Non-Fluffy BDSM

Have I mentioned lately that I'm a lucky bastard?

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:50:23 GMT

.
Much of my organizational world seems to be falling into place at the moment (I hope my personal life catches up with it sometime soon [and then goddess blesses me, the Butch and I are talking again]). MVK inviting me to be on their incipient board, VASM asking me to be the Program Committee Chair, The Frugal Domme wanting me to vend beside her at Folsom, and now I'm going to get something going in my own hometown I've always wanted.

Tuesday August 26th at Friction (Vancouver's newest [and nicest] gay bath house [123 Pender St, just around the corner from the Lotus]), MVK presents a very kinky, very mixed (yes really, everyone with manners is welcome) evening at the baths. Standard rates apply with a toonie donation thrown in for MVK. It's a big place on two floors (the main floor is accessible), very shiny, lots of rooms (there's lockers [cheap!], sling rooms and doubles too), and an amazing amount of public play/sex space (and there's an inside bike rack :o).
I thought it would be like pulling teeth getting the manager to listen, but he went for it. We're looking at doing five or so on a Tuesday, then if we can build a successful event, he's willing to look at weekend dates. I want input on how to introduce unfamiliar folks to the experience.
So I'm asking;
How should we promote it?
What problems should we prepare for?
What kind of programming should we run?
Would you attend?

ce moi

that (getting things done) SpencerBear

.

FetLife -- fetish social networking site!

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:54:51 GMT

i was turned on (pardon the pun) to FetLife by some kinky myspace friends. it's a social networking site for kinksters by kinksters! it's awesome! check it out!

A BadBear Worx Queery

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:09:27 GMT

.
Just to take care of the nasal news first, I'm talking to the Doc tomorrow.

Today's question is a bit more mundane. I as BadBear Worx have just been offered half a booth at Dore Alley for $270 (one day), with transportation ($200) sling frame rental ($50) and housing ($200?), that's a fair chunk of change. What's the state of the Bay area economy (I know the Democrats are coming, but they're not here yet) ? Can I honestly expect enough CASH sales for my comfortable well made made machine washable slings (5 is my absolute minimum @ $160) to make it worth the risk of foodbanking it (something I really hate) again for another two months? I can make lots of black ones (even if they are boring), and I should have a few other products (tool roll ups and harnesses) to widen out the line a bit. I'm also thinking about bringing a box or two of Cuban's down and letting them go quietly too. I'd really like to do it, but Kinkfest in Portland scared me. Can I ask for some encouragement?
I'd also like to ask for some local transport help in SF, I need to get the sling frame (drywall scaffold 6' x 30" max [I've carried one in the back of a Toyota Echo]) from and to the Homo Despot Rents south of Daly City, and if anyone knows a longish couch SOMA that might like a strange bear (with pretty good manners) sleeping on it Saturday and Sunday night, July 26-27 I might feel like trying it out.

that (BigAss Sling maker) SpencerBear

A Medical Queery for them that might know

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:36:09 GMT

.
Hi Folks,
for those of you who are familiar with my visage, there lies a mighty snoz in it's midst. It's been a major source of pleasure when I get my face in certain folk's down there bits and I've enjoyed what I can do with it.
I've been called back by the ENT surgeon who wants to straiten my deviated septum. I'm starting to wonder if undeviating said septum would weaken it to point where too much nasal diddling might break it again (and cause bleeding, and I think some of us know how I feel about risking mixing my blood and sex).

Any opinions? Any questions I should ask?

that (nasally gifted) SpencerBear

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:35:39 GMT

A few thoughts on the "On your knees, slut!" school of online BDSM interaction...

I was thinking about this today after being told that I am far too nice to be an effective Domme.
*laughs* Tell the boy I play with in Altanta that, watch him laugh hysterically.

But it promtped me to add to my B~com profile, and I'm interested to see the reactions it gets here:
It's worth mentioning, as I've received comments on being 'too nice' and 'too humble' to be a Domme, that my philosophy is a little different. *laughs*
Simply because someone is submissive, doesn't make them less of a person or even less than I, myself. Frankly, you may be a better person that I, regardless of your orientation. The phrase 'Namaste' has been translated (very, very roughly) to mean, "That which is sacred in me, greets that which is sacred in you". What is sacred in you is no less sacred for the fact that it tastes my crop, for the fact that you kneel before me. And to me, deserves no less respect.
Sure, in scene I will abuse you, I will call you names, and I will hurt you until you make yummy noises... but we're not scening here. Here, and in most of my interactions, you're not only a person but a piece of the sacred... and, of course, a potential chewtoy. ;-)

Advice, please?

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:22:32 GMT

So the sub I've started playing with is really into kitty play.

I've never done animal role-play. I'm willing and reasonably interested, just never done it and my google-fu is failing me.

Tips, ideas, stories about your oxn experiences with it?

Idle question...

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:48:18 GMT

At what point do you/would you step up and into someone else's business to let them know that their submissive is acting in a way that doesn't reflect very well on them?

Would you send a note to someone that you didn't know who's submissive was making a complete ass of themselves on a national list?

If someone's submissive was rumor-mongering about you or actively creating difficulties for you on message boards or blogs would you appeal to their dominant before dealing with the owner of the site?

I've just noticed a resurgance of "can't touch me 'cause I got a Master" in a spot or two on the net.

If you were the dominant and someone wrote you out of the blue that your submissive was out of line... how would you handle it?

Starting a munch?

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:33:42 GMT

So it looks like there's a crapload of people in my area who are kinky...\ at least, if you go by Collarme.com.
Problem is, there is no IRL community. None. Seriously. It sucks ass.

So I'm thinking about starting a set of munches. Any suggestions ont he best way to go about it? Horror/success stories?

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:55:37 GMT

Hiya everyone. New here. Looking forward to being a part of the Group!

Thanx bitterlawngnome

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:46:57 GMT

Busy as ten bears . . .

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:15:32 GMT

.all fixin' and fussin', making sure there'll be more big asses in more BigAss Slings.

Well, that was certainly productive. Two hours, but now there's decent lighting (needed for sewing black thread on black webbing) at the machine and I've topped up the oil, and with the fiddling and fitting I think I'll have a usable workspace.
Now, I just have to make up my mind about IMsL (May 1-4 in San Francisco), I really want to go, last year was sooooo much fun, but I'll need a hotel roommate and/or minion to make it really workable. Anybody want a roomie? Anybody want to be a minion? I don't snore much and most of my noise will be made in one of the 24 hr dungeons (yes, really :o) in the hotel. I'm small vendor, aka BadBear Worx, and coming down from Canada is always expensive and I'd be prepared to barter for hotel space.

that (sling sewing) SpencerBear

WTF???

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:11:32 GMT

Spanking Raises Chances of Risky, Deviant Sexual Behavior
Review found physical punishment of kids linked to unprotected, masochistic sex as adults

Aside from questions regarding the validity of the study, there's the annoying question of WTF's wrong with "bondage and discipline sex".

Article here; lots more articles I'm sure to come.

I don't have time right now to go read the original study.

Hello! waves

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:36:15 GMT

Hi, I'm new to the "scene" whatever that means but I've been sub...for oh....a stupid amount of time. My Master is my husband who has been my Dom since before we were married. We discovered our natural urges for sub (in my case) and dom (in his) together and have explored it together.

We're into basic bondage and spanking/whipping and verbal, and knife play, blood play is a no for me (past issues with self harming), breathe play a no (claustrophobia), and fire play...well we just don't feel coordinated enough to pull that off.

We're hoping to go to a local munch and basically I'm going to be lurking and learning and posting when i have anything of interest to say.

Which happens from time to time.

but yes....*wave*

Minnesota educational opportunity

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:45:34 GMT

Minnesota Stocks Debentures and Bonds (aka MSDB, www.msdb.org) is proud to present to the Twin Cities community: The LAB. The LAB will be a monthly educational event to share local knowledge. We will be bringing together exciting new topics and new presenters, in a familiar format.

The LAB will meet the first Wednesday of every month. Doors will open at 7, and class will begin promptly at 7:30. There will be a $5 donation requested at the door. There will be a limited number of comp'd spaces available on an as needed basis. Email thelab@msdb.org to request consideration.

In order to attend, you MUST rsvp to rsvp@msdb.org. If you do not rsvp, you will not be allowed in. This is a new rsvp list, and will be created ONLY from responses received from this point on. You only need to rsvp once.

Our very first event will be held on April 2. The topic is scheduled to be Wrestling. Two attractive and entertaining local switches will be our presenters for the evening.

In the future, we plan to have demos on such topics as fisting, yoga, and CBT. We will also be working to create demos that are geared towards bottoms and submissives, as well as the traditional top focussed events.

For other questions, suggestions, demo requests, please email thelab@msdb.org

We hope to see many of your faces on April 2!

My Fireplay handout for the Feb 1st MVK Workshop

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:03:38 GMT

Hi Folks,
This is a link to the final (?) version

that (flaming hot) SpencerBear

I'm doing my FirePlay Workshop next Friday and . . .

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 07:56:38 GMT

.
does anyone want to proof/review my handout?

Fireplay is a powerful scene; played carefully, it's a step beyond candles and quite a bit more dramatic.
This is 201 level course material with a few 301 level techniques demonstrated after the break.
Please take it slowly, you don't want to make mistakes.

Safety.

If you clear up the potential problems before you start, you can relax a bit and enjoy the play.

Where are you playing?

Outside on mowed lawn, at a beach, on a cement patio, or beside the pool are great places for fireplay if you have the opportunity.
You need to make sure ALL combustibles are cleared at least two arms lengths away (around and above) from wherever the top will be playing (inside or out).
Make sure whatever the bottom is laying on is not synthetic. Synthetic materials will burn and melt, and once on the skin will be hard to remove and may continue to burn.
If a synthetic surface is to be used, cover it in two layers in a non-synthetic material, e.g. cotton, or wool- these tend to be fire retardant.
The bottom should not be in bondage.
You should be safe as possible from distractions outside the scene.
If you're burning hair there must be ventilation.
Where are the extinguishers, and exits?
Remember - indoors or without a pool handy, it's always fire "lite".

Do you have the right things?

* Wool blanket and/or cotton sheets.
* A large damp cotton towel.
* Known fire wands, igniters, drawing wands and percussion wands (do they drip? are they all cotton? are the heads secure? how much fuel do they lay down? how long will each one burn?) will do what you want them to (mostly).
* A spray bottle filled with water.
* A metal tray and a stable open flat bottomed fuel container.
* A separate enclosed candle to light your igniter.
* Something to keep wanted hair damp, covered, and safe (the top's hair too). Poufy hair will always find a way to burn, if it's on my chest or someones head. Cover heads with a hat and covering body hair with water based lube makes hair pretty fire proof (just like Bowser).
* A top who's practiced and prepared (no acrylic nails ["finger candles"] on the top or the bottom).
* A clean bottom with no bits of wax, silicone lube, oil, sunscreen, hair gel, or fresh bug repellent (all potentential "hot enough to do damage" fuel sources) on them, who's hot for it.

Is it the right time?

Don't be rushed or unfocused, the scene should be planned and practiced. There's drama in the prep too (if you work it right). Work it up. After dark (with enough other light to play safely), the show begins.

Fuel

Use 70% v/v Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol USP), never 90% (it burns too hot for fun and it's a far more dangerous igniter fuel [it burns hot enough to start other things burning]). Alcohol has almost no surface tension. It will flow down or wick up and it spreads very quickly. Never let fuel pool, drip, or flow on a body. It must be a very light, controlled layer. Because it isn't a very hot fuel, 70% alcohol burns with soft translucent flame (it's not a very bright flame). Don't play in direct sunshine or other bright light - it can make alcohol flames invisible. If it's warmer, some of your fuel will evaporate before you flame it off. If it's cooler there will be more fuel left unburnt on the body and it might surprise you.

Techniques

Fireproofing and flooding.

70% alcohol is a very delicate fuel, if you add another 10% of water to it, it will barely support combustion. One of the best fire control devices you can use is a household spray pump filled with cold water. Spraying cold water on alcohol flames dilutes the alcohol and will cool it below it's combustion point. Covering fire with a damp cotton towel will smother it, and cool things off quickly.

Flooding is a way of avoiding burns in body creases, such as around boobs, belly, or navel. Spray those areas with water and fill the belly button, then wipe off the surface water with a towel leaving the inside of the creases wet. Then play, heat won't be generated where the fuel can't burn and you'll be in control of where fire burns.

Teasing and terrifying.

What makes fire hot for you? Is it the sight, the sound, the sensation, the fear, or some combination of those things (and who knows what else)? The warm up can be seductive (mostly my fav) or terrifying. For this part the wand (and fuel) shouldn't touch the body, just tease over the surface, burn a few hairs, make a few grand gestures (there's that sound) and let them feel a bit of heat. Get their attention.

Touch and tickle.

Just like it sounds, only with fire! You know the spots - ticklish bits on the belly, the spot on his back he always wants you to scratch, nipples (but don't wear those out tooooo quickly). Torch off a bit of hair (then quickly wipe it down with the damp towel to stop the smell), tap the torch on skin and follow it quickly with your other hand to make sure any fuel on the body is out. Tap and wipe, tap and wipe, the fire and your hands dancing on flesh. If it's working for your bottom you should know pretty quickly from those noises.

Drawing and flaming.

Take your drawing wand out of the fuel, shake the excess fuel off, then paint a very light band of fuel on flatish bit of anatomy with a drawing wand, then put it down. Light your igniter and torch off the fuel, following it quickly (and putting out the flame with a wiping motion) with your other hand. Remember, it will leave unburnt fuel on the skin. If you're not careful it can accumulate and surprise you. Do it some more. Try to understand what works for your bottom, and give it to them. Always apply the the fuel on the most horizontal surfaces of the body. If you put too much fuel too close to where it can run underneath the body or pool in the navel, the underboobs or underbelly, it can cause major problems. Wipe off unburnt fuel with a damp (and cold for contrast) towel.

Blowing fire, pushing heat.

Now you really must blow and not suck, this time it's not just an expression. Blow across the flaming wand (play a bit first to burn off any excess fuel that might drip or spray) to direct heat at interesting places like genitals. Watch for sprayed fuel. This takes practice to get it right (it's easy to blow out the wand or spray fuel). You must advance in slowly to have control over the effect.

Flaming percussion.

Percussion wands are longer, heavier and denser than drawing wands because they're packed with more cotton to hold fuel inside and not spray it with each impact. Take the percussion wand out of the fuel, shake the excess fuel off, then light it. Try a couple of light taps to see if you're splashing fuel. If you do, play "touch and tickle" for two minutes, then try a couple more light taps. If you get minimal flame left to wipe out, you can start impact play. Start slowly and ramp up the impact as the fuel burns out. Resoak and start again. This is very fun scene after other heavy impact play, it's a bit stingy though not unsafe if there is broken skin (always dedicate toys to a single person when they're used on broken skin).

Problems

If you spill fuel - first douse all flame, then mop up all the spilled fuel with a towel. Then take the towel outside or put it directly in the washer. If spilled fuel ignites - cover the flame with your damp towel and spray any visible (or suspected) flames with cold water from the spray bottle. If that doesn't take care of it, you have your extinguisher. Both the top and the bottom should know the 'stop, drop and roll' technique.

Wand making.

Cotton cotton cotton! Use only cotton tube gauze, cotton batting to stuff them and 100% cotton thread to tie them off. I find bamboo works well for a stick/handle. It doesn't absorb much fuel, it won't burn at 70% alcohol temperatures, and it will remain cool. Plain chopsticks work well for igniters and drawing wands, I use chef's chopsticks for percussion wands because they are are longer and slightly heavier.

After the fire.

Cool it down with damp towels. If there are any 1st degree burns (sunburn like), cold wet used teabags give instant relief.
Talk about the the scene - what was hot, what could have been better, cuddle, then shower off any fuel and burnt hair.

copyright BadBear Worx 2008

Thanx muchly

that (educatin') SpencerBear

Edited with help and comments from autumn_sylver, fluffydescent, kikisub, jovial_kitten and dianthus

Interesting question...

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:08:55 GMT

And rather than be percieved as snarky on the forum that germinated this thought and post, I figured I'd do it here-

Given the general willingness for people to talk about and decribe thier kink in the same way as they talk about thier sexual orientation - often going so far as to describe as a sexual orientation.

If the question is, "How do I introduce my vanilla partner to kink?"

Isn't that really the same thing as asking, as someone nominally bisexual for the purposes of the question, "How do I introduce my heterosexual partner to gay sex?" (or, "How do I introduce my homosexual partner to straight sex?")

Isn't this whole question a little disingenuous? If it is a sexual orientation, then leave them the fuck alone! Go find a damn munch or a website or a club and pick somebody up from there! Quit trying to "convert" people - or you have no damn business arguing kink is an "inherent part of who you are."

If it's inherent, then they'd be doing it!

This mini-rant provided by the 2nd Draft Of edwarddain's Dissertation in partnership with A Very Slow Night At The Office.

- Submissive Journey Weekend -

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:20:06 GMT

Being a slave or submissive is a lifelong journey of learning...learning about yourself, your service and your stature.

Submissive Journey Weekend has been created for exploration into all those areas..and more! Venture into a choice of workshops, classes and discussions at this intense weekend of learning developed and led by slaves and submissives:

Preparing For Service
Effective Communication
Personal Growth Work
Challenges in D/s
Loss, Uncollaring and Other Changes
Creating Sacred Space
Multi-Dimensional Service
Problem Solving Within D/s Relationships
Obedience 101
Mentorship - Advanced Learning
Personal Srevice - Everyone Loves Jeeves
The Formal Table Made Simple
The Art Of Tea Service
Bootblacking - Starting Off On The Right Foot
Leathercare - Beyond The Boots
Manners & Etiquette
Never Enough Time In The day
Breaking The Silence
Protocol Basics

This all-inclusive weekend is limited to less than 3 dozen participants.

Continue your journey here

South Plains Leather Fest

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:48:40 GMT

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CROSS-POST

South Plains Leatherfest – International Master/slave Weekend
Dallas, Texas – February 22-24, 2008
www.southplainsleat herfest.com

Register Now! – Early Registration Ends December 17, 2007

Mark Frazier, Master Jim, and slave marsha invite you to join us in Dallas, February 22-24, 2008 for South Plains Leatherfest- International Master/slave Weekend! Act now, and you can still get the early registration rate of $89.00 — but only until December 17!

South Plains is proud to offer two seminar "tracks" featuring some of the community's best-known presenters on Master/slave relationships and advanced SM techniques. Presenters for the M/s Track include Master Larry and slave barb (IM/s 2007), Mistress Suzan and slave ziggy (IM/s 2006) , Sir Stephen and slave catherine (IM/s 2005), Master Scott (IM 2002), and Master Jim and slave marsha (IM/s 2001). The Leather/SM Track features, among others, Midori, Mark Frazier, Hardy Haberman, Office Wes, and Lolita.

South Plains also is the home of the International Master/slave Contest, which kicks off at the Dallas Eagle on Friday evening with the introduction of the contestant pairs and concludes Saturday evening at the host hotel. The contest is guaranteed to be entertaining with Pat Baillie and Randal Kinnear as emcees.

Each year, South Plains hosts a Sunday Brunch, featuring a keynote speaker. This year, the tradition of the Sunday Brunch continues with keynote speaker Allena Gabosch, Executive Director of the Seattle Sex Positive Community Center. Rumor has it that her keynote speech will be about… sex! Brunch tickets are available for purchase for $20 when you register on line.

This brunch is always a sell out—don't miss it!

And what would a leather weekend be without play parties? South Plains has them – and you can buy your tickets to all three parties (Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights) on line when you register. Space is limited – buy your tickets today!

Interested in helping create the magic that is South Plains? We're still accepting volunteers – and South Plains is one of the only events that rewards its volunteers with a complimentary event package for only 6 hours of volunteer time! Check out the volunteer requirements and find out how to apply at the Volunteer section of the South Plains website, www.southplainsleatherfest.com.

The South Plains host hotel, the Crowne Plaza on Mockingbird Lane, is offering an outstanding room rate of only $66 per night (plus tax) for up to 4 people. Rooms are going fast, so call 214-630-8500 now and ask for the South Plains group rate

Kink in the mainstream media...

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:29:24 GMT

Picture discovered on a friend's blog. Apparently it's fashion week in Milan (or was recently).

Dolce & Gabbana is a high end fashion house that has a collection with a distinctly kinky flavor (whips-as-accessory, masks, corsety belts).

That being said, I don't know what the general public will make of this sort of advertising. I think it's irresponsible of them to promote rape fantasy that isn't clearly labeled oh...... fantasy?

Don't we as kinky people have *enough* problems with perception of what we do without this sort of helpfulness?

Something for us edgeplayers to ponder

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 08:06:27 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/11/bondage.death.ap/index.html

Now I could and will point out all the incredibly stupid shit about this tragidity. First and formost the idea of mummifying someone and locking them in a closet and then GOING TO BED?!?!?! is just about the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. And the fact that he continued to keep his slave in the closet AFTER his slave had already had one episode of breathing difficulty was just unconscionable. IMHO yes this guy was guilty of at least involuntary manslaughter. When someone asks for this kind of situation then it is entirely up to the person in charge to make sure that everything is done with the upmost concern for safety. Now I get that some people want to play in ways that are not safe, that that is part of the thrill but sometimes the person in charge has got to say "nope sorry thats not going to happen like that". Thats why they're in charge.

All that said I would be a major hypocrite if I didnt admit that the idea of sticking a thoroughly demolished woman in a latex bodysack and then shoving then in a little compartment under my bed for the night didnt sound like a real good time. However I dont think I could ever really do something like that without some serious medical monitoring...Heart monitor, CO2 monitor, O2 monitor. That and I seriously doubt I could ever sleep while someone is bound like that. Its just so hard for me to read this and not think "WTF were you thinking you stupid fuck!??!". Of course the answer is that he wasnt thinking much at all.

I realize that this is a serious bit of monday morning quartbacking and that I do my fair share of risky behavior, which is probably why this article gave me a bit of pause. Its just one more reminder that the things that we do are in fact dangerous and cannot be taken lightly.

x-posted

New Community

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:53:36 GMT

For those who think all men should be slaves. :)

Hypnosis

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:36:38 GMT

Fifteen years ago, when I first started journeying this path, my dominant introduced me to hypnosis. I remember he had printouts, and he told me he'd found things 'on the net' as it was called then -- the web was only in its beginning phases. He had found a basic relaxation induction, and we both learned together how to use these things -- being careful, taking baby steps, learning from others' mistakes as much as possible. I didn't do as much in the Guide role as he did, and never really accumulated my own collection of texts.

Fast forward 15 years, and I have a new dominant partner who has expressed an interest in finding out more. Now, when I search the web, I see pretty much only porn videos, pre-made videos or audio files targetted to specific goals (most often various aspects of forced feminization), and fractional bits of text that start, "after you have the subject in a trance, say this" or "put this script into your audio maker and have them listen to it."

Does anyone have pointers to freely available induction scripts? Preferably ones that don't sound like they're desperately trying to convince the subject that they want to be hypnotized? (I found a couple of partially transcribed scripts on the website for the yahoo group Hypnotic-Wordz that sounded awfully lame to me...)

Why don't I write one myself? The problem is that if I'm too active in teaching this, I'm going to be observing the 'performance' for critiqueing, which is counter-productive when the goal is for me to be the subject. If I write the script, I'm going to be hyper-aware of when he deviates from it -- which I'm sure he will.

What I remember being used for me, lo those many years ago, was a visualization-of-nature relaxation-induction. I remember my then-partner doing that a number of times running -- at least three occasions that I can recall -- and only then was there any sort of triggering suggestions made.

I know that part of my inability to remember specifics is deliberate, and part is just the effects of 15 years duration. *shrugs* Life happens.

If anyone can suggest a different community to ask in, I'll be happy to move my questions. I'll also be happy to share anything I find out, to the extent I am allowed by the people who own the text I find.

Thank you for reading!

Stand Up and Be Counted!

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:25:28 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stand Up and Be Counted!

Participate in the Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against
Sexual Minorities

September 19, 2007, New York, NY - Susan Wright and Larry
Iannotti would like to announce the launch of the second national
Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities,
being conducted in cooperation with the National Coalition for
Sexual Freedom. This survey includes all of the questions asked
on NCSF's ground-breaking 1998 Violence & Discrimination Against
Sexual Minorities survey, and includes new questions on personal,
business, and Internet discrimination experienced by BDSM-leather-
fetish practitioners.

The link to the survey is on NCSF's website: www.ncsfreedom.org

Please take a minute to fill out this anonymous survey even if
you have not been a victim of violence or discrimination.
Demographic data and information about participation in a variety
of BDSM-leather-fetish activities are also being gathered. This
survey will be distributed for one year, and the results will be
released in early 2009.

The results of this survey will be analyzed and compared to the
1998 survey, which found significant discrimination and violence
occurring against BDSM-leather-fetish practitioners. The data may
be used in court obscenity cases to prove that sexual minorities
have been chilled on the Internet because of fear of prosecution.
The survey also includes space for individuals to write about the
discrimination they have faced, which will be helpful in
illustrating the consequences of the negative stereotypes about
BDSM-leather-fetish activities.

The survey is available on Survey Monkey (a secured survey
hosting website that is used by the professional community) and
can be accessed through the NCSF website: www.ncsfreedom.org You
can contact surveybdsm@gmail.com to receive hard copies for your
event or to distribute to your members.

Please help this community-wide effort by sending this
announcement to your email list.

###

Larry Iannotti, LCSW, is a professional social scientist and
practicing therapist getting his doctoral degree through the City
University of NY. Susan Wright is the Media Spokesperson for
NCSF, and is accredited as a research assistant affiliated with
CUNY. For more information, please call Susan at 917-848-6544, or
Larry at 212-465-1917.

Eek! An Advertisement!

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:57:24 GMT

Nobody really likes adverts (ok, I guess some people might enjoy them) so just bare with me for a moment here and I'll make this as short and painless as possible. I have come to inform people of a new community out there called marks_of_honor! A place for weirdos like you and me to show case those lovely little marks that we personally bare, or have left on that certain special someone. Be it bite, scratch, cane, whip, flog, knife, or the old-fashioned hand spanking.... people can share their photos of those trophies and possibly the stories that accompany them. I like to think of it as a side-kick community to ones like nonfluffybdsm . And, of course, I will be listing nonfluffybdsm on marks_of_honor's info page as a cross-advertisment. Hope to see people there!

Thanks! ^_^