S+ ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES IN UK

Q1: What is the biggest learning curve that should be put into our legislation and influence law and culture in our society?

Logan: Adopting the attitude of ‘fuck capitalism’ that’s often found when people try to create something ‘other’ is not going to get the industry very far. I know we wanna be free and we wanna be accepted but the reality is that we’re not, so we have to find a way to work with the Police, to work with Government. As much as I want the law abolished, it’s not gonna happen in my lifetime. So I think it’s really important to acknowledge those differences, and just turn the other cheek and try and make it work as much as possible.

Q2: How do we feel about sex education in terms of sex-positive education?

Lara (above): I wish the education I received as a kid had included some degree of sex positivity. I think what’s really lacking is education around emotions. How do we process emotions? What are emotions? How do we address our grievances in each other when we have big feelings and all that kind of stuff? As for sex positivity in education, it’s just a really tricky issue right now. We need to tread really carefully when talking about children, not approach such issues by running at them. I’m sure some changes are in the pipeline but it’s gonna be a while yet.

Q3: How will your dispute resolution scheme work and how will you ensure it’s fair and ethical?

Lara: The S+ dispute resolution scheme is not there to decide who is right and who is wrong. We’re not policing anything or being a judge — we’re just facilitating because people struggle to resolve conflicts. If your event receives a complaint, you should first go through your own processes for handling it. If there’s still a grievance, the parties can refer it to the S+ team. We’ll ask: what have you done so far; what processes have you followed? And then we’ll make recommendations. We may have a bit more knowledge of conflict management processes. Sometimes it just takes a third party to have oversight of something — to look at it with fresh eyes, and get people to look at it again.

So what S+ provides access to is quite a chunky conflict management policy, giving a lot of information about ways to manage disputes, exchange information, and have a meeting. As well as the questions you need to ask yourself if you’re dealing with, say, a consent breach; and what not to do.

Q4: What are the plans around lobbying for clearer laws on licensing for venues? Very few venues will host play parties, for example. Many venues don’t know which licences they’re supposed to have, and we promoters don’t know which licences we’re supposed to be asking for.

Lara: There are common misconceptions around licensing laws. We don’t really need any changes in laws — we just need more understanding of how they apply, and how to navigate them. Getting laws changed is a very long process. It doesn’t happen easily and I don’t really think it’s needed for events at the moment. There’s no licence needed for adults to get together and have fun times. Only certain things are licensable, like providing alcoholic drinks or certain entertainment. And most venues will have a licence for that already, so you as an event don’t need to worry about having a licence. You just need to have carried out your risk assessments, and to be complying with all the regulatory laws that affect any event.

Q5: Do you think there’s been any change recently in local authorities’ attitude towards sex positive events?

Scott: I only talk to the police. We have a good relationship. I check with them weekly, for our events, that they do what they’re meant to do in terms of safeguarding the community, to make sure that they’re happy. So I think building your relationship is the most important thing. They’re not out to get you, just give them what they need and check in with them regularly.

Allen (above): During and coming out of lockdown, we did some sit-down perv parties called The Pearl Necklace. The Council came down to check on it, and were very supportive of us putting on an event, helping us to get some money through the door. The Council and the Police were looking forward to speaking to us after this event too. So I think positives are already happening, just by having today’s launch.

Q6: Is it seen as part of the Association’s role to interact with the media as well, and to consider what sort of strategy that requires?

Logan: Yes, our intention is to speak to the media, but I’ve been part of this world for about eight years now and every single time I get an email from the BBC or Channel 4 about doing a documentary or show, it comes out as this salacious treatment, so it immediately gets my back up. Just the other day, somebody at the BBC wanted to talk about pegging, and