It seems that some people think that the term 'Safe' in 'Safe, Sane,
and Consensual' means no risk. There is an element of risk in everything.
There is risk in getting out of bed in the morning. For that matter, there
is risk if we stay in bed. 'Safe' means as safe as we can make it.
Many of us have seen people hurt on the job and at recreation. If I am
going to be injured, I would rather it happen while doing something I enjoy…not
touch football!
Think about the things we do. The sensations some of us need (and some
of us need to cause) are the effects of actions that in the extreme can result
in serious and permanent bodily and/or emotional damage.
We continue to learn so we can be safe. We try to have knowledgeable people
watching at the parties to be safer. No matter how careful we are, accidents
can and will happen. And the fact remains that most of us push the envelope
at least a little. This always increases the risk.
Should we desist, and deny our needs to avoid the risk?
I believe that approach denies our very being. We are physically and emotionally
designed to imagine, to explore, and to try, despite the risks.
I think it would be safe (There's that word again!) to say that all of
us into kink of any kind are risk takers. It is a necessary part of our
make-up, something we have to do. How else could we meet our needs?
The use of the word 'need' is intentional. It is not a choice for most
of us…it is a need.
I am willing to take the risks. I am happier when my needs are met…and
a lot less frustrated and angry.
About Desert Dominion We are a local pansexual, panfetish organization
and welcome everyone regardless of orientation, sex, gender, age (18 and
above), race, creed, religion, kink, etc. We would like to invite those who
are in the lifestyle, new to the scene, or just curious about bdsm to come
to our events, meet us, socialize with us, and learn with us. We are not
a dating service or sex club. We do not find partners for people. We exist
to support, educate, and socialize with one another in a safe, sane, and
consensual domain. Our members possess a variety of years of experience,
of education in related lifestyle activities, and have widely diverse interests.
Feedback Needed! The videotaping of seminars survey netted the editor
one respondent who is for videotaping them, but against charging for viewing.
I have heard nothing since my computer went down. When we survey the members,
Please contact Darkefyre at: webmaster@desertdominion.org, Johnie at:
571-1835 or jwp_shanachie@msn.com or one of the board members. Let us
know what you think!
Our membership is up to 117 active members!
Non-Desert Dominion activities of interest Gender Outlawz meets the 1st
Tuesday of each month at Wingspan, 300 E. 6th St. This is a discussion group
on gender issues.
Desert Dominion Wish List This is a list of things needed for the space.
Perhaps I'll have it next month.
The submission deadline for the May issue is April 21. I need about a week
to get the newsletter ready for print. Ed.
Organizational items being discussed
There has been talk of changing our slogan from SSC (Safe, Sane, and Consensual)
to RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink) or something else since there is a certain
amount of risk involved with BDSM.
Definitions are being sought for the specialty parties. Trouble is, we
are such a diverse group that any definitions are bound to step on someone's
toes!
While we are on the subject of specialty parties, we need some kind of parameters
for holding them. Perhaps 20 or more prepaid participants with enough interest
to do the work of setting them up and doing the work involved with running
them. If you are more comfortable at a specialty party than a regular party,
then perhaps a little help would be in order. The people who worked the door
and dungeon-mastered at the parties had no interest in being there, except
to help it happen. Let them rest while those of us who want to be there
do the work!
Reciprocity with Tucson Lifestyle Club is said to be a one time only event
for the 'Couple's' party.
We need volunteers for the basic seminars: 'BDSM 101,' 'Safety,' and 'Negotiations.'
If the same people are always doing them, they are going to get burned out
quickly.
The flags on the wall are coming down.
For those of us who dungeon master, the parameters for stopping a scene
include two people agreeing a scene needs to be stopped.
If you are going to sit naked on the furniture in the social area, the same
rules apply as for the dungeon furniture: Bring a towel or clean it.
Permission has been given to up the newsletters printed from 300 to 400
per month to accommodate the increased distribution.
Locations where you can find Desert Dominion newsletters In Tucson:
Adult Expectations, 2505 N. Stone
AinT Nobodys Bizness, 2900 E. Broadway
Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave.
Desert Pride, 300 E. 6th St.
Fascinations, 3656 E. Speedway
Fascinations, 7165 E. Speedway
Glass Bottom, 2235 E. Broadway
Hydra, 145 E. Congress
IBT (It's About Time), 616 N. 4th Ave.
Miracle Mile Adult Movies, 1881 N. Oracle
Wingspan, 300 E. 6th St.
Yard Dog, 2449 N. Stone
Please honor our sponsors with your commercial attention.
Desert Dominion Profit & Loss February 20 through March 19, 2002
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Interest 0.36
Memberships 150.00
Parties 810.00
Raffles 13.50
Seminars 230.00
Soda 65.50 Total Income 1,269.36
Cost of Goods Sold
Seminar expenses 10.76
Soda purchases 16.23
Total COGS 26.99
Gross Profit 1,242.37
Expense
Bank Service Charges 12.00
Miscellaneous 25.90
Newsletter 66.71
Rent 688.00
Repairs 83.66
Utilities 10.41 Total Expense 886.68
Net Ordinary Income 355.69
Net Income 355.69
(Editor's note: If you know about events that should be included for the
delight and enjoyment of our membership & the kink community, please
send the information to: Darkefyre at: webmaster@desertdominion.org, or Johnie
at: 571-1835 or jwp_shanachie@msn.com
Calendar Notes
Munches are the 1st Wednesday of the month at IHOP, Grant & Rosemont,
7:00 PM, Dutch. This is a chance to introduce yourself to like-minded others
& enjoy an evening of conversation and great food! (Just a reminder:
This is a social event, a group of equals meeting to discuss mutual topics
of interest. The Munch is geared to support, making friends, and getting
to know others who may well be candidates for play at a later date. Memberships
and renewals are available. Memberships are three months for $10.00 or
$25.00/year.
Unless otherwise noted, all DD sponsored events except the Munch will be
held in the DD space at 3843 E. 37th Street, Tucson.
Seminars, H.O.T.s (Hands On Training), & Workshops are $5 members/$8
non-members, 7:00 PM. Seminars are usually in lecture form. H.O.T.s and
workshops may involve nudity. If in doubt, ask. Memberships and renewals
are available at the door.
Discussion groups are whatever you care to donate, and are usually open
to anyone over 18. Memberships and renewals may be available at the door.
At 3:00 PM one Saturday each month there will be a basic seminar on 'Safety,'
'BDSM 101,' or 'Negotiations.' These are $5.00 to all.
New Member Orientations are open to all and are free. These are usually
held at 4:00 PM on the afternoon of Party dates. Memberships and renewals
are available at the door. You can join at the orientation, but new memberships
are NOT sold at the parties.
Parties: 8:00 PM, $10.00/person. Bring a shore food. Sodas 50 cents, water
$1. No Memberships available at door.
A current DD membership card or a card from a reciprocal organization, and
a picture I.D. is absolutely required. There will be no entrance without
one. If you are not a member, but would like to be one, please see the membership
section of our web site for details.
Board meetings are usually about the miDDle of the month or a little later,
at 7:00 PM. All Desert Dominion members are welcome to attend. Orderly
discussion is encouraged, but vote is by board members only.
DESERT DOMINION CALENDAR
See 'Calendar Notes' on preceding page.
April Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2
3 4 5 6 Munch 7 pm Orientation 4 pm. IHOP
Party 8 pm Grant & Rosemont 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Orientation 4 pm 'Couples'
Party 8 pm 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Dom & sub
Workshop 7 pm Board Seminar 3 pm Discussion 'Role
Playing' (Robert) Meeting 'Negotiations' (Cheryl) Groups 3pm
7 pm Orientation 4 pm Party
8 pm 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 General Discussion of
Kink 7 pm 28 29 30
Work Party Workshop 7 pm 10 am & BBQ 'CBT' (Cheryl/Johnie)
for workers May Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 Munch 7 pm Seminar 3 pm
IHOP 'BDSM 101' . Grant & Rosemont Orientation
4 pm Party 8 pm 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Orientation 4 pm Party 8 pm
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Dom & sub Seminar 7 pm
Discussion 'Daily D/s' Groups 3pm
26 27 28 29 30 31