I'd be interested to learn what sort of demographic you come from (privacy is paramount obviously) and what sort of demographic you find at these events. I don't believe I've ever traveled in a social circle that would openly engage in something like this so I'm curious as to what one would look like.
I have all the privilege. Some events are more diverse than others. It’s rare to meet someone under 30. Events skew towards the demographic of the location in which they’re held.
I wouldn't of expected it to tend towards 30+ year old people especially in the Bay Area. Any overlap with other shall I say "cultural subgerenes" that you've noticed? Say PC Gamers or people really into sports?
I’d say that most of the people at these events are not in tech. As far as geeks vs jocks - I’d say it’s pretty much normal people. Or perhaps what’s normal for me. Perhaps slightly more hippy / burner than the average person.
I thought about it more. My definition of normal is very inclusive. There are socially awkward, social butterflies, more and less conventionally attractive, retired and middle aged, married / unmarried, all sorts of gender identity and sexual preferences at these events. There are events specifically geared towards LGBTQIA+ folks. Many events are hetero-normative and gender normative - I think that’s a function of where people feel safe and find community.
There’s a wide range of events. Some of the event types: lecture with Q&A, discussion groups, communication practice, non-sexual cudde parties, second-base parties, sex parties.
Events open to the public tend to be non-sexual and very structured. One needs to build trust in a community to be invited to other events.
Nearly all events have a hard start time after which no one is allowed to enter. The beginning of events cover rules and guidelines for the event. Then there’s usually some ice breaker such as introductions. After that it really depends on what kind of event we’re talking about.
Good question. I honestly don’t know. The vast majority of these events are ones in which STI transmission could not occur because there is no skin contact or fluid exchange. At the events where transmission could occur I’d guess that those attendees are more knowledgeable about risks and prevention than the average population. And there’s the safer sex elevator speech before contact: http://reidaboutsex.com/safer-sex-elevator-speech-with-examp...
Almost all media coverage about my community seems to say “look, there’s this weird thing going on, isn’t that weird?!” I believe any short-form coverage of a community by someone not in that community and for people not in that community cannot accurately portray that community. Plus, media is a business and it helps to have some spin to get people to share the media.