from a Cuddle Party? Well, first of all, everyone brings pajamas to change into and remains in their PJs the entire time! You need to get verbal permission from someone before initiating any physical contact, and there is no pressure to cuddle anyone you don't want to. There isn't any pressure to cuddle anyone at all!

Tonight's party takes place at Wonderworks (79A Harbord Street) between 7pm and 10:30. The cost to attend is $40 per person and $30 each if you're bringing friends. The organizers have also offered to provide sliding scale options to those on fixed incomes.

For more information visit CuddleParty.com or the Facebook Event Listing.