Wheel of Consent® for Queers 2-day Workshop: Melbourne, Naarm

WHEEL OF CONSENT® 2-DAY WORKSHOP - FOR QUEERS!

10.00am to 6.00pm Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of November 2024

Three sliding scale ticket prices ($250, $375 and $500 +bf), plus some at $110 +bf, via discussion with me. See 'Payment Options' below. 

Led by me - Stella Topaz she/her (my bio is below), with Tia, they/them, sex worker and BDSM practitioner.

ABOUT THE WHEEL OF CONSENT®

The Wheel of Consent® is a model and a practice; it’s a powerful tool to improve the quality of your touch and create clear agreements so you can experience satisfying connection to yourself and others. It is based on, but does not require, exchanges of touch.

The Wheel explores consent, boundaries, body-freedom, communication, and touch. It explores and takes apart the dynamics of receiving and giving, so you can feel the difference, and know why that matters.

The Wheel of Consent® was developed by Dr Betty Martin, drawing on her 40+ years hands-on experience, first as a chiropractor, then as a sex worker, and a somatic sex educator. Workshops and professional trainings are run all over the world by Betty and others certified by Betty and the School of Consent.

The practices of the Wheel can influence how you approach and experience so many interactions and dynamics - in intimate relationships, friendships, family, workplaces, in activism and communities. It's seemingly simple yet radically transformative!

WHO IS WELCOME?

THIS workshop is specifically for queer people: if it resonates for you, then you are welcome!  

‘Queer’ has no single definition. ‘Queer’ is self-identifying. Relating to sexuality, gender, bodies, and relationships outside of dominant norms: to LGBTIQA+ people's lived experience and expressions, to queerness in family, in chosen family, in community, intersectionality and activism; it can be a feeling, a label, a way of seeing, a way of being. Any, none or all of these. It's yours to describe. 

This will be a queer-only space, timeout from the hetero-dominant world. Gathering with shared ground, and differences too. I'm curious to explore how the practices of the Wheel can support us in our queerness; in how we relate to ourselves, to each other, and within our queer communities.

No knowledge or experience of the Wheel is needed. You are welcome if it's very new to you, or if its familiar, there is always more to explore!

Whether you are shy or outgoing, comfortable in groups or less so, you are welcome. You can come along solo, or with partner/s, friend/s, others. You can go at your own pace, and opt in or out of the activities offered. Participation is possible in many different ways. 

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP 

This workshop guides you through practices to explore the Wheel of Consent, to feel it in your own skin; it’s learnt best by experiencing. The core practices of the Wheel are based on exchanges of touch - and can also be explored without touch. You choose.

Over the two days you will...

• learn what ‘receiving’ and ‘giving’ really are; and why knowing the difference is crucial for connection and intimacy
• find out where you are clear (or not) in receiving and giving
• experience pleasure and sensation in your own skin so that you can access this any time you choose
• learn about 'two ways of giving' and 'two ways of receiving' and how these expand the possibilities for pleasure
• access parts of yourself that have been hidden and that are ready to be seen, appreciated and healed
• become delightfully aware of your desires and limits, and practice how to communicate them
• feel the power of choice and of making clear agreements
• learn the framework of the Wheel of Consent® and experience each of the four quadrants

We will work with practices where 'touch' is defined as separate from 'sex'. As adults, many of us experience 'sex and touch' as bundled closely together, so it can be difficult to explore touch free from sexual connotations or expectations. The Wheel can offer great insights on sex and play, but it’s not the focus here. This workshop is non-sexual and clothing stays on.

There are many ways to participate, opting in to activities, working solo, or with others, taking time to journal or rest, changing your mind along the way. Noticing and taking care of your own needs and preferences is strongly encouraged.

FACILITATION AND GROUP CARE

I will lead in a way that welcomes you as you are - and I will help create a kind, respectful and enjoyable learning space. 

Welcoming of diverse bodies, sexualities, genders, ages, and relationship status; welcoming of First Peoples, of cultural diversity; of neurodiversity, disabilities, and wide ranging self-expression and lived experience. 

I will speak up for inclusion, safety and respect, and support processes of care, and of repair. 

I invite your contribution to these: so that we can make and hold the group culture together. 

If there's anything you'd like to raise with me before booking, please do get in touch. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS

There are three prices for tickets, for different financial circumstances; $250, $375 and $500*. A mix across these levels makes it possible for me to run these workshops, while giving you options to choose from. *plus booking fee

Please choose the rate that reflects your income (lower, medium, higher) and your capacity and willingness to pay. 

There are a small number of tickets for $110* if you are not able to afford the $250* rate. UPDATE: These have sold out but I may release more later (if the event sells well) - please contact me to go on a waitlist. 

If you are able to help with some tasks during the workshop days as part of the $110 ticket, that would be great too (but not required). Eg; setting out cushions & chairs, putting out snacks, and doing a tidy at the end of the day. You won’t miss any workshop time. 

And - please contact me if you'd like to pay in instalments for any of the ticket levels, or with any other questions about ticketing.

Stella Topaz