Passional: A Deliciously Illicit Boutique and Magazine - P.A.W. Print

There was something deliciously illicit when I walked into the boutique Passional, to pick up copies of the magazine of the same name for this story. An erotic nature of kink and fetish filled the air along with the smell of fragrant incense as I thumbed through a copy near a display of sex toys and lubricants.

It was by far the friendliest experience I had ever encountered in a fetish emporium. Not that I spend a great deal of time in lascivious venues, but the friendly female staff and clean, well-stocked shelves were a refreshing change from stale cigarettes and the furtive glances and loud dance music of my normal purveyor of condoms and lube.

"We are home," reflected store owner and publisher Kail Morgan, who added, "everyone is welcome here and not persecuted because of what they enjoy."

This same belief seems to carry through to the magazine, where diversity is celebrated. The magazine is the "brainchild" of Morgan, one of the writers and editors, part of whose chores is answering readers' queries under the moniker of Lady Passional.

Morgan, 36, is a Philadelphia local who says that the name of the magazine and boutique reflect her own tastes. "I'm passionate about food, working out, and a lot of other things," Morgan explained during a recent conversation. That devotion is evident in the pages of the magazine.

Passional started as newsletter for customers and people on the store's mailing list, in September, 1999, After a brief collaboration with a publication called Obzine, Passional has emerged as a bimonthly magazine covering a range of topics characterizing the fetish community.

Morgan says that the popularity of the magazine is a representation of the large fetish community in the Philadelphia metro area- something she credits to our central location between the larger metropolitan areas of New York and Washington.

Passional first struck me as a general magazine for people who also happen to enjoy an alternative fetish lifestyle. While there are no shortage of images of women in corsets and men in big leather boots and thongs, these images are juxtaposed with articles on house work (the "Spring Cleaning" issue) and the care of latex (worth reading if you own any).

The magazine is filled with pictures of men and women in various fetish clothing and each issue features a central theme. For example, the April issue was about coming of age, covering issues from teens and sex to more erotic and creative prom outfits, the May issue was centered around, spring cleaning.

Although much of the subject matter is about sex, the articles are informative and balanced. Tackling the issue of teens having sex is often considered too risqué in this conservative clime, let alone reaching out to the younger generation who is questioning their place within the more traditional roles ascribed to in our society.

The April issue also included an article with suggestions on talking to teens about sex, providing a number of resources, some of which provide information about gay and lesbian teens.

The July/August issue will focus on sex and spirituality with articles and information on Asian erotica, the Karma Sutra, and an exploration of some of the more "exotic flavors" of Philadelphia.

Although there are few, obvious gay or lesbian images, the publication is pansexual, catering to people of all preferences. An interesting element of fetish play is that it often transcends gender roles and identities. For example, it is not uncommon to have a heterosexual woman be tied up by another woman, or to have a subservient straight (sub) man be dominated by a women or gay man. In much of fetish play, traditional sexual play is replaced with the exchange of power found in sado-masochism, SM and bondage and discipline, BD play. A primary tenant of SM play is the notion of safe, sane and consensual play.

The magazine's images are sexy and racy without being pornographic. The articles are informative covering a wide range of topics about fetish play. One of my favorite articles had a few writers remembering their first "naughty secret," in which they described an early erotic experience, giving the reader an understanding of the later development of their fetish. It was not unlike reading the more interesting letters in the sex advice columns of our two local weekly papers. In fact, these letters were far more germane and sensual then the communications of people seeking reassurance and solace that their particular desire to engage in foot worship, for example, is not immoral or unusual.

When Morgan was asked to share a "naughty secret," she responded with a tale from her youth, "The details are fuzzy... Was I in sixth grade or so? A friend from school spent the night and told me all about how she saw her mom and boyfriend 'making love'. Somehow she kissed me and described the act and I got on top and performed. I was completely clueless and clumsy at the time, but I was on top and having a gay old time, until she got scared by my enthusiasm and called the affair off. We changed gears and made crank calls into the night, never to discuss that moment again."

There is an old joke in SM circles. Sex is like ice cream: some people like vanilla, others chocolate and some rocky road. An appropriate metaphor for these hot summer days, and it perhaps best explains the appeal of Passional. The magazine serves as a resource for the fetish community with advertisements and listings for clubs, concerts, workshops and parties.

It is also refreshing to see a publication, the tangible product of words and photographs thriving in our cyber culture. Passional is the celebration of like-minded people who enjoy a fetish lifestyle.