Dennis Nguyen (he/him) is a Chicago based Social Worker dedicated to serving Queer BIPOC through anti-racist community work. His passion is exploring how intersectionality affects our experiences and helping others through counseling, community building, and workshops. Dennis identifies as a cis queer Southeast Asian male.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Gene Pool (he/him), aka Subzero Onyx, is a Chicago native and current President of the (Midwest Chapter of the Men of Onyx)(https://www.onyxmidwest.com/), an POC Leathermen's organization representing Black and other marginalized persons in the Leather community through Education, Empowerment, and Exploration.
Although Subzero began his formal leathermen and kink journey at IML 2017, he has and continues to spend his time in the service of others. In this capacity, he redefines LGBTQIA+ stereotypes and dismantles stigmas perceived by the miseducated and ill-informed. As Onyx Midwest President, his personal goal is to form and strengthen the bonds with other clubs and organizations to promote unity in the community. His mission is accomplished by representing Onyx with the Chicago Kink Coalition and The Black Gay Men Caucus.
Red (she/her) is an emotional S&M switch who has been active in the Chicago community for over nine years. Her creative sadism and emotionally vulnerable masochism give her a unique and balanced perspective into the pleasure and problems that can come from playing with the emotionally dark corners of the mind. She has been teaching in and out kink for 15+ years and has been formally trained in both group and 1:1 instruction techniques through her professional channels.
Elly Higginbottom (she/her) is a registered yoga teacher (RYT® 200) and masochistic-leaning bottom. Her yoga and kink practices developed in complementary tandem, each bringing depth and insight to the other. She has been teaching yoga to kinky audiences for 5 years and currently teaches a monthly yoga class at GD2. She strives to create a space of acceptance and awareness, where everyone can find an opportunity for growth.
Lamia (they/them) is a Black Queer Kinkster, Trauma Therapist, Organizer, Educator and Activist. They have been involved in Kink and BDSM communities since 2010. An edge player with an affection for mind games and pain, they are a previous owner and chair of the Beguiled Hypnosis Conference. Lamia has taught on hypnosis edge play, needles/sharps, Identity and BDSM ( including race, gender, sexuality, polyamory), mental health and kink, consent, community building, negotiation/collaboration, and more.