Part 2 of INIQUITY NEWS #20
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SALES, DEALS, FLEA MARKETS
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(For an explanation of how to use the IQ Password visit: https://clubiniquity.com/password.html)
WHIPLASH , Los Angeles
NEW -- Gives The 10% INIQUITY Discount with the INIQUITY Password!
"With any Online order of $100.00 or more, receive a FREE pair of Shoulder Length Latex Gloves, plus a FREE Whiplash Catalog. In addition, as our mailing list subscriber, you will also receive a complimentary bottle of Silicone
Sheen. Our fantastic new product for keeping even your dullest latex shining for weeks on end. Simply fill out the shopping cart order as if buying the gloves (Item # DB108B). Our order processing person will deduct the amount from your order. The Silicone Sheen and catalog will be shipped automatically. As always, your credit card won't be charged until the order is ready to ship. Most orders are filled 24-48 hours from receipt."
Website: http://www.whiplashusa.com
To join the mailing list: Whiplash2001@aol.com
(Ed. - If you have not yet checked out the new Whiplash shop on Santa Monica Blvd., you really need to. It is an absolute BOON to the West Coast Fetish Fashion World.)
SYREN RUBBER, Los Angeles
One of the absolute Fetish Fashion back-bones of California and the West Coast, SYREN is always reliable when you need a reasonably priced, solid color item that you are almost guaranteed to fit. SYREN has also been one of the most supported and supportive merchants with the INIQUITY 10% Discount practically since the inception of the idea. :-)
They can do custom work for an additional charge, and best of all they already stock one of the widest selections of Latex COLOR Choices around. :-)
CURRENTLY they are having a SALE of a whopping
20% OFF ALL BLACK LATEX CLOTHING!!
Note that this discount supersedes the IQ Discount and is not combinable. :-)
More info: http://www.syren.com
TWO MORE Los Angeles SHOPS who now offer the standard 10% INIQUITY Discount
with the use of the INIQUITY Password are SHRINE & REDEMPTION,
both located on Melrose Ave.....
SHRINE, Melrose @ Curson
NEW -- Gives The 10% INIQUITY Discount with the INIQUITY Password!
Practically a legend in my mind in terms of an independent clothing designer who started off with a few pieces and has steadily grown to fill out an immaculate and very beautiful boutique of exquisite clothing worth a visit if only just to see the shop. The owners, Peter & Rhonda, personally designed 90% of the clothing in the shop and all I can say is that these two and their shop/company SHRINE literally is the BEST Goth & Fetish-Goth clothing (inc. wild original PVC creations, and much much more) produced out of America. Already you can see their label at outside shops who have taken on the SHRINE line of clothing. The shop also carries such famous Goth designers as Jeannie Nitro, etc. When I, Arcane, returned from my life in Europe I dearly missed the wild and beautiful selections of Fetish-Goth clothing from places like Kensington Market in London (now sadly closed -- apparently the rumors were true). I came back to America and figured the best I could do was to tell people that if they wanted the finest of the finest in velvet & lace, "pirate" style shirts and beautiful flowing Goth dresses and attire, then they were going to have to buy a ticket overseas (or at least cross their fingers and take a chance that they might catch a few imports in NYC). Then several years ago SHRINE showed up on Melrose Ave. and things completely turned around. Nowadays if you see a fabulously beautiful piece of Antiquated High Formal Club Wear, also called "period" clothing, on the West Coast there is a pretty rock-solid chance it is going to be a SHRINE piece. Can you tell that I just cannot say enough about these guys? Very reasonable prices and super-nice people to boot, SHRINE is definitely a unique shopping experience where ANYONE with a taste for fine Goth or Fetish Goth is going to find something. :-)
REDEMPTION, 7300 Melrose
NEW -- Gives The 10% INIQUITY Discount with the INIQUITY Password!
Further East on Melrose, only a few shops down from one of our other favorite Los Angeles shops, Retail Slut, you practically cannot miss the unusual window displays right on the corner facing directly into the intersection. Last time I was there they had a huge pair of Metal Wings (rather deadly looking actually) on one of the mannequins. REDEMPTION has been a long time asset to the Goth and local Fetish Scene of Los Angeles, with a solid selection of PVC clothes for Men and Women, as well as a great selection of more traditional Goth clothing. They also tend to have a good selection of clothing by Catherine Coatney for fans of her simple, fun Fetish styles, as well as a great selection of costume jewelry and other assorted adornments.
In addition, REDEMPTION serves as an Art Gallery for Goth and Fetish artists. One of the most impressive artists that I have seen in recent months at the REDEMPTION shop is Mike Sagorsky, aka "Sagor". Mike's large computer-generated images yield wild scenes seemingly from some Japanese anime' film or really Fetished-out video game. One large picture was a series of "Fembots" standing tall in their metal bikini's and several other pictures were scenes from a Digital Dungeon with unusual bondage devices being applied a la some Stanton comic from the future (in other word, REALLY GOOD STUFF!!!). :-)
REDEMPTION also maintains a website where you can get a pretty good idea of what they sell. That site is http://www.offmelrose.com They offer the INIQUITY Discount for online purchases as well. :-)
Be sure to visit the INIQUITY Website for important notes r.e. how to use the Password for your purchases.
https://clubiniquity.com/password.html
Before we take our SHOPPING section across "the pond," one more noteworthy Los Angeles shop (in case you have not already checked it out) is the Club Wear shop known as SERIOUS, at 7569 Melrose Ave.. Many of you may have seen their label on a few items sold in outside retail Club Wear shops. They have been a long standing name in the Los Angeles club scene and have always had a decent selection of Fetish clothing and styles amongst all the other selections in their boutique. Well as of this last summer they have moved into a new location directly across the street from SHRINE on Melrose Ave. The new shop has some seriously great stuff and a good number of unique designs. It also looks like they are turning just a hair more Fetish than they already were, which is always good news. :-)
LONDON FETISH FAIR, a regular monthly event
http://WWW.LONDONFETISHFAIR.CO.UK/
24 hour answerline (+44) 0207 916 8360, calls are charged at local LONDON rates Newsletter: visit.
http://www.londonfetishfair.co.uk/newsletters
"Smithy's the venue is still in the process of expanding. There is already more space, and this will continue to increase over the next few months. The Bar and Restaurant have not changed, yet, already there is already a lot more room at the back of the venue. We have 35 stalls in attendance this month, many of them new, many carrying some top bargains with one off stalls, including breathe control devices with Mr. Blowup, Tailor made latex and leather from Rubber Monkey -
PVC from a variety of stalls including Fetish Factory UK - classic manacles and restraint equipment and SM erotica from Terror Inc. New Age Trading & Affordable leather products - Fine corsetry and high heels from Fantasy Girl -really well made whips, cats and floggers from Quality Control, Strongarm and B & C designs - Kinky clothes in a range of sizes from Maid 4 Pleazure, Wonderland AB wear, Kushka, Lickwish - Erotic artwork, ephemera and vintage books from ErotX - Lola Art publishing - several 2nd hand stalls, and lots of other new surprises, so don't miss it! Street clothes okay, although fetish wear/ leather etc. are very acceptable! There is about a 50/50 mix of fetish and casual. (The vibe is very low temperature, so whatever you choose to wear will be acceptable at this event). Have you got old fetish mags/ fetish wear, or a new idea for fetish gear? Why not try a one off STALL at LFF? Very reasonable rates. 0956 256 858 or email
Entry from 11am - 5pm inclusive.......Entry £3 per person..... .Wheelchair access throughout venue..... No dress code : street clothes okay.....Fetish, TV, Fantasy, dress welcomed.....Nearest tube Kings Cross/ St. Pancras, Kings Cross Thameslink / underground.....Lots of info and flyers on fetish events & societies.. To get to Smithy's for a map visit
http://www.londonfetishfair.co.uk/map.htm
NEW DUNGEON SHOWROOM, London
(thanks to the Torture Garden folks for this info)
"Our friends at Silbro who supply all the Torture Garden dungeon equipment have opened a new show room. Check it out if you can."
Details of Dungeon/Showroom:
Grand Opening: 25th August
Location: Pillowtalk, 1 Westow Street, Crystal Palace, London SE19 3RY
Access: By appointment for private hire, photoshoots, equipment purchase & hire
Enquiries: Chris on 0956 574 217 fax/land line 020 8771 4392 email: chris@silbro.fsnet.co.uk
SCOTLAND, various shops.....
(thanks to JV from Nightnews)
"This week we focus on where to get Goth and Sexy Fetish Club clothing in Edinburgh and Glasgow etc, so try the following: -
'Atomix' is at 60 Broughton Street, Edinburgh -
'Out of the Blue' is at 36 Broughton Street, Edinburgh -
'Ground Control' the Cockburn Street, Edinburgh store now has a very limited 'flash' website
'Whiplash Trash' is also in Cockburn Street, Edinburgh -
'Leather and Lace' is in Drummond Street, Edinburgh -
'Erogenous Zone' new store, 49 Bread Street, Edinburgh
Underground Nation
jules@undergroundnation.freeserve.co.uk
http://www.undergroundnation.co.uk
PO Box 12262, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH4 1YD UK
tel: 44 [0] 131 332 7563 by appointment Fetish and gothic clothes; corsets, rubber, PVC and made to measure service.
Hide and Sleek
http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/way/gis93/index.htm
14 St.Leonards Place, Kinghorn, Fife, KY3 9UC Scotland UK tel: 01592 891344 - ask for Loraine Retail outlet which caters almost exclusively for the transgendered community - also provides a made-to-measure service.
Hellfire Fetish Clothing The Hellfire Boutique, Flip, 72 Queen Street, Glasgow tel: 0141 248 8799 - Osiris, 487 Gt Western Rd, Glasgow, G12 - Osiris, 51 Queen St, Glasgow, G1 - Retro Rebels, 655 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 3XQ Also check out the Bazaar section on JV's Nightnews website at
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LOS ANGELES -- A Festival of Fetish
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Like monarch butterflies coming in for a landing in the Bay-Laurel groves, numerous events settled upon Los Angeles one after another during what was once a one-night celebration, now expanded to almost two weeks of activities. The Los Angeles Fetish Ball held every year at the Variety Arts Center in downtown L.A. used to be something of a stand-alone event, plus or minus a few private parties surrounding The Ball. That is plainly no longer the case.
Our journey begins two Fridays before The Ball when AREA101 studios hosted another one of their unique events. Held for the first time at "the mansion," the flyer did not deceive. "The mansion" was just that, no doubt about it. At least three distinct floors that I could count -- and that was difficult because the place was like a maze -- and dripping with opulence in the middle of a quiet Beverly Hills neighborhood. Well, quiet until AREA101 showed up. Yes, of course the police were called with a noise disturbance, but in that inimitable Beverly Hills way, where a separate set of laws exist for this veritable City-State, somehow the size of the house or the zoning or whatever it was won out and the police hassled absolutely nobody nor ever entered the party (although they did loiter a bit to watch people coming and going). Numerous shows were performed up on a Greek-pillared terrace overlooking the pool and hot tub, including my personal favorite by Mistress Isabella Sinclair which involved her symbolic "taming" and orchestrating the sex-games of 4 absolutely gorgeous, naked (except for their high-heels) women all wearing cat masks. There were also fire dancers and several BDSM shows, one of which involved two scenes which progressively climbed the opposing, main entry hall staircases in a mirror like fashion. The DJ's spun until 3 a.m. at which time guests were shuttled by bus back to their cars at a downtown parking lot.
Overall the crowd was only about 25% serious/hardcore-fetish, about 25% seriously interested newcomers, and the rest were the vaguely fetish-spackled folks from the trendiest of the L.A. late-night club scene. A few hardcore S&M folks found the crowd to be too superficial, but I for one enjoyed this unique mix of elements at a beautiful setting.
Onwards to the next night where a newly remodeled venue hosted the infamous Sin-A-Matic. The usual fare as one comes to expect except that the new venue is truly an improvement with much more open spaces, better bar locations, and an amazing new light and sound system. Unfortunately the only room which seemed to have escaped the remodeling (except for a coat of paint) was the "back room" aka the dungeon. Regardless, the crowd was treated to the usual host of S&M performances by the Sin-A-Matic regulars with the added note that it was the last night that the infamous Master Aryn was to run the dungeon. No doubt he will be missed.
Two nights later, on Monday the 12th of June, I finally managed to attend one of the notorious Fetish Dinner's hosted by Mistress Sabrina Belladonna and Co. Without hesitation I can honestly tell you that it was MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE event of the entire L.A. experience!!! The food, prepared by Chef Damon, was 100% mouth-watering. Hell, they served clams in one course -- I do not like clams, but I would definitely have a second helping of the luxuriously spiced fellows served that night! The crowd was a veritable who's who of the L.A. Fetish Scene, and a packed house was served. Spontaneous entertainment and good humor prevailed throughout the night until everyone was kicked out around midnight.
The following Saturday was the annual Los Angeles Fetish Ball at the Variety Arts Center in downtown L.A. As many of you know this turned into a working venture for me as INIQUITY ended up sponsoring one of the floors (with only one week's notice!!!) along with Club PLAYSTATION out of Los Angeles. As good as any previous L.A. Fetish Ball, the crowd seemed about 500 people lighter this year. The energy was a bit lower as well. Juxtapose this with last year -- those extra 500 people were mainly gang-bangers and yahoos, conspicuously ABSENT this year. Yet somehow last year was more energetic -- could it have been the energy of the yahoos? Speculation at best. Regardless, with that element subtracted from this year's picture, the crowd was at least 80-90% Fetish Attire, something I think everyone appreciated. My one comment on this bastion of Los Angeles Fetish Fashion: There is more to life than Black. I think Maybe next year there needs to be a $5 discount for anyone who shows up in any color OTHER THAN Black. Don't get me wrong -- I own lots of black (it goes best with my other black stuff). But a look at almost any major Fetish Fashion name -- both for men and women -- will show you that colors are readily available at no extra charge. C'mon people, be DARING! Throw a touch of YELLOW or GREEN or PURPLE……even the standard "2nd" of RED will do! Much too much black this year IMO -- last year just seemed a little more colorful. Nonetheless, ALAN TG and friends spun a great dance mix on the top floor, while INIQUITY & PLAYSTATION provided the interactive dungeon and S&M shows on the 3rd floor. The second floor had a small market place, and the first floor and balcony two more of the many bars. Gary & Pierre Silva were there to take Polaroid shots of guests and in the main theatre a regular progress of shows played throughout the night.
Lastly, the epilogue to all the may events of L.A.'s personal Fetish Festival this year was a Sunday night after-party called TABOO. Needless to say only the most serious partiers showed up, at least 50% in Fetish Attire and the rest in sexy club clothes. There were maybe 100 people all total which made for a light and social conclusion to the L.A. Fetish Ball weekend. Sad to say that people who decided not to go to this event missed perhaps one of the BEST Fetish stage shows I have had the pleasure of seeing in America: One of the original Grinders known as Lucifire. With her "personal metal grinder" she sprayed herself and the audience with shower after shower of incredibly-well-choreographed sparks off her breast plate and crotch plate to a very compelling and upbeat mix spun once again by DJ Alan TG. I have seen grinder shows before and this was without a doubt one of the very, very best. :-)
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Book Signing by CHARLES GATEWOOD
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th
CHARLES GATEWOOD EXHIBITION AND BOOK SIGNING
AT STORMY LEATHER, 1158 Howard Street, San Francisco On Sunday, September 17th, photographer Charles Gatewood will sign copies of his latest book, BADLANDS, and open an exhibition of recent photographic prints. The opening and book signing are from 4-7 pm, and admission is free. The show will continue until October 27th. Charles Gatewood has been called "the family photographer of America's sexual underground," and his unusual, transgressive photography has been compared to that of Weegee and Diane Arbus. This event is presented in association with the Catharine Clark Gallery, San Francisco, which represents Gatewood's work. For more information call (415) 626-1672.
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Victory in Baltimore -- S&M Clubs OK'd
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Victory
in Baltimore! SM Facilities Able to Re-Open
Source: NCSF press release
BALTIMORE, MD - As previously reported, BDSM advocacy organizations have
been working to understand and correct the situation in Baltimore, where
all public BDSM organizations had been shut down by the city. The National
Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) announced today that those efforts have
paid off. Baltimore City zoning officials have agreed to change the definition
of SM activities so facilities geared for educational and social activities
can re-open. "This is a major victory for the national SM-Fetish movement
and NCSF," said Judy Guerin, the organization's Executive Director. "This
demonstrates how a united community effort can bring greater understanding
and directly effect change. It shows how effective this movement can be
when mobilized and focused on its goals." "Support from our national allies
was a critical factor in convincing Baltimore City to change its mind,"
added NCSF Public Affairs Director Melinda Chateauvert. "The prospect of
national media exposure focused on discrimination against a sexual minority,
along with support from well known national civil and GLBT rights groups,
influenced the City's decision." "This isn't just an issue in Baltimore,
it's a national issue," said
Susan Wright, NCSF's Chairwoman of the Board. "At the NCSF strategy meeting held following the annual Leather Leadership Conference in Washington, DC in April, attendees stated that zoning issues were the major legislative area that they would like NCSF to focus on. We are extremely pleased that Baltimore City is willing to work with us on attempting to make this legislative change. It will serve as a model for other cities, and help the national SM-Leather-Fetish movement." ""We're not done yet," cautioned Guerin in regards to the Baltimore situation. "There is still much work needed to wrap up the details." In addition, NCSF intends to continue working with Baltimore City officials to clarify alcohol licensing relative to BDSM, and to amend existing licensing language to better accommodate organized public SM activities. Until the time of such changes, the NCSF recommends that groups hold their Baltimore-area functions in alcohol-free venues.
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CLUB NEWS: TG, Sinister, Consent, L.V., Area101
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LOS ANGELES
The folks at Area101 in Los Angeles have been admittedly lazy in keeping their over-the-top party schedule going. Then again with all the events they put on who could blame them for taking a rest? Nonetheless you can be assured they have LOADS in store for the coming months, not the least of which is:
"ORIENT EXCESS, A SEX MYSTERY DINNER,"
Friday, October 6th at AREA 101 Studio
(from the proprietor)
"50 lucky bastards will be going through a 5 course sit down dinner with tons of red wine, candies and treats served by our dress-down staff ...then will witness an outrageous betrayal only to find themselves ...well I can't tell you that now ! This an interactive mystery dinner party where everybody is encouraged to participate....or be forced to!"
During this event a movie also will be shot!
MORE AREA101:
Saturday Oct.28th and Sunday Oct.29th...."DOUBLE PERPETRATION," the Halloween Masquerade Ball After-party at the Ivy Manor.
Tuesday Oct.31st......."PANDORA'S BOXXX", in LA mansion.....a Halloweenie!!!
Info (or to sign up on the AREA101 List): area101f@earthlink.net
Denizens of the Los Angeles Fetish-Goth cross-over scene also now have a new place to drape themselves or their slave. It's the new Playroom at BAR SINISTER, a long-established Goth hang out that has slowly and gracefully adopted the trappings of genuine Fetish as well. Word has it that the playroom is still small, being in it's initial stages, but that the crew who run the room are quite responsible and professional. At a personal interview with Tricia La Belle, the Proprietrix of Bar Sinister, she informed me that her intention is to slowly but surely turn BAR SINISTER into MUCH more of a Fetish-Goth Mix Club. Currently the flyers say "Appropriate Attire Expected," but she mentioned eventually planning to have a strict Fetish-Goth dress code. :-)
BAR SINISTER, Saturday Nights, Los Angeles
Located at The Hidden Door / Candle-Lit Alley of 1652 No. Cherokee Avenue in Hollywood Opens 9:30pm, 21 & Over ONLY.
Phone: 323.769.7070
Web: http://www.barsinister.net
Only $5 admission before 10:30pm
Gothic / Industrial / Fetish
ENGLAND
There is also apparently a New, Strict Fetish Dress Code Club opening up in Preston, England called "CONSENT"....
"Fetish News from CONSENT, the Preston UK regular fetish night. Expect a wide variety of tracks covering industrial/goth/metal/dance/80's and other music best suited for a night of pervy excess. See http://www.consent.freeserve.co.uk for more info.
Strict Fetish Dress Code : rubber, leather, pvc, tv, uniform, cyber, etc. £5 advance, £7.50 on the door - 9pm until 2 am 01772 562405"
TORTURE GARDEN NEWS & Future Dates
NEW TG WEBSITE: http://www.torturegarden.com
Check out the excellent new TG Website, which has been on-line since July 4th. This is TG’s third site, and although the two previous sites were also excellent, the new site has the advantage of being designed by TG’s regular flyer designer, and the website will therefore be immediately updated at the same time as the flyers. This also means that TG is now directly and constantly involved in the design and upkeep of the site, and it will therefore function much better, both for us and most importantly for you. Certain sections of the new site are also still under construction, therefore expect constant changes and improvements over the coming weeks, including sound & video samples; new images; and a chat room, etc. Please let us know what you think of the new site, and if you have any suggestions on how we can improve it.
NEW ON-LINE SECURE SERVER: TG’s new site now has a secure server (SSL), which means that purchasing TG merchandise or tickets on-line is now as safe as possible, as your credit card details are fully protected.
TG TICKETS ON-LINE: You can now purchase TG tickets on-line, up until 48 hours before an event.
TG DATES:
-FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER - SPECIAL GUESTS @ ALTER EGO, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, USA (more details to follow)
- SUNDAY 22ND OCTOBER - EDINBURGH, TG to host one room (more details to follow)
- NEW TG DATE - SPECIAL PARTY - HALLOWEEN SPECIAL !!!!!!! Friday 27th October @ Mass more details to follow.
- TORTURE GARDEN 10TH BIRTHDAY PARTY @ MINISTRY OF SOUND. Our biggest party yet celebrate a decade of decadence if you can handle it!!! THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2000
LAS VEGAS
It looks like the people at Pal Joeys and BDSM Nevada are THEE source for S&M / Dungeon parties in LAS VEGAS. The parties tend to include light refreshments and be 100% clean & sober. Prices are $20-$30 per person, but those who arrive in Fetish Attire receive a $5 discount. There are no strict dress code rules otherwise.
More info: PalJoeysLasVegas@aol.com
Pal Joeys is located at: 3084 S. Highland,. Suite C Phone: 734-7589
It looks like these people certainly have the most publicized S&M parties in the Las Vegas area. :-)
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LIVING IN LEATHER: S&M College!
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Seattle Pulls No Punches: LIVING IN LEATHER, a veritable "S&M College"
So basically this guy, a hardcore Male Dom friend of mine calls me up one day and says, "Have you heard of this thing called LIVING IN LEATHER?" I said, "No." He said, "well you should go online and check out the workshops." So I did. It was right up my Search Engine alley since I had declared to myself that I was going to seize every opportunity this year to explore deeper into the farthest reaches of the BDSM Arts and increase my personal education therein; i.e. I thought it high-time I learned more stuff.
So I found the LIVING IN LEATHER website. Oh….my….gawd. I could not believe what I was reading. It was like some hardcore S&M fantasy novel come true. I cannot even begin to go into the class names right here, but suffice it to say that it was without a doubt THEE most impressive line-up of HARDCORE topics I had ever seen. Within a week I bought my airplane tickets.
We arrived at the Sea-Tac airport Doubletree Hotel. The rooms were reasonably priced and quite nice. Yes, Doubletree's chocolate chip cookies are violently addictive. We arrived the first day, with workshops not starting until the second day, there in the convention facilities of the Doubletree Hotel. It seems that LIVING IN LEATHER, or LIL for short, moves around to a new state every year. No idea why, but this year the Washington State NLA chapter were the hosts.
It was fun watching the wide variety of attendees show up and check in even as we were arriving. The contrast was humorous between the beige and green of the hotel with the typical khaki and flower prints of the tourists against this odd, ubiquitous monochromatic black of a surprisingly large number of guests. Outside of this love of black and a particular fondness for the fetish of Leather, the LIL attendees were not particularly concerned about appearances. Within a very pleasantly short period of time we were registered for the convention. The "Full" registration included all workshops (the Main Point of the convention), several dungeon parties, a "Fetish" party with a DJ and a fashion show, and all meals included at set times throughout the day served banquet style. The hotel also had several restaurants for those of us who elected to get our own meals.
Early to rise the next morning, coffee and eggs, and then straight off to the first workshop of the day, a view into the life of a 24/7 polyamourous Master-slave relationship which had been going on for 5 years. The audience of this -- and EVERY SINGLE WORKSHOP WE TOOK -- was a perfect sample of the one thing that made LIL TRULY UNIQUE: the attendees of LIL were not primarily from the Hetero population, nor were they primarily from the Gay population, nor the Lesbian, nor the Bisexual, etc. In fact, the crowd at LIL was probably the most outstanding and relatively equally proportioned MIXTURE of the different sub-genres of the BDSM / Leather Community that I have EVER seen! Every workshop reflected this -- each sub-genre taught different classes with attendees from all the groups sitting side by side in pursuit of the singularly noble goal of increasing their S&M Education from all the amazing sources available at this convention. We had never seen anything like it. In the Club Scene for example it is fairly rare to see such a cross-over of the different groups as each group tends to have their own clubs and societies and private dungeon parties. Thus for the first time I had ever personally seen, each group was here at LIL to share their knowledge plainly and simply with anyone who wanted to learn, and the "party-lines" be damned. Truly this was the closest I have ever seen to an "S&M College."
Now you may be wondering why I call it "College," and not just "School." The reason is the intended hierarchy -- these were NOT workshops for Beginners, and barely for Intermediate players. By and large, these were classes for the true aficionado of the BDSM Arts, aka The Hardcores. The topics in some cases were so extreme as to be astounding in the fact that various teachers were bold enough to step forward and share their knowledge on a number of topics I know I had been personally craving to learn more about. This went on for three, one-and-a-half-hour sessions per day for three days, with breaks between each session. The average class size was about 30 people and classes were often taught by two instructors. And get a load of this: for each of the nine total sessions, everyone had a choice of NINE DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS EACH SESSION! A few sessions were repeated twice, but basically, yes that means there was something like 80 or so classes to choose from over the three days!!!
It was a magical three days where all the different S&M groups exchanged knowledge. The camaraderie in the pursuit if perfecting the BDSM Arts was pronounced during the classes. Oddly enough, at the "Dungeon Parties" at night, held in a gigantic hotel convention hall with ample safety monitoring, this same co-mingling of the groups seemed to take a rest, and mostly it felt like the different groups found their personal corners of the convention hall and played within "their kind." This bothered me slightly as I was hoping that the amazing rapport of the daytime between the groups would somehow congeal into a superior mix of S&M energy at night, synergistic and new. Instead the night time parties were almost the low point of the convention as it was more like several groups who happened to be in close proximity to each other while having their own private parties. Oh well. That said, there were many quite excellent scenes to watch as one walked around the room.
The convention also included a top-notch Fetish/BDSM market loaded with toys and clothing and art and more. Short on supplies for the parties at night (or your personal activities behind closed doors)? -- no problem. The marketplace had something for everyone.
When the final morning came, we had breakfast with some very cool people before we all headed off to catch our flights home. Again the mixing of groups and camaraderie across the so-called "lines" was like nothing I had ever seen before. Here was a 24/7 Het Master-slave couple next to a Hardcore Dyke couple one of which is an authoress of S&M novels loaded with Gay, Het, and Bi action next to the International Gay Master & Slave winners, who live on a commune where Doms and subs alike -- mostly Gay but not exclusively -- go to train deeper into the BDSM Arts, all just hanging out and having breakfast together and chatting. A typical moment from LIL. I knew when I left the hotel that I would be taking a wonderfully unique experience with me, and I also knew that I would be taking not only whole chapters of hardcore knowledge with me but also a living experience of the knowledge of just how much each group has to share with and learn from each other when the "party lines" do safely come down for a while.
If there were 5 stars to give an event, LIL would get all 5 in terms of sheer educational possibilities in the Hardcore BDSM Arts.
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Wrap-Up & Stuff For New Readers
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Hold on to your hats folks: Fetish Season is Upon Us! :-)
Fetish Dreams To You All,
-- Arcane
STUFF FOR NEW READERS
Please Read Below for helpful information regarding INIQUITY Standard Policies as well as to learn how You Can Help Make INIQUITY EVEN BETTER with Your Own INPUT!
INIQUITY: Submissions, Sign-Ups, and Fair Use
At INIQUITY, we ALWAYS welcome contributions from Anywhere in The World. Got a cool Fetish or BDSM Story to tell? A Fetish Film or Fetish Club you want to review? Opening a Club or throwing a public Fetish Event? We LOVE getting your NEWS, REVIEWS, LETTERS, UPDATES, & EVENT NOTICES! Send it in to us and we'll get it out there! Our rapidly growing readership is approximately 60% San Francisco Bay Area, 20% other parts of California, 15% Other States, and 5% Other Countries.....and that doesn't even include forwards and web-site drop-ins.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUshould consider yourself invited -- and even requested -- to help out by sending INIQUITY ANY INFO on Fetish Events and Parties happening anywhere in the world which you think the INIQUITY Community will be interested in. Please note that INIQUITY does not reprint reports on "munches" or other BDSM "society meetings" unless such a meeting is a Workshop open to the public.
WE DO WANT (and Happily Invite) ALL YOUR REPORTS AND INFO ON:
LARGE SCALE FETISH EVENTS
(i.e. Rubber Ball, L.A. Fetish Ball, Europerve, etc.)
SEASONAL EVENTS
(i.e. Stiletto, Black Rose, Folsom Street Fair, etc.)
Large S&M Parties & Fund-Raisers
(i.e. Open Dungeon Parties, Legal Fund Parties, etc.)
Other Fetish-Fashion Events
(i.e. Fetish Dinners, Private Fetish/BDSM Parties With
Special Invitations for The IQ, etc.)
Monthly Fetish Clubs
(i.e. BOUND, Alter Ego, etc.)
Regular / Ongoing / Weekly Clubs of
a Sincere Fetish-BDSM NATURE
(i.e. The Power Exchange, etc.)
Our COMMON Goal is to make the INIQUITY Events Page one of the BEST SOURCES to find out about Fetish Events & Activities
ANYWHERE in THE World!!!
Feel free to forward INIQUITY NEWS to anyone who you think would enjoy it. Of course the FASTEST way to keep on top of Fetish Happenings is to be on the INIQUITY LIST (which You are if you received this straight from INIQUITY HQ). If your friends want to get on the 100% Confidential INIQUITY LIST, simply tell them to send an e-mail to SignUp@ClubIniquity.com, or use the Contact Form and say, "Sign Me Up!"
All original text created specifically for this INIQUITY Newsletter/Newsbitmap is technically Copyright 2000 Arcane Productions©, unless otherwise credited elsewhere.
However, any portion of INIQUITY NEWS or the INIQUITY Updates may
be freely re-posted provided:
1) No money is exchanged (i.e. No Re-Posting into a Pay Site; I crank this
sucker out for FREE and I want it to stay that way), and
2) Proper Credit is given to the specified author or to INIQUITY if unspecified
(i.e. just say who wrote it / where you got it from).
Thanks & Enjoy! :-)
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