BDSM motion spanked
Motion to Union Council is countered with amendment and is rejected
A couple at Newcastle University have lost their fight to have BDSM acknowledged as a lifestyle under the Union’s equal opportunities policy. BDSM is an umbrella term drawn from the words Bondage, Discipline, and Sado-Masochism, and refers to a wide number of sexual preferences which include bondage, role play, domination and submission. Its roots are extremely obscure, but the practice is thought to be thousands of years old. The Kama Sutra, compiled in the 2nd century AD, is the first written source that refers to the rules and techniques involved when “hitting” in the bedroom. While research shows that interest in BDSM is more common in gay couples, it is thought that up to 25% of people from all walks of life partake in BDSM-related “kinky” activities. Since 2000, over 100,000 people have been registered as “slaves” on the Slave Registry website and given a corresponding “slave number”.
Yet it is still considered a fringe movement. Though gay, lesbian and transgender individuals are frequently encouraged to “come out the closet”, there is a taboo surrounding BDSM. A couple in Yorkshire recently claimed to have been discriminated against when they were prevented from boarding a bus because the man had his partner on a lead. While Arriva claimed health and safety concerns were behind the ban, the bus driver reportedly remarked to the couple that “dogs and freaks” were not welcome on his bus.
Feminists are divided on whether the practice encourages misogyny and domestic violence- some argue against it while others insist that sexual role-play has little to do with gender politics. Despite recent fears that widespread acceptance of BDSM may lead to a rise in sexual violence, there is no evidence to suggest this. In fact, Japan has the lowest incidence of sex crimes in the industrialised world despite much of the country’s pornography prominently featuring BDSM. In the UK a significant 1996 court case cleared a man of Actual Bodily Harm for practising BDSM with his wife, indicating that it was permitted between consensual adults. Yet under last year’s Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill the government introduced a ban on pornographic images depicting acts that cause or appear to cause physical injury, even between consenting adults. The Union have stated that the uncertain legal status of BDSM may prevent them from officially recognising it, despite the fact that the Birmingham Guild of Students not only support BDSM but hold public flogging demonstrations.
Newcastle’s “Kinky Two” prefer to go by the aliases “Lord Viperblade” (L.V for short) and “rascal”. L.V claims they are concerned that making their real names public may put off future employers;
“We go to a lot of local kink events but not many people know us by our real names, nor is it considered polite to ask. As far as I’m concerned, this is my name.”
In person they are both friendly and talkative, showing their various tattoos which denote domination and submission respectively. rascal also regularly dons a collar and leash which symbolise her submission to her boyfriend. So what discrimination do they face on campus?
“People often pointedly ignore us or give us filthy looks. Sometimes they say unpleasant things to my face about the fact that I usually wear a collar. More often than not they just misunderstand what BDSM is about. They regard it as a fetish whereas for us it’s a lifestyle. It’s 24/7. BDSM is my sexual orientation. Me being on the leash is the equivalent of your average couple holding hands.”
But do they not agree that such public displays may make other people uncomfortable?
“All we want is recognition. I’m not asking for permission to be flogged in public- just like other couples certain things always should remain in the bedroom. But I want there to be sanctions for nasty comments directed at people like us, just as there are for homophobic or racist remarks. If you racially abuse someone at this uni then you wind up in a heap of trouble. Why should we not get the same protection?”
When asked how long they’ve known they were into BDSM, the pair becomes slightly uncomfortable. BDSM is classed as a sexual practice and is as such illegal under the age of consent. It is clear, however, that they realised at a fairly early age where they were headed:
“You kind of discover it before you even know what being kinky is. When other people are discovering girls I’m like ‘Oh, girls…and a whip!’”
“Suffice to say we’re both experienced and proud of who we are. My mum is very accepting. My dad would maybe be less so…if he knew about it!”
L.V and rascal complained to the Union following an abusive incident last month, only to be told that they didn’t “have a political leg to stand on”. This led them to propose a motion entitled “Supporting Our Students’ Right to Sexual Choice”. Despite being discussed for around 45 minutes, it was eventually rejected by the Steering Committee for lacking clarity. rascal claims that no one from the Union bothered to contact her and she only found out her motion had failed when a friend who had been present informed her. Following a re-write, a vote took place on the 1st May regarding an amendment which would essentially replace the original motion. Barry Griffiths, the Union’s LGBT officer, argued that the Equal Opportunities Policy already covered any form of discrimination on the basis of sexuality or sexual orientation and therefore there was no need for BDSM in particular to be singled out. After a heated half-hour debate, the amendment was passed by a majority.
Union Society President Jamie McDonnell stated;
“I’m happy with the result, in that we have established that the Equal Opportunities Policy is comprehensive and far-reaching. I personally agreed with the crux of the arguments against the original motion and this amendment.”
Despite this, “rascal” is gearing up to try again:
“The Union’s final decision has defined it as conservative rather than liberal and progressive. Ours is not a political movement but a social one- there is a huge number of BDSM students at Newcastle who we are seeking equality for. We are not pleased with the result and will do whatever we can to make a change. I am never going to give up fighting. A few years ago I would never have had the confidence to do something like this but now that I’m this happy with what I am, I’m not afraid anymore.”
Ben Woodward
Don’t be red faced!
Scientists say tomatoes can stop sunburn
If you’re prone to sunburn then the solution to your problems might be eating more tomatoes.
Scientists at the University, along with Manchester University, have found that eating tomato paste could actually help protect against sunburn and skin ageing caused by high exposure to the sun.
In the study which was presented at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology this month researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive oil, over a period of 12 weeks.
At both the beginning and at the end of the 12 week trial the skin was exposed to ultraviolet light (found naturally in sunlight) and the group who had been eating tomato paste were found to be defend itself from UV far better.
Professor Lesley Rhodes, dermatologist at the University of Manchester, says, “People should not think that tomatoes in any way can replace sun creams, but they may be a good additive. If you can improve your protection through your diet then over several years, this may have a significant effect.”
The protection that eating the tomato paste was said to give the group was equivalent to a sun protection factor of 1.3.
Professor Mark Birch-Machin, dermatology scientist from Newcastle University, says, “Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun, but it may be a useful addition to sun protection along with sunscreens, shade and clothing.”
