Defending the
kink community

[Re: Deborah Rankin’s letter “Disturbing sex,” Aug. 23]

I’m speaking on my behalf here: what on earth does bondage have to do with people inserting gerbils up their rectums!!!

You say: “...yet another misguided article in the Mirror celebrating depravity in the name of diversity...” I think you are completely mistaken: the Censored Festival is clearly focused on promoting healthy and ethical sexuality and sexual expression.

Let me quote from our website: “CENSORED Festival supports safe, sane and consensual development of sexual expression. We do not condone activities that are illegal or are not between consenting adults.” This goes for animals too! Bestiality is NOT accepted by the Censored Festival or the “kink community” at large as a safe, sane or consensual alternative sexuality! Alternative Sexuality communities include Fetishists, BDSM players, Swingers, Polyamorists, bisexuals, homosexuals and lesbians. Not pedophiles and zoophiles, because in both cases one of the parties is not capable of informed consent.

What you refer to as “deviant sexual lifestyles” are, for most people involved, a simple adjunct to their regular sex life to spice things up a bit, to become better lovers or to help keep an old relationship fresh and exciting. For the minority that does consider it to be a lifestyle, we are interested in creating a sense of community and educating these people towards safe practice. History has shown that part of the population will always have alternative sexual interests and those interests will be expressed one way or another—in a safe and healthy way—or not.

And just so you know, there’s nothing inherently “sado-masochistic” about bondage, and vice versa. Bondage can be about trust, sensuality, or submission, and can be a beautiful and positive, even liberating (ironically enough) experience for all kinds of smart and functional people.

People like you who are afraid of this type of sexual expression need to realize that when one pushes their lover firmly against the wall and holds them there in a passionate kiss, that is the essence, the root, of bondage. When one digs their nails in to their lover’s back at sexual climax, and it is perceived not as pain in that moment, but as pleasure; that is the root of S/M.

>> Mistress V

Stay eco-local

[Re: “Junk’s new life,” Chris Barry, Aug. 16] I wish Diane Bertrand, the proprietor of Eco-logic in Cote St-Paul, continued success with her second-hand goods store where she sells cast-off furniture and appliances at bargain prices.

Living in an ultra-consumerist society, tons of furniture and appliances, as well as other items, in perfectly usable condition get tossed onto the street every year during the moving season. A lot of people also toss out perfectly usable stuff into the garbage year-round on a whim. I always say there is more to progress than continually expanding the size of landfills. Shipping reusable appliances to poor countries makes sense, but shipping fees and packaging costs can render this too expensive sometimes. Often it is just better to reuse things locally.

>> Manish Patwari

Metal offense

[Re: Photo caption Aug. 16] The caption for the photo on pg. 26 in music listings read; “‘This is genuinely catchy music... then again, HIV is catchy... Tub Ring is AIDS.’ Well, when you put it that way, who wouldn’t want to get infected?” This is unbelievably offensive and beyond ignorant.

That’s the LAST time I pick up your stupid little paper.

>> anonymous

[Music ed’s reply: The quote, used prominently in Tub Ring’s press materials, originally appeared on globaldomination.se, a metal Webzine.]

Missing Montebello?

[Re: Aug. 23 issue]

The Mirror missed the boat on coverage of the Montebello summit. While this week you feature articles about Quebec politics, and commissions that waste taxpayer dollars, the real people of Quebec were out protesting the coming annihilation of our sovereignty.

Tear gas was used, and Sûreté du Quebec has admitted to infiltrating the protests. Week after week, the Mirror covers illusions, cash cows for the entertainment industry, with little redeeming social value. When it comes to real actions against massive injustices, there’s just no room.

I guess if there was some sexual angle, or if the noise was deafening and a concert was promoted by meat-packer George Gillett, then maybe the protests would have made your pages.

And you have the chutzpah to call yourselves alternative?

>> J.M. Wolowitz

[News ed’s reply: In fact, the Mirror ran two run-up pieces to the Montebello summit, including information on advance protests in Montreal. In last week’s issue, the Photo of the Week (clearly showing SQ officers amidst tear gas), the Insect of the Week and the Quote of the Week all referred to the summit.]

Correction

The new radio station CJLO, which will start broadcasting in mid-fall, will be at 1690 AM on the radio dial, not at 1960, a non-existent frequency.

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!