Bondage, discipline, submission and masochism – these are four of the principles an ISU club was established to explore. Cuffs is a new ISU club focusing on alternate-sexuality discussions, fetishes and BDSM. John Dorsey, senior in electrical engineering and president of the club, said he wanted to give Iowa State something dramatically different from anything ever offered before. Dorsey said he has been interested in these issues for quite a while, but he became much more interested this past summer while on an internship in San Francisco. “I wanted to introduce these issues to the ISU community,” he said. Laura Bestler-Wilcox, assistant director of student activities, said she is happy any time students are interested in starting a new group on campus. “[Cuffs] represents a group of students on campus who normally don’t have an organization representing them,” Bestler-Wilcox said. “The club is a place for students to learn about a lifestyle they may be, or are already, interested in.” Dorsey said he expects Cuffs to be controversial. “Because this is a new subject to many at ISU and not well-known in Iowa, a typical first reaction is lack of understanding,” Dorsey said. “I hope that through education people will become more comfortable with the ideas that Cuffs promotes.” If people are not educated about BDSM, Bestler-Wilcox said they shouldn’t judge it. “A lot of people are curious about this type of lifestyle because it’s usually portrayed on television and computers and not in real life,” she said. Dorsey said BDSM isn’t just about sex. “It’s a very personal and intimate experience,” he said. “There is a difference between a play partner and a lover. There is a lot of sexual energy in BDSM, but it doesn’t always end with the actual act of sex.” Bestler-Wilcox also pointed out that this type of lifestyle is more about safe trust and loyalty, not abuse, and it’s very safe. Dorsey said Cuffs has three missions: To educate people about the issues the club presents, to educate community members and leaders through outreach, and to provide a safe meeting place for the BDSM community. This community includes anyone with enough interest in BDSM to make it an important part of his or her life, and cautions those who are interested in experimenting with BDSM because there is “a lot of trust involved with this kind of behavior.” Although the club is not currently funded by student fees through the Government of the Student Body, Dorsey said Cuffs plans to apply in the near future. “I hope for assistance from GSB to print flyers,” Dorsey said. “Since some of our main goals are to educate and promote safety, I would hope we have a good chance of getting funding.” Steve Medanic, GSB finance director and senior in physics and math, said Cuffs is eligible to apply for funding. Dorsey said he hopes students will support funding the club, even those who are opposed to BDSM, because the group has a good cause. “I have gotten a very good response at ClubFest from students,” Dorsey said. “I think some people are seeing BDSM for the first time. I have gotten a lot of raised eyebrows and curiosity about the club.” Dorsey said he is pretty sure that a club of this nature hasn’t existed at Iowa State before, but this is an appropriate time to introduce it. “BDSM is getting to the point where it can survive in the mainstream,” Dorsey said. Dorsey said he is willing to answer any serious inquiries through e-mail at [email protected], or visit the Web site at www.stuorg.iastate.edu/cuffs. Cuffs will hold its first meeting at 8 p.m. Monday in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union.