By Maria Padhila
I really wish I could travel more and attend more poly events. For instance, I had to miss Vancouver, BC’s PolyCon event, “Claiming Our Right to Love,” and worst of all, I had to miss the workshop: “How NOT to Be a Poly Elite Douchenozzle.”
The workshop was given by Samantha Fraser, mistress of the Not Your Mother’s Playground website and book of the same name, now available on Kindle. She also gave a workshop on double standards, and the keynote talk, “Living Honestly & Creating Change.”
“…Word is that Samantha Fraser brought down the house with her Friday night keynote talk,” reported Alan of Poly in the Media.
I think what makes her so popular might have something to do with honesty, openness and good communication, judging from her writing. I put in for an interview with her; she’s currently on the road, but is down with it in the future.
But the topic of how not to be a poly elite douchnozzle is one whose time has certainly come. This morning, my mailbox was tied and bound with news of a study that people who do BDSM are “mentally healthier” than those who don’t. So get out the spatula if you’re feeling a little neurotic, and whap your way to mental health, right? Actually, BDSM’s customary honesty, openness and good communication — people actually talking about boundaries and what they want — have been tagged as the culprits in this case.