Bodily Autonomy and Objectification
Hello Beautiful Beings,
I recently returned from camping in the area of Rainbow Lakes in Colorado. It was a chance for my Boy and I, as partners, to step away from the work we both do as educators and consultants and take a deep breath away from technology. With Roe v. Wade being overturned, with the constant onslaught against transgender people, with the death penalty having adjustments made for religious desires at the time of death... it just keeps coming in. Things that affect me, and the people I care about, directly.
Breathing in the trees and climbing towards an open sky beckoned. I know this is a form of privilege, to be able to plan my schedule according to such desires, but that too was a form of claiming my own autonomy.
On our way to the mountains, we stopped in Boulder, Colorado, and stopped at Flatiron Coffee. A Progress Pride flag was flying, and I felt safe going it. There are many transgender people that do not feel safe entering various venues because of a concern of violence, something I talk about in Traversing Gender, along with how many people have been using transphobic language in general. Walking in, there were also American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation signs for the baristas (and others) to use for communicating with each other, and table space available for people with different seating to table needs.
But then I went in the bathroom. There were hygiene products available in gender neutral colors in their gender neutral bathroom. Though I no longer have a uterus, so many transgender men and non-binary individuals have issues accessing or using such tools because there are not trash cans in the individual stalls, there are not products for sale in bathrooms, and when there are "neutral" bathrooms that offer products, they are labeled as "feminine." However, helping trans and enby (non-binary) people thrive, everyone thrives! Cisgender women get access to products by trans and enby folks getting access to products, and no harm is made to cisgender men by doing so.
Access to care becomes a form of supporting each other in each of us thriving in our bodily journeys, and everyone with uteruses thrives.
With the Supreme Court's decision to strip people with uteruses of their bodily autonomy, I have been thinking about ways we create and explore autonomy in kink, even when someone is being consensually objectified and controlled. We often think of objectification in kink as humiliating or degrading - reducing someone to the status of a thing.
But how can we re-think objectification through the lens of consent and animism? If you view an object as having a soul, as having inherent value, how does that shift the interaction between a human and a human-object? I will be exploring these questions and others during my online class, "Desired Object, Forgotten Object: Erotic Objectification for Animists." Join me on Wednesday, July 20th, from 6-8p PST (9-11p EST) as we examine the objects of our desires.
You can support those most impact by the overturning of Roe v. Wade by...
Buying abortion pills through heyjane.co
Donating to abortion funds
Similar to objectification, Shibari and rope play can either honor or dishonor a person's bodily autonomy. In my book, Shibari You Can Use, I explore ways to honor your partner's autonomy and consent through rope play.
I accordingly want to offer folks who subscribe to my newsletter a 20% discount on Shibari You Can Use through the end of July! Click here to subscribe to my newsletter.
If you are interested in exploring free resources on healthcare access, bodily autonomy, and objectification, you can peruse the following free resources:
My essay, "Access to Medical Care"
My essay, "Objectification, Animism, and for the love of Things"
My interview with Alaska Public Media, "The health care of transgender patients"
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In the past few weeks over on Patreon, I have had a chance to connect with my Patrons regularly through:
A vote to pick the July through September, Patreon-only classes
My poem, "A Servant's Prayer" from my collection On Starry Thighs: Sensual and Sacred Poetry
The video for Arcane Dominance and Submission has gone live for Spirit & Soul level patrons
An update on the work my assistant has been doing
A 6-page handout on negotiation in your relationships and in your own personal path
For July, come join me LIVE at:
Desired Object, Forgotten Object: Erotic Objectification for Animists
Online Worldwide with Wicked Grounds
Wednesday, July 20, 6-8p PST (7-9p MST, 9-11p EST)
Purchase Tickets: https://forbiddentickets.com/events/wicked-grounds/2022-07-20-online-desired-object-forgotten-object-erotic-objectification-for-animists
In the erotically adventurous world, a lot of conversation has been batted about concerning the idea of objectification and its supposed partner humiliation. However, for those of us who believe objects have souls, things have value, and the earth itself is not something to be thrown away when we are done with it, how does this dynamic between human and human-object shift? Let’s discuss how our interactions with a human table change for those of us who look at tables as more than wood? Can we apply our desire to create lasting relationships with our human-objects to creating lasting relationships with the non-human-objects in our world as well? In a world where everything has a soul, we will look at whether humiliation has a place in the language of objectification and dive into our own ethics while examining our objects of desire.
Pain is Inevitable, Suffering is Optional: Erotic Pain Processing
Online Worldwide on Patreon
Saturday, July 23rd, 10-12 PST (11-1p MST, 1-3p PST, 7-9p CET)
Join my Patreon at any level to participate
Each of us processes pain and intense sensations in different ways. Some of us scream, some go silently and some laugh with glee. Some focus on the connection we have with our partners and go stoic, while others dance, writhe, and squirm to let the pain come out through movement. From distracting ourselves with other thoughts or body inputs, to breathing techniques we will discuss how different individuals process pain and how to increase your own effectiveness in transmuting pain into pleasure, suffering, or erotic connection.
Sir, Yes Sir! Exploring Protocol in Power Exchange Dynamics with Lee Harrington
Online Worldwide with Passional
Sunday, July 24th, 7-8:30p EST (5-6:30p MST, 4-5:30 PST)
Purchase Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-exploring-protocol-in-power-exchange-dynamics-with-lee-harrington-tickets-378921874527?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Everyone in the Dominant/Submissive community seems to talk about protocol, but what is it exactly? Where does the line between “common sense” or “etiquette” stop, and protocol begin? We will look at what Protocol is in a power exchange context, delve into terminology, and then examine formats of commonly recognized protocol systems and how these things develop in individual relationships and group dynamics. How does protocol change from public interactions to existing 24/7 in private dynamics? Let’s look into how to further develop our chosen dynamics, implement them consistently, and discuss the difference between enforcing protocol and punishment techniques. These concepts do NOT just apply to D/s dynamics – from active listening to self-sabotage, this class will touch on communication and lifestyle skills for all types of relationships.
Power Exchange with Ropes
Online Worldwide with Karada House
Wednesday, July 27th, 10a PST (12p MST, 2p EST, 8p CET)
Purchase Tickets: https://karada-house.de/events/power-ropes/
You have come to me to submit yourself to my will, and I will use my wicked mind and simple ties to bind your spirit to mine, my desires to yours.
Have you always longed to say those words, but aren’t sure how to use your rope bondage skills (or don’t have any) to create dynamic tension in your D/s relationship dynamics? Whether you are looking to explore D/s in your ropework for the first time, or are passionate about power exchange but hoping to explore some beginning rope, this class will give you a chance to examine and sample rope and power from all sides of the play using conversation, demonstration, and hands-on exercises.
I also have other classes and events coming in the next few months! I will be teaching about power exchange and rope, crotch rope and butt bondage, and more. You can see a few of my upcoming offerings below, and you can visit my Upcoming Appearances page to learn about the rest of my future offerings this summer and beyond.
July 30, 2022 – Appearing on a panel about Kink and LGBTQ Experiences – Accidental Polyamory – Online Worldwide
August 1, 2022 – Teaching “Kink and Spirituality” for a group of sex therapists and councilors – AASECT Colorado Chapter – Denver, CO
August 4-7, 2022 – Teaching classes, leading rituals, and more! – Camp Crucible Weekend – N. Maryland
August 9, 2022 – Teaching Animal Roleplaying – Wicked Grounds – Online Worldwide
August 15, 2022 – Teaching “Crotch Ropes and Butt Bondage” – Karada House – Online Worldwide
To check out all my further scheduled classes and intensives throughout the year (and more being added regularly), visit my Upcoming Appearances page to learn more. To enjoy further free material from me, consider joining me on Patreon where I share weekly resources, monthly classes, and more :)
Much love to you all and see you soon!
Yours in Passion and Soul,
Lee Harrington