Bondage 101 - Province 2003/10/15

A "Bondage 101" seminar will be held on the UVic campus next week so that up to 15 couples can learn the ropes.

"The workshop is to show safe ways and to inform people of the safe use of ropes in a sexual context," said Michael Joyce, chairman of the UVic Pride Collective.

According to its website, the 250-member organization represents "queer, trans and intersex people and allies on campus."

Joyce said the UVic administration is not involved in organizing the three-hour seminar which takes place next Wednesday in space rented from the University of Victoria Student Society.

An e-mail to participants said they would be "working with a partner for the duration of this workshop, and it will be hands-on and interactive."

The seminar costs $15 per couple and participants are told to bring 100 feet of three-eighth-inch, braided rope, cut into one 50-foot and two 25-foot pieces.

"Canadian Tire or marine store is the easiest place to purchase your rope," the e-mail says, adding helpfully, "braided nylon rope will run you around $.18/foot."

David Clode of UVic's student services said the UVic Pride Collective is a recognized group and a part of the student society. He said the university doesn't interfere with student society business.

No one from the student society was available for comment.