Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

SLUT Walk Vancouver

Sunday May 15, 2011
Time: TBA
Place: TBA (downtown Vancouver)
Cost: Free
What To Wear:
Slutty, Sexy, Kinky, Provocative, JUST BE YOU ....
Bring: Friends & Signage

Description

Slut Walk Vancouver Website

Follow us on Twitter @SlutWalkVan.

Email us at slutwalkvancouver@gmail.com

Event route and the exact time is not yet set. I will announce here those details as soon as I hear word.

This an everyone-welcome kind of event.

We, as Vancouverite's are uniting with SlutWalk Toronto to move against intolerance and towards education.

BECAUSE WE’VE HAD ENOUGH!

This is cross-posted from SlutWalk Toronto:

On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”.

As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behavior creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.

Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated.

We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our sexual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying sex with attracting sexual assault.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Queer Politics

BEWARE

This is part rant, and part questioning. You've been warned.

Input from other people is often what it takes for me to understand concepts foreign to me.

I subscribe to a number of different message boards and forums for sex and alternative lifestyles to assist me in my growth of understanding. New ideas are constantly tossed around and for the most part, I can wrap my mind around them with relative ease.

But lately, there is something that I seem unable to comprehend, despite investing much time and patience to learn more about it.

It's about majorities and minorities in life, and more specifically in sex culture.

I see this often and it baffles me to no end. And yes, I do understand the whole privilege thing.

What's happening is one of the minority groups in our community, the *queer population is demanding their own events. Exclusive space and parties just for them. And it's been proposed that they can exclude anyone they don't know, or who does not fit into their definition of what queer is.

Now the majority is upset. This would include the (perceived) heterosexuals, cissexuals, bi sexuals, outlaws, intersexed, androgynous, trans and all those who prefer to not be labeled. And, those who fear not being accepted by this exclusive feeling queer group.

How is it that a group (that is a minority one none-the-less) feels ok with the notion that they can not only exclude others but also call that non discriminatory?

When specifically if the heterosexuals decided to hold a party only for those who have sex with the opposite sex, that the minority would not be "up in arms" about the disparity in this.

Pansexual (open to anyone regardless of gender, orientation or play style) parties are meant for all.

How can one group be so damning and put so many people in a box surrounding identity and sexuality as to exclude them based on how they present themselves or how they label themselves?

We need to find ways to foster inclusion for all. Yet if the queer community wants to segregate themselves from everyone else and declare themselves so radically different that they require playing and socializing away from all who are different, how can this be achieved?


How can this group of queers, cross pollinate to gain understanding, new friends, allies and support if they don't get their kink on with the rest of us?

The queers are saying that they don't want to be watched or judged by anyone who does not share their label whilst playing. For the most part, the majority are not judging ... I've been watching them for years. In fact, I see more judgment on play styles and identity from the queers to everyone else.

There seems to be this notion that queers perceive themselves as so radically different that they must be given their own space.

Each grouping of people is unique and truly faces its own challenges. And for as long as we continue to find reason to not see our similarities as sexual outlaws, we will forever face judgment from both the outside vanilla world and from our fellow kinksters.

We should be working towards a common goal of acceptance, tolerance and respect. As it stands right now, all I am witnessing is a lot of slurs, some bashing, untruths, fear and negative outlooks. Not very promising at all.


Why can't the queers party and socialize with everyone else? Why is it ok for the queers to act bigoted towards anyone not the same as them and not be called on it by others? Because they are the minority, they get a "get out of jail card" for their behaviors, however misinformed. Not.


Further what gets my goat, (no I don't own a goat) is that it is most often than not this very group of people that wants their own events, that also expresses their inability to pay for it. Like really, who pray tell is going to foot the bill? Are people really so clueless as to what it costs financially to host a party, let alone to lease a space where such things could take place? To pay for all the items necessary to have a party run safely, well equipped, with heat, lights, drinks, food, equipment, music .... the list goes on and on.

Groups that are successful from my standpoint are ones where they stand on their own two feet. They do not demand that others around them do things to keep there ideas afloat, they don't whine about something not existing, they set about creating it.

Then someone comes along and offers the physical space for this group of people to create a group and its moaned aloud, that it has to be basically free or low, very low cost. And that even if the event were created, then likely it would not even be enjoyed because of to many unknown dynamics. Talk about being pissy. Wanting something, whining aloud about it, yet doing nothing to support its emergence even when given the space and encouragement to do so. This is so contrary to being proactive that it is simply baffling.

It feels selfish, and at it's very heart, also discriminatory.

What do you think?

*the queer population I refer to is not "all queers", rather a group of louder spoken ones whom are in my sphere.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Pride House for Olympics

Pride House Launch
Thursday, February 11th, 2pm-4pm

You are invited to the Grand Opening of PRIDE House Vancouver in front of Qmunity (1170 Bute St.) There will be music with Sugarbeach, sporting excitement and an innovative ribbon cutting ceremony. Speakers include Minister Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek
and Vancouver-Centre MP Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry.

For the first time ever there will be a LGTB pavilion at the Olympics and in Vancouver it will be hosted at two locations, Qmunity and Score on Davie. Other Olympic cities have had gay bars but nothing has ever been done quite like this. PRIDE House is an initiative that brings to light the violations and prejudice that exist against LGBTI people. PRIDE House offers a queer space to watch the Olympics, hang out, meet people from around the world, trade pins and have fun.

Qmunity will be open from 10am-7pm, seven days a week and is the operational hub of the PRIDE House Vancouver experience where you will find friendly PRIDE House ambassadors to tell everything that is fabulously queer in Vancouver. They will also have on hand immigration and refugee experts with a wealth of knowledge and resources. PRIDE House will be a social hub, a welcome space for LGTB athletes, family, friends and visitors to come together to celebrate, to get information and resources, to be safe and to find community. Come and meet the world at Qmunity!

Score on Davie (1262 Davie Street) also hosts PRIDE House and offers a place to have a drink, a meal and celebrate diversity during the games. Lush booths and soft lighting and an inviting private side all lead to Score being one of Vancouvers premium sports lounges. Strategically placed tv's including a 71" Plasma in the main room gives every seat a ringside view of the 2010 games. Join the party at Score on Davie as we toast the Wins!

Vancouver Queer Film Festival is proud to partner with PRIDE house to present several films to coincide with the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. The Pride House Film Series will feature two nights of engaging cinema that promotes LGBT visibility in sport. Training Rules sponsored by CAAWS and Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride sponsored by PFLAG.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Debbie Does Dallas

Today I received a long overdue e-mail, which I was longing for. It came with news that was beyond promising. Now, if Wednesday goes well, I will soon to be taking off for a tour of a few provinces across Canada doing what I do best. Educating and entertaining the masses with my sex positive education series. The Libido Events Erotic Arts Curriculum.

On another note, let me me present Debbie Does Dallas, happening this Thursday evening for those of you who are not members of Libido Lounge, as our members will be at Restraining Order.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Holy Batman

We put two tables, equaling thirteen feet long, pushed together in the main room. Then set up chairs all the way around. A couple of table clothes, some candles and wonderful dinner music.

A third table set up in the main room was the hospitality table. Cutlery, plates, glasses, napkins, pitcher of water, salad, buns, butter and appetizers.

Were there ever a large group of Members at tonights Deviant Dining, our first ever community pot luck dinner. 18 people showed up for our fantastic buffet style, sit down meal at Libido Lounge. If you missed out, you should be kicking yourself.

The amount of food was outrageous and so yummy too. Everyone brought such delectable stuff to consume that there was plenty to go around and even more as left overs.

The kitchen (in another room) was exploding with food, which took over yet another table and area. Chili, smoked salmon cream cheese and capers, curry chicken and rice, cod and rice, turkey rolls, fruit platter, noodle dish, vegetarian dishes, borscht & sausage and all the fixings, god the food was abundant we were not short on anything.


A caramel apple pie, a banana cream pie, apple crumble and of course real whipping cream.

Having the chance to dine and converse with everyone so casually was nice. And it was obvious how much everyone else was enjoying their night too. The laughter and conversations were non-stop, making me very happy. Good friends, stimulating talk and scrumptious food.

RC helped me tidy up at nights end, after everyone was gone and I am now officially on top of the world.

The date of the next dinner event is

Wednesday May 21