Bondage 101 - Times Colonist 2003/10/15

It is the first time the estimated 250-member student group has offered the workshop, according to chairman Michael Joyce. In the past, his organization has sponsored workshops on such topics as safe sex.

According to its Web site, the organization represents "queer, trans and intersex people and allies on campus." It attracts more than 150 people to its major social events.

Bondage 101 is not, Joyce stressed, being presented by the University of Victoria, as several U.S.-based right-wing Web newsletters have implied.

"We are a student group independent of the university," Joyce said Tuesday, sentiments echoed by UVic spokeswoman Patty Pitts.

His group is still exploring any possible liability if participants go home from the course, put into practice what they have learned, and there is "a mishap," Joyce said.

Joyce said the workshop, given by members of a local sado-masochistic and bondage group, Sagacity, was organized in response to several requests last month by UVic Pride members.

Participants are advised to bring some sort of blanket and padding for the floor, 30 metres of 0.7-centimetre braided rope, cut into one 15-metre and two 7.5-metre sections and wear snug-fitting clothing.

Joyce said he was not aware of any incidents in the community of bondage activity gone wrong.

The provincial coroner's office does not record as such death resulting from bondage. "We don't track it as a specific category," said researcher Tes Sidhu.

Sidhu added that she could not recall any recent deaths stemming from bondage. However, the coroner's office does classify death from asphyxia during autoeroticism, usually about two such deaths a year in the province.

"It's really important that people interested in bondage, do it safely," said Joyce.

The $15 workshop slated for Oct. 22 in the Student Union Building is open to those of all sexual orientations. No more than 15 couples can be accommodated.

"Clothing is not optional," stressed Joyce. "There will be no nudity."