Frequently Asked Questions |
|||
ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE What is it that we do? What is Alternate Lifestyles play? What kind of people are we? |
EXPERIENCE LEVELS What if I have no experience? What if I am very experienced? |
REGISTRATION How do I register for this event? Is there a Day Pass? Will there be Walk-up Registrations? |
|
| ATTENDANCE Who is welcome? Will there be singles at this event? |
DRESS CODE |
SAFEWORD Event Safeword? |
|
COSTS AND FEES |
HOTEL INFORMATION Where is the hotel? How much does the hotel cost? Are there any good restaurants? Is there a charge for parking? Is the facility Handicapped Accessible? Can I smoke at this event? |
TRANSPORTATION Which Airport Is Best? Ground Transportation O'Hare Airport Shuttle |
|
| DEFINITIONS "We Care" Charities, LA&M & TPAN What is Pansexual? What is a DM? What is SSC? |
|||
ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE
What is it that we do?
Masters & Johnson estimated that 10% of the American population practice some sort of Alternate Lifestyles play. Dr. Alfred Kinsey estimated that as manyas 50 percent of all adults experiment with some type of rough or painful stimulation during sex. Most contemporary sexologists agree that about 10 to 15 percent of the adult population (over 15 million people) regularly engages in kinky sex. Joy of Sex author Alex Comfort has advocated bondage as a way for couples to increase sexual pleasure.
What is Alternate Lifestyles play?
Everything from light spanking & being tied to the bed for some erotic role playing to more intense practices. Some role playing can be a lot more intense. But you must fundamentally understand ALL Alternate Lifestyles PLAY is between CONSENTING ADULTS. We have what we call a "safeword", a safety mechanism that can be used by either party in a "scene" that indicates something is wrong, and that the scene must stop. Immediately. If either partycannot stop a scene, it is not Alternate Lifestyles play, it is abuse. When confronted with abuse, we, the members of the "Leather Community", are the first to call the police. We do not tolerate abuse. Alternate Lifestyles is NOT abuse. It is interaction between consenting adults (18 and over - depending on your jurisdiction).
Scenes can encompass any number of aspects. Most have some sort of physical component. Many involve an exchange of power: "I give you permission to do this to me." Other possible inclusions are emotional, mental, and yes, even sexual. Sometimes all of the above.
What kind of people are we?
We are doctors, lawyers, laborers, plumbers, politicians, genetic physicists, chemical engineers, school teachers, accountants, bus drivers, police officers, service personnel, carpenters, house wives, musicians, etc. etc., and even clergy. We are American citizens, no more, no less. We've served our country to protect our freedoms, and we will not let you take them away. Nor will we let you make us second class citizens simply because we practice a sexual life different from yours.
Are we perverts? From the point of view of the ultra-conservative Bible thumpers, perhaps. From the point of view of law enforcement who have to prosecute serial killers, pedophilic priests and corporate CEO's, not hardly.
ATTENDANCE
Who is welcome?
All persons with an interest in any alternative leather lifestyle are welcome to attend.
Whether you're a male, female, straight, gay, transgender (CD, TS, TV, TG etc), Top, bottom, switch, Dom/Domme, submissive or slave, we invite you to attend. If you are interested or involved in a D/s or M/s relationship, any fetish or roleplay this event is for you. We do not have a DNI List. All are welcome.
The safe and friendly atmosphere designed for SINSations In Leather will make you feel like you belong and are part of the Leather SINS Family.
Will there be singles at this event?
Yes. Many people attending this event will be single. There will be single Dom/Domme's looking for submissives and single submissives looking for Dom/Dommes. This is a great place to meet like minded people in a non-threatening, non-judgmental, safe environment
Make sure you attend the Kick-Off Party on Friday night which is a good place to meet like minded people.
COSTS AND FEES
How much does the event cost and how much money should I bring?
We offer 2 payment options to attend the event.
For the latest prices and deals on registration, see our registration page. In addition to registration, we encourage all attendees to book with the host hotel. We have negotiated a room rate of $120 a night.
The Host Hotel offers complimentary ground transportaion to and from O'Hare Field Airport. And finally you might want to budget for a trip to the Vendors Marketplace for a few kinky toys, fetishwear, books or kinky personal items.
Does the event offer scholarships?
Yes. If you would like to attend but can not afford the cost of the event we will have a limited number of scholarships available where you can volunteer to work a specific number of hours for a reduced cost. Full Scholarships for the event will also be available on a limited basis. Please contact us at Volunteers@sinsationsinleather.com about this for more info
What does my Event Registration/Membership Fee cover?
It covers admission to all activities for all 3 days of the event:
- Kick-Off Party on Friday Night
- Opening Ceremonies.
- Over 30 Classes on many different topics.
- Friday and Saturday night Play Parties in our fully equipped Play Space.
- The Vendor Marketplace.
- Social Area with Meet & Mingle Lounge.
- Silent Auction to benefit NFP "We Care" Charities and LA&M.
- Pre-Play Party Entertainment.
- and many other surprises.
(It does NOT cover your transportation to the event or hotel rooms)
REFUND POLICY
Refunds are based on a tiered system on when your purchase was made and how many days remain until the event. Please see our eventbrite registration page for the exact dates and amounts.
No refunds will be issued after the date we sell out.
NOTE:If you have paid for a registration for another person, that registration is considered a gift and can only be cancelled by the person to whom the registration was given.
Registrations are not transferable
DEFINITIONS
I keep seeing the use of NFP "We Care" Charities, LA&M & TPAN what does this mean?
"We Care" Charities include the Sharon St. Cyr Fund, The Leather Heart Foundation, The Leather Archives & Museum and TPAN
LA&M is the initials for The Leather Archives & Museum who is dedicated to preserving the history of the Leather Lifestyle.
TPAN is the initials for the Test Positive Aware Network, an organization that provides free HIV & Health Screening for us.
The Leather SINS Social Club NFP:
- Has made an Adoption of the Leather Archives Museum Store which is now called the Leather SINS Museum Store.
- Has made TPAN a part of the Leather SINS "We Care" Charities.
- Is active in raising funds for all three of these worthwhile Lifestyle Organizations as well as some mainstream charities.
- To this goal, Leather SINS will donate a portion of the proceeds from this event to NFP "We Care" Charities, LA&M & TPAN.
For information on these groups go to:
Sharon St. Cyr Fund: http://sscfund.com/
The Leather Heart Foundation: http://leatherheart.org/
The Leather Archives & Museum: http://www.leatherarchives.org
Test Positive Aware Network: http://tpan.org/
What is Pansexual?
Pansexual means that all sexual preferences are welcome! Male, Female, Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender (CD, TS, TV, TG etc), etc.
What is a DM?
A DM is a Dungeon Monitor (also known as a Play Space Monitor). DMs are responsible for your safety in the Play Space and provided to make sure that everyone is playing in a safe, sane and consensual manner.
What is SSC?
Our communities recognize the phrase "Safe, Sane, Consensual" as the best brief summary of the principles guiding our practices:
• Safe is being knowledgeable about the techniques and safety concerns involved in what you are doing, and acting in accordance with that knowledge.
• Sane is knowing the difference between fantasy and reality, and acting in accordance with that knowledge.
• Consensual is respecting the limits imposed by each participant at all times.
DRESS CODE
Is there a dress code for this event?
No. Your own comfort and common sense should be your guide. During the day, your dress for Presentations & Demonstrations can be anything from casual to kinky. Play Parties is the time for you to dress as kinky as you like, but remember to pack a wrap, robe or cover-up to wear while walking through the lobby of the hotel.
EXPERIENCE LEVELS
What if I have no experience?
Then SINSations In Leather is Perfect for you! Come to learn from the best teachers in the USA!
If I am experienced in the lifestyle, will this event be any use to me?
SINSations In Leather will have classes for many topics at every skill level for everyone to learn something! Plus it's a good place to meet all your peers and make new friends, and even pass on some of your skill to others!
HOTEL INFORMATION
Where is the hotel and how much does it cost?
The hotel is located near O'Hare Internation Airport, Chicago, IL. The exact locaiton will be sent to all attendee's upon registration. We have negotiated a room rate of $120. Refer to our Location page for additional information.
Does the Hotel have a restaurant?
The Host Hotel has two great restaurants as well as a cafe for coffee and other amenities, and we encourage all participents to eat in the host hotel.
Is there a meal plan this event?
There will be no meal plan offered for this event. We encourage people to eat at the host hotel's buffet, which is reasonably priced at $19 for breakfast (drinks included), $19 for lunch, and $23 for dinner. A private dinning room will be available for those who wish to use it.
Is there a charge to park my car for the weekend?
Yes, as with all airport hotels there is a fee, however we have negotiated a fantastic discount rate of $10 a day with in and out privileges (Normal rate is $25 a day).
Is the facility Handicapped Accessible?
Yes. The Host Hotel and convention center is very Handicapped Accessible. Please let us know about your special needs by using the text box provided on the registration page.
Can I smoke at this event?
NO... In accordance with Illinois Law, the entire building is SMOKE FREE
REGISTRATION
What do I need to do to register for this event?
In order to register, you must visit our registration page (see "REGISTER" at the top of the page) and purchase your membership through our SINSations In Leather eventbrite page. Be sure to fill out the form completely, provide your pagement environment, and await the confirmation message. You will receive a written confirmation by email along with the name and location of the host hotel. At this time, it will be your responsibility to contact the hotel, either through phone or through the reservation URL provided in your confirmation, and make your reservation.
When you arrive at the host hotel, proceed to the Event Registration Desk. You will be required to show a drivers license or state issued picture ID. You will also be required to sign a Waiver and Release of Liability, Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement.
Is there a Day Pass?
Sorry, single day passes will not be offered for admission to this Event.
Will there be Walk-up Registrations?
For your safety, protection and privacy this is a private event and not open to the public, so there will be NO walk-up registration!
SAFEWORD
What is the Event Safeword?
One of the recognized ways to maintain limits is through a "safeword" which ensures that each participant can end his or her participation with a word or gesture.
The house safeword for "Stop" is "Red" and the house "Caution" word is "Yellow". A DM will intervene in a scene if the Top does not respond appropriately when one of these words is used. A loudly-shouted "Safeword!" will also be interpreted as a call for outside assistance.
TRANSPORTATION
Should I Fly into Midway or O'Hare Airport?
O'Hare Airport is only a few miles away and about a 15 minute ride, depending on traffic.
Midway is much farther, and about a 60 to 90 minute ride, depending on traffic.
Ground Transportation
The Host Hotel offers a Complimentary Shuttle Bus to and from O'Hare Airport.
Midway Airport is about a $46 cab ride away, but you can get to the free shuttle at O'Hare Airport from Midway by public transportation as follows: Get on the Orange Line Train (it only goes one direction from Midway), take the Orange Line to Clark/Lake and transfer to the Blue Line toward O'Hare. The Blue Line ends at O'Hare and you can catch the Hotel's Shuttle Bus there. All stations and O'Hare Airport are very well marked and using the Chicago Transit Authority system is very easy. This will cost you $2.25 per person.
O'Hare Airport Shuttle
If you fly into O'Hare, the Host Hotel offers a Complimentary Shuttle Bus The Hotel airport shuttle is not available to Midway.
 |