Conversio Virium

CV Meeting: Conversio Virium 101

Conversio Virium is starting the year in a blaze of narcissistic glory! Our first meeting will be all about us.

A short presentation on the hows, whys, and wherefores of CV will give new members an idea of what to expect for the rest of the year, with our more intensive presentations and demonstrations, in a more relaxed environment. We’ll cover: the range of topics we plan to cover (including a tentative schedule for all our meetings of the semester), how presenters will explain and demonstrate their topics, what is expected of people attending a presentation, our rules for audience consent during more challenging demonstrations, and some more general issues behind how CV is run. A mini demo is planned for the end of the meeting to give some real live-audience experience!

This meeting will last no longer than one hour; everyone is encouraged to stay until the end of our time to socialize, meet new and old members, and talk to the administration about our goals for the year.

LOCATION: 302 Hamilton Hall, Columbia University campus

GenderF*ck

As a part of Columbia University’s Queer Awareness Month, GendeRevolution (the on-campus transactivist group) is throwing Genderf*ck.

Strip down to your underwear (or whatever makes you feel sexy!). In mainstream society, we often have no models of “sexy” gender nonconforming people. Through this party, we want to show that there are an infinite number of ways to be sexy, regardless of gender identity and presentation. We provide the ground rules, safety monitors and safer sex supplies to keep you safe. Make sure to grab some Trojan condoms, Alice! safer sex kits, and consent brochures on your way out.  -Genderf*ck’s Facebook Page

Non-CU ID holders must RSVP by October 23rd, either by e-mailing columbiagenderevolution@gmail.com or signing up for the Facebook event. There is no charge for the event and a clothes check will be provided (please do not show up in your underwear). The event is being held at Lerner Party Space in Lerner Hall on Columbia’s main campus.

Conversio Virium is proud to be cosponsering this sexy, sex-positive and queertastic event.

The Floating World 2 returns to Edison, NJ *^_^*

As I’m sure a number of you will remember from last summer, CV was heavily involved with the first year of this event, and made up a formidable population of our own at the festivities. We volunteered, presented, and all-around had an amazing time. For those of you who would be interested in joining us again this year or for the first time, check out the Floating World site for more information.

Should you be interested in going to The Floating World and volunteering (thereby also saving on admission fee), then you should email volunteer@thefloatingworld.org in order to get on the volunteers list. It totally does not keep you from enjoying the rest of the convention. We’re not yet sure of how many hours of work are involved, but last year they said 12 and wound up giving everyone only 8. Make sure to mention that you’re with Conversio Virium!

Barnard Event: Sexhibition 2008

Sexhibition is Barnard/Columbia Take Back The Night‘s annual sex-positive, consent-based fair. This year’s event will take place on Lehman walkway (rain location to be announced).

CV donated a pretty exciting raffle item, so you should all get tickets!

ECLTH: BDSM Community Forum

The East Coast Leather Town Hall (ECLTH) presents a moderated, open forum and panel discussion on the history and future of the different BDSM, Scene, and Leather and Fetish groups. Many people, whether members of this community or just discovering it, are unaware of the vast array of different groups, their goals, and the variety of events in which they are involved.

Conversio Virium’s current and future presidents will both be on the panel representing our organization. Come to show your support for CV and experience the diversity of the BDSM community!

The event details:

5$ suggested donation
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212 620 7310

TES-TNG Meeting: CV Invasion! Play Piercing for Fun and Fashion with Rob

You are all set to go to a Friday night play party… But what are you going to wear? Join Rob and friends for a demo that Combines piercing and fashion. We will cover the basics, demonstrate some techniques, and then show off our hot couture. Please join us for this very special pre-party meeting, where TNG will be handing us the reins. And don’t forget to stay for the TES Annual College Night Party, one of the hottest play parties of the year.

Paddles, 250 W 26St, basement, between 7th and 8th Ave
$10 student special with valid ID!

CV Special Event: Fed Bash 2008!

The Fed Bash is Columbia University’s annual celebration of mayhem and debauchery. This year, we’ve given it a futuristic twist; sadistic cyborgs, aliens, and sexbots, don your favourite silver lamé jumpsuit and come show your support! There’ll be live bands, DJs, burlesque, Latin dance, drunken co-eds, and a special CV performance!

Lerner Party Space; $5 to get in, 2 IDs to drink, $3 beer!

Important: If you don’t have a valid Columbia/Barnard ID, you must RSVP to attend this event. You can RSVP by commenting here or by emailing us at conversio@columbia.edu. We promise, you won’t be disappointed.

CV Special Event: Glass House Rocks 2008!

CV will be tabling for the first time at Glass House Rocks this year. Glass House Rocks is a party that takes over every floor and room of Alfred Lerner Hall, which is free and open to all with a valid CUID. Free cocktails for those over 21 with 2 valid pieces of ID.

Find our table on the 2^nd floor of Lerner Hall and play some kinky games with us.

CV Special Event: Erotic Breathwork with Barbara Carrellas

**Reservations for this event will end at 8:00 PM Sunday November 18^th. No information will be forwarded to those who RSVP after the cut-off so that we can ensure that we will have enough space for this popular event.**

Some of the CV crew met Barbara at Floating World this summer. I was fascinated by her unique classes and by a spiritual side of sexuality I had not considered before. She has kindly agreed to grace us with her presence and expertise in erotic breathing.

Here is Barbara‘s description of the workshop:

Breath is your greatest source of energy and aliveness. It can produce so much pleasure, it will amaze you. Once you become familiar with moving erotic energy around with your breath, you’ll find all your erotic encounters to be much more fulfilling. Your orgasms will be longer and deeper. You will share a more authentically intimate connection with a partner. You’ll even find yourself using breath techniques in non-erotic situations to bring erotic energy to more and more areas of your life.
In this workshop we will learn and practice a variety of simple breath techniques that you can put together to to create unlimited erotic possibilities. Then we’ll put them together to explore the the vast range of orgasms which lie beyond those achieved by genital stimulation. Finally, we’ll practice energy orgasm techniques that you’ll be able to incorporate into whatever kind of sex and play you enjoy.

Important Note: This meeting will not be held at its usual time and place. Read post for more details and instructions.

Since this meeting will require more space than usual, as well as a little more time, we kindly request that you RSVP in advance by emailing conversio@columbia.edu. Only those who are on the list will be allowed to attend. If you are a CV member, please give us the name that is on your membership card or your name on your CUID, which will be used to verify your reservation. If you are not a CV member, please provide a name which you can verify with a form of ID. Non-Columbia University affiliates should state their affiliation (university, organization, friendship, etc.) in their RSVP email. As always, all are welcome.

In addition, we will not be allowing entry after 9:00 PM so that we can get started with the workshop. Doors will open at 8:30 PM. Barbara’s books will be on sale after the workshop at 11pm.

Location: Will be announced upon reservation.

This event is being held thanks to the cooperative support of Q at Barnard College.

Columbia University SVPRP discussion: Gender Roles in the Bedroom

Conversio Virium is happy to be co-sponsoring a facilitated discussion with Columbia University’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Program (SVPRP) entitled Gender Roles in the Bedroom, being held in Barnard 304. This is a great chance to make it out to some of the university’s other important sex-positive events, and meet other students who are not necessarily CV affiliates. Snacks will be served at 6:30 PM until 7 PM, when the discussion will begin. The discussion will focus on ways that gender roles are adapted or adopted by queer couples. And make sure to stop by the regular CV meeting, Flogging 101, afterwards, just across the street at our usual meeting spot.

Conversio Virium at Columbia University Activities Day Fair

The Columbia University Activities Day Fair is an afternoon in the Fall of each year where all the university’s extracurricular groups take over College Walk, Butler Plaza, and Low Plaza. The fair is a chance for these groups to attract new members, promote themselves, and stand side by side with each other. Of course, Conversio Virium will have a table there, staffed by volunteers like you. The event is open to the public, so anyone who wants to can show up—I hope I see a lot of familiar CV faces that day!

Floating World

CV is going to Jersey this summer. Join us, if you can, at Floating World at the end of this summer. CV members will be presenting, participating and otherwise perusing the convention center at what is sure to be the most talked about event of the year. The organizers advertise it as the largest play space in the Northeast. By registering as a member of CV, there is a slight discount, though volunteering is the cheapest way to attend. Contact us, or the organizers of Floating World if you have any questions. Let us know if you are attending so that we can all make sure to find each other. Hope to see you there!

P.S. You can find me at the Dog and Pony Show for sure!

Sexhibition! 2007

Morning Event: 

Come one, come all to the sexiest fair on campus. Join us for Sexhibition (link now defunct), a consent-based sex-positive fair featuring loads of goodies including workshops, breast cupcakes, penis cookies, games and prizes. By attending the fair, you may enter a free raffle to win sex toys given out at our evening event! The fair will take place on Barnard’s Lehman Lawn or in Lower Level McIntosh in case of rain.

After the fair, please join the coordinators of Sexhibition at 8:00 PM in Sulzberger Parlor for a talk by award-winning author, columnist, editor and sex educator Tristan Taormino (if you were at the puppy play talk, you may remember hearing Tyler’s praises for her).

Evening event: The Path to Sexual Empowerment

What is sexual empowerment? What does it mean to be sexually empowered? Tristan Taormino reveals the pleasures and pitfalls of her journey from law school reject to sex expert—with stops along the way as editor, author, anal sex guru, Village Voice columnist, sex-positive event producer, and feminist pornographer. She’ll explore the concept of erotic power, discuss why it is important, and share her unique recipe for how everyone can become sexually empowered.

Election 2007

Annual elections for the Conversio Virium Executive Board and other matters are fast approaching.

Propositions on the 2007 Conversio Virium Ballot

Here are the propositions on the 2007 CV ballot. If you would like to add something, please feel free to comment on this post.

Steering Committee Candidates

• Presidential Candidate(s): Hannah
• Vice Presidential Candidate(s): Tyler
• Secretarial Candidate(s): Courtney
• Treasurer Candidate(s): No candidates are running yet! Nominate Someone or yourself by commenting below! (Candidates and nominees must be eligible members.)

Proposition for CV Logo Change

With our national spotlight still shining brightly, it’s time for CV to spread its wings and fly a little higher. To that end, we’re seeking to create our own recognizable symbol that will broadcast our guiding principles of acceptance, diversity, and respect for all BDSM practitioners and advocates. To drive this point home, we’ll use this symbol as our official logo. The rules for logo submissions are straightforward.

(Please post all submissions here, but do not include the names of the artists).

Fed Bash!

The Fed Bash is Columbia University’s annual celebration of mayhem and debauchery. Conversio Virium will be there, of course, along with a host of live bands, DJs, artists, burlesque dancers, and drunken co-eds. Come show your support!

Lerner Party Space, 115th & Broadway
$5 to get in, 2 IDs to drink, $3 beer!

IMPORTANT: If you don’t have a valid Columbia/Barnard ID, you must RSVP to attend this event. You can RSVP by commenting here or by emailing us at conversio@columbia.edu. We promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Cookies and Kink

As part of Safer Sex Week, Conversio Virium was asked to present on BDSM 101. We’re calling it “Cookies and Kink,” ’cause why not? Help spread the word with our presentation flyer!

Please note that this presentation is taking place instead of a regular CV meeting, and as a result the normal meeting is cancelled.

Cookies and Kink will be presented at the Broadway Skylounge at Broadway/Hogan Hall on 566 West 114^th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, on the 14^th Floor.

Update: We now have some of the Cookies and Kink 101 Talk Notes available for you to download in case you missed the meeting!