BDSM Research--Participants Needed!

by Eirikah Delaunay and Georgie Blewett

Hello sexy people! My friend and colleague, Georgie Blewett, is conducting a research study on Stigma and Belonging Amongst Kinky People as part of her studies at the University of St. Andrews, and of course I thought of all of you! If you have a few minutes and would like to add your voice to this important research on how our identities as kinky folks impact the rest of our lives, please read on for the study details and follow the link below to complete the survey.

Thank you! <3

Project: Stigma and Belonging Amongst Kinky People

This study is being conducted as part of my, Georgie Blewett, research study in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews.

We invite you to participate in a research project understanding perceptions of stigma, identity, and well-being in the BDSM (Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, and Sadomasochism) community. In this study you will receive an anonymous questionnaire about your BDSM practices, experiences of stigma and aspects of your well-being that should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.  The BDSM community is a severely under-researched group, and I would like to provide more insight and understanding on the experience of being kinky.

You will have the chance to win a $50 Amazon voucher if you are in the US, UK, or Canada, or else direct money deposit if you are outside these regions, which incur a small fee.

If you are interested, please click the link to the questionnaire below. You will then be given a Participant Information Sheet that further details my research before being asked whether you consent to participate. If you have any questions, please use the contact details below.

Questionnaire link:

https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/.../SV...

Contact Details

Researcher: Georgie Blewett

Supervisor: Dr Nicole Tausch

Contact Details: gb223@st-andrews.ac.uk (Researcher)

nt20@st-andrews.ac.uk (Supervisor)

Important: As BDSM is illegal in some countries, if you feel at all at risk, we advise you to delete your browser history and cache so there is no evidence you have taken this questionnaire. A link on how to clear your cache is provided: https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/how-to-clear-browser-cache/

Fresh Meet: What's in YOUR Toybag?

Fresh Meet is tomorrow night! Come and meet other sex-positive folks, show off your hottest outfit, and/or load up your toy bag (but please don't load it so much you hurt yourself).

Fresh Meet is an event dedicated to building community! Whether you are new to kink, new to the CSPC, or want to meet more kinky folks, Fresh Meet will have something for you! Join us at the gorgeous Gallery Erato where we will have sexy mingling, play space, and a few kink tastings. Register for members-only tickets here. 

Not a member? Not a problem! Register here for New Member Orientation before the party, and then stay to play!

Community Matters: CSPC COVID Protocols Member Survey

As we continue to surf the waves of COVID, we continue to be grateful for all the ways that our CSPC community has stepped up to help take care of each other’s safety by following the prevention protocols established when we re-opened for in-person events last year. As a reminder, those protocols are:

• Reduced ticket sales to ensure the venue capacity allowed for social distancing;

• Showing proof of vaccination at entry to any in-person event;

• Mandatory masking except when actively eating, drinking, or using your mouth in a scene.

In response to the changes in public health recommendations, the Board expanded the cap on ticket sales from 100 to 120 in April 2022 so that more of our community could gather at our events. However, so far we have maintained our mandatory vaccination and masking policies for the safety of our membership and volunteers.

At this time, we’d like to ask YOU, our members and volunteers, to share your thoughts about the protocols we have in place, potential changes to those protocols, and how those changes might impact your sense of safety and willingness to attend or volunteer at in-person events in the next few months.

Please complete the CSPC Community Survey–COVID Protocols June 2022 by next Thursday, June 9, to let us know your preferences and ideas. This survey is anonymous and will take approximately five minutes to complete. The Board will use your feedback as we consider changes to our protocols.

Stay safe, stay sexy – The CSPC Board

Celebrating Juneteenth!

by Cass

Black Independence Day is coming!

What is that, you ask?

Juneteenth! The unofficial end of slavery was June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free.

Did you know that Juneteenth is now recognized as a Federal Holiday? 

Celebrated on June 19 every year, Juneteenth is the first new Federal holiday instituted since Martin Luther King Day in 1983. 

What do you do on Juneteenth? 

Good question. People celebrate the same ways they do on July 4th, except no fireworks. There will be cook outs, community service projects, marches, and other commemorative events. 

Should you celebrate and participate in events happening? 

Damn right, you should! Check out your "What's Happening” page in your city for a list of events and organizations participating in this year’s Juneteenth celebrations. There will be events and activities happening all weekend. I am sure you will find something the whole family will enjoy! 

Love, your family @ The CSPC 

Welcome to Pride 2022!

by Eirikah Delaunay

Update!

🏳‍🌈

Want to join in and march with us? Click to read our Pride Parade FAQ.

🏳‍🌈

Update! 🏳‍🌈 Want to join in and march with us? Click to read our Pride Parade FAQ. 🏳‍🌈

It’s time to celebrate the rainbow of beauties of our diverse authentic sexual and sensual selves! The mission of the Center for Sex Positive Culture is to “create spaces to celebrate, develop, and explore sexuality and sensuality among a diverse, supportive community,” and we can’t wait to share our Pride in who we are as individuals and as a community. 

The origins of Pride are political–held in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots that fought for the human rights of LGBTQ+ folx. Today we have much to celebrate, yet we still have a long way to go to fully protect equal treatment under the law. For more information about the origins of Pride, visit https://www.them.us/story/the-complete-history-of-pride. 

The CSPC believes that authentic sexual identity should never stand in the way of safety, health, and prosperity for all. It’s always Pride at the CSPC!

We are excited to be hosting tables at Seattle Pride events on Capitol Hill on Saturday, June 25, and at the events at Seattle Center on Sunday, June 26. We’re also marching in the Pride Parade near Seattle Center on the morning of Sunday, June 26. We’d love to have you join us! 

We’re looking for 25 CSPC folx who can commit to meeting early Sunday morning with the rest of the CSPC marching contingent on 4th Ave. between Pike St. and S Washington St. for staging before the parade begins, then shaking their groove thing for the crowds for the next few hours as the parade moves through downtown, ending at Seattle Center. 

The parade organizers require that we share a roster of marchers with proof of COVID vaccination, so signing up in advance is essential. Email us at Pride@thecspc.org today to get on the list–dress up in your Pride finest and come toss swag to the crowds with us!

We’re also thrilled to present a special Pride edition of LaQueer: An LBGTQ+ Sex Positive Party on Saturday night, June 25, after the Pride events at Capitol Hill that day! Buy your tickets early and come party with us!

Consent Corner 2.14

by Emma Atkinson and Rachel Drake 

Hello again, sexy and sassy readers!  We hope you’re keeping it real, today and always.

We’ve been pondering the nature of authenticity recently, as we’ve had occasion to participate in events that more traditionally appeal to a younger demographic than yours truly.  Has this ever happened to you:  you’re somewhere and suddenly you feel different from others around you?  Maybe you belong to a different race or gender.  Maybe your cultural background or sexual orientation is different from almost everyone else’s.  Maybe you’re: younger, older, wearing a mask, not wearing a mask, wearing a veil, or “fill in the blank here.”  Have you ever felt like an outsider or thought that you might not belong there?  

In our view, authenticity means that you’re showing up in the world as your true self.  You know who you are and who you aren’t.  You’re aware of what you like and what you don’t like quite as much.  Authenticity is keeping it real.  

You don’t owe the world or anyone else any more or less than that.  When you show up in the world as your authentic self, you give the world a chance to adore you just as you are.  And, how amazing is that?  

Consent agreements work when all participants are true to themselves.  Good consent happens when real people are involved in the process.  And, where there’s good consent, good pleasure almost always follows. 

Homework:  please practice keeping it real, and share your real experiences with us (for real) at:  info@thecspc.org.

“Be excellent to each other” - Bill and Ted

“Be sexcellent to each other” - Emma and Rachel

Hump History Year Three: Third Time's a Charm

by Teeebone

As the Hump entered its third year of operation, about half of the original founding volunteers had left the roster for various reasons. We were fortunate that we were able to find people who shared the same kind of enthusiasm and dedication to the party as the initial team members. I’ve mentioned this before: keeping your party well staffed is a challenge that every Party Champion must face.

In late February, the Hump celebrated Mardi Gras with a King Cake, complete with a "Find the King Cake Baby" contest since it was so much fun the year before. The Hump theme selected by the winner of the contest was a "Hot Buns Night" which was held in July. This event also saw the debut of TK as one of our resident DJs.

In March, the Hump and a few other events got canceled for a week while the CSPC negotiated with an insurance carrier, though we were back online by the next week. During this month we also held a fundraiser to buy and replace the old futons.

In mid-June, there was some discussion about moving the Whump from third Wednesdays to first Wednesdays of the month. The push for this was that while the Whump was held in the RAW Dungeon, the monthly CSPC Board Meetings were being held in the Annex in approximately the same time slot. With a buffer of only 10 feet or so between these two spaces, music and noise would occasionally be heard during the meeting, so it was decided to move the Whump over to first Wednesdays starting in July.

In September, Cuddle Huddle was introduced as a regular feature during the cooler months of the year during the social on third Wednesdays. This event became very popular, bringing in 12-20 attendees wanting to experience and learn more about cuddling. Also included were discussions about touch, intimacy, consent, and boundaries.

By the end of the year, the Hump was scheduling fewer special features than it had in its previous two years. This was due partly to staff (and talent) exhaustion, but also the recognition that the Foundation for Sex Positive Culture (now the Pan Eros Foundation) was better suited for providing workshops and classes for the education of the membership in general. Cuddle Huddle continued, but special features became less frequent from now on.

On January 2nd, 2011 it was formally announced that the Hump had tied the Grind for the Members Choice Award for the 2010 Volunteer Awards. In the space of three years, the Hump had become a well-known fixture at the CSPC. Here are some of the compliments:

"I love the vibe and the people running and attending it."

"There are so many things I haven't tried yet. This party gives me and other new folks an opportunity to try new things in a safe place."

"Social time, good food, dancing, great music, great sex!"

"It's cool, laid back, sensual, conversational, intimate and not too kinky."

"I can actually hang out and talk because the music isn't too loud, but I can also play in the back. Nice having both a social and a play party together."

"Fresh, variety of themes. Excellent party hosts, first rate ambassadors, social and welcoming to everyone. The music is not overpowering. The variety of social-hour "mini workshops" on dance, community issues, etc. They have a better-than-a-cheese-plate food selection usually."

It took us three years to get there, but the Hump had managed to break all expectations in terms of attendance and partygoer experience. And 2011 was just getting started…

Until next time... :^)

The Frolic 2022: From Fantasy to Fulfillment - The Pathway to Yes

Save the date for The Frolic 2022, the CSPC’s members-only, weekend-long, kinky campout! We know it's getting close, and we promise tickets will go on sale soon. 

Due to popular demand, we’re holding two (that’s right, TWO) weekend campouts this summer on private property in Snohomish County, complete with meals, education, and kinky sexy play, each with their own unique flavor! Here's a little taste of what you have to look forward to… Anticipation makes everything so much yummier!

Weekend 1 - July 22-24th - Know Yourself

Wants, Needs, Cravings

• Featuring classes on Needle Play 101, Dessert Topping, Rope Skill Share, Finding and Sharing Boundaries, Finding Intimacy with an Uncomfortable Body, Power Dynamics, Sexy Communication Skills and more! 

• Activities include outdoor fun and games (Lube slip-n-slide, anyone?), Campfire, and the Talent Show featuring the BDSM Dating Game!

Weekend 2 - Aug 5-7th - Know the Game

Mind, Body, Energy 

• Featuring classes on Digital Orgasm (fingers), the 3 Minute Game, Needles that Hurt, Impact, Stomping, Playing with Skin, A View From My Knees, and so much more!

• Activities include outdoor games, Campfire, a Kinky Carnival, and a surprise Saturday entertainment!

Things to look forward to that are different from The Frolic 2021: meals are included and Friday check-in as early as 10 am.

COVID policies: Proof of vaccination is required; masks are optional at this outdoor event.

Want to volunteer? Email frolic@thecspc.org 

Want to perform? Email tk@thecspc.org 

Welcome to All In!

by Jadzia, All In! Co-Champion

All In is called the Pan Party 

As in Pansexual and Pan gendered. 

But I think of the party as a party for everyone. 

Because it is All In. 

What is your kink? 

What do you find sexy? 

What power dynamic gets you off? 

At this party it is All In. 

If it is allowed at the Center for Sex Positive Culture, it is All In. 

If you would enjoy doing it in public, it is All In. 

If it is something you have never done before but have always wanted to do, it is All In. 

If it is something you do at every party you have ever been to, it is All In. 

The party is only as sexy, as hot, as intense, as fun as you make it–so come make it All In and more! Want to socialize? Do impact play? Bondage? Show off your fetish finery? Find a play partner or mentor? Have sex? This is the place and time! Our lights are high enough to see the whips, our music low enough to hear the moans. We will have food and social areas, sex space, play stations, and hard points- everyone is included! Any play sanctioned by The CSPC is on the table for this party. If you’re going to get messy, bring a tarp and check in with the EC! Whether you are gay, straight, queer, bi, cis, trans, gender non-conforming, dominant, submissive, a switch, top, or bottom, this party is for you.

Get your tickets today! Attendance is limited to 120, and tickets must be purchased online. If you have questions, please email us at allin@thecspc.org! To stay up to date as well as discuss play plans, rides, scene ideas, or any other mischievous debauchery, check out and join our Fetlife Group!