Statement on House Bill 2112

The Washington State Legislature has introduced House Bill 2112, also known as the “Keep Our Children Safe” act. This act would require all sex-positive commercial entities in Washington State to require that their users submit to digital age verification to prove they are over 18 before accessing their websites. According to language in the bill, our organization’s mission—to create spaces to celebrate, develop, and explore sexuality and sensuality amongst a supportive community—might be considered to be “designed to appeal to or pander to the prurient interest.” If so, we would need to implement such age verification on our entire website, not just checking proof-of-age with a valid government-issued ID at the door to our events.

According to the Electronics Frontier Foundation (EFF), age verification laws like this one mandate the use of identity verification services that are “deeply discriminatory.” Age estimation technologies have higher error rates for people of color, trans people, and people with disabilities. Additionally, third-party ID services have had their websites hacked and their data leaked, posing security and privacy risks for everyone required to use them.

This bill is being considered in committee this coming Friday, January 16th, 2026. If you’d like to testify at that meeting, submit written testimony, or state your position without testifying, you can do so at this link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House?selectedCommittee=31640&selectedMeeting=33607

Additional Information:

Full contents of the bill itself 

EFF’s Hidden Dangers of Age Verification 

EFF’s Hack of Age Verification Company Shows Privacy Danger of Social Media Laws

The Frolic: Bittersweet Farewell

by Mina (she/her), Co-Director

TL;DR: It is with mixed feelings that I announce that the Frolic event has been discontinued. I recommend checking out Kinky Acres WA and their outdoor Spring/Summer events on FetLife! If interested in discussing potential options for hosting a small outdoor event within the CSPC, I encourage volunteers to reach out to the Events Director at eventsdirector@thecspc.org. 

The Frolic group on FetLife and the designated channels in the CSPC Discord server will become inactive and archived at the end of January 2026. 

My intention of the following writing is to break the glass. I’m more than a name on the Directory page, more than a volunteer. I’m a guarded introvert that believes everyone deserves to have a safe place to be themselves, and I enthusiastically devote a lot of time and energy to make that happen within this organization, as do so many other folx within our community. So this is me taking up space, taking a leap of vulnerability, and sharing maybe a little too much of my humanness.

A Little More Personal | Content Warning: Bereavement, Mental Health

Where: Hugo House

Music: “You Know I Can’t” - Josh Kramer, Shades of Grey

After volunteering in various roles for The Frolic three years in a row, I can say that it was an event like no other for me. Its unique space fulfilled my needs of community, kink, and self-care. I was able to share an intimacy and vulnerability that I typically wouldn’t have felt inspired or comfortable enough to do at a play event. Through shared meals, classes, and scenes, I experienced connections in a gentle but raw and primal sense.

I had the privilege of co-directing the 2024 event with Turtle (as perceived), a long-time volunteer with The CSPC. Without her creativity, passion, and steadfast support for this 6-day, 5-night event, I believe it would not have succeeded as well as it did while she held leadership roles in 2023 and 2024. After doubling our volunteer staff in 2024, both Co-Directors and 50 Lead and Core volunteers gave their all and then some, leaving too many of us hollow by the end of it. And yet, we still wanted to come back again the following year; volunteers and attendees giving immediate feedback and alternatives to strengthen this space of exploration. When Turtle announced her leave of absence from volunteering for personal needs, I felt anxious taking this on without her but optimistic about the future.

A few short months later, that optimism and excitement was suffocated by a sickly moment of dark surprise, seasoned with a series of unfortunate events. My younger sister had passed away and I had to announce that Frolic 2025 was on hiatus. If you know, you know how twilight zone grief can feel (“a feeling of being disconnected from reality, where things seem ‘off’ or you're just zoning out into a daydream”). For the last year, I have been avoidant of my reality, taking a large step back in volunteering, keeping only a small thread to feel anchored in the dark comfort of isolation. 

While I hope to be more involved in the future, I’m protecting my fragile peace by walking away from projects that ask more than I’m able to give. Thank you for all the support and memories during my time with Frolic. I hope to make more memories one day with new outdoor adventures.

Research Study Opportunity

Would you like to be part of a collaborative research study focused on BDSM participants’ experiences of erotic ritual?

“The intention of this research is to, in a small way, help shed light on historically stigmatized BDSM practices and communities.”

If so, please check out the flyer below!

For more info, or to sign up: email Claire Sanchez, MA, Ph.D. Candidate, Meridian University eroticritualandemotionstudy@protonmail.com

New Incident Reporting Process

Hey folks,

We've rolled out a new incident reporting process! This new system involves the participation of several board members to help make decisions more quickly. It also involves partial anonymization as an effort to afford bias and conflicts of interest. The President and Vice President receive all incoming incident reports, anonymize them, and send it to a rotation of other board members to decide on what appropriate action should be taken.

That's just for incidents reported through our online form. At events, if you have a concern with another member, please reach out to a monitor or the on-duty EC. On Discord, reach out to a mod. Regular reports from our Events and Comms Directors are in the process of being worked into this system so we can consistently promote our culture of consent.

We'll keep improving this system as we use it. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to vanessa@thecspc.org.

Ticket Cap Reminder

With cold and flu season rapidly approaching (if it isn’t already here), we want to remind you that in the months of December, January, and February we will be capping parties at 100 tickets. This is especially important for the parties that sell out consistently — looking at you, Fresh Meet and LaQueer — and will also mean that parties that don’t usually sell out might do so in these months! We encourage you to grab tickets early if you want to attend parties, and take advantage of the Ticket Transfers channel in the Discord server if you are looking for last-minute tickets or want to offload tickets you bought. 

Another great way to get into parties is to become a volunteer and sign up for events! You can find more about how to get started as a volunteer on our website. Please note that the volunteer approval process is not instantaneous, so get started soon so you’ll be ready to go when your favorite party hits the calendar. You have to have an active membership in order to volunteer, so make sure you’re up to date before you submit your volunteer application. 

Lastly, thank y’all so much for continuing to stay home when you’re not feeling well. It’s a huge bummer to miss a party, but we see everyone taking the necessary steps to protect yourselves and each other, and the community is a lot better for it. 

Stay safe and stay sexy, even in the depths of cold and flu season! 

Event Arrivals and Departures

Arrival Reminder

When attending an event with a New Member Orientation (NMO), please be aware of your impact. If you arrive while the NMO is still in progress, keep noise levels to a minimum. Talk only as loud as necessary to complete registration. 

Once you move from the registration area to the main area, please wait quietly for the NMO to end. Save conversation for when the event has started or take it outside the building. 

If the downstairs is open, you may proceed there to socialize, put your items in lockers, or use the restrooms. Please be aware that play is not permitted before the event start time and that early admittance to the downstairs is not always possible due to the demands of setup. 

Members are welcome to attend NMO with a regular member ticket, just let the registration volunteer know that you are a member so they can look for your name on the correct registration list.

End of Event Reminder

All play should wrap up at least 15 minutes prior to the end of the event. Attendees should be ready to exit the building by the event’s listed end time.

The only people remaining in the building after the listed end time should be volunteers involved in strike, trash removal, or with Event Coordinator permission, such as attendees waiting in the reception area for their transportation to arrive or to provide transportation for a volunteer. 

This is not a new rule, rather it is a return to enforcing our already existing policy. Thank you for your understanding.

So You Want to Be a Board Member?

By Skitty

Fantastic! The Center for Sex Positive Culture needs you. You are the Center. The Board is always looking for folx who want to step up, take on more responsibility, and help chart a path forward for this organization that we all love so passionately. To assist with getting you more involved, here are some things you should know.

Why does the CSPC have a Board of Directors?

The Center for Sex Positive Culture is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit, operated in a manner consistent with maintaining that tax-exempt status. We are a membership-based community center for the benefit of sex-positive culture, focusing on Seattle and the surrounding areas. Here is our mission statement:

• The Center for Sex Positive Culture creates spaces to celebrate, develop, and explore sexuality and sensuality among a diverse, supportive community.

We are required to have a working Board of Directors, including the Executive Offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, with a minimum of seven Directors. We may also have up to two Community Directors (chosen by Membership).

What do individual Board Members do?

• Board members typically volunteer between 10 and 40 hours per week, on top of attending events and any other volunteer roles they take on (such as EC, Champion, Online Host, etc.). 

• Basic duties include:

• participating in weekly Board video calls

• preparing for, and attendance at, the monthly Board Meeting

• engaging in a yearly Board Retreat (intensive, day-long work meeting)

• serving on committees and disappearing task forces (DTFs)(e.g., building committee, document creation/revision DTF)

• managing special initiatives

• participating in fundraising by volunteering as staff, donating or procuring items, or making financial contributions

• directing recurring seasonal events (e.g., CSPC Pride, the Frolic)

• attending/leading one-on-one and small group meetings

• answering emails — so many emails!

• writing reports, creating documents, compiling spreadsheets

• monitoring CSPC social media, engaging when necessary, and keeping a professional tone and attitude

• liaising with other organizations and individuals sharing a similar or related mission

• Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) and Division Directors (Events, HR, Operations, and Communications) all handle a ton more responsibilities related to their role, contributing many additional volunteer hours per week.

• All Board Members are expected to take on an initiative of their choosing, or a Directorship, or an Executive Office, after a few months of settling in and getting a feel for the basic responsibilities of being a Board Member.

What qualifications does a person need in order to be a Board Member?

There is a lot of flexibility with respect to the qualifications required to be a Board Member. This is on purpose — to help remove barriers and promote diversity in leadership. That said, a few things are necessary.

All Board Members must be willing to:

• consistently devote productive time to the CSPC

• maintain communication with the other Directors

• serve the three-year term for which they have been elected

• allow their full legal name to be made available in public record

• provide their current address, phone numbers, and email address to the Board

• fill out a conflict of interest form, understand the implications of their personal, financial, and other volunteer relationships, and be willing to answer questions about those relationships

• maintain an active CSPC membership

• execute the documentation required for membership and Board participation

Recommended qualifications:

• minimum one year of active CSPC membership

• extensive volunteer experience within the CSPC, including leadership positions (demonstrates characteristics required for successful Board participation)

• periodic attendance at Board Meetings (demonstrates an interest in, and understanding of, the workings of the CSPC)

• work experience relevant to the role of Board Member

• volunteer experience outside of the CSPC

• education, apprenticeships, certifications (in whatever — all of these really do count!)

• life experience and the ability to demonstrate how that is applicable

What are the characteristics of a successful Board Member?

The CSPC is a diverse community and so are Board Members. That said, there are a number of characteristics needed to be successful and effective:

• consistently demonstrate a solid understanding and application of consent culture, commitment to consent culture, and a willingness to engage in ongoing consent education

• demonstrate an impeccable practice of confidentiality

• behave with emotional intelligence

• when applicable, disagree productively in the appropriate venue

• ability to collaborate and communicate electronically or have a willingness to learn how to use Proton, Google Drive, docs, spreadsheets, forms, etc.

• consistently represent the organization, adhering to the mission statement and House Rules

• think and act independently

• be highly motivated

• be reliable

• be dependable

• follow through on commitments, responsibilities, and projects

What else do I need to know before applying?

Volunteering as a Board Member is an enormous responsibility. It is not for the faint of heart. You will be a public-facing representative of the organization, both within our events, and outside of the community. Much of your work will go unrecognized and will often be criticized. There will be much you cannot speak about publicly — ever. It will change the way you interact with the rest of the community. Some of the things you can do as a regular Member, you cannot do as a Board Member. For your entire term, and quite a while after that, everything you do or say will be interpreted (rightly or wrongly) as coming from “the Board.” It is, at times, exhausting.

All that said, being a Board Member is an honor and a privilege. It is an opportunity to connect with membership in a unique way, and provides a profound opportunity to shape and change the organization. It is an act of service that will forever change you and the way you view this beloved community.

What is the application process?

• Reread the above information and consider whether this is the right time for you to put your name forward. We will always need new Board Members — next month, next year, next decade… There is no rush. 

• Engage with current and/or past Board Members, asking them about their experiences and any questions you may have.

• Fill out the Google Form.

• Include some sort of résumé. This can be along the lines of a customary business résumé or some other format that provides information as to your skills and experience relevant to the work of a Board Member. If this, or any aspect of the application process is preventing you from putting your name forward for consideration, please let us know. Assistance can be provided or accommodations made.

• Demonstrate your ability to represent the community in a respectful, informed, and civil manner. This includes the ways you interact with others at CSPC events, on social media, and in the surrounding sex-positive community.

• Demonstrate your ability to lead by becoming more involved: 

• If you haven’t already, volunteer to take on other leadership positions within the CSPC. If you are not sure how, ask someone in leadership, preferably in the area that interests you the most.

• Check out our monthly Board Meetings and if applicable, participate during the attendee comments period. Get to know the inner workings of the organization, the Board Members, and help us get to know you and your vision of the CSPC.

What if this isn’t the right fit? How do I make a meaningful contribution to the organization?

Not everyone is best suited for the role of Board Member. Not everyone wants to serve on the Board. That doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to the CSPC in a substantial, meaningful, and enriching way. The CSPC needs volunteers in every capacity. If you see a need, bring forward your ideas of how you can make changes in the community.

Approach this as you would when considering a new play partner. Think about what you have to offer, what attracts you to the other person, what kind of play you are interested in, and then negotiate a scene or a relationship that can be enjoyable and fulfilling for both of you. As with play, you may not end up with the scene you first envisioned, but hopefully something even better!

Please direct questions and feedback arising from this article to: president@thecspc.org

Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

August 15

Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture | Jotería ($35+ | in person)

Get ready for Jotería – the queer twist on Lotería! Join us for an evening of laughs, drinks, friendly competition, and prizes. Jotería is more than just a game—it's a lively and unapologetic celebration of Mexican and Queer culture, blending tradition with bold, joyous expression.

August 16

Emerald City Trapeze Art | Sans Solos Deux! ($33+ | in person)

The domination of solo circus acts was subverted by performers who rallied together to create stunning ensemble work. Now, it is a dark time for the rebellion. The pressures of urban life force artists into making pragmatic career choices, and the true enemy of collaborators rears its ugly head: scheduling group rehearsals!!! They move in perfect synchrony in the air and blend their balancing talents: duos, trios, teams, but nary a soloist will launch each other higher, throw each other further, and respirate as one to take your breath away. Expect high-energy acrobatics, high flying trapeze, hilarious emcee moments, and beautiful aerial duets!

August 28

SEA-PAH | Slightly Puppy Social (free | in person)

Slightly Furry welcomes the pack to their tap room for a weekday social. Are you looking for a social that's a little easier to socialize at? Join us at Slightly Furry for another amazing evening to meet new pups and try new drinks. They even have pup-specific treats!

September 6

Gallery Erato | Rope And… ($25 | in person)

This is a “rope focused” play party that encourages mixing in your favorite other ways to play.  This event provides a safe(r) and consensual space for individuals to engage in various forms of kink play, encouraging both beginners and experienced enthusiasts to come together and indulge in their desires. Whether you're interested in rope, sex, impact play, or anything else, plenty of like-minded people will come together for an evening of enjoyment. Please note that all participants must behave responsibly, respectfully, and consensually to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Join us for a night of empowerment, expression, and exploration.

September 6

The Beacon Cinema | SECS Fest Presents The Last Bath ($15 | in person)

Seattle’s very own contribution to the “Golden Age of Porn” is back on the big screen for its 50th anniversary! Horny photographer David is picked up by a pair of hippie chicks while hitchhiking along Aurora Avenue and invited to a weekend at their cabin in the woods, only to discover that his hosts may have more ominous plans in store for him. But where do David’s erotic dreams end and his increasingly nightmarish reality begin? The Last Bath offers a psychedelic blend of avant-garde pretension and hardcore sex. With scenes filmed on and around the UW campus, University Bridge, Pioneer Square, and the Lake Union houseboats—plus a musique concrete score and more trippy optical-printer effects than you can shake a dick at—don’t miss this weird and sexy glimpse into Seattle’s countercultural past!

September 10

SEAF Presents | Sensual Sessions: Paint & Sip ($40 | in person)

Sensual Sessions aims to create a relaxed space where through art you can explore the sensual planes of our bodies. Guests will create paintings that explore making shapes through light and shadow work on canvas. By the end of the class, guests should have one finished acrylic on canvas painting of the female form in a seductive pose.

September 10

Papaya Project | Sex Trivia ($12+ | in person)

This monthly event is the best way to learn about and celebrate pleasure, queerness, and the science of sex! We kick off the evening with a brief introduction, then dive right into sex trivia. All identities and backgrounds are welcome. Trivia questions cover a wide variety of sex and sexuality-related topics, so get ready to challenge yourself, learn something new, and have a good time. Proceeds go toward Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center.

Broaden Your Mind

Other Community Events to Enjoy!

The CSPC throws amazing parties and hosts many important discussions on various topics. But luckily, we live in a place where there are many more options to dive into sex- and body-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

We include non-CSPC events in every issue. If you have an event suggestion or feedback from a past event you’ve attended, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

Editor’s note for all events*

As a reminder, these are non-CSPC events. We include them as a way to open your mind to other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions. We encourage you to vet other organizations to see if they are places you would feel comfortable, and we appreciate feedback if we have listed an organization/event that does not appear to share CSPC values.

July 10–12

Three Dollar Bill Cinema | Queer and Trans Film Festival ($15+ | in person)

Get ready to party like it’s 1996! This year, Three Dollar Bill Cinema is turning back the clock and turning up the volume with a fierce, joy-filled retrospective at the Queer & Trans Film Festival 2025—July 10–12 at Broadway Performance Hall and Erickson Theater. We’re uniting the legacy of the Seattle Queer Film Festival and TRANS|lations to celebrate 30 years of queer cinema and 20 years of trans storytelling. That means iconic shorts and features from festivals past, a brand-new lineup of trans-made and trans-led short films, and a spotlight on the brilliant local voices that shaped our scene. No virtual fest this year—so mark your calendar, grab your crew, and get ready to celebrate the stories that made us.

July 11

Fremont Abbey | An Interactive Evening Suitable for Introverts ($29.25 | in person)

An evening designed to foster curiosity and creativity, "An Interactive Evening Suitable for Introverts" invites guests (introverted, extroverted, or anyone in between) to enjoy a night of music, poetry, and hands-on art—all at their own pace. Hosted by performing songwriter Allison Preisinger, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore your creative side in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, whether you prefer to observe or actively participate.

July 16

Papaya Project | Spicy Speed Dating for Queer Femmes & Thems ($15 | in person)

Looking to make new connections while exploring different perspectives on identity, relationships, sexuality, and pleasure? If you're a femme or non-binary queer person, this event is for you! Let’s come together for a night of meeting new people, making friends, and maybe even finding a spicy spark or two (or three).

July 18

Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center | Gardens & Gems ($25+ | in person)

Are you ready to sparkle and shine at Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center's summer fundraiser, Gardens & Gems? This isn't your ordinary gala; it's an evening of queer entertainment, art, and pure community joy. Dress up in your most fabulous floral or gem-inspired attire and join us for a night of opulence and fun, all while supporting the Center's mission to cultivate access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation and joy in our communities.

July 19

Kremwerk | Shit Show Last Shit Show ($12–$20 | in person)

Let’s celebrate two unforgettable years of unhinged drag, twisted survival challenge showdowns, and...other things!!!! Come witness us put these queens through hell one more time for the shittiest show in history…as we invite back some of your favorites, and some creatures you haven't even seen before…

July 26

The Beacon Cinema | Underwater Love ($13.12 | in person)

Ever wondered what a kappa’s cock looks like? Seattle’s favorite drag queen UH OH wants to show you! Uh Oh joins us on Saturday, July 26 to perform and host a special screening of UNDERWATER LOVE, a pornographic musical romance about the mythical Japanese water-creature from pink film legend Shinji Imaoka, shot by Wong Kar-wai’s cinematographer Christopher Doyle(!) and featuring the infectious pop music of Stereo Total.

August 2

The Beacon Cinema | SECS Fest Presents Blonde Ambition ($13.12 | in person)

One of the funniest (not to mention gayest) heterosexual adult films ever produced, The Amero Brothers’ love letter to the golden age of Hollywood musicals is a tour de force of burlesque humor, uproarious sight gags, and madcap set pieces, all culminating in one of the most outrageous finales in hardcore film history!

August 3

Consent Academy | Real Talk: Consent Culture for Leather, Kink, and Lifestyle Folks ($0–$20 | online)

This support group is designed for individuals in the BDSM, kink, lifestyle, and greater sex-positive community, including munch leaders, event producers, dungeon monitors, organizational representatives, consent advocates, and anyone interested in enhancing their understanding of consent practices. For two hours, facilitators will create a welcoming and supportive environment for open discussions about consent incidents and violations and how to move through them.

August 3

Theatre Off Jackson | The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq ($45+ | in person)

The longest running and ONLY monthly ALL PEOPLE OF COLOR Burlesque Revue in the Pacific Northwest, The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq, is back! Please join us for an evening of dazzling dancing, tantric teasing, and all around prismatic sexy magic with some of the hottest Burlesque performers this side of the Mississippi! There will be so many shades and flavors of chocolate, caramel, mocha, lemon meringue, and red velvet dripping from the Theatre Off Jackson stage that you are guaranteed to leave with a tooth ache.