Consent Corner 23.8

By Emma Atkinson

Hello lovely readers! Yes, it’s Pride month, and it’s a great time to celebrate *you* in all of your splendor.

It’s a perfect time to put on your consent hat and show off those consent-related skills you’ve been strengthening. We know that when discussing consent, good times are highly likely to be in store. Let’s celebrate good times!

Homework: Please celebrate this entire month in ways that bring you joy. We’d love to hear about how you’re celebrating at: info@thecspc.org.

“Be excellent to each other.” —Bill and Ted

“Be sexcellent to each other.” —Emma

New Volunteer Position: Registration Team Captain

The Center for Sex Positive Culture welcomes everyone and encourages our members who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ/SGL to apply for this volunteer position.

Summary/Overview:

Oversee registration volunteers, ensure that shifts are filled, train new volunteers/retrain existing ones as needed, and update training materials. This position works closely with the Operations Director and reports to the Events Director.

Responsibilities:

• Teach volunteers who are new to registration how to do the job

• Update training materials as needed, and ensure these are available to interested volunteers

• Answer any questions regarding registration shifts or duties

• Take appropriate action if registration volunteers are not performing duties correctly

• Help to ensure that registration shifts have coverage

• Suggest improvements and new possibilities

Qualifications:

• Member of the CSPC

• Completed a Volunteer Orientation and Registration Training

• Completed multiple registration shifts/familiarity with the work

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to teach short classes (online)

Contact:

• Email operationsdirector@thecspc.org to apply for this volunteer position.

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

Double Dose of The Frolic: Personal Reflection

By Bill

In summer of ‘22, the CSPC had two Frolics. I went to both.

I’ve said before, I’d love to see the CSPC educate the entire world and bring everyone around to this consent-based, inclusive, and sex-positive worldview. At The Frolic, I experienced a microcosm of that as a reality.

For several days, I wake up and it isn’t a dream or memory of last night’s amazing event that I keep quiet about to most of the people I know. The amazing is still happening, and 100% of these wonderful people are on a similar journey. Experientially, it feels like the whole world because everyone I see for days shares this general worldview that supports inclusive, safe, sex-positive exploration. It felt so liberating to stay in this community and headspace, to keep making friends, bonding, exploring, learning about myself and others.

I’m pretty new to so much here. A few years ago my wife and I read The Ethical Slut and slowly opened into CNM (consensual non-monogamy). I’d never explored kink, except in my secret porn stash and my mind—never with a real person. But my biggest issue was being shy and barely able to talk about sex with anyone. Even with my partner of 15 years, I’d been guessing what she wanted and didn’t want, instead of asking and talking.

The CSPC has been a great discovery. Such wonderful and aware people!

The food at The Frolic was delicious. The classes were great. The discussion about communication I had with Eirikah and her discussion cards probably helped me the most. The negotiations with myself and the conversations I had at The Frolic were so great for me. I played “Never Have I Ever” around the bonfire and talked with everyone late into the night about experiences and where we’re each at on our journeys. We played strip Uno in the afternoon. I learned so much and practiced being bolder. More layers of shame evaporated in the sun, just slid away, baptized by the lube slip ‘n’ slide. When it was time for monitor duty, I realized I’d been nude so long that I’d lost my shorts. I finally found them, and then it felt like a great honor to help make it safe for a friend to experience an emotionally cleansing scene in space held by trusted community.

There’s something that happens to me when I’m with others and we’re all facing down our fears and exceeding society’s limits to find out who we each truly are. It builds a feeling of deep connection. Maybe because we’re all supporting each other’s honest and deeper connection to ourselves, but it’s more than that. I’m not a good enough writer to express all that happened inside of me. Personal, and simultaneously community. Self-actualization is a name for it, I guess, and at The Frolic, that is extended over time and amplified by nature.

Great medicine. It was amazing. I made many friends, used up all my summer spoons, then came home and treated my family even better than before.

I will remember…

Note: As a member of the CSPC community who is careful about privacy, I have explicit permission from everyone mentioned in this piece to use their names and any potentially identifiable scene details.

Getting Ready to Frolic: Stewardship Day

Heyla Awesome CSPC Members!

Date: Sun 6/11 10 a.m.

Payment: free meal to you + joking and smiles

Stewardship is how our community gives back to the venues who open their doors to us by donating our love and labor for the upkeep of the property. Our own Frolic Stewardship opportunity in Buckley at Grove Getaways will be Sunday, June 11, and they will feed us! I just need to tell them how many to expect so they have enough food to feed us all.

I know, I know! So many events, so little time! I'll be hosting at PPMT the night before, going home to Snohomish, and there in Buckley after a 1.5 hour drive the next morning. But it is well worth it! The owners knocked a chunk of change off the rental fee if we'd do stewardship days, so please come out with some CSPC pride and get a sneak peek at the gorgeous property where Frolic will happen August 15-20!

Please contact us ASAP if you'd like to join the CSPC work party, and I'll send the info email by Friday, June 9.

It's outdoor work: cleaning, landscaping, building-type work to each person's capacity. Bring gloves, sunscreen, a water bottle, and wear "get dirty" clothes. We’re starting around 9:30-10 a.m. It's totally okay to leave when you need to. Feel free to bring your own tools–make sure they have your name on them!

These are amazing people and you are sure to have a good time. You will leave tired in body but re-energized in spirit!

Sign up today! Just reply to frolic@thecspc.org! Or DM Turtle on Discord at ObliqueBanter.

Next Stewardship date is July 22.

Thank you!

~Turtle & The Frolic Team

Frolic Presenters: But Wait, There's More!

The Frolic is much more than campfires and dungeons! Our top-notch presenters will help you choose your adventure as you learn more about the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements of kink. Here are bios for three more of our Frolic educators:

Jaq

A nerd who has been playing tabletop role playing games since Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and who's served as Dungeon Master for multiple campaigns in the past half-decade, I'm excited to bring the basics of roleplaying games and tabletop systems to The Frolic!

• 8/16 10 a.m. So You Want to Be a Wizard - Intro to D & D

• 8/17 1 p.m. Neuroception and You

Rockinflogger

Because I am a TOP, I have scened with many new play partners with many different body types and extremes. I have learned, through all those experiences, what to look for during a scene with a new partner. If you are or have been in a committed relationship, this may not be on your mind with new partners. With my years of experience I feel that I can work with any sub to get the best out of their subspace. I have many implements that I am able to transition with, to make the subs experience a roller coaster ride. I work with trying to make sure the sub and their subspace is ever changing & ever guessing.

• 8/17 1 p.m. Impact Play 101

• 8/19 10 a.m. Impact 201 Rise and Fall of Subspace

Larry Grella - Your Camp Director

Larry Grella, aka Temptr is a longtime member of the kink community in the Northwest. Larry has been a member of the Center for Sex Positive Culture (formerly The Wet Spot) for 20 years, a member of their Board of Directors for 17 years and is a founding board member of the Pan~Eros Foundation . He also serves as the Construction Manager for the Seattle Erotic Art Festival. In addition, he is the Event Coordinator for the play parties Monday Madness, Myself!, and Power Play Mixed Tape at the Center. Larry has given workshops for MVK as well as other venues. In addition he organized the fire performance for Rascals New Years Party several years ago. As a member of the North American Fire Artists Association he is well versed in various forms of fire play.

• 8/17 1 p.m. Canes for Pleasure and Pain

Frolic in Comfort (and Style)!

The Frolic 2023!

Aug 15-20

https://thecspc.org/frolic

VIP ROOMS

We have 4 YURTS to auction! Imagine spending this Frolic warm and cozy inside at night with your plus-one in a beautifully decorated Mongolian yurts with a queen size bed. Treat yourself!

Bidding begins at $200, but we fully expect these auctions to go higher! These rooms normally rent for $150/night online and you get it for 6 days and 5 nights! Please keep in mind that your ticket(s) to The Frolic is not included and must be purchased separately. Bidding is for the add-on VIP room only.

Auction Dates

Yurt 1 (Heart Yurt) - $525

Yurt 2 (Soul Yurt) - $530

Yurt 3 - Auction starts May 24. Ends June 14.

Yurt 4 - Auction starts June 15. Ends July 7.

Sponsor the Frolic!

Do you have a business you'd like to promote in our community? 

Would you like to help people attend camp who might otherwise find it out of reach?

Check out our Sponsorship Program! 

We have approachable donation levels that each offer opportunities to grow our community, your business as a charitable organization, and your personal reputation as a generous human.

We'd love to hear from you!

Frolic@thecspc.org

Broaden Your Mind: 6.1.23

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-positive culture. The list below is just a sampling of some great events coming up in the next month.

June 3

Seattle Pride in the Park (free | in person)

Kick off Pride Month at this family-friendly event in Volunteer Park!

https://seattlepride.org/events/seattle-pride-in-the-park-2

June 3

Kremwerk: Hyper Pride ($11.33 | in person)

HYPER is a queer party guaranteed to transform any space into an immaterial world.

https://www.kremwerk.com/upcoming/2023/06/03/hyper-pride

June 6

Queer Sex Trivia ($10–20 | in person)

Bring your friends, grab a drink, and celebrate pride month with some queer sex trivia!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-sex-trivia-optimism-brewing-tickets-617968579657

June 10

Bondage for Immobilization ($40–70 | in person)

As well as being a great addition to other kinds of play, bondage is a lot of fun in its own right. This class focuses on techniques for strict, immobilizing bondage.

https://www.pan-eros.org/event/bondage-for-immobilization-6/?instance_id=5454

June 10

SEA-PAH Monthly Open Mosh (free | in person)

Our Open Monthly Mosh is back and open to the entire community! Come on down to the Cuff Dance Floor for a mosh with SEA-PAH.

https://seapah.com/public/schedule/events/48836-sea-pah-monthly-open-mosh

June 11

Pillow Talk Salon ($0–20 | online)

Flavored with historical tidbits and engaging sex-positive ice-breakers, this event will be a place to experience healthy, explorative and positive conversations about sex.

https://www.sexpositiveworld.org/event-details/pillow-talk-salon-with-nishita-rao

June 17

Solstice Parade and Naked Bike Ride (free | in person)

Come be dazzled as community-based, people-powered ensembles parade down the streets of Fremont with giant puppets, stilt walkers, floats, dancers, cyclists, and musicians in this kaleidoscope of joyous human expression. 

http://www.solsticecyclist.org/

June 22–25

Kremwerk Pride Weekend Pass ($56.65 | in person)

Kremwerk Pride 2023 returns with headliners Doss, Tygapaw, Miss Madeline, Jordana, & X3 Butterfly with many of your fave local DJs and performers. Four spaces, five bars, patio parties, drag, dancing, and YOU!

https://www.kremwerk.com/upcoming/2023/06/22-25/kremwerk-pride-week

June 23

Trans Pride Seattle (free | in person)

Trans Pride Seattle increases the strength of the trans & gender diverse community and our allies—both within and beyond Seattle—through increased visibility, connection, love, and the celebration of our lives!

https://transprideseattle.org/

June 24–25

Seattle Pride Fest (free | in person)

Elevate LGBT Stories. Advocate for our causes. Celebrate our successes. And visit the CSPC’s booth in Capitol Hill on June 24 and Seattle Center on June 25!

https://www.seattlepridefest.org/

June 25

Seattle Pride Parade (free | in person)

It's the PRIDE PARADE. Need we say more? Want to join the CSPC’s parade contingent? Email us at pride@thecspc.org! We’ll have marchers and space for a dozen folx to ride our float.

https://seattlepride.org/events/seattle-pride-parade-2023

June 29 (five-week series)

Exploring Sexuality After 65 ($300 | in person)

Are you 65 or older and interested in exploring sexuality? This is a series of five, two-hour workshops for vulva-owners, ages 65(ish) and up. If cost is a barrier, let the organizers know.

https://papaya-project.org/2023/05/11/exploring-sexuality-after-65/

Community Matters: New Board Member and Pride Festivities!

New Board Member!

The Board was thrilled to vote for Mina as our newest member at our meeting on May 12, 2023! Mina serves as the Setup and Strike Captain, a member of the CSPC’s Discord Team, and Party Champion/Host of the Sense & Sensuality Party. We are fortunate to have added a human with Mina’s energy, enthusiasm for community, thoughtfulness, and skills to the CSPC’s leadership team. Please join us in welcoming Mina to the CSPC Board!

Join the CSPC at Seattle Pride!

The CSPC’s plans for participate in the 2023 Seattle Pride events are heating up! We will be hosting a table at the Capitol Hill festivities on Saturday, June 24. We’re also hosting a table as part of the events at Seattle Center on Sunday, June 25. Stop by and see us or volunteer for a shift talking to visitors!

Our parade contingent is growing! We have tentative plans in the works to add a float to our merry band of marchers this year to allow greater inclusion for members with limited mobility to be part of this exciting opportunity. Come help carry a banner or flag, dress up, and shake your booty with PRIDE as a member of the CSPC! 

To join the CSPC’s parade group or volunteer for a table shift, contact us at pride@thecspc.org.