Harm reduction needed

Dear Andrea Nemerson,
[ andrea [at] altsexcolumn.com ]

In my queer opinion, down-putting a shit-lover is useless ("Oh, crap," SF Bay Guardian, 4 August 2004).
"Just say No" cures desire about as often as "Have a nice day"
cures depression.

I would have tried to practice harm reduction,
by advising the coprophile to play with safer substitutes,
such as chocolate
(alone, or with fellow fetishists, or with a sympathetic sexworker).


Not only do attempts at total suppression/repression usually fail,
but these may lead to denial (self-deception),
which can get one into worse trouble yet.


For example, some persons repeatedly "just happen" to pick abusive mates,
as if a "Beat me" message were tattooed on their backs.
I think some of these victims MAY have an un-recognized need to bottom;
which they could safely/sanely/consensually explore in the leather communities.
[ Caveat: I'm NOT, in any way, excusing the abusers. ]


Your fan,
Tortuga Bi LIBERTY,
of Senior Unlimited Nudes
http://pages.prodigy.net/seniornude

10 August 2004
......


PS: And, for the pleasure of IndyBay readers,
here's a

CALENDAR 4 FREEDOM-SEEKERS
( compiled by SUN; plus info from HTC ):
........
For the best list of queer events in the SF Gay Area,
please visit Larry-bob at HTC:

[ http://www.holytitclamps.com/ ]

...........
Please FORWARD freely, as appropriate.
...........




[ 10 August thru 26 September 2004 ]


AUGUST 2004:


CAL: SF: August 10, Tuesday: Radar Reading Series, hosted by Michelle Tea,
at SF's downtown New Main public library,
featuring Noel Alumit, Paige McBee, Peter Plate, Beth Steidle.
Free. 6 to 7:30 pm.

..............

CAL: SF: August 10, Tuesday, 7pm: J. Maarten Troost tries to explain "The Sex Lives of Cannibals",
based on living two years on an island in the Republic of Kiribati (in the South Pacific).
Free at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for books, 601 Van Ness Ave., SF.

..............
CAL-SF: Friday August 13th, signup at 7:30, reading at 8 pm: Premiere of Queer Open Mic
at the Center's [new] Three Dollar Bill Cafe.
2nd and 4th Fridays.
Host Cindy M. Emch with featured readers Shar Rednour & Jackie Strano.
Adding to the mixing pot of spoken word in the city is a = new open mic night at the SF LGBT Community Center.
Pro grrrl, pro boi, and completely genderqueer in scope,
the night aims to combine the raunchy enthusiasm of the Hole in the Wall, the warmth and community of Ashkenaz, the unapologetic queer of the Bearded Lady, the radical politics of Café Macondo and the sweet rhythms of El Rio to create a space for spoken word, poetry and performance that is feminist, multi cultural, multi gendered, completely inclusive and dynamic.
$1-5 donations benefit Femina Potens (http://www.feminapotens.com) and The Center (http://www.sfcenter.org)
in an effort to encourage more queer radical art in our community.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
There will be prizes for all readers and a special drawing for one lucky audience member!
At Three Dollar Bill Café, 1800 Market @ Octavia
(... SF LGBT Community Center) [-HTC]
............

*CAL-SF: 18 August, Wed., 7pm: Mariette Pathy Allen explores the GENDER FRONTIER
at A Different Light bookshop, 489 Castro St. (near 18th St). Free.
[ http://www.ADLbooks.com ]
...........

*CAL-SF: 15 August, Sunday, 11AM to 6PM:
first-ever "Hairrison" (sic) streetfair.
Bears invite all adults, 21 and older, to party with them.
$5 admission.
For details, look for their website [http://www.hairrison.org ] (?).
[If that doesn't work, try Harrison ?]

[Request by Senior Unlimited Nudes of SF:
After you attend streetfair,
please e-mail a report to SUN,
telling us whether topfreedom (bare female breasts)
and/or nudity were tolerated -- or not.
Thanks,
SUN ( seniornude [at] prodigy.net ) ]

.............

CAL: SF: August 18, Wednesday, 7pm: SF Bay Area author Marcia Millman describes
"The Perfect Sister", based on interviewing sisters about the dynamics of their relationships.
Free at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for books, 601 Van Ness Ave., SF.
.............

CAL: circa Aug. 23: By this date, California Supreme Court might hand down a decision
about whether San Francisco city-county officials
acted illegally when they issued same-sex marriage licenses
(in SF's historic "Winter of Love", February-March 2004).
..........

MASS.: 25-29 Aug.: 2nd LGBTI Health Summit, in liberal Cambridge.
[ http://www.healthSummit2004.org ]
.........

NEW YORK: circa Aug. 27 - Sept. 4: NYC: RNC and protests.
For info, please see:
[ http://www.counterConvention.org ]
Republican National Convention will attempt to
exploit a nation's traumatic memories of 9-11-2001, by portraying the
Bush regime as effectively "fighting terror". Some protesters will claim that Iraq War
has drained resources away from fighting Al Qaeda and similar groups.
Others will raise many issues, including equal marriage rights.
......
Meanwhile, Cheney decides whether to seek a second term as veep.
[ His poor health allows him to retire, without much embarrassment,
at any moment. ]
.......

NEW YORK city: Aug. 29, Sunday, AM:
CodePink participates in big anti-war demo.
For info, please see:
[ http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/07/1688689.php ]
..........................................................

SEPTEMBER 2004:

USA: (NYC?): Sept. 1: Mass PANTY-FLASHING by "the Axis of Eve":
at 3pm, one hundred women in trench-coats will perform a group flashing
of their slogan-bearing panties, to protest against the Bush regime.
For details of event, and to buy protest panties, please visit website
[ http://www.AxisOfEve.org ]
..........

USA: 4-5-6 Sept: Labor Day weekend.
Visit your local nude beach, or Burning Man.
........

CAL: Sept 5: SF, Cable 29: "Outlook" [queer news], first Sunday, 5pm.
.......


**CAL-SF: 13 Sept, Monday, 7pm:
listen to Carol Leigh (Scarlot Harlot), the UNREPENTANT WHORE,
at A Different Light bookshop, 489 Castro St (near 18th St). Free.
[ http://www.ADLbooks.com ]

..........

MASS: 14 Sept., Tuesday: state primary election, in which candidates' chances
may (or may not) be affected by the MA same-sex marriage controversy.
........

USA: circa 15 Sept. to 15 Oct: Hispanic Heritage Month.
........

MEXICO and USA: Sept. 16: Mexican Independence Day.
........

LOUISIANA: 18 Sept., Saturday: state primary election;
including vote on anti-marriage amendment to state constitution.
........

CAL, northern: circa 19 Sept., Sunday (?): Berkeley:
Will X-plicit Players again hold
a clothing-optional event in Peoples Park ?
......

*** CAL: SF: Sept. 26, Sunday, 11AM to 6PM:
Demonstrate nude for peace at clothing-optional FOLSOM STREET FAIR!
[ http://FolsomStreetEvents.org/ ]
In SF's SoMa district, on Folsom St, from 7th St to 12th St.
Always on last Sunday of each September.
Expect around 400,000 leatherfolk, friends, and fans.
Please donate when you enter.

............................
###