CLAGS Presents: Fantasies Identity Can't Hold: Leathersex and Trans Experiences

Starting with a screening of one of Ignacio Rivera’s films on trans experiences and kink, this dialogue explores Susan Stryker’s observation that trans sadomasochism creates the possibilities for new assemblages of bodies, new selves, new genders. We ask how the dungeon becomes a laboratory for gender and sexual experimentation, and what we can learn about trans experiences from leathersex.  

ABOUT THE SERIES:

This event is part of Power of Leather, a series of in-person dialogues, interactive performances, and community events exploring leathersex, sadomasochism, and leather culture. The series is presented by CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies at CUNY, and organized by Laura Westengard and Kassandra Sparks. You can find the full lineup here.

RSVP:

RSVP is required for in-person and virtual attendance. Tell your friends, students, study group members, Doms, subs, pups, kittens, toys, Mommies, and Daddies and invite them all to join. In-person capacity is limited, so please arrive early! 

ACCESSIBILITY: 

• There is a ramp and electric door to enter the building. There are wheelchair accessible bathrooms on every floor.
• Only some bathrooms are gender neutral. 
• Microphones and a sound system will project audio for in-person attendees.
• ASL interpretation will be provided for all attendees (in-person and virtual). Live captioning will also be available on our virtual livestream. 
• Chair and floor seating will be available, as well as space to stand. Chairs will be moveable and have backs. 
• Wearing masks is encouraged. Attendees are also encouraged to test beforehand and stay home if they are feeling unwell. 

STRADDLING LEATHER & ACADEMIA: 

These events straddle two worlds that are often kept separate, despite their many unspoken overlaps: the leather community and academia. Our goal is to create a space that is welcoming to those with experience in academia, leather and queer communities, or all of the above.

• If you are a leather or queer person with little (or no) experience in academic settings, we hope these events offer you a different forum to discuss leather culture. We will do our best to keep language accessible, and we invite you to ask questions and/or participate in discussions.
• If you are an academic or student with little (or no) exposure to leather culture, we hope these events introduce you to new frameworks for understanding queerness, queer publics, identity, and desire. We will do our best to flag explicit or controversial conversations. We encourage you to sit with discomfort that might arise and remain curious about it. 

SPEAKER BIOS: 

Ignacio Rivera M.A. is a globally recognized non-binary speaker, educator, writer, healer, and performer. They are the founder of The HEAL Project and Poly Patao Productions. Ignacio is a cultural sociologist, has a history in sex work and as an adult film performer. With over 30 years of experience, Ignacio has been actively involved in economic justice, anti-racist, and anti-violence efforts. They have also been a passionate advocate within mujerista, LGBTQI, Leather, Kink, and sex-positive movements. Ignacio invites you to explore more about their work at igrivera.com and heal2end.org.

Susan Stryker is Distinguished Visiting Faculty at the Clayman Institute for Gender Research, Stanford University, and Professor Emerita of Gender and Women’s Studies at University of Arizona. “When Monsters Speak: A Susan Stryker Reader” was published by Duke University Press in 2024