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Winter Wickedness Perversion Fest draws heat
By Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, February 06, 2009 11:01 PM EST
An adults-only sex convention has upset several Worthington residents and religious groups and put police and health officials on standby.
The Winter Wickedness Perversion Fest, which continues through today at the Holiday Inn Worthington, is expected to draw 300 people.
Worthington has taken dozens of calls from national religious groups and concerned local residents, said Kay Thress, the city clerk.
A Web site, adventuresinsexuality.org, says the event prohibits illegal drugs, firearms and animals. But it also discusses "play space" rules that allow cutting, needle and fire play, and the use of drop cloths, gloves, condoms and tarps.
The local group sponsoring the event describes itself as: "a growing Pansexual, Polyamorous BDSM/Kink Fun Group in Central Ohio."
"There's a small segment of the population that finds what we do frightening," event spokeswoman Robin Spector said last night.
She described the weekend as a social and educational event involving adult fantasy role-playing.
"It's a fun, affordable weekend away," said Spector, of San Francisco.
She stressed that children and adults who aren't involved with the group can't be exposed to what occurs over the weekend because everything is behind closed doors.
None of the sponsors or vendors of the event is licensed to perform body piercing, said Columbus Health Department spokesman Jose Rodriguez. The agency, which also handles Worthington health matters, was alerted earlier this week.
Health officials told vendors yesterday that they could face fines or criminal charges if they don't comply with city laws.
Health officials also discussed proper disposal of waste with hotel management and convention participants.
As for contact between consenting adults, Rodriguez said, "Anything that takes place in the privacy of a room at the hotel is not a violation for public health."
Members of the religious groups opposed to the gathering couldn't be reached for comment.
Holiday Inn does not "endorse nor approve the reported activities associated with this group," spokesman Michael Ware said in a news release.
He said the events will be confined to specific hotel meeting space, and guests who are not part of the event have been given the option of moving to another hotel. The hotel hired extra security guards for the event.
"While the content may be objectionable to some, we feel pretty confident that the event participants are not going to be breaking any laws," said Anne Brown, a Worthington spokeswoman.