NCSF: Call to Action

16 10 2009

Normally I try to keep Fridays lighter here at the House of Void, but this week I ran across something I wanted to share. I think these sorts of things art important so I am passing along this message from the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.

Kinky is NOT a Diagnosis

Help make history by signing the DSM Revision Petition now! The diagnoses in the DSM-IV-TR still subject people who practice BDSM, fetishes and cross-dressing to bias, discrimination and social sanctions without any scientific basis.

We need 3,000 signatures, but we only have 2,200 now. If you don’t speak up and call on the American Psychiatric Association to adhere to empirical research when revising the diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), then the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group won’t make a meaningful change.

To sign, go to: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/DSMrevisionpetition

You can make your signature anonymous on this secure petition site so it doesn’t appear on the Internet or when the petition is delivered to the APA.

Petition:
“We, the undersigned, support the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) own goal of making its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) a scientific document, based on empirical research and devoid of cultural bias. A diagnosis of a mental disorder can have a severe adverse impact on employment opportunities, child custody determinations, an individual’s well-being, and other areas of functioning.”

Therefore we urge the APA to remove all diagnoses that are not based upon peer-reviewed, empirical research, demonstrating distress or dysfunction, from the DSM. The APA specifically should not promote current social norms or values as a basis for clinical judgments.”

To find out more about the DSM and the Paraphilias section, read the NCSF & ITCR: The Foundation for NCSF’s “White Paper on the DSM Revision” at www.ncsfreedom.org

For more information, email: susanw@ncsfreedom.org

Help spread the word – please distribute this call for signatures!

October 15, 2009

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances the equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual and relationship expression. NCSF advances the rights and advocates for consenting adults in the SM-Leather-Fetish, swing, and polyamory communities. We pursue our vision through direct services, education, advocacy, and outreach in conjunction with our partner organizations to directly benefit these communities.

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (917) 848-6544 media@ncsfreedom.org www.ncsfreedom.org www.twitter.com/ncsf http://ncsf.wordpress.com





Supreme Court Will Review BDSM Related Case

14 10 2009

Well, one day it had to happen.  The Supreme Court announced that it will review a case that had been making its way up the courthouse chain for a while now. It is a rather interesting case, but to boil it down to the basics, prosecutors claim that Glenn Marcus beat and tortured a woman named “Jodi”. From Courthouse news:

The Supreme Court will decide whether a lower court correctly set aside the conviction of a sex trafficker known as “S&M Svengali.” The justices on Tuesday agreed to hear the government’s appeal of a case involving Glenn Marcus, who received nine years in prison for beating, sexually abusing and humiliating a woman who had agreed to appear in photos as his “sex slave.”
Marcus met his alleged victim, Jodi, through a bondage Web site, and the two agreed to meet in Maryland in 1998. During the visit, Marcus whipped Jodi and carved the word “slave” on her stomach with a knife, according to prosecutors.

But the 2nd Circuit threw out his conviction on the basis that some of the offenses occurred before the passage of the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which was used to prosecute him.

I am no lawyer, so I won’t comment about the merits of the case, or what it means for the Lifestyle in general.  I do think it is important to remember that perhaps sometimes it is wiser, no matter how much we may want to show off our sadism and our skills, for what ever reward, monetary or fame, that such display may bring it is often wiser to no do so. Society at large does not understand us.  They will act to bring us down.

And always, ALWAYS remember that when consent is withdrawn – STOP.

MV





Service Book of Days 10/12/09

12 10 2009

Outside my window… (weather, what do you hear, what do you see?) is cold but the weather is nice. It feels sort of like a spring type cold and not yet a winter type cold…lol

my thoughts…are about trying to regain my equilibrium in regards to my slavery.

Today’s Quote“The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much more strongly than even the final surrender; because this kiss already has within it that surrender.” Emil Ludwig quotes (German Biographer and Writer who is internationally known for his many popular biographies, 1881-1948)

i am thankful for…always my family, all my moments – good and bad. I know I keep saying this but these are the things that I am most thankful for…everything else is just gravy, as the saying goes.

From my service training…(any skills, training etc; notes you want to share this week) I am learning another aspect of surrender. That Master’s rules don’t change no matter what I may think. These are his rules and my role is to accept, internalize, surrender to them. Actually the slave surrendering is the only way I can see for our relationship. Not surrendering to Master’s rules means that I am saving some part of my independence to use at a later time.

From the kitchen…(menu for the week, what are you cooking?) I am cooking breakfast every morning for the kids.

i am wearing…Master’s shirt. Even though his smell has long since departed from this shirt, just putting it on makes me feel all warm and cozy.

i am creating…(crafts, sewing etc;) nothing new at the moment

my adventures this week…(where are you going this week?) No adventures this weekend. I am going to continue to do stuff around my house. Still trying to prepare my house for selling.

Becoming well read…(What are you reading this week?)…Nothing this week. I am going to search for another good book on surrendering and slavery.

i manifest and co-create…(what are your hopes, dreams, and prayers this week) Peace and tranquility in my house and with my children. I pray for the people around us to not take their life for granted.

Todays Melody..(what music are you listening to? even if it’s just the sound of a bird…)  No melodies today…just quiet.

One of my favorite things…I am relearning my love for cooking.  For creating my own meals.

further plans for this week…housecleaning/clearing. Continuing my workout plan. Fixing up my house.

Still….life (share a picture you’ve taken OR a picture you found online that speaks to you)

the beginningI chose this photo as for me I need to remember where my place is and that no matter where I am or what space I am in  (with him or away from him) this is the beginning, middle, and end for me.   His slave.  It is when I lose sight of this that my space gets to be an unhappy place.  My constant choice is to be His slave.

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Here are the directions for this post if you are interested in starting your own:
Once a week on Monday you will respond to the above prompts.. more is better. Post your response on your blog or website.

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. This way others can participate in the project as well! http://servicesavoirfaire.blogspot.com/





Things to Mark on Your Calendar

9 10 2009

I noted a few conventions coming up, and I thought I would post about them so you keep them on your radar. One I am planning on going to, the other two are pretty good too.

© nora-s, used per creative commons.  See link for details.

© nora-s, used per creative commons. See link for details.

The first one started yesterday, and lasts through Sunday. DomCon – Atlanta, is a professional and Lifestyle domination convention. It has a interesting combination of classes for everyone and specific presentations for professionals. If you’re already in the area, a visit here could be very productive. I know a lot of my friends in Atlanta will be there. A one day pass is only $20 at the door. That is pretty reasonable in my book.

In October 2009, DomCon will be celebrating it’s 6 Year Anniversary in Atlanta, and will continue in it’s effort to bring the BDSM, Fetish and Leather Communities together to celebrate our commonality and respect our differences, to learn from each other, and to enjoy the company of each other for an unforgettable weekend. Read the rest of this entry »





Another Interview: Kink Writer Anneke Jacob

7 10 2009

A couple of weeks ago, Anneke Jacob approached me and asked if I would be interested in “any interest in the book that won the National Leather Association novel award, or in its author, or both?” I jumped at the chance. I had just listened to her on an episode of Greydancer’s Ropecast. It was a good listen, and I was to learn something else as I did my research for the interview.

Anneke Jacob is the first ever winner of the National Leather Association: International Pauline Reage Novel Award in 2008. It looks like a good read, here is an excerpt:

Even when he’d said he wasn’t coming I kept listening for his truck. As the neighbourhood was well studded with massive four-by-fours, I spent far too much time looking out the window, disappointed, as some muscly black macho symbol growled by with its empty truck bed. Hoping instead to see well-used burnt sienna beneath my window, brown in shadow but glowing like sunset when it caught the light. The truck was old but cared for, the finish softened and smoothed like a well-used pair of jeans. It got so whenever I saw that colour out on the street, my heart lifted like a balloon.

Read the rest of this entry »





Service Book of Days 10/6/09

6 10 2009
  • Outside my window… (weather, what do you hear, what do you see?) you know, I work in a very scenic office building out in the suburbs. Beautiful grounds…all the buildings are designed to fit the surroundings and not over take them. In the winter it is absolutely gorgeous to see the snow falling. Somehow my office building has a cozy feeling to it :)
  • my thoughts…are about trying to regain my equilibrium A few things happened a couple of weeks ago that almost made me go back into my hidey whole but I am refusing to do that so I am getting back into action.
  • Today’s Quote…  ”Don’t follow your dreams, Chase them”, Richard Dumb.
    I am going to follow my dream of being with Master.  Of changing my kids environment and being happy.
  • i am thankful for…always my family, all my moments – good and bad. I know I keep saying this but these are the things that I am most thankful for…everything else is just gravy, as the saying goes.
  • From my service training…(any skills, training etc; notes you want to share this week)
  • From the kitchen…(menu for the week, what are you cooking?) I am going to make something non-exotic for dinner for my new meal. The kids have told me they need something edible…lol So I am going to roast a chicken but marinade it in a ginger sauce. I am going to cut up and roast some squash for the vegetables. Simple but different :)
  • i am wearing…my stinky workout clothes. Oh man, I can’t wait to take a shower and feel all smooth and clean again.
  • i am creating…(crafts, sewing etc;) nothing new at the moment
  • my adventures this week…(where are you going this week?) No adventures this weekend. I am going to continue to do stuff around my house. Still trying to prepare my house for selling. :)
  • Becoming well read…(What are you reading this week?)…Nothing this week, but thinking about ordering The Fountainhead by Ayne Rand. I keep hearing stuff about this book and I want to listen to it myself.
  • i manifest and co-create…(what are your hopes, dreams, and prayers this week) Peace and tranquility in my house and with my children. I pray for the people around us to not take their life for granted.
  • Todays Melody..(what music are you listening to? even if it’s just the sound of a bird…) Someone posted a song on their fetlife page that I just love the words to. It is Mary J’s song “You’re All I Need”

Here are some of the words:

Like a sweet morning dew
I took on look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my destiny

  • One of my favorite things…Sing. I am just an undiscovered voice waiting for the producer to hear my voice as I ride the train. Well that is what I tell myself when it is probably more like the people on the train grumbling for me to be quiet…LOL
  • further plans for this week…housecleaning/clearing. Continuing my workout plan. Fixing up my house.
  • Still….life (share a picture you’ve taken OR a picture you found online that speaks to you)

fish and woman

You know I was surfing the site Master gave me to look for pictures that I can use without breaking any copy right laws and such and I saw this picture on the front page.  I was looking  for pictures of nice bright and shiny things that make me feel giggly inside.  But I just kept coming back to this picture.

You know with the move and stuff I feel really scared.  I am basically changing my comforting surroundings for a place unknown.  Starting new.  Looking at this picture, the words that came to my mind were:

Sometimes you just have to eat the whole thing.

I am going to prepare as well as I can for the move but there will come a time soon when I just have to do it.

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Photo used by Creative Commons:  http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=241855&entryId=424

Here are the directions for this post if you are interested in starting your own:

Once a week on Monday you will respond to the above prompts.. more is better. Post your response on your blog or website.

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. This way others can participate in the project as well! http://servicesavoirfaire.blogspot.com/








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