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@wcbc-chicago.org or visit website www.wcbc-chicago.org