MELANATED KINK
We had a desire to connect more intentionally in a space that could leave room for the possibility of holding us in the complexities, intersections, and visibility of what is it to be melanated and kinky. Within this space we want to teach. Uplift sharing. Reflect on and name the ancestors and their journeys. And honor + celebrate diversity and beauty of the bodies, skin tones, identities + expressions that make up the rainbow of the earth that vibrantly shape the melanated community.
It’s an honor to open, hold + co-create this space with you.
ABOUT THE MELANATED KINK TAKING UP SPACE SERIES
This series will have 4 in person workshops in San Diego and 4 online discussions held from April through May. In person workshops will run 3 hours and online discussion will last 1 hour. Our intention with this series is to connect BIPOC people to one another, their body-centered expressions, resources, education, and a closed container space that will empower them to find, express, and explore kink within community. While guests may choose to join a single session or select multiple, we encourage joining us for the entire series, and co-creating a space that can grow to feel richer, safer, and more connective for everyone involved. The offerings are created to stand powerfully on their own so you will have the opportunity to benefit from joining us in whatever way best aligns for you. If price is a barrier or if you’d like to contribute more, view our sliding scale + contributions options.
In person sessions:
Each session holds space for 30 participates and can be attended solo or with a partner. Please purchase a ticket for each person attending. Attendees must be over 21 and will need to purchase their ticket with their legal name + bring a valid ID that matches to join. The in person sessions will be held at Club Safe Word in Downtown San Diego and address and further details will be sent with ticket confirmation. Please review the event preparation page for details of how to prepare, what to bring, and other FAQ’s.
Online discussions:
Each discussion allows space for all registered participants to join us live and will be held online through our Zoom Sanctuary. The room will open 5 minutes before the start time and the door will close 5 minutes after the start time so those who’d like to take up space with us live will need to sign on before the room closes. We will spend the first 30 minutes sharing information on the discussion topic and the recording will be sent to the email of all participants who purchase a ticket within 72 hours. The final 30 minutes will be undocumented and will be space for open dialog about that week’s topic. The number of participants will determine the discussion format and it may be in one large room or in break out rooms and can vary week to week. Link to access live discussion will be sent with your ticket confirmation.
Online community:
We will have a dedicated space inside THE HUB for all guests who attend one or multiple offerings within the series. You will receive the access details with your ticket confirmation. This will be a space for ongoing connection with others in the community and a dedicated place to connect with the facilitators, share resources, showcase your skills, and continue the conversations we begin during the live in person sessions and online discussions.
SERIES OUTLINE
IN PERSON WORKSHOPS
Self Selected sliding scale:
$18 - $50
per person, per in person session
SESSION 1 | SAT. 4/13, 4-7PM
INTRO TO KINK + CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
SESSION 2 | SAT. 4/20, 12-3PM
INTIMACY, PLEASURE + PLAY
with euni
SESSION 3 | SAT. 4/27, 4-7PM
IMPACT PLAY, PLEASURE + PAIN
with Source
SESSION 4 | SAT. 5/4, 4-7PM
INTRO TO POWER EXCHANGE IN ROPE
with Chap
ONLINE DISCUSSIONS
Self-selected sliding scale:
$10 - $25
per person, per online discussion
DISCUSSION 1 | Mon. 4/15, 5-6PM
HISTORY, CULTURAL REVERENCE, INTERSECTIONALITY IN KINK
DISCUSSION 2 | Mon. 4/22, 5-6PM
DESHAMING + DESIGNING INTIMACY
with euni
DISCUSSION 3 | Mon. 4/29, 5-6PM
CONNECTIVITY OF THE BRAIN, BODY + NERVOUS SYSTEM IN KINK
with Source
DISCUSSION 4 | Mon. 5/6, 6-7PM
CREATING CONNECTIONS IN BEING BOUND/BINDING
with Chap
SERIES FACILITATORS
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euni
she/they
euni is a multi-disciplinary artist who facilitates embodied healing + intentional intimacy practices as a ritual. She curates trauma informed somatic centered sessions, educational resources + experiences, workshops, and retreats founded on principles of kink, non-monogamy, healing in the body + identity, cultural reverence, ecopsychology, herbal medicine, spiritual ideologies, and socioeconomic intersectionality to inform and inspire collaborative creative expression.
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Source
he/him
Source has been in the lifestyle as a Dominant and switch for 6 years. He has a passion for energetic and spiritual kink, and is always looking to share his wisdom and insight with others beginning this journey. His focus is on bringing presence, energy, and subtle awareness to the dynamics present in kink, and helping students learn to listen to their own bodies and intuition as they navigate their own kink experience.
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Chap
they/them
Chap is a big queer rope nerd ready to share their love of rope bondage with their local BIPoC community. They started their rope journey with self-tying, but have since gained 3 years of experience on both sides of the slash (giving and receiving). Their focus is helping students explore the wide world of rope bondage in a way that is personalized to their history, preferences, and ability.
IN PERSON WORKSHOPS
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INTRO TO KINK + CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
Session 1 | 04.13 | 4-7PM
This in person workshop will cover the basic soft skills of kink, connection, intimacy + adult play. We will discuss trauma informed practices for opening connections, holding space, cultivating community, and nuanced experiences as people of color embodying + defining the intersectionalities of safety in exploring kink and community building alongside our other identities.
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INTIMACY, PLEASURE + PLAY
Session 2 | 04.20 | 12-3PM
This in person workshop is a combination of information + integration. It will include an intro to soft skills and Guided embodied exercises that are designed for creating greater pleasure in kinky and sensual connections by teaching how to become more creative, present and intentional with intimacy + play. We will introduce options for sensual connection skills such as tantra, breath + body work, intimate touch, movement + body mechanics, foreplay, and elements of kink such as rope, bondage, temperature play, sensory play, and light impact.
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IMPACT PLAY, PLEASURE + PAIN
Session 3 | 04.27 | 4-7PM
This in person workshop will explore the edges of pleasure, pain, and connectivity through impact play. We will cover physical + emotional barriers to entry and cultural complexities of impact play as people of color, impact safety, basic soft and hard skills, curating a connection + scene, and the importance of aftercare.
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INTRO TO POWER EXCHANGE IN ROPE
Session 4 | 05.04 | 4-7PM
This in person workshop will explore soft + hard skills for getting started with rope bondage. We will discuss a brief history of rope bondage as a tool of corporal punishment, common styles of tying, and risks assessment in rope bondage. Then we will demonstrate foundational tying techniques including the Sommerville Bowline and Single rope ties, before moving into interactive exercises.
ONLINE DISCUSSIONS
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HISTORY, CULTURAL REVERENCE, INTERSECTIONALITY IN KINK
Discussion 1 | Mon. 4/15, 5-6PM | Zoom
This online discussion will be a space for reflection, questioning, and sharing how our ancestral past impacts our current day pleasure + play. This discussion is intended to hold space for open conversation on how to find courageous, safe, and expansive ways forward in the ways we express our pleasure, play, creativity, and identities through kink.
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DESHAMING + DESIGNING INTIMACY
Discussion 2 | Mon. 4/22, 5-6PM | Online
This online discussion will explore dismantling shame associated with platonic + romantic physical intimacy. It will cover terminology tied to intimacy, relationship, connection + adult play, ethics, etiquette, safety, consent, communication techniques, and guided practices for pleasure + play solo or with one or more partner(s).
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CONNECTIVITY OF THE BRAIN, BODY + NERVOUS SYSTEM IN KINK
Discussion 3 | Mon. 4/29, 5-6PM | Online
This online discussion will explore connections between the brain, body and nervous system in kink. We will open space for dialogUE that encourages prioritizing safety- physically, mentally, and emotionally - and overview ways to manage drop, frenzy, and harm as individuals and within your kink connections.
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CREATING CONNECTIONS IN BEING BOUND / BINDING
Discussion 4 | Mon. 5/6, 6-7PM | Online
This online discussion will explore apprehensions you may experience with being bound/binding as an underrepresented person in kink. We will discuss ways to navigate towards the types of connections you want to have, and how to find partners when racial + cultural diversity is limited.