WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Thousands of people streamed into “Erotic City” this weekend at the Los Angeles Pride Festival in West Hollywood, treating themselves to something a little different than the glittered rainbows and pumping music from the stages outside, a spokesperson reported.
“Following a neon sign that simply said “XXX”, festival-goers ventured down a shaded path to Pride’s ‘18+’ area for a little education, a little discipline, and a lot of fun,” the spokesperson added. “Once sunglasses were lifted in the darkened auditorium, Pride’s fabulous queers were treated to a feast for the senses. The walls here are lined with vendors, leather clubs, and ‘tasting stations’ designated for having professionals spank, flog, or whip eager visitors. Professional and lifestyle dominants own the stage, demonstrating their prowess with plenty of pain-inflicting instruments. Even when the stage is empty, there is plenty to watch in Erotic City, as the LGBTQIA community strove to expand their horizons to learn about the leather lifestyle and try it for themselves.”
The spokesperson continued, “The first thing that one can’t help but see is the puppies — a ‘mosh’ of human puppies, that is, clad in leather masks and harnesses, playing happily in a ball pit. They’re fed treats, and get pet, pampered and disciplined. Some wear gloriously wiggly rubber tails that very effectively express their glee. Spectators are invited to join them, though most stay outside the booth and tentatively play fetch with the plastic balls. More than once, a massive ball fight breaks out in the mosh, and you can’t help but walk away with more of an understanding of why a grown person would want to act like a dog.”
The puppies are only the beginning, the spokesperson explained, “and as patrons made their way around the room, they quickly had their eyes opened to how much the leather and BDSM communities have to offer. Booths were staffed with educators from all walks of life, willing and excited to share their lifestyles with newcomers. Leather clubs, including Avatar Los Angeles, reached out to curious queers to lift the veil of mystery around the classic “leather daddy” image, hoping to reach a new generation with their messages of inclusivity and safety, touching on the need for community in practicing kink safely. Vendors selling harnesses and bondage equipment offer another option for participation, helping Pride-goers embrace and express their inner kinksters.
“Along the back wall of Erotic City, esoteric-looking leather and metal furniture lines the walls,” the spokesperson described. “Here, professionals from Sanctuary Studios demonstrate different types of pleasurable pain to patrons. Their goal is to share safe BDSM practices with the next generation of masochists and sadists, and throughout the weekend, they give countless spankings to the consenting and curious. Their headmistress, Mistress Cyan, oversees them with the casual air of a satisfied panther, her hard work having finally paid off.”
According to the spokesperson, Mistress Cyan is a member of the Board of Directors for L.A. Pride and the driving force behind Erotic City. She owns the space with the “quiet authority of a true queen — no crown or throne necessary. It’s no wonder that her performance with Lady Remedy Ann draws a hush over the crowd here — as the intimidatingly tall Mistress looms over her, Lady Remedy runs in fear, only to cower and fall still at the crack of a bullwhip.There is a collective sigh from the audience when the tension breaks and the whip finally makes contact. It’s oddly cathartic for everyone present- a small taste of what can be found when one leaves the confines of traditional sex, and heads toward Erotic City.”
For more information, visit SanctuaryLAX.com.
