In 1990,
a group of like-minded people, the first members of NLA Dallas' Executive
Committee assumed from the Disciples of de Sade an educational forum
called Beyond Vanilla.This was a one day formal presentation
of Leather, SM and fetish interests and issues in one hour segments
held on consecutive Thursdays in May.It was planned that this be a
twice yearly affair. While that plan didn't work out, what Beyond
Vanilla has become is more than the sum of it's parts or it's organizers,
presenters and attendees. It has a life and a purpose all it's own.
That purpose is education.
Through
the years, 17 of them to be exact, the workshops have included topics
such as "Our Kink Is OK!", Flogging, Bottom Issues and Perspectives,
Fisting, SM and Domestic Violence, Switching, Fantasies, Fetish Wear,
Gay and Lesbian SM - Coming Out For The Second Time, Age and Gender
Play, SM and Spirituality, Fantasy To Reality, Protocol, Canings,
Single tails, CBT, Polyamory,all types of relationship issuesand just
about anything else you'd ever want to know about Leather, SM, D/sand
fetish activities. The workshops of the past bear a striking resemblance
to those of today indicating that the desire for education is ongoing
and the influx of people who want that education is ongoing as well.
The workshop
presenters have included Dean Walradt, Johnny Grey, Hardy Haberman,
Jim Richards, Viola Johnson, Laura Antoniou, Race Bannon, Mark Frazier,
Midori, Ms. Twisted, Ms. Mine, Master Z,Master Jim and slave marshaand
well, too many more to name and which read like a list of who's who
in the Leather Community. People who, throughout our shared history,
gave of their time and knowledge. People who walked this path before
us and paved the way so it would be easier for us all.
Now,
though that past is history, it deserves to be shared with others
like the rest of our Leather history. Today, the board of organizers
for Beyond Vanilla are working towards the event's 18th year. If you
are reading this, you are a part of that history in some way, no matter
how small. What will you write on history's pages?
