ABOUT CLÉO DUBOIS
My journey into SM play started in the 80's. There I found the link that
connects my sexuality and my spirituality. I learned that negotiated sadomasochism
is a valid path to self-discovery, intimacy and healing. I became a Domina
and ritualist. Leather Conferences and community groups such as Outcasts,
Janus, Exiles, QSM first gave me a voice as an ethical and informed kink
presenter.
I traveled throughout the year to conferences like Thunder in
the Mountains, as well as to other BDSM groups around the country. I continue
to offer with my life partner, Fakir Musafar, "Spirit + Flesh" body-based
shamanic community all day workshop/rituals.
Most recently, I have been nominated for Woman of the Year by the Leather
Journal for the Pantheon
of Leather XIX, to be held in Chicago in May, 2009.
In June 2008
it was
my great honor and wonderful wonderful fun to be chosen Leather
Marshall for the LGBT San Francisco Parade.
Taking a look back I founded the Academy
of SM arts In 1995 then focusing my work towards couples, offering consultations
in my office as well as
private guided play in the dungeon. Desiring to reach more individuals
and couples attracted to BDSM, I created and produced my first docu-play
video "The Pain Game" in
2000. The response was magical. My film screened in San Francisco, Paris,
New York, Amsterdam and Minneapolis as well as many alternative film festivals.
I received an award from the Society of Scientific Study of Sexuality for
true depiction of loving and conscious SM. Folks asked me to make another
film focusing on bondage. "Tie Me Up" was released in 2002.
By now, there were many informative books on the Leather Scene including
one written by my long time friend Sybil Holiday , "Consensual Sadomasochism." However,
no comprehensive course spanning the continuum from negotiation and communication
skills to play techniques and scene dynamics was offered in the community.
I invited Sybil to collaborate with me in creating such a course in SM Arts
and Sensual Dominance. We had a wonderful three years of presenting these
workshops together.
My Academy of SM Arts is now in its eighth year of offering Erotic
Dominance Intensive Weekends for Women and its fifth year of offering Dominance
Intensive Weekends for Men. Based on the awareness and refinement of
erotic energy exchange, these intimate workshops focus on personal empowerment
and play skills, while maintaining the overall theme of dominance and relationship.
I am assisted in teaching by premier Chicago based Domina, Eve
Minax, a talented and versatile D/s trainer and Selina
Raven, a rising star in the San Francisco BDSM community. Community
SM educators such as JD of Two
Knotty Boys are also invited All share my enthusiasm for BDSM as a
path to making your play sexier and more connected.
Of course, I continue to coach bondage and SM play to couples and individuals
through private consultations and guided
play training in the privacy of my dungeon. I also present at national
conferences such as Thunder In The Mountains, local venues such as the Society
of Janus, SM Odyssey, the Journeyman 3 Academy and Good Vibrations. I am
an invited speaker at San Francisco State University, the University of California,
The Learning Annex and the Department of Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente
in San Francisco I am honored to be a Distinguished Lecturer at the Institute
of the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco and an affiliate
teacher at One Taste SF.
As
a writer, I have been published in Different
Loving (1993) by Gloria Brame, Bitch Goddess by Pat Califia
(1997), Sex Tips and Tales from Women Who Dare by Jo-Anne Baker
(2001), in On Our Backs and on-line publications such Sensous
Sadie whose website features guest writers on BDSM and spirituality topics.
Most recently I am featured in Reclaiming
Eros by Blackburn-Wade, 2007.
I currently write a monthly leather column for Alt.com Magazine reflecting
my sense of humanity and respect for others’ erotic sensibilities.
I share what I have learned through 25 years of shameless, consensual and
fulfilling erotic play. I believe in the magic of SM and in keeping a sense
of humor about it all!