Cowboy Chair Bondage
Sexual Agency Among Homophobia and Anti-LGBTQ Legislation
This workshop will start with a 40 minute lecture on the historical context and origins of homoerotic cowboy rope bondage. We will discuss anti-LGBTQ+ laws and homophobic tendencies throughout Cowboy Country in the end of the 20th century/beginning of the 21st century primarily focusing on Texas and Wyoming. We will analyze the origins and development of the porn site guysinbondage.com circa 2003 and social media posts of one of the three founders @tie.me_tight who passed away in 2021. We will conclude with a discussion over sexual agency and homophobic coaping mechanisims via the constructs of hypermasculinity and the perception of nonconsent/rape fantasy imbedded in this subculture of the gay comunity and western rope bondage.
Following the lecture will be a 30-minute practical demonstration of the technical skills found in cowboy rope bondage specifically cowboy chair bondage. We will discuss stylistic and technical differences in western cowboy rope bondage vs japanese rope bondage. For example, we will discuss preparing lengths/types of rope, starting/ending individual ties, creating independent isolated structures, and emphasizing inescapability and disheveled imagery. Finally, we will demonstrate technical bandana techniques used for gagging and blindfolding subjects.
The workshop will conclude with an hour of practical hands-on practice. There will be step-by-step follow-along instruction through the chair tie pattern followed by instruction for the bandana gagging/blindfolding.
Prerequisites:
This class is fully inclusive and open to all genders and sexual orientations. The workshop is suitable for all skill levels of rope tying including new to rope bondage. The hands-on practical section will NOT be suitable for individual self-tying. However, individuals without a partner are still encouraged to participate in observations and conversations.
What is needed for the hand-on practical section?
30ft+ x3 hanks of rope
25ft+ x7 hanks of rope
12ft+ x1 hank of rope
8 bandanas (22in sq)
Some loaner rope will be available to borrow if you do not have these supplies.
Disclaimer: Presentation includes images depicting sexual violence and CNC/rape fantasy.
Other Important Information:
- Pay-what-you-can scholarships are available for all Pan Eros Foundation workshops. If you need financial assistance, please email Leah at education@pan-eros.org
- No late entry will be allowed due to the intimate nature of this workshop. Doors will be locked at 10 minutes after the start time.
- Water available. Please bring your own cup or bottle
- Open to all 18+
- All sexes, genders, races, ethnicities, bodies, body types, sexual orientations, relationship orientations, abilities welcome and celebrated.
- Please let us know by email if you have any access needs or things that would aid in your learning.
- Questions may be directed to: education@pan-eros.org
About the Educator:
Shibari Shawn is a local gay rope bondage educator and kinbaku artist. He is a member of the education committee for the Seattle Leather Service Corps and founder of RopeLab Seattle, a monthly men's group on Capitol Hill. He has participated in international shibari conferences, including Rope Craft in Chicago (2018), GRUE in Wisconsin (2019),Tethered to Wifi (2020), and participated in the 2020 Meet the Master online series with Hajime Kinoko. Shawn has taught rope workshops at CLAW: LA leather Getaway (2021 and 2022), Inferno 52 with the Chicago Hellfire Club, and performed with Suspended Animation at Burning Man 2023. Over the past 3 years he has organized shibari intensives in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
This event is presented by the Pan Eros Foundation. Please go to Pan-Eros.org for more information.
