Even though I’m totally vanilla, I’ve always found S&Mers the friendliest group of people in this diverse lesbian and gay community we have. S&Mers are also the most misunderstood. Over the years S&Mers have educated me on the subject; I’m proud to include fisters, floggers and bloodletters among my closest friends.
The most important thing I’ve learned is that S&M has nothing whatsoever to do with violence; it has a lot more to do with love, commitment, trust and sensuality than many other forms of sexual expression. The relationship between a master/mistress and his/her slave may appear strange to some, but there’s a purity and honesty about it that would surprise the “unknowing.”
So I was particularly honored when the board of the Windy City Bondage Club (WCBC) invited me along to one of their play parties. The evening started with a get to know each other hour, followed by the rules of the house; the safety of the participants being the main concern.
About 15 people attended, and after introductions the party began. I wandered around talking to people and watching some of the “scenes.” I met one man with two of his three slaves in attendance; they obviously doted on him. The master proceeded to mummify one of his boys in Saran Wrap. It’s all about trust. For me it wasn’t sexual, but aesthetically pleasing … ART … I thought the image itself was interesting. I also asked myself: “Could I be mummified?” The answer was No! I don’t trust anyone that much, even my lover of 14 years. I wouldn’t trust myself to wrap anyone either. Like everyone else I’m “THIS CLOSE” to being insane.
I’ve always been fascinated by the St. Andrew’s cross; the cross being our first introduction to S&M, via Christianity inflicting the image of a tortured Jesus on us as children. I watched as one guy was tied up and flogged.
Bondage and S&M are not about genital sex, more about sensuality, and that makes it an extremely safe practice. I don’t know what the participants got out of this party, but for me as an observer&emdash;and a frantic, neurotic reporter, who never switches off&emdash;I actually relaxed for the first time in weeks. I’m thinking about joining the WCBC for relaxation purposes; a more gentle group of people you couldn’t find anywhere.
For more information about WCBC call 312-409-7613, e-mail wcbcinfo@wcbchttp://-chicago.org or visit website http://www.wcbc-chicago.org