Source: VancouverDungeon.com
By: Reive Doig
(VANCOUVER, BC) – BIO, a local company that specializes in S&M dungeon parties and sexuality education, welcomes and applauds the decision of the Honourable Judge R.R. Low on Friday to acquit Mr. Steve Sweet on all 20 counts of charges of making, distributing and circulating obscene videos contrary to s. 163 (8) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The charges against Mr. Sweet of the Sweet Entertainment Group (Seg) stemmed from a Vancouver Police Department raid that occurred on March 13, 2002 and a second raid that occurred November 7, 2002. During the raid the police seized computers and numerous video tapes, including 11 which led to charges being laid.
Many within the local BDSM (Bondage & Discipline, Domination & Submission, Sadomasochism) community felt that their lifestyle itself might come under attack during the trial.
BIO spokesperson Reive Doig was relieved upon hearing the verdict in the case, and elated upon reading the decision. “The judge recognized, for what I believe is the first time in a Canadian judicial decision, that BDSM activities are an entirely normal sexual pursuit,” said Doig. He was specifically referring to section (91) of the decision in which the the Honourable R.R. Low stated in part “That consensual BDSM is part of normal and acceptable adult sexual behaviour…”
“This is the start of the rulings we need in order to protect ourselves as consensual sadomasochists. This isn’t our ‘legalize gay marriage’ decision, but it’s our ‘Little Sister’s decision’ recognizing that depictions of our lifestyle aren’t inherently obscene,” said Doig, referring to the court case of Vancouver’s Little Sister’s Bookstore versus Canada Customs in which it was determined that depictions of graphic gay sexuality could not be arbitrarily seized by Customs agents, many of whom had no formal training to do so.
BIO was founded in the summer of 2000 and since that time has presented monthly dungeon parties for BDSM practitioners, regular workshops, and six alternative sexuality conferences in Vancouver. Members learn of activities by subscribing to an internet mailing list run by the company. The company regularly contributes to causes such as local non-profits and charities, including the Little Sister’s Defence Fund to assist the bookstore in their ongoing court battle with Canada Customs.
For more information contact:
Reive Doig
BIO Event Production
778-885-5463
