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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1998)
aprii 17. 1998 » Jurat mut g u h s in e w s iolent. Demented. Dangerous. K T Chase will tell you she’s fed up with these types o f unin formed characterizations o f sado masochistic, fetish and leather S ubcultural S tudies Living in Leather contacts, like Chase, for guid ance in their quest for subjects and, in turn, answers. “ I think what they are doing now is great,” Researchers are taking a closer look at Oregon's SM community Chase says. “They’re doing it in a responsible, lives. educational way, not in a negative, sensational- and documenting the politics of identity b y Inga S oren sen “There are so many misrepresentations in istic manner. That’s why Susie and 1 agreed to sadomasochism community. the media,” says Chase, a local artist and radical The two chose to collaborate on a proposal participate.” “W e plan to interview all o f our participants for a project that takes a closer look at SM cul sensualist. Phillips and Breaux have assembled a ture. on video in order to create a visual document. It Misrepresentations that position leather, SM research and video crew comprised o f students will be accessible to the general public, but it and fetish as manifestations o f a sick mind. “W e’re exploring cultural identity, that is, who will conduct interviews throughout the w on’t rely on the sensationalism o f SM. Rather, how and why people come to identify them Misrepresentations that juxtapose those forms o f spring and summer. we want to portray the complicated and subtle expression with abuse, cruelty, coercion, and an selves in the way they do,” explains Phillips. The team has already met with Chase and processes o f identity politics,” says Phillips. array o f ugly, nonconsensual acts. Misrepre The duo are also examining what they per Shepherd at the couple’s Northeast Portland She says the study’s premise stemmed from ceive as a “growing fissure” within the SM com sentations that cast a creepy shadow. home, which houses a “play room .” an earlier project involving Breaux, who was at munity over whether to seek greater mainstream For years, Chase and her life partner, Susie “ [The students] were just in awe,” Chase the time teaching a video field production Shepherd, have been out and proud about their acceptance or maintain an outsider identity. chuckles. “ It was like having a room full o f chil course. Phillips says SM — at least its more tangible life choices, which often revolve around SM, dren. But let me tell you, they asked good ques- leather, and fetish— a trio o f m tions and were really seeking accu- descriptives that may jar the unini I rate information.” g Cassidy DeMarco, a junior at tiated. For those w ho have stepped § Pacific University, is one o f those o students. beyond the bounds o f ignorance, however, there is the understanding '5 “ It was exciting to have an that SM, leather and fetish tradi ' opportunity to actually put a face to tionally have more to do with erot a subculture, rather than just study ic journeying, heightened sensitivi ing it in a more academic, removed ty, creativity, costume, sex, fun, way,” says DeMarco. trust, “safe, sane and consensual” He says he was eager to get activities, communication and com involved in the project because he enjoys pondering what makes peo munity. ple tick, as well as why they make Indeed, there is a whole subcul the choices they make, including ture o f radical sensualists here and abroad, attending conferences, net choices about identity. working, coffee klatching, meeting “ I’m real curious about that,” says DeMarco, who identifies as and greeting, growing. bisexual. They hail from a potpourri o f Phillips, meanwhile, says her ini « ¡ ¡ ¡ I f ' S cultural, econom ic, racial, ability - tial contacts with the SM com mu and gender backgrounds. They’re nity have been encouraging. queer and not queer. Som e are “ Like most people who have vanilla, some not. Some are nice, been misunderstood, they want to some are schmucks, but most are, talk,” she says, adding there remains like everyone, probably a blend. You a strong stigma attached even to get the picture. studying the SM community, never “ But the public picture is usually mind actually being a part o f it. one o f negative stereotypes,” says Chase. “ I get so tired o f that.” Phillips likens the prejudice to Tired hut not defeated. Hence once com m only-held beliefs that w om en’s studies, African A m eri her and Shepherds willingness to he Research subject K T Chase with other radical sensualists w ho were profiled in the Feb. 16, 1996, Issue o f Just O ut can studies and gay and lesbian among the subjects interviewed for During that period, Breaux’s students decid a new project launched by two Pacific trappings, like clothes and jewelry— is increas studies were not subjects worthy o f serious ed to interview people who engaged in body ingly being swallowed by the establishment. research. University professors who are probing the cul m odifications, such as piercing, and they “ W hat happens when cultures o f resistance She feels this project, and the Oregon ture o f sadomasochism. received permission to interview attendees of get co-opted by the mainstream? W e want to “The project is based on interviews with, and C ou n cil for the Humanities’ grant-based the International Living in Leather Conference, explore that,” she tells Just Out. oral histories of, members o f the region’s SM endorsement o f it, could be a first step in the which was held in Portland last October. These are questions not unlike those being right direction. subculture,” says Sarah Phillips, a Pacific Living in Leather piqued Breaux’s interest in University assistant professor o f sociology. mulled by some members o f the gay and lesbian “That’s what we’re hoping,” she says. further exploring SM life. Back at Pacific, she community. What happens when assimilation is She, along with faculty colleague Nancy By the summer o f 1999, the researchers talked with Phillips, whose research in sociolo at your doorstep? Do you put out the welcome Breaux, assistant professor o f media arts, recent expect to have a completed documentary as gy has focused on sexuality-related topics such mat or pull the shades? What is lost and what is ly received a $5,000 grant from the Oregon well as several papers to submit for possible pre gained by either decision? as adolescent H IV /A ID S and nude art model Council for the Humanities to study and pro sentation at professional and academic confer ing. The researchers have in part turned to their duce a documentary video about the state’s ences. : - • f t ,< ■ It's Not Just Another Drag Show SATURDAY, MAY 2,1998 Portland Conference Center DOORS: 6:«o SHOW! 7;0 0 300 N.E. Multnomah Street - Portland, Oregon across the Light Rail Tracks from the Portland C on ven sion Center $10 MINIMUM DONATION Tickets available at all Fred Meyer FASTIXX Outlets or Charge by Phone 503-224-TIXX. Hosted by Mr. Gay Portland X X Mark Hollywood In vited to p e r fo r m D arcelle X V and C om p a n y; Sinnam cn Snapp R ose o f Salem ; Antie M ilo o f E ugene; Poison Waters; D iva o f E ugene; P ook ie; Patti O 'D ora; La Fem m e International M isha R ock a feller; La p em m e International G aysha Starr and lots m ore (Event code: EPTC2MAY) Professionally Video Taped by Portland Cable Access Television A benefit for the A dria M . Edwards Scholarship Fund and O utside In Special thanks to J U S T O U T - O regon 's Lesbian and G ay N ew sm agazine Mistress o f Ceremonies Rose Empress X X X V I Maria