CARNAL NATION

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On Tuesday September 15th at The Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco, Carol Queen will host a DVD release party and Q&A session for Erin Palmquist’s film BDSM: It’s Not What You Think as part of The Good Vibrations Erotic Film Festival. Palmquist’s documentary stars notable BDSM players from San Francisco who present their experiences and knowledge in order to raise awareness and to educate about common stereotypes and stigmas of BDSM. San Francisco has long been recognized as a Mecca for alternative sexualities and exploration, and this event on Tuesday the 12th will feature many of the famed kinksters highlighted in Palmquist’s video to answer any guest’s questions or concerns. (Scheduled notable players include the celebrated San Francisco Leather Daddy's Boy XXII Jorge Vieto, Educators Master and Mrs. Hines, Educator Ms. Heart, former officer for Society of Janus Lord Falcon, and Domina Selina Raven.)

Although I am a third generation San Franciscan who was raised by very open-minded parents, even I still had my own judgments about BDSM before I seriously started pursuing education about both the play and the community as a whole. Regardless of the fact that I would push my body to the utmost limits in the past with physical activities such as volleyball and backpacking, it never once dawned on me before initiating BDSM classes and practice that my desire to push myself both physically and mentally on the court or in the backcountry came from the same drive that other adrenaline-charged individuals seek. For instance, It is not uncommon for sports enthusiasts to sacrifice their body for a game, and yet, as Sybil Holiday points out in this documentary, that concept of intentional play is never questioned in our society. Holiday reminds viewers that socially sanctioned events such as wrestling, football, or even boxing are frequently way more dangerous than BDSM, but yet no one is recommending that the dedicated players of these activities be labeled as possible paraphiliacs by mental health professionals. Nope, in fact, society usually encourages these athletes' behaviors as well as honors their dedication to their sport and willingness to sacrifice their bodies to it. 

BDSM educator and Domina Eve Minax states in her recent review of Palmquist’s film that she has, “long been frustrated about the ignorance and banality that most people display when espousing their knowledge of BDSM and its practices.” Minax is a respected teacher of erotic dominance workshops with Cleo Dubois and Selina Raven at the Academy of SM Arts, which is where I met these three amazing and skilled women. After participating in a weekend-long intensive about energy exchange, I was able to truly understand how pushing my body with BDSM had the potential to aid in my own self-growth the same way as my other physical challenges had. As Minax states, “No one says it overtly in the film, but although BDSM is not therapy, it can be therapeutic, and that's one of the many reasons why people practice it.” Palmquist, as well as many other kink community members that she highlights in this documentary, are dedicated not only to their own specific style of kinky interests, but also to helping the rest of the world understand the "whys" and "hows" of BDSM. This is a perfect video for anyone who is new to BDSM or who hasn't spent much time thinking about the intentions of their desires and fantasies. After all the desires behind kink have much more to do with connection with oneself and others, ritual, and passion than how much sensation intensity one can take or give in their play, and I highly encourage all curious individuals to head to the event, which is hosted by the Good Vibrations Erotic Film Festival, at The Center for Sex and Culture on September 15th to learn more from Erin Palmquist, Carol Queen, and other players. Guests will also be able to admire the craft and fine fashions of Dark Garden corsetry that will be modeled by beautiful women perched on pedestals at this pre-screening cocktail party.
 

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