{"id":1051,"date":"2004-11-20T11:40:00","date_gmt":"2004-11-20T11:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foxtongue.com\/dreampepper\/2004\/11\/20\/sadomasochism-conference-whips-up-criticism\/"},"modified":"2004-11-20T11:40:00","modified_gmt":"2004-11-20T11:40:00","slug":"sadomasochism-conference-whips-up-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foxtongue.com\/dreampepper\/2004\/11\/20\/sadomasochism-conference-whips-up-criticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Sadomasochism conference whips up criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

Letters to the Editor
\nAttn: mmaloney@vancourier.com<\/p>\n

Re: Sadomasochism conference whips up criticism
\n
\nWhile I understand how very important Suzanne’s particular style of social work is, I also think she may be suffering from being overlong in the trenches.<\/p>\n

I fail to see why it’s troublesome that timing of a BDSM conference co-incides with a movement against violence. Women often feel silenced in a world too-often run by men. Nowhere is it safer for a woman to speak up and be heard, and explore her sexuality safely, than in a community of people who have learned, and actively teach, the tenets of Safety, Sanity and Informed Consent.<\/p>\n

I am profoundly insulted by the blurry-eyed sentiment that a woman in any sexual situation is relegated to being seen as a victim of sexual violence regardless of her own (oft strongly stated) positive opinion on the matter. I believe in strong women. I believe women do take control and make their own choices about their sexuality. That’s political. How that sexuality of each woman is expressed is personal. It’s not political. I can’t tell someone that they must indulge in BDSM play, and no-one gets to tell me I can’t.<\/p>\n

Suzanne says she has no trouble with the individuals who practice SM, but goes on to state that BDSM players are “asking the rest of us to accept that this is healthy”. This brings to mind the many similar statements made against the queer community. So BSDM players are okay as people, but BDSM activities are so heinous that they shouldn’t be done in the first week of December. How’s that again?<\/p>\n

She’s concerned that “women will end up as the unwilling partners of violent men turned on by fetish practices”. Violence isn’t done by men who, if not for pornography, would be gentle little lambs. It’s done by power-hungry idiots who would be abusive in any year, and land, under any circumstance. And hey, if porn causes violence, look to your Canada Customs agents for the next outbreak, because I hear they have a nice collection belonging to Little Sister’s Bookstore.<\/p>\n

Suzanne goes on to say that “Women are being hurt and killed by this behaviour and people are trying to mainstream it.”
\nOh, Darlin’. Once we do manage to pull BDSM play out of the closet and all the way into the mainstream, the only people who are going to be hurt by it are those who don’t attach their suspension points to the ceiling well enough. Haven’t you learned from your clients what really hurts women? <\/p>\n

Silence, fear and ignorance are tools of oppression. Information-sharing, pride in self, and really good sex… now those are my tools for a revolution.<\/p>\n

Elaine Miller
\nFeminist, LeatherDyke, Columnist<\/p>\n

From: Paul McEwan
\nBelow is a prominent news item published in the Vancouver Courier that is
\ntrying to stir up controversy by equating BIO with violence against women.
\nI am hopeful we can get support by way of letters to the editor’s opinion
\ncolumn. I hope you understand the benefit of women writing the letters. If
\nthere is anything else you can think of to battle this type of press, it
\nwould be helpful. Send the letters to, mmaloney@vancourier.com<\/p>\n

It’s odd that after 7 conferences, this is the first one to be noticed in
\nthis way.<\/p>\n

Thank you so much,
\nPaul McEwan<\/p>\n

BIO Event Productions<\/i>
\n——————————– the original article as follows:<\/p>\n

Sadomasochism conference whips up criticism<\/p>\n

By Sandra Thomas-Staff writer<\/p>\n

A local rape crisis worker says the timing of an upcoming conference
\ndedicated to sadomasochistic bondage practices is disturbing.<\/p>\n

Suzanne Jay, who works at the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter,
\nsaid she’s troubled the Conference of Kink, produced by local group BIO
\n(By Invitation Only) is scheduled at the Maritime Labour Centre Dec. 3 and
\n4. She said the conference dates fall during the national 16 Days of
\nAction Against Gender Violence campaign organized by women’s groups across
\nCanada. The conference also falls two days before the anniversary of the
\n1989 killings in Montreal of 14 women by a man who said he hated
\nfeminists.<\/p>\n

“I also find it disturbing that they’re looking at this as a celebration
\nand asking the rest of us to accept that this is healthy,” she said.<\/p>\n

Reive Doig, a conference organizer and co-founder of BIO, said he
\nunderstands why Jay would be concerned but suggested she does not
\nunderstand his group’s beliefs.<\/p>\n

“People have been involved in this lifestyle for years and a lot of it was
\nunderground,” he said. “We’ve taken it upon ourselves to get involved in
\nthe community and get the information out there.”<\/p>\n

According to the group’s website, BIO is “a pansexual and sex-positive”
\norganization, holding regular educational workshops and social events. The
\nagenda includes a panel of experts from local health clinics discussing
\nsafe sex for people involved with multiple sexual partners. The conference
\nalso boasts “Vancouver’s largest dungeon play-party ever,” with activity
\ndescribed by its proponents as “bondage and discipline.” Scheduled
\nworkshops include lessons on rope-bondage sex by “renowned rope master”
\nand Vancouverite Lew Rubens.<\/p>\n

“It’s really about play, but it’s about playing safe,” said Doig. “Before
\na mountain climber starts out they have to learn the ropes. You just don’t
\nstart out mountain climbing, you need to know what you’re doing and it’s
\nthe same with [sadomasochism].”<\/p>\n

Jay said while she has no quarrel with the willing, adult members of
\ngroups like BIO, she’s concerned women will end up as the unwilling
\npartners of violent men turned on by fetish practices and symbolism.<\/p>\n

“So many men use pornography as a training manual and they try to
\nduplicate it with their girlfriends, daughters and prostitutes,” said Jay.
\n“Women are being hurt and killed by this behaviour and people are trying
\nto mainstream it. I’ve spoken to far too many [sex-trade workers] who are
\ntrying to avoid this but men convince them this is reasonable employment.”<\/p>\n

Doig said the blame for violence against women should be aimed at
\nmainstream TV and media and not at people involved in an alternative
\nlifestyle. He also denied his group’s events are male-dominated and said
\nmany women participate as so-called dominatrixes.<\/p>\n

“There are some women who take on a submissive role, but there’s just as
\nmany, if not more who enjoy being the dominant one in the relationship,”
\nhe said. “There are a lot of men out there who like to take on
\nnon-traditional roles of sexuality.”<\/p>\n

The Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter is hosting workshops and
\nvideos to mark the anniversary of the 1989 Montreal murders. The free
\nevent takes place Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vancouver Public
\nLibrary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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