When people get close to each other, pleasurable and meaningful things can happen. But things can also go wrong - when touch turns into encroachment. In order to avoid this, safer spaces practice consent, agreement and mutual understanding- currently key term in sexual ethics.
Fortunately, this is already a normal practice in some cases. But at the same time, it is often not clear what exactly is meant by this - even less how it actually works. In sex-positive spaces, high expectations are placed on consent exercises to close this gap, but it is disheartening to admit that they do not always deliver what they promise!
In recent years, progressive feminist discourses have therefore increasingly criticized concepts based on permission and refusal, stating that "consent is a necessary floor - but a terrible ceiling" (C. Emba) - as they often neither do justice to the complexity of intimate encounters, nor serve the project of free sex... or sometimes even turn into the opposite.
But what should we do then to stop the prevailing culture of boundary violation? That's what we want to explore together in this workshop. By embodied consent exercises and some theoretical input on the stumbling blocks and pitfalls of consent concepts, we invite reflection and honest exchange in a cozy and thought-provoking atmosphere. The workshop is especially suitable for those who already are familiar with consent and feel hopeful, as well as uncomfortable, about it and don't know what to do with the latter feelings.... However, all others without prior knowledge are equally welcome!
Beata is a workshop facilitator at luhmen d'arc and is currently writing her PhD thesis at the Graduate Center for the Study of Culture at JLU Giessen on the aesthetics of consent practices in contemporary participatory performances and queer-feminist sex-ed spaces.
TIMES
Thu, 12/15/2022 - 7:30pm-10pm
LANGUAGES
German, English
COST
Registration fee per person
CHF 35,-
For people with very low incomes, there are usually additional options available for even lower prices.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. We'd love to have you join us!
Please also read all further info below, too.
Further informations
NOTES ON THE EVENT
The goals of our events are collaborative learning within the group, supporting shared processes, and personal development. Couples and all other types of partnerships or group dynamics are welcome, but you should be aware and open to the fact that the courses are not designed as partnership experiences and that we address each person as an individual. For example: To involve all participants equally, we usually work with random partner combinations during the exercises. This means that both same-sex and opposite-sex combinations will occur. Participants should generally be open to working with every person and every body. Exceptions can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or membership in marginalized groups such as BBIPoC, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA*, people with disabilities, etc., are not criteria for registration or participant selection.
We expect you to act with care, be communicative, prioritize consent, and be mindful, and we encourage you to respect your own boundaries and take personal responsibility.
Hate speech will not be tolerated. Please bring "Candy Speech" with you.
We reserve the right to ask participants to leave the workshop if their behavior is hurtful or problematic, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation—though we will likely try to explain it. Workshop fees would then be refunded in full. Any further claims are excluded.
We do our best to accommodate different needs, but our resources are limited. Please contact us if you have any questions.
You can read more about this topic here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations are free of charge up to eight weeks before the start of the course, up to four weeks before the start of the course a cancellation fee of 20% of the course fee is due, up to two weeks before the start of the course a cancellation fee of 50% is due. Later cancellations and refunds of participant fees are not possible. However, participants can find substitute participants who will take the booked places. In case of cancellation by the organizer, the course fee will be refunded in full. Further claims are excluded.