Really? There's really a bible belt?
I had the opportunity to attend my second protest last weekend. This time, however, I was on the receiving end. A radical Christian group caught wind of Winter Wickedness - the kink event that we were attending near Columbus. I really didn't know that there were really people like this out there. Check out some of the articles that resulted on both sides of the issue....
Columbus Dispatch Right Pundits TV 10 American's for Truth Better Than Faith World Net Daily The other Paper
Despite my shock at the whole thing, I was able to come away with some insights of my own. I am truly grateful to have the job and life that I do. I'm really happy that I do not live in the Bible belt (really - I didn't know there was a bible belt), and I am thankful for wonderful organizations and people that fight for our rights. Thank you AIS, Barak & Sheba, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, and the Holiday Inn Worthington.
Please take the time to support those who support you.... Holiday Inn Worthington, NCSF and AIS
An open letter to the Kink Community, from Barak & Sheba
We recognize the greater significance that this weekend held within the Central Ohio Kink, and National Kink communities. With the coming together of our community, and the help of the NCSF, Winter Wickedness Was a HUGE success! We had over 400 people in the space, and the Host Hotel could not have been kinder.
We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for Winter Wickedness. It was beautiful to see this community working together to defend what we are all trying to create. WW, and scores of other kink, BDSM and Leather events, groups and gatherings are essential for sharing what it is that we do in a legal, safe, sane and consensual environment. It is imperative that we continue to think globally, and work to defend and promote Kink, Leather and BDSM gatherings and events in our local, state and national arenas.
The calls to the hotel, and the corporate office assisted in offsetting the smear campaign that a few fanatical right wing individuals had mounted, as they attempted to mobilize their grassroots efforts within their community. We recognize that their efforts were attempts to play on the fears of their constituents by the misinformation that they were spreading. In this day and age, it is truly unfortunate that there is still this intolerant mindset.
We in the Kink/Leather/ BDSM lifestyle do what we do because we are seeking a greater connection, a more focused and honest power exchange, and a creative way of loving and caring for each other. There is no reason whatsoever that we need to be embarrassed or ashamed of what it is that we do. We are consensual adults, making choices about our personal sexual orientation and expression. This is a personal choice, and is not anyone else's concern. We do not impose our beliefs or lifestyle on others, but openly share should we be asked.
Like the GLBT communities, we too adamantly refuse to be forced to hide because of the ideology of a few fanatics. We are law-abiding, tax-paying, citizens of our respective communities. We are first class citizens, who happen to enjoy a creative expression of our sexuality. And we are "coming out" to stay. Furthermore, we refuse to accept any treatment that is discriminatory, demeaning, or shaming.
AIS, our gatherings and events are extensions of friendship, love, and acceptance. We are simply trying to create a safe, fun, educational and consensual gateway for adults who are open-hearted, honest and desire another form of communication and sexual expression. What we have found is that many people are grateful for this avenue. They have come away from our events with a more open way of connection, a new discovery of their needs, wants and desires, and a renewed relationship with themselves, life and others.
Times are changing, and we hope for the better. This fact that Winter Wickedness was a huge success, despite adversity, within a traditionally conservative local community, gives us hope. We are continuing our search for bliss. We look forward to our future work in the community to educate and share the truth of what it is that we do.
Yes, the forces of the religious right are on the move, and I'm not sure what it will take to really change that. The organizations fighting for our rights have thier work cut out for them. However, I do believe a change will come, and for the simple reason that the current way of things, including most of what is now identified as conservatism, just isn't working for people. As a society we are just not happy with our world. I believe that the freedom expressed within BDSM forms a vital part of what will be a new order for society. Not in the particulars, but rather the overall belief in finding joy in a way that doesn't harm those that do not wish to be harmed, wherever that joy may be found. The submissives that go from abusive relationship to abusive relationship because they are not willing to face thier desire for D/s, people who try to force themselves to be monogamous when it just isn't in thier nature, and all the rest that feel that they are "wrong" for desires that they have but can not adequately express or fufill. The time will come, simply because it has to. The status quo just doesn't cut it.
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As a product of various places in the Bible Belt, I can empathize with your experience. Though it is shit that these things are prevalent, they created a great, close knit and open kink community in both of the Bible Belt metropolises I've lived in (Omaha and Denver).
Now that I live in Baltimore (within walking distance of PowerXchange too btw), I appreciate having people like you helping bolster a kinky, poly, pan and everything else sex positive community. It's also good to see that your enterprize is doing well.
Keep up the good work!
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