PRESENTER BIOS (alphabetical by first name)

Anita Wagner is a polyamory and sexual freedom activist, writer, spokesperson and educator. She is co-founder and past board member of Chesapeake Polyamory Network (CPN) and is co-founder, Director of Outreach and a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for 21st Century Relationships/the Foundation of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). She currently serves as CPN's representative to the Coalition Council of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, and is a past member of NCSF's Board of Directors. Anita has appeared on television in interviews on polyamory in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, in newspaper articles, and has presented educational programs on polyamory at Dark Odyssey: Winter Fire, Black Rose XVII, ITCR’s Building Bridges III, IV and V, Free Spirit Beltane Gathering, the Florida Poly Retreat and the Loving More East Coast Conference. She authored articles on polyamory and bisexuality published in *Loving More* and ITCR's Relating newsletter, respectively. As a polyamory skills educator, Anita is lovingly and passionately committed to helping others find the happiness they seek through responsible non-monogamy.

Anton (sexyspirits.com) is the innovator and creator of Taontric Massage™, unique sensual and erotic massage. He is also one of the leading teachers of expanded orgasm in New York City, a Certified Taoist teacher under trained directly by Master Mantak Chia, a certified Tantric Daka, and former world champion ballroom dancer. He is the founder of Sexy Spirits established in New York City in 1990 as sex-positive education center specializing in the upraising of consciousness through Tantric and Taoist sexual cultivation practices. He blends his knowledge and skills of partnership dancing with ancient sexual cultivation practices that develop greater capacities for pleasure, health, and personal transformation.

Barbara Carrellas (barbaracarrellas.com) is a sex educator, author, performance artist and pleasure activist. She is the founder of Urban Tantra®, an approach to sacred sexuality that adapts and blends conscious sexuality practices from Tantra to S/M, and the co-founder of Erotic Awakening, a pioneering series of workshops focusing on the physical, spiritual and healing powers of sex. Barbara was named Best Tantric Sex Seminar Leader in New York City by *Time Out* Magazine for her pioneering series of Urban Tantra® workshops. Barbara has been featured in the videos *Selfloving*, *The Sluts & Goddesses Video Workshop*, *Zen Pussy*, *Annie Sprinkle’s Amazing World Of Orgasm*, in the film *Sacred Sex*, and in several episodes of the HBO television special *Real Sex*. Barbara collaborated with Annie Sprinkle to present a new/ancient vision of female sexuality in theatrical from in *MetamorphoSex*, a now legendary week-long workshop for women culminating in ritual-performances. She also directed the Australian premiere of Annie’s renowned one-woman show, *Post Porn Modernist*. She frequently collaborates with her partner, gender outlaw Kate Bornstein. Barbara has lectured at numerous colleges and universities, none of which would have invited her if they had really known what she was up to. Barbara has written numerous articles and essays about sex. She has also written and produced The Pleasure Principle, a series of edu-taining audio tapes. Barbara has written two soon-to-be-published books: *Luxurious Loving* (Quiver, Fall 2006) and *Urban Tantra* (Ten Speed Press, March 2007).

British “Lucky” Paul (britishluckypaul.com) is a latex addicted perv from the other side of the pond with a limitless appetite for sexy girls in shiny stuff and high heels. Born in Sussex in the South of England in 1972, Paul started young as a pervert. As a teenager, he would sneak up to London to indulge his fantasies and 15 years later he's still up to his old tricks. In addition to London, Paul has been spotted in Germany, Australia and the San Francisco scene, but is now settled in the DC area with his hot primary partner Julie, who is often his demo bottom. He is a Het Dom Poly Male with occasional switch tendencies. While his depravity knows no bounds, some of his interests include suspension, latex, electrical play, latex, heavy bondage, latex, age play and latex. He can regularly be found selflessly serving the community by disciplining naughty girls wherever he finds them. You can keep up with his events schedule, download his class handouts and find links to online resources on his website.

As a public speaker with a community theater background, Dan (bluecatservices.org) has a dynamic ability to bring words to life. His workshops and presentations range from leather safety, D/s relationships, finding your authentic self, embracing your passionate nature, and sacred sexuality. His presentations are a mix of Ds/Leather lifestyle but include touches of Tantra, sexuality, and humor. Dan also has a background in addictions recovery and has worked in halfway houses in both Maryland and Ohio. He is currently serving as Treasurer of Poly Columbus. Dan and his partner dawn have founded/co-created numerous social and support groups, such as The Forum and The Leather Swing. They have given powerful presentations with numerous organizations, including Leather groups (such as National Leather Association and SEO BDSM), spiritual events (such as AEON), as well as events including Dark Odyssey and Sensuality Fair.

dawn (bluecatservices.org), an ordained and licensed Pagan clergy in the State of Ohio, has a passion for alternative weddings, and has presided over many transgender, poly, pagan, and leather weddings and handfastings. She believes that being a Clergy in her chosen religion is both a blessing and a responsibility, and actively mentors people in the community. She is recognized as a leader in the local Pagan Community and facilitates a very successful Pagan spiritual study group in Columbus, OH. She also offers healing as a Reiki Master, shadow mentor, and teacher. As a Qadishtu (Priestess of Sacred Sexuality), she uses the appropriate combination of these styles to help heal those that come to her with wounded hearts.

Elkor is a Sensual Top with a Dominant streak that comes out at random times. Possessed by a quirky sense of humor, he likes showing people they can enjoy the things he wants to do to them—from flogging to knives to tickling to bad puns. Kinky his whole life, Elkor has been in the scene since joining TIED and Black Rose in 1999. As well as participating in a number of groups, he has had leaderships roles in TIED and HR-TNG. He began presenting to BDSM groups in 2005 and has been hooked since. He is looking forward to opening minds to new possibilities and gaining wider acceptance for provocative skills with Margo Eve, his partner of over 7 years.

Foxy (nativeamericanexotics.com) is a Southern outdoorsman, cowboy, and horse trainer. Sherifox [sha-ree-fox] is of French and Native American descent. She is a direct descendent of Chief Joseph of the Nez Pearce tribe. During his western travels, Foxy met Sherifox in Montana and together they explored her Native American culture, which piqued their interest in the ancient rituals and ceremonies. Involved in the lifestyle for decades, they also enjoy all aspects of BDSM ranging from rope bondage and suspensions to training ponies for pony play. Foxy and Sherifox are founders and proprietors of Native American Exotics based in Central Florida.

Helen Boyd (myhusbandbetty.com) is the author of *My Husband Betty*, a Lambda Literary Award finalist now in its sixth printing, and *She’s Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband*. Her blog (en)gender can be found on her website.

Jefferson (onelifetaketwo.com) is a New York-based writer whose blog “One Life, Take Two” narrates his dual life as a parent and pervert, with emphasis on bisexuality, group sex, and BDSM. For nearly four years, he has hosted private biweekly orgies for bisexuals people and men. He contributes a weekly roundup of sex blogs to Fleshbot.com.

Jillian Davis (lockedinsteel.com) has been a member of the public scene since 1996 but remembers playing “bondage games” even in elementary school. Jillian was the host of the infamous private play party in Attleboro, Massachusetts that was raided by police and became known as the “Paddleboro” incident (because the police considered wooden spoons to be “dangerous weapons”). Over the next two years, she got an in-depth and first hand experience of the legal system and how it works. This did not keep Jillian away from the scene at all, and in 2005, she founded Locked in Steel, a company that manufactures stainless steel collars, cuffs, and chastity belts. She has a great knowledge of chastity belts as she as owned almost every one on the market.

Jon and Carin (polycoach.com) offer relationship coaching for singles, couples and moresomes. They are available for lectures and seminars and have presented at TES, Polyamorous NYC, SexySpirits, Dark Odyssey, and the famous Hedonism II resort in Negril, Jamaica.

Judy Guerin (aka Ms. Ariel) has been an active practitioner of D/s for over 20 years. She was one of the first women in the U.S. in the 1980’s to start a national image consulting business for cross-dressers, “The Feminine Mystique,” and was also an internationally recognized professional dominatrix for over 10 years. Eight years ago, she retired to work on political sexual freedom issues. She is currently a frequent writer, speaker and advocate on issues of sexual and gender expression and youth HIV/AIDS issues. She is a founding and current board member of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Federation, an organization dedicated to affirming sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. She also currently serves on the board of Forum 21 and on the advisory board of GenderPAC and advises the European Union on issues of sexual expression and GLBT issues. She is a former board member and current member of the Black Rose, and a member of SIGMA, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. She is the former Executive Director of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and a former steering committee member of the National Policy Roundtable of GLBT and HIV/AIDS groups.

Kate Bornstein (katebornstein.com) is an author, playwright and performance artist. Her latest book, *Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws,* was released in July, 2006. Kate's published works include the books *Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us*; *My Gender Workbook*; and the cyber-romance-action novel, *Nearly Roadkill* with co-author Caitlin Sullivan. Kate's plays and performance pieces include *Strangers in Paradox*, *Hidden: A Gender*, *The Opposite Sex Is Neither*, *Virtually Yours*, and *y2kate: gender virus 2000*. Kate's books are taught in over 120 colleges and universities around the world. Ze has performed hir work live on college campuses and in theaters and performance spaces across the USA, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria. Kate has two new projects ready to launch in the spring of 2007: a memoir and new solo performance piece, both with the same title: *Kate Bornstein Is A Queer And Pleasant Danger*.

Lee “Bridgett” Harrington (ropelover.com) is an eclectic performance artist, model, artist, spiritual and erotic educator, gender radical and author of *Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macramé*. Well known for hir fun and informative approach to education, ze approaches sexuality as yet another art to master, or simply an art to enjoy to its fullest! Ze has been an active part of the international kink and sex positive communities for over 11 years, and hir stories make people laugh while showing you that eroticism can be as serious, sexy, or silly as you make it. Bridgett's writings and photography have appeared in numerous anthologies including *Dark Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM and the Ordeal Path*, and hir image has been seen everywhere from Playboy TV to the pages of *Skin Two* Magazine. A predominantly private practitioner, Bridgett’s eclectic paganism is heavily rooted in hir upbringing as the daughter of an Irish Catholic and a Goddess Worshiping Lutheran. Ze has been part of CUUPs (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans), GoddesSMack (a pagan dyke SM circle in Portland, OR), serves as a Domina/Priestess for Temple of Atonement (Atoning and Educating Burning Man and the World), and actively incorporates bondage and other forms of BDSM into her spiritual workings as a shaman.

Healer and sexual therapist Maggie Tapert (maggietapert.com) has been leading seminars and workshops for 15 years. In her pioneering work with female sexuality, she has led hundreds of women to embrace and enjoy the sacred quality of their individual sexual path. Her current work with individuals and couples is a unique blend of spiritual healing and sexual empowerment. Maggie is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has a private practice for sexual therapy in Zurich, Switzerland.

Marc B is a creative top, experienced presenter, and the nicest sadist you will ever meet. He has been a long time member of Black Rose, and has served on the board twice. Over the past decade, he has presented to many BDSM groups across the country on the topics of mummification, rope bondage, single tailing, flogging, fear play, edge play, fire cupping, nipple play, and many others. He strives to make his presentations fun, involving, and informative.

Marcus (thefuckhouse.blogspot.com) is a multilingual, bisexual, adventurous, usually happy male-type person who lives in Washington, DC. He works as an escort for men and women. He has monthly group sex parties. And he takes naked photos of people for Internet hook ups. An educator, anthropologist, father to some, lover to many, Marcus practices yoga and runs regularly, but is—alas—on hiatus from nude wrestling.

Margo Eve has been involved in BDSM since before it was legal for her to do so, and on the way from there to here has collected a BA in Communications Studies, her third degree Reiki attunment, and a great many knives. Margo Eve hates the constraints of labels but still calls herself is an “academic masochist.” After all, only a masochist of this nature would strive for an advanced degree, too. Her scholarly focus includes Rhetoric and Gender Communication. When her head isn't in a book, she is either spinning poi, spinning yarn, making something sparkly or snuggling up to Elkor, her partner of over 7 years.

Michelle Zee (abundantmichael.com) is a trans, pagan and poly activist who has presented workshops at Dark Odyssey, Free Spirit Beltane and Gathering Festival, Loving More East, Poly Living, Building Bridges, and at the Community for Spiritual Living. She has studied both Brad Blanton's Radical Honesty and Susan Campbell's Getting Real. Michelle and Susan are running a four-day workshop on Getting Real in Mexico in October 2007. Michelle is also known as Michael when she changes genders. Telling people is not always easy (though the more people she has told her “secret” to, the easier it gets). She says: “Most people either don’t care or are accepting. Let’s face it: if they don’t like it then it is their problem—and do I what to be with that kind of person anyway? No!”

Mark Michaels (Swami Umeshanand Saraswati) and Patricia Johnson (Veenanand) (tantrapm.com) are authors of *The Essence of Tantric Sexuality* (Llewellyn Worldwide) and the forthcoming *Erotic Empowerment: The Fundamentals of Tantric Sexuality* (Llewellyn Worldwide, 2008). A devoted married couple, they have been teaching Tantra and Kriya yoga together since 1999. Their teachings have been featured in several publications including *Breathe*, *Latina*, *The Village Voice*, and in Dr. Judy Kuriansky’s *Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex*. Senior students of Dr. Jonn Mumford (Swami Anandakapila Saraswati), Michaels and Johnson have been named them lineage holders of the OM Kara Kriya® system for the Americas and Europe. They have also studied Bhakti Yoga with Bhagavan Das and Tantra with Dr. Rudy Ballentine, among other teachers.

Rita Seagrave (kinkmogul.com) has worked as a professional dominatrix, adult toy salesgirl, Lusty Lady stripper, sex advice columnist, and college instructor. Born in New Jersey in 1973, raised in San Francisco, and educated in Massachusetts, Rita has found her true home in the Ohio kink community, where she's been invited to present at Ohio Leather Fest, Sterling Shadow, SORE, and others. She currently serves on the board of the Columbus chapter of the National Leather Association, while developing a growing rapport with other Ohio leather and BDSM groups. She'll present at Leather Leadership Conference in Minneapolis in April. She is a deaf poly switch who enjoys playing with men, women, and trans people. Her other interests include traveling, poker, spirituality, painting, and dog training.

Sarah Sloane is a pagan polyamorous queer sadomasochist from Virginia who takes great glee in confusing people who expect her to fit into a certain “type.” She has been teaching workshops to kinky people at groups and events for over seven years, and she loves watching the spark in someone's eyes as they discover a new way to get it on and get it good. She joyfully shares her life with her loves—her spouseling, her sweetie, her Partner In Crime, and her Daddy—and a group of really brilliant, twisted perverts that she is proud to call her family of choice.

Scott Bonelli (bigheadstudio.com) heads up the Rhode Island-based Big Head Studio, a purveyor of custom sex toys and accessories. Scott is a self-described “tactile fetishist” and has turned his fascination with all things shiny into his latest passion: Liquid Latex. Scott can be found selling his wares and conducting latex workshops at many fetish events throughout the U.S. including: the Boston Fetish Fleamarket, the Crucible and Black Rose (Washington D.C.), TES events, as well as events in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Dallas. Scott has been corrupting the youth of America by conducting workshops and demonstrations at both Columbia University and Brown University. National Geographic's Television Show *Taboo* will feature Scott's “Liquid Latex” artistry in an upcoming episode. Scott has recently had a latex how-to article published in *Secret Magazine* #25 accompanied by photographs from renowned fetish artist Steven Speliotis.

Selina Fire (selinafire.blogspot.com) is a lifelong New Yorker whose favorite pastime is sex. Her sex blog is “Sex in the City—The Real Version.” She also writes "On the Edge," a column for *Penthouse Forum*. Sex blogging provides her the perfect opportunity to enjoy being an exhibitionist while remaining anonymous. She has a day job and two kids.

Shibari Warrior aka Thomas began his lifestyle journey back in 1994 a neophyte like everyone else. His interest in suspension began in 2002 when he watched a demo and knew it would become a passion of interest. Through self-study and attendance at events like DO, he acquired the skills to do his own rigging. In 2005, he did interactive suspension demos at a monthly event in Philadelphia called Vesago. In 2006, he began teaching interested lifestylers how to do suspensions and bondage at The Darkside, a dungeon in the Philadelphia area. A former Marine, he resides in New Jersey working as a salesman.

Wintersong Tashlin is a shaman and magician who has been teaching and running rituals for over a decade. He is one of the founders and council members of Clan Tashlin (clantashlin.org), an earth based teaching and magical order built around a unique approach to spirituality, magic, and the relationship of people to the land. In addition to having taken on students privately for many years, he is the past dean of the College of Brigantia, an adult-education program for pagan and magical studies run through the Pagan Kingdom of Ashpodel under Raven Kaldera. His essays on life as a queer/pagan/poly shaman living with Tourette Syndrome can be found at Notes from a Barking Shaman (barkingshaman.blogspot.com).