The Spanner Trust exists to try to change the current UK laws which criminalise consenting sexual activity where injury occurs. It is illegal to engage in any consensual activities for sexual pleasure which result in an injury more than "transient or trifling". It also may be against the law to be in charge of an area where those activities take place which is open to the public.
The Spanner Trust also provides assistance to people in the UK who are in trouble because of their creative play. Sadly, that is a steady stream of people. This year we have heard from people whose private, consensual sexual activity has led to a police investigation, their homes being raided, computer and other possessions being seized and the loss of their jobs.
Please help us change current laws and lobby against government proposals to further criminalise fetish communities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The following events are supporting the work of the Trust, either by raising money or by inviting Trustees to give a presentation:
- Fri 10th to Sun 12th Nov: KINKLUSIVE in Manchester
Kinklusive is an annual weekend celebration of BDSM and fetish. Kinklusive aims to be genuinely pansexual in scope, and to reflect the diversity of Manchester's straight, lesbian, bi and gay BDSM/ fetish/ leather scenes. The Spanner Trust will be present during the day on Saturday 11th November running a stall and taking part in discussions. More info at www.kinklusive.org.uk
- Sun 12th Nov and Sat 18th Nov: JUST ROPE workshops in London and Huddersfield
Chanta Rose is the guest presenter at Just Rope workshops in London on Sun 12th and in Huddersfield on Sat 18th November. Each Just Rope event is also a fundraiser for the Spanner Trust, and their rope bondage play parties and workshops have raised over £473 to date. More info at www.justrope.co.uk
- Weds 22nd Nov: BACKLASH CLINIC in London
Backlash is a coalition of individuals and organisations campaigning against the UK government's proposals to criminalise possession of extreme pornography. They are holding an open meeting on Weds 22nd Nov from 7pm to 10pm in the downstairs lounge at Coffee, Cake and Kink (www.coffeecakeandkink.com). For more info on Backlash go to www.backlash-uk.org.uk
- Sat 25th and Sun 26th Nov: LIBERTARIAN ALLIANCE Annual Conference in London
The Libertarian Alliance was formed in 1967 with the aim of being Britain's leading free market and civil liberties think tank. The Spanner Trust will be taking part in a discussion at their annual conference on Sunday 26th November. More info at www.libertarian.co.uk
- Fri 1st and Sat 2nd Dec: LESBIAN & GAY PSYCHOLOGY SECTION Annual Conference in London
The conference provides two days of presentations, workshops and discussions for LGBTQ psychologists, postgraduate students, professionals, community members and academics in related disciplines. The Spanner Trust will be taking part in a discussion during the day on Saturday 2nd December. More info at www.bps.org.uk/lesgay/
- Mon 15th Jan 2007 - LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARD volunteer briefing
The Spanner Trust is giving a presentation to volunteers for the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard. More info on the switchboard at www.llgs.org.uk
If you would like to invite the Spanner Trust to speak at your event or gathering please email info (at) spannertrust.org
INFERNO
Inferno is the annual run of the Chicago Hellfire Club and this year they chose the Spanner Trust as the beneficiary of their fundraising. With the enormous generosity of businesses donating items for raffles and silent auctions, and all the individuals who gave their time and money the event raised almost $12,000 (USD) in just under one week.
The businesses included:
BIJOU VIDEO (www.bijouworld.com)
BLOW BUDDIES, San Francisco, California (www.blowbuddies.com)
BULLMANX PHOTOGRAPHY (www.bullmanx.com)
BUTT BOY MUSIC (www.ButtBoyMusic.com)
CUSTOM PADDLES BY PADDLEWERKS®, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (www.PaddleWerks.com)
GEAR ESSENTIALS (www.gearessentials.com)
INTERNATIONAL MR LEATHER, Chicago, Illinois (www.imrl.com)
LEATHER ARCHIVES & MUSEUM, Chicago, Illinois (www.leatherarchives.org)
MEPHISTO LEATHER, Chicago, Illinois
PRIMATIVE PENETRATIONS piercers and tattooist
SCREAMING LEATHER, Los Angeles, California (www.screamingleather.com)
SOUTH CENTRAL BAR, London, UK (www.southcentrallondon.co.uk)
SOUTH PLAINS LEATHERFEST, Dallas, Texas (www.southplainsleatherfest.com)
SOUTH WEST LEATHER CONFERENCE, Phoenix, Arizona (www.southwestleather.org)
STEAMWORKS (www.steamworksonline.com)
ULLI RICHTER PHOTOGRAPHY (www.kinkinprint.com)
WET LUBE (http://stayswetlonger.com)
WOOFWAX CANDLES, Dallas, Texas (www.woofwax.com)
We are truly grateful to everyone who has helped to raise funds for the Spanner Trust. All the money donated goes towards our efforts to change the law or helping people in trouble.
SM GAYS
Our thanks also go to SM GAYS who donated £1000 to the Trust following their July and August events at the Hoist in South London. Their website is www.smgays.org
IN THE PRESS
The London Fetish Scene website posted an interview with Spanner Trustee Derek Cohen in October. The interview can be found at www.londonfetishscene.com
The Leather Journal is a monthly newspaper published in the US since May 1987. The October 2006 edition carried an update on the work of the Spanner Trust.
CONTACT THE SPANNER TRUST
If you would like to receive future newsletters by email please write to subscribe (at) spannertrust.org to be added to the mailing list.
If you know anyone in the UK in trouble because of their SM activities please ask them to email info (at) spannertrust.org and we will do our best to help, or put them in touch with a legal professional in their area.
Donations can be made in pounds, dollars or euros via paypal at www.spannertrust.org/donations.asp or by sending a cheque to the Spanner Trust, Norvin House, 45-55 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD, UK
For more information visit www.spannertrust.org
Thank you again for all your support, it's much appreciated.
Best wishes, John Pendal
Spanner Trust Chairman
Click here for December '06 letter
