The Facility
On first examination, The Facility resembles a warehouse that’s been abandoned for the weekend. It’s easy to imagine that, come Monday, it will be filled with blue-collared men and women doing an honest day’s work—until you look to the left and see two metal shelving units, utilitarian in their Home Depot design, displaying a dozen or so foam mannequin heads modeling assorted gags. This isn’t your typical warehouse, and you can’t buy those at your local DIY superstore.
When we arrive, people are busily preparing for the evening’s party. There’s a DJ station complete with a lighting set up that would make some dance clubs envious. There are tables, chairs, and a buffet area filled with (I’m happy to note) a vegetarian’s dream assortment: chips and hummus, assorted nuts and sweets, and a platter filled with whole tangelos. The first few hours are for socializing.
“With this music,” my partner, Evan, says, “it’s like we’re going to Prom.”
Prom in an abandoned warehouse, sure. It’s here that I should admit that I’m not entirely comfortable. The night’s planned events, Kendra Holliday’s Coming Out Party, intimidate me a little. I’m not a kinkster. I’m not in what insiders know to be “the Scene.”
This may look like an abandoned warehouse, but when we go up to the second story we see two men working to complete a St. Andrew’s Cross, an X-shaped wooden framework for restraining willing victims. Around the room there are various pieces of furniture, each of them designed to facilitate a unique interaction between partners. There are suspension beams, a ladder rack, a whipping post, and a shrink wrapping tool. In one corner, there’s an ordinary bed. We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
We are, in fact, in Missouri, located in what feels like a forgotten part of St. Louis. We’re here because tonight is also a fundraiser for Sex Positive St. Louis. Along with Anna Banana, David Wraith, and Kendra, I’m hoping to create an environment in this city where people can talk about sexuality openly and have a little fun with it. Tonight is supposed to be the fun part, and while I’m excited, I’m also intimidated.
All of the guests have been pre-registered and screened to ensure that things will go as smoothly as possible. Everyone is required to show legal identification, make a donation, and fill out paperwork providing information from a list of kinks and emergency contact numbers. They’ve been instructed to bring their own restraints and toys.
My friend Ziztur pulls a vibrator out of her coat. She flicks it on and it lights up, like Doctor Who with his sonic screwdriver. Tucked away in another pocket, like her coat is a Swiss Army Knife of sex toys, is a black and purple flogger that I won’t see until later. Ziztur is only one of many friends to show up. It’s their presence that makes this doable.
When we arrive, people are busily preparing for the evening’s party. There’s a DJ station complete with a lighting set up that would make some dance clubs envious. There are tables, chairs, and a buffet area filled with (I’m happy to note) a vegetarian’s dream assortment: chips and hummus, assorted nuts and sweets, and a platter filled with whole tangelos. The first few hours are for socializing.
“With this music,” my partner, Evan, says, “it’s like we’re going to Prom.”
Prom in an abandoned warehouse, sure. It’s here that I should admit that I’m not entirely comfortable. The night’s planned events, Kendra Holliday’s Coming Out Party, intimidate me a little. I’m not a kinkster. I’m not in what insiders know to be “the Scene.”
This may look like an abandoned warehouse, but when we go up to the second story we see two men working to complete a St. Andrew’s Cross, an X-shaped wooden framework for restraining willing victims. Around the room there are various pieces of furniture, each of them designed to facilitate a unique interaction between partners. There are suspension beams, a ladder rack, a whipping post, and a shrink wrapping tool. In one corner, there’s an ordinary bed. We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
We are, in fact, in Missouri, located in what feels like a forgotten part of St. Louis. We’re here because tonight is also a fundraiser for Sex Positive St. Louis. Along with Anna Banana, David Wraith, and Kendra, I’m hoping to create an environment in this city where people can talk about sexuality openly and have a little fun with it. Tonight is supposed to be the fun part, and while I’m excited, I’m also intimidated.
All of the guests have been pre-registered and screened to ensure that things will go as smoothly as possible. Everyone is required to show legal identification, make a donation, and fill out paperwork providing information from a list of kinks and emergency contact numbers. They’ve been instructed to bring their own restraints and toys.
My friend Ziztur pulls a vibrator out of her coat. She flicks it on and it lights up, like Doctor Who with his sonic screwdriver. Tucked away in another pocket, like her coat is a Swiss Army Knife of sex toys, is a black and purple flogger that I won’t see until later. Ziztur is only one of many friends to show up. It’s their presence that makes this doable.
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