Metro Article: Beyond Vanilla preview (www.anemagazine.com)

So whadda you know about BDSM? You know, bondage. Whips. Chains. Leather. Chances are your first impressions are a little off. The chasing of the big O through out this little planet of ours never ceases to amaze me and whether this fetish business is a lifestyle, fashion or just plain business to you might find yourself surprised at just how much you have in common as a Vanilla.

“Vanilla” used in the context of the BDSM (Bondage Discipline Sado-Masochism) community could likened to plain ‘ol regular sex. Vanillas are the muggles of the world to those in the lifestyle.

In 1990, The National Leather Association (NLA) took over an educational forum called Beyond Vanilla. It was a one-day formal presentation of leather, fetish and SM and ideas that blossomed into a full-fledged convention of sorts with attendees from every walk of life.

Through the past 19 years, the workshops have included topics such as "Our Kink Is OK!” Flogging, Bottom Issues and Perspectives, Fisting, SM and Domestic Violence, Switching, Fantasies, Fetish Wear, Gay and Lesbian SM - Coming Out For The Second Time, Age and Gender Play, SM and Spirituality, Fantasy To Reality, Protocol, Canings, Single tails, CBT, Polyamory, all types of relationship issues and just about anything else you'd ever want to know about Leather, SM, D/s and fetish activities. 

According to event spokesmen,

“Those who attend this year's event will be treated to a plethora of workshops, from SM scene techniques to the relationship aspects that are a part of this as well. We have presenters that are coming in from all over the country to speak on topics such as mummification, knife play, personality types, fears that we have in relationships, porcupine quills and needle play, the history of the Leather community and where it stands today, and sensual flogging. A full listing of the classes and the biographies of their presenters is also listed on the website for those wishing to take a gander at it. There is also the iPup/IPTC conference for those that are interested in the human puppy and what it takes to train one and make them fetch!

There is also the entertainment, both Friday night and Saturday night. There is a wonderful show at the hotel on Friday night with local entertainers and a midnight wrestling contest, and another entertainment show in conjunction with the Dallas Eagle Bar will be happening Friday night at the Eagle. Saturday night, after the Leather Dinner and Keynote Speaker Travis Wilson, will be another round of hot fun for attendees to watch with a fantasy contest taking place. That is if the attendees do not have a ticket to the Masquerade Ball and Play Party where all kinds of naughty fun are going to be had.

Then there is the Teeter-Totter-a-Thon, which benefits Bryan's House, a local charity that helps kids and teens with HIV/Aids. Every year, both Beyond Vanilla and the Teeter-Totter-a-Thon help raise money for charities like Bryan's House, among other local charities, who need funds to support a greater community. NLA-Dallas and Beyond Vanilla are committed to providing outreach and help where and when we can to those in need, and there is an auction of wonderful items that will be going on during the event that is also raising money for the designated charities this year.”

Now you may be curious about all this but fear that you might be “outed” to your less than open minded fellows in the community. I addressed this issue of seclusion with an NLA representative who addresses the issue of secrecy by saying, “Not everyone in this world is accepting of what we do. It was not that long ago that being homosexual was not accepted or recognized under the law, neither was inter-racial marriage. In fact, the battle over civil rights is not totally won yet for many people and who they are as people in this country. We have a saying in the scene, “Don't scare the vanillas”. By that, not everything we choose to do is done in public, and most times it is done in the privacy of one's home. Or at events such as Beyond Vanilla, where we can be with others who share our ideals, and to share ideas, on what it is that we do. NLA-Dallas is an open group however, we have a website, have meetings in public, thus we are not secluded or secret. We are out there. You just have to come find us.”

The basic registration for the event happening, September 25^th - 27^th, includes access to all workshops and seminars for the entire event weekend, access to IPTC and iPup, and an event pin. The price right now is $99.00 if you register online at the website, www.beyondvanilla.org. You can also purchase day passes on-line or at the event for either Saturday or Sunday. A full registration will be $110.00 at the door of the event. However, if you want to visit the vendor fair, where there are many different types of vendors selling their wares, or the entertainment scheduled is free with picture id to make sure everyone is of proper age (open minded types 18 and up). Also see www.nla-dallas.org for info in NLA activities through out the month.

M. Wilshin

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