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mardi gras - 3/7/2006 3:00:59 AM

fall4conscience

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hi all,

I went to the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras in sydney last saturday. There were a few displays of bdsm and bondage this year but one caught my eye, a float from a bdsm club which had a dom (male) whipping a sub (female) in full view and travelling through the main streets of sydney seen by about 300,000 to 500,000 people they estimate. It was interesting to watch the crowd, some wince other watch amazed and delighted.

Other bdsm related things I saw were people in harnesses (many many of those), whole body suits, role play (plastic nurse outfits), a few dom's leading their subs ect

There has been much talk of acceptable public play and I though i'd just comment on this as an example of rather extreme public play (television camera's were involved) and a situation in which other kinks could be displayed in view of a huge consenting but also rather nieve audience.

What are all your opinions of this as a scene for public play? Would you ever consider doing a scene such as this? Do you think doing a similar march or parade like this would benefit the bdsm scene in becoming more accepted?

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 3:17:16 AM

imtempting

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Its the mardi gras, all that is part off it.

I wish I had more money as I would off went to it, Its an awesome night in the city.

Nah I dont think a bdsm march would help, it would get too much public opposition.

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 4:15:02 AM

slavejali

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The mardi gras is just seen like its a circus by lots of people. Something they can go to once a year and see the freak show. I dont think it really encourages the average folk to be more embracing or accepting of gay and lesbians or anything bdsm they saw...for others its just a fun party night.

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 4:32:15 AM

shandra

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the street fair in leather pride week in taylor square used to be pretty public in the mid nineties i assume it still is
- smallish but

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 6:22:33 AM

windchymes

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In a venue like Mardi Gras, nah, I'm not against it. I'd be one of the ones grinning.

Although I'm all for public education, awareness and acceptance, I don't think it should be a part of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or the Rose Bowl Parade.

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 7:39:21 AM

Vancouver_cinful

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fall4conscience
What are all your opinions of this as a scene for public play? Would you ever consider doing a scene such as this? Do you think doing a similar march or parade like this would benefit the bdsm scene in becoming more accepted?

The Gay Pride parades in North America have always included the leather crowd. I can recall seeing it back in the early 80s.

The Vancouver celebration is no longer called Gay Pride, but simply Pride, and is embracing all alternative lifestyles. So, in effect, we do have a "bdsm parade", here.

In many ways, yes, it does foster some acceptance, but those who are not openminded simply see it as "freaks on parade". A parade is not going to change their mind.

Cin

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 3:44:02 PM

Driver1961

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He enters, Dips His lid,.........

"Morning slaveJali.

I don't have an issue over the flogging. Children and nonconsenting adults (save the wowsers) are not there. Yes the whole parade's a gawk factor with comments ranging from 'look at the freaks' to 'Wow, now that's (admiringly) different...

It is about education, TV won't (unless they wish a backlash upon themselves)publish images from the Mardi Gra quoting violence, as in the flogging. Obviously in an ideal world it would be good for a commentator (on TV or the in the parade) to be saying how 'light' a chamois flogger is etc, but ultimately people have to make up their own minds about the different floats and how those participant's behaviour is of their OWN choice. People failing to understand this are wowsers that are taking up valuable space from other more enlightened people.

In reflection, this is my current view, yet even 5 years ago (partic 12) my views were that the parade should be moderated or closed down.

Warm regards to all

Paul , Sir to His Wild and His Angel

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RE: mardi gras - 3/7/2006 4:01:41 PM

fall4conscience

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One thing it does do is force it all out there, people can see numbers of people who are marching and think 'shit, i didn't realise there was so many out there'...isn't that what marches are for, to show strength in numbers against or for a cause.

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