Peter Fisk
- This article is a Biography
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This article is part of 'The Legends Project'
As part of the "Legends Project", Peter Fisk has been recognized as an BDSM Icon |
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[ Golden Gater Online - October 2, 1997 ]
- "Whip me, lick me, make me grovel"
- Kathy Stevens
- Staff writer
His butt cheeks heat to red with each slap of Daddy Howard's paddle, but Keith doesn't mind the sting of leather, in fact, he enjoys it.
"I've been into this for about four years," said Keith, who did not want to give his last name. "I found Daddy Howard and have never been disappointed."
Nor were about 300,000 others who turned out in the 85-degree weather for the Folsom Street Fair themed "Indulge" last Sunday. Planned and sponsored in part by the South of Market Merchants and Individuals Lifestyle Events (SMMILE), the 14th annual fair stretched from 7th to 12th Streets and featured more than 200 booths.
Keith's spanking was administered at a booth hosted by The 15 Association, an S/M club in San Francisco, which also offered souvenir photos of fair-goers in bondage or receiving a flogging on a whipping cross.
Although this was one of the more popular booths, fair-goers also found fetish outlets, food and beverage stands, leather and latex clothing, and assorted sex toys like whips, floggers, dildos and fur-lined handcuffs at the booths.
It's an event that allows participants to indulge in fantasy and fetish. Whether that includes butt cheeks and chaps or muzzles and leashes, all were welcome to explore the sensual during the seven-hour event.
"I've always been into [administering spanking]," Howard said. "I was into it before I even knew what a gender was."
S&M, bondage and discipline, dominance, and submission are playful sex games for newcomers and old-timers, according to Peter Fisk, chairman of The 15 Association.
"We say 'go for it.' It's safe sex and it's a hot, sensual and consensual way to play," Fisk said.
But before the cuffs are locked and the whip stings, be certain to choose toys and partners with care.
"You really have to trust someone and it's important to know the level of pain you or your partner want," said Katrina Harrison of Whips by Metz, an Austrailian-based vendor in San Francisco for the fair.
"None of these whips will do any serious damage," she said.
But not all fair-goers were interested in whips, bondage or playful butt slaps. Doug King, 34, of San Francisco, left the leather at home and opted for simplicity: white briefs and black Doc Martens topped with a light weight chain-link collar.
"We're not looking for anything," King said while standing with a few friends. "We just came because it's a good time, people are accepting and down to earth, and the event helps the community."
The fair offered free admission and solicited donations for six local charities. Paul Lester, a member of the SMMILE board of directors, said the fair was a huge success for participants, vendors and charitable organizations.
"It was both personally and financially successful. We had perfect weather and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves," Lester said.
Donations have not been counted, but Lester estimates contributions to match or exceed the $95,000 collected at the fair last year. This year's beneficiaries include AIDS Emergency Fund, Project Open Hand, Positive Resource, ACT UP/Golden Gate, Immune Enhancement Project and Healing Alternatives.
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