BOYSTOWN — Fetish in your 50s?
Yes — and beyond that age, too. The Center on Halsted and the Chicago Leather Club are hosting a BDSM and leather workshop for people 50 and older on Saturday, and 15 people already have signed up for the class, according to the center.
It's a way for older adults to learn in a safe space, said Tom Elliott, the center's public relations director, and it's a way for them to meet other people interested in Bondage, Discipline, Sadism and Masochism.
"Sometimes talking about sex with seniors, a lot of times they're shy or not used to it," Elliott said. "It's another opportunity where we can bring seniors out of their bubbles."
Chicago Leather Club, whose members are about 90 percent Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, reached out to the center earlier this year in hopes of shedding light on the needs of the aging population. Part of Center on Halsted's mission is to provide community for aging LGBT people, who can feel more isolated because of lost family ties or lack of acceptance in senior facilities.
One goal of the partnership is to help seniors learn how to get it on "Fifty Shades of Grey" style — but safely.
"Like any erotica, you have the fun parts," said Michael S. of Chicago Leather Club, who keeps his last name private due to a stigma that still exists around leather culture. "And then you have the parts erotica doesn't concentrate on — the nuts and bolts of tying someone up, or using a flogger, or getting into a power exchange."
As such, the workshop will cover the reality of playing and spanking — which is, first and foremost, consent, Michael said. Beyond that, leather club members will give tips on safe ways to practice the fetish if you're in a wheelchair or disabled.
A "bottom," or receiver, in a wheelchair, for example, could not get on their hands and knees in a play session, and a dominant might not be able to swing a paddle in the same way, he said.
"You’re going to be inventive of what activities you can have," he said.
For those who don't have someone to practice fetish with, club members will give tips on how to meet other seniors in Chicago who are interested in BDSM. Examples would be "munches" — where people meet in a public space to chat — or fetish websites, like fetlife.com.
Most of the leather club's approximately 30 active members are middle-aged, with just three of them older than 50. And most BDSM classes the club has hosted have been attended by people younger than 50.
But seniors are interested in sex, and this workshop hopes to inspire an open conversation on the best practices, Michael said.
"I’m sure we’ll hear some stories that will make us blush," he said. "I know my grandma could make me blush from her stories."
Center on Halsted is at 3656 N. Halsted St. The workshop "Beyond 50 Shades of Gray: Leather Workshop for Age 50+" goes from 12:30-2 p.m. and is open to anybody — LGBT or not — who is over age 50. Registration is capped at 25 people. Contact Courtney Bilbrey to reserve a spot.
