Consent Corner 24.10

by Emma Atkinson 

Hello, loveliest of lovelies! How about if we keep those great Pride feelings going all year long? And, why stop at 2024? Just saying…

We’ve been considering a situation in which someone to whom you’ve given consent says that you’re being too emotional. You’ve done a self-check and all of your systems seem to be functioning well. So, if it’s not you — then what?

Please remember that you always have the right to ask for what you want. You might want some time to mull things over. You might want to phone a friend or do some further research. You might get what you ask for and you might not. And, that’s not necessarily the main reason to ask. 

Sometimes it’s helpful to ask a question even if you think you already know the answer. Actually, that could be the perfect time to ask that question. You can learn a lot by paying attention to the answer you get. It’s a trope in many mystery stories: ask and then listen carefully. And then, please consider how your consent is affected by the answers you get.

Homework: It’s July — get out there and enjoy it! Then, please tell us all about it at: info@thecspc.org

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

“Be sexcellent to each other.” —Emma

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, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

May 30–August 8

Consent Academy: Consent and Leadership Summer Series ($300+ | online)

Consent and Leadership is a unique opportunity for leaders to deepen their understanding of consent, power, trauma, and accountability. It consists of 8 workshops and one optional lab, each exploring the knowledge, skills, and practices anyone who finds themselves in a position of influence or authority needs in order to foster a consensual space.

July 4–7

Woodwinked at the Whump & Hump campout ($20–$50+ | in person)

You are most cordially invited to Temptr’s private party out at Kinky Acres! Everyone must be pre-approved. RSVP instructions on FetLife.

July 7–12

The Goodenough Community: 2024 Summer Gathering - Consent: The Heart of Relationships and Communities ($690+ | in person)

The Goodenough Summer Gatherings are a rich mix of learning, practice, and skill-building that happen within a container of friendship and good will. For over 55 years, we have developed and refined our method of offering these life-changing experiences to ourselves and the wider world. Expert teaching sessions are enlivened by an atmosphere of play and exploration. These lessons are further explored in small group sessions where participants can feel safe and respectfully held as they learn to manage their inner landscape of feelings in ways that promote greater understanding and well-being.

July 10

Papaya Project: Sex Trivia ($10–$20 | in person)

This monthly event is the best way to learn about and celebrate pleasure, queerness, and the science of sex! 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. A portion of each ticket will be donated to Camp Ten Trees, a nonprofit residential camp in Washington State for youth of LGBTQ and nontraditional families, LGBTQ youth, and their allies.

July 15 (every Monday through August)

Emerald City Trapeze Arts - Beginner Shibari ($25 | in person)

In this foundational session, students will learn fundamental ties and techniques to begin their rope journey. Though fundamental, these techniques can be combined in uncountable ways to produce elaborate shapes and scenarios. Besides learning technical skills, we will focus on rope bondage as a movement and acrobatic art, with emphasis on flow, aesthetics, and partner connection.

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 possible other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions.

Virtual Pre-Frolic 411

Cost: Free, online

Who: anyone who is attending camp or just thinking about it

When: Wed July 17, 7-9 pm

What is the Virtual Pre-Frolic 411? 

It's your opportunity to pick the brains of the Camp Directors, Turtle & Mina, on anything to do with The Frolic!

What to expect, scheduling, what actually happens, ... are there showers? Do people, meaning me, have to be naked? Can I bring my CPAP machine? What if I just want to lay in the sun? No need to pre-register! Click here for the event page that contains the Zoom link.

Ask your questions! Email frolic@thecspc.org for more information or check out our Frolic event page.

P.S. We will not be recording this event. Per the “Online Meeting Rules”, it is against CSPC policy for attendees to record events. Come prepared to take your own notes! Please be aware that this is an online event and our ability to enforce some rules may be limited.

Frolic Discord

The More You Know!

Are you wondering where all the active members are posting, if not on Fetlife? Where are we sharing titillating thoughts, planning scenes for events, and just gabbing about our interests?

Did you know that we have a Frolic-specific channel on the CSPC Discord server?

If you are a CSPC member with an active membership, you can join the server by clicking on the Discord link on the bottom of our CSPC website. Renew your membership today on the Membership Portal to join! 

How to Become a Member?

1. Virtual New Member Orientation + Virtual Munch

This is hosted every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. 

2. New Member Orientation + In-Person Event

We host several in-person events every month in Pioneer Square and before each one is the orientation that allows new members to participate in the event happening that evening. 

Check out our Events page for more information! 

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, please email Marissa at newsletter@thecspc.org and it might make it into our next issue!

May 30–August 8

Consent Academy: Consent and Leadership Summer Series ($300+ | online)

Consent and Leadership is a unique opportunity for leaders to deepen their understanding of consent, power, trauma, and accountability. It consists of 8 workshops and one optional lab, each exploring the knowledge, skills, and practices anyone who finds themselves in a position of influence or authority needs in order to foster a consensual space.

June 20 (tonight, get yourself there!)

Papaya Project: Spicy Speed Dating ($15 | in person)

Looking to make new connections while exploring different perspectives on identity, relationships, sexuality, and pleasure? Take a break from the apps and join us for a night that's all about real, in-person interactions. Let’s come together for a night of meeting new people, making friends, and maybe even finding a spicy spark or two (or three).

June 21–22

Theatre Off Jackson: Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam ($15–$30 | in person)

In a vibrant celebration of creativity, diversity, and all things queer, Fussy Cloud is proud to present Volume 25: Queer Edition, an eclectic and extraordinary lineup that showcases LGBTQ+ puppeteers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond!

June 22

Solstice Parade + Fremont Fair (free | in person)

Come be dazzled as more than 60 community- based ensembles parade down the streets of Fremont with giant puppets, stilt walkers, floats, dancers, cyclists, and musicians in this kaleidoscope of joyous human expression.

June 28–30

Acrobatic Conundrum: Circus of Second Chances ($25–$100 | in person)

On a relentless quest for wonder, three veteran acrobats let their imaginations run wild to fulfill secret longings. Fluent in the language of circus, Acrobatic Conundrum’s principal performers melt the fourth wall to reveal their fatal flaws and journeys to redemption. In our homes we are out at sea, on our living room couch we find ourselves on an epic odyssey; so much rests upon the fate of a dozen lemons.

June 30

Seattle Pride Parade (free | in person)

Seattle’s 50th annual Pride Month celebration will close out with the annual Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30 in Westlake Park along 4th Avenue. Come see Washington's largest parade and celebrate the 250+ local and national community groups, nonprofits, and companies.

July 4

Woodwinked at the Whump & Hump campout ($20–$50+ | in person)

You are most cordially invited to Temptr’s private party! Everyone must be pre-approved. RSVP instructions on FetLife.

July 7–12

The Goodenough Community: 2024 Summer Gathering - Consent: The Heart of Relationships and Communities ($690+ | in person)

The Goodenough Summer Gatherings are a rich mix of learning, practice, and skill-building that happen within a container of friendship and good will. For over 55 years, we have developed and refined our method of offering these life-changing experiences to ourselves and the wider world. Expert teaching sessions are enlivened by an atmosphere of play and exploration. These lessons are further explored in small group sessions where participants can feel safe and respectfully held as they learn to manage their inner landscape of feelings in ways that promote greater understanding and well-being.


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 possible other experiences, but we have no control over them, their content, or their missions.

Consent Corner 24.09

by Emma Atkinson 

Hello, loveliest of people! Go ahead, let your light shine bright, especially in Pride month. Mary Oliver wrote a breathtakingly beautiful poem called, “The Buddha’s Last Instruction.” Spoiler alert: “make of yourself a light.”

We’ve been considering the situation when someone says that you’re being too emotional. Last time we talked about checking in with yourself to see how you’re doing. Let’s say that you’ve found nothing too amiss. 

Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of The Four Agreements, wrote a book with his son in which they outlined the “Fifth Agreement”: Be skeptical, but learn to listen. In our imaginary scenario, this is the perfect time to put your listening cap on. Let’s assume that you’re already wearing your skepticism hat. Throw on your Sherlock Holmes investigating mode cap while you’re at it. Please feel free to add your own amazing caps as you see fit. 

Life can be complicated. And juggling all those hats while still making a fashion statement is a super complicated challenge unto itself! I think that honing your listening skills will bring you benefits beyond your imagination. Try it and let me know! 

Homework: Please show off your fabulous self this Pride month. And, it’s a perfect time to thank those in our community who are always working hard to build the community that treasures you and is proud of you, exactly as you are. 

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

“Be sexcellent to each other.” —Emma

PPMT Update!

Come join PPMT on July 13 for a little pre-Frolic fun! Model your Frolic outfits! Put up a tent for people to voyeur you in! Try out items that could be used as pervertables and get ideas from everyone! Play hard, play lighter, no matter what, and get consent to take it higher!

Check out our party on the CSPC Event schedule

Note: August PPMT is canceled. Why? Because we will be kinkin’ it up in the woods at The Frolic 2024! 

GRIND REBOOT IS COMING IN JULY!

by Teeebone

This year, the CSPC is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and part of that celebration will include bringing back some classic parties from the past! On Thursday July 25th, the CSPC will present Grind Reboot as a throwback party! An homage to Grind, which was a weekly club favorite during the Interbay days, this is the CSPC’s first weekday event held as a one-off to see how things go!

What will this party be like? What it says on the can: A Reboot of Grind, which turns our dungeon into a nightclub with music by professional DJs and lots of space to play. If you miss the classic Grind party, like it dark and loud, or want to dance and play in the same space, this event has it all! BDSM and sex are encouraged. Come celebrate our 25th Anniversary with this blast from the past! 

There is no dress code enforced, but we encourage you to please dress for a night out. Fetishwear is welcome. If you would like to know more about how Grind was, check out my article on the subject HERE!