Magister Circles

For men who are interested in deepening their experience in BDSM by sharing skills and techniques and learning new ones in a small group setting.  Each circle will be limited to eight men and participants will be asked to commit to meeting once a month for the following six months.  At each meeting, after a brief outline of safety issues, a check-in, and deep breathing, each participant will briefly demonstrate for the other members of the circle some aspect of the art and technique of BDSM, such as bondage, percussion play, sensory deprivation/stimulation, etc.  In addition to learning new skills, it is hoped that trust, brotherhood, intimacy–also necessary elements of BDSM–will grow in the circle over the course of the six months.

Expertise is not required, but it is hoped that participants have at least some experience as the expectation is that all of us will be teaching as well as learning.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Drew Kramer at [email protected] before April 15th.  In the email, let Drew know briefly what your level of experience is (“minimal” is perfectly okay!), why you are interested in taking part and what BDSM means to you, and what evenings or weekend afternoons during the week you would be available to meet.  Please don’t put down just one evening or afternoon:  participants will be mustered into groups of seven and a meeting time will be set, such as “third Monday of every month from 7 to 9 PM.”  The first meeting of each circle will be in May and will continue to meet on that appointed evening/afternoon through October.  In October, each group will have the option of continuing to meet as a group, joining another circle to be formed then.

FAQs

What’s a Magister?

The book Leatherfolk (http://www.amazon.com/Leatherfolk-Radical-People-Politics-Practice/dp/1881943208) includes an essay by Thom Magister in which he describes learning the ways of BDSM among gay male bikers in Los Angeles in the 1950s.  What Magister relates in his essay, 1950s … One Among Many: The Seduction and Training of a Leatherman, is a far cry from the classroom settings in which BDSM practice is mostly taught and learned today.  Magister Circles is an attempt to return the leather tradition of passing on knowledge and experience to its roots.

What if I don’t like it?

Members of the circle are asked to make the commitment of meeting six times over the next six months.  Please do your best to honor your commitment.  If you have qualms, contact Drew, and he will be happy to talk with you more about them.

What’s the cost?

We will be meeting at the Belardo building of the LGBT Community Center of the Desert (“the Food Bank space”).  At the end of each meeting, and envelope will be passed to collect a contribution for the Center.  It’s a more if you can, less if you can’t kind of thing.

If more than eight people sign up, will there be a wait list until October?

Nope.  Drew will be a member of every circle, so each circle will include Drew plus seven other men.  If fourteen men sign up, for example, two circles will be formed meeting on different nights of the month.

Define “men.”

Anyone identifying as a man is welcome and should be welcome by other participants.

I’m really interested, but I don’t have any experience at all.  Am I out of luck?

No.  Not in the least.  But it will mean some homework for you.  There are a lot of How To books and even YouTube videos on just about any BDSM activity you could name.  Showing something you’ve just taught yourself is perfectly acceptable.

What if I’m a bottom?  Is this just for Tops?

Absolutely not!  Are you saying that there is no skill involved in boot service?  Have you never had a Top do something to you that blew your mind, simple though it may be?  And keep in mind that by raising the skill level of the Tops in your circle, you’ve just expanded your list of potential play partners, haven’t you?  And, brass tacks, people will need someone to demonstrate on.

If I’m demonstrating flogging, for example, do I bring someone along as a demo bottom?

No.  After the first meeting, it will be a closed group.  Rather, you negotiate with another member of the circle to be your demo bottom.  And please consider picking someone who hasn’t bottomed previously that night, and who hasn’t bottomed for you previously.

If I really hit it off with a member of my circle, can we explore outside of the group?

Duh. I mean, yes.  Provided, of course, that he’s okay with that, too.

Will there be a graduation or something at the end?
No graduation.  No merit badges.  Just a more well-rounded kinky you.<

What is said in the circle…?
…Stays in the circle.  Exactly.  Do your best not to violate the trust placed in you.