Connection Lost: Re-valuing Power-Exchange

Over the past while, Leather has gone mainstream. And while that has brought with it many good things such as increased rights, increased opportunities to gather, and more freedom to live openly and freely, the phenomenon has also its downsides: self-appointed and/or incompetent SIRs and subs, a sharp increase in detached sex/play, and a marked uptick in the number of people in and around our community who engage in BDSM activities but don't necessarily adhere to values many would consider core to our community.

In short, many among us are wondering if the mainstreaming of Leather has somewhat cost us some of the magic that can occur during Leathersex; our connection with its deep spiritual and transformational potential.

Through an animated discussion format, participants will explore ways in which connectivity and valuation of power-exchange in community and sexual dynamics has seemingly become less important, but will, as well, ask the question: ‘Are there any things in our traditions from which we can pull to fill those gaps for the modern era; to help get back in touch with "the magic".’

This will be followed by a partnered exercise in which connection through sight, voice, and touch will be explored, as well as a feedback session about the exercise.

This workshop is highly interactive, therefore the more participants engage, the more they are likely to gain from it.