Why We Don't Speak Up

with John Pendal

a live-only online class from Wicked Grounds

July 26 11am Pacific

A lot of discussion about consent relies on being able to speak up. For example:

• Standing up for yourself in negotiations

• Being able to clearly state your needs, wants, desires and limits

• Agreeing to AND BEING ABLE TO USE a safe word during the scene

But there are occasions when our voices may leave us, e.g. feeling that everyone has invested too much in the scene and we don't want to let others down, flooded with endorphins or adrenaline, reliving past trauma, falling in love with your play partner, autistic shutdown - and that’s what this workshop covers.

We examine the many reasons why anyone may stay silent during a kink scene - whether they are a novice or experienced player. What to do if someone is triggered, and different strategies to help people communicate - even if they've had a lifetime of 'people pleasing' or don't know who they are.

PRESENTER:

Experienced BDSM educator and comedian John Pendal joins us all the way from London, England.

In 2003, John became the 25th person (and only Brit) to win the annual International Mr Leather contest in Chicago. Since then, he has traveled worldwide teaching SM education, giving speeches, acting as a master of ceremonies, or doing stand-up comedy.

He has taught workshops at Down and Dirty (Melbourne), Inferno, Lupercalia (Edmonton), Minnesota Leather Pride, Mr. Leatherman Toronto, Palm Springs Leather Pride, Rome BDSM Conference (Italy), SINSations in Leather, Spring in the South (Atlanta), Tribal Fire (Oklahoma), and Thunder in the Mountains (Denver).

www.johnpendal.com

ACCESS:

This will be a live, online class offered through Zoom. To participate, you may need to download the free, basic version of the Zoom app before the class!

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend live. This class will not be recorded and is not available for later viewing.

Zoom now provides closed captioning, which will be available for this event.