Welcome to Burning Man
2024 - The 26th Birthday Party of The Village of
PolyParadise in Black Rocky City.
This prose was written post Burn 2018
and will serve as a model of thinking for what our
Camp - our Village - our COMMUNITY is about and what
it expects of its members.
It is hard to believe that
this Theme Camp started in 1999 with 8 campers has
blossomed into a thriving 300-person village. My
first year was 2000; we had 15 campers – my how we
have grown not just in number of campers but as a
group of International Burners spanning the globe. I
know I have grown over the past 20-years as a person
– a Burner and as a leader – The Benevolent Dictator
of The Village of PolyParadise. I have witnessed
many changes within our diverse culture of Burners
and within our own camp as the number of campers has
increased.
So many people have come and gone and passed thru
the Camp/Village over the past 20 years and each
attendee has different reasons for attending Burning
Man – returning year after year or coming to Black
Rock City as a Virgin Burner. We were all Virgins to
Burning Man at one time – we all thought we knew why
we went the first time – have you taken a look
recently why you are making the trek to BRC?
Post Burning Man 2018 I had a few things to say
about what the Burn means to me and how being an
event producer of the Village of PolyParadise had
affected me. If you had not read my FB Posts you can
do so here:
I am a Big-Deal –
Setting the Record STR8. No matter what I said
or how I said it – what words I chose – it is
important to know that not only do I care about the
future of Burning Man - I care about the Village of
PolyParadise & I care about YOU and the experience
you have within the gates of Black Rock City and
within the boundaries of the Village of
PolyParadise.
For the past 20 years the only stated RULE or Code
of Conduct of the camp has been: PolyParadise is NOT
a Swinger Camp. Being Poly or Practicing Poly is NOT
a requirement for camping with us, but being OPEN
MINDED about other people's lifestyle choices IS!!
As we embark on our 21st year within the gates of
Black Rock City – as Benevolent Dictator I feel it
is time to add a few more items for our campers to
consider.
If Burning Man & Black Rock City is in-fact a Utopia
– then that vision of Utopia must represent each of
us and our distinct reasons for making the Black
Rock Desert and The Village of PolyParadise our home
each August. This utopia must be a space in which
each of us feels safe; with the knowledge that our
ability to consent is paramount and is respected by
all.
One of the
Ten Principles is Radical Self-Expression
(Radical Self-Expression arises from the unique
gifts of the individual. No one other than the
individual or a collaborating group can determine
its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In
this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and
liberties of the recipient.)
Your own Radical Self-Expression (whatever that may
be) is to be respected right up to the line where it
might infringe on how someone else defines their own
Radical Self-Expression. In that vein; Consent
should not just be considered in a sexual reference
– Consent is about each of us being able to choose
when our boundaries are pushed. No one should be
forced to view something or participate in an
activity in the name of someone else's Radical
Self-Expression. None of us really knows what our
boundaries are or what hot buttons lie under the
surface are until they are pushed - but the choice
to confront those issues should be with the
individual to push or pursue.
The Village of PolyParadise strives to be a
sex-positive space; (having positive attitudes about
sex and feeling comfortable with one’s own sexual
identity and with the sexual behaviors of others);
but being sex-positive does not mean that we are a
sex-oriented camp. Yes our campers have sex, yes our
campers engage in diverse sexual activities; all of
which are respected. With that said the camp will no
longer be providing a dedicated space to sexual
activity (Perfect Place For Poly Play). This 28’
dome with its intended purpose was highly
underutilized for many years; meaning that most
campers used their own RV, Tent, Yurt, structure or
made their way to other camps within BRC to have the
sexual experiences they desired. The dome will not be
returning to BRC.
Consent is paramount - Always ask before touching
someone. Vocalize consent for every social and
physical interaction. Don't assume consent for one
activity automatically means consent for any others.
Be firm with your boundaries. Be careful not to leer
or be a voyeur to the activities of others. Be
mindful of your body and presence always. Be
vigilant of how you affect others with words and
actions.
We practice affirmative, enthusiastic consent. This
means that if there is a hint of hesitation or doubt
in the “yes” you receive, it is a “no.” Please let
The Benevolent Dictator, Camp Mom or other camp
leaders know if a fellow camper makes you
uncomfortable, for any reason, or talk with them
yourself.
It should not be assumed that everyone that camps
with The Village of PolyParadise wears a Polyamorous
label in their life (~40%) or is there to be
sexually adventurous. A large majority that camp
with us do so because of our Kick-Ass kitchen and
shared meal plan; the public events we host or
friends that camp within our borders. The populous
of the Village should not by default be thought of
as potential candidates for the sexual adventurism
you might want to engage in. Keep that in mind in
how you approach each other for such activities.
Are you bringing Art or an interactive project or
planning an activity within the camp? Is the idea to
share something you enjoy with others or is the idea
to push boundaries in the name of just pushing
boundaries? Think about how your project will be
perceived by other campers; just because you find it
morally justified others may not see it in the same
light. Remember that we all come to Burning Man &
Black Rock City for a variety of reasons; your art,
project, activity should be thought of with this in
mind. We are not attempting to limit your
creativity, your ideas or activities; what we ask is
that if your project or idea might be considered
non-mainstream by others; putting it behind a
curtain or within a structure allows our campers to
have a choice of seeing or participating. We are not
saying that your idea, project or activity is not
welcome but in the name of consent; campers should
not have to avert their eyes, walk a different way
or avoid what they might deem outside their bounds
just so you can be Radically Expressive.
Our Kitchen - Community & Event spaces should be
considered R-Rated (Nudity is acceptable - If you
have a 'Bare Bottom' you are asked to have a towel
or some covering for the chair you will plop your
bare bottom on....THANK YOU) – any Adult Activity
that you would not see in any public place should be
taken inside your own RV, Tent, Yurt, structure or
make your way to other camps within Black Rock City
to engage in such adult experiences.
For those that choose to be Nude (Male &
Female) - Your Bottom MUST BE COVERED while cooking
or when in the food serving line.
Just to recap - There are no specific events,
activities or art projects that are being banned
within the boundaries of The Village of PolyParadise
- We are asking that each camper think about their
actions and how they affect others - Just because
you want to - just because you can - does not mean
that you should. We only ask that you think about
how any event, activity, art project will be
perceived by others - is the Radical-Expression you
wish to pursue going to trample the rights of
others?
Scotto
- Benevolent Dictator of PolyParadise
- Burning Man Lifer/Geek/Zealot