I, for one, will proudly confess my undying fascination not only with what gets people goin', but with all of the complexities surrounding the issue. Nothing makes people less comfortable than discussing things they don't understand, and we have a serious dearth in our comprehension of human sexuality. Here are some great opportunities to learn and enter the conversation...

Ladies and gentlemen, gather your shackles and riding crops, and agree on that safety word. If you're unfamiliar with the term, BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism) is consensual role play between two or more individuals, who use their experiences of pain and power to create sexual tension, pleasure, and release. Yes, it's hella kinky, but it's also about building trust and a sense of power between both (or all) of the individuals involved. Admit it, you're intrigued.

The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley will present a lecture entitled "BDSM: A Guide for Lay People, Well-Wishers, and Newbies" on Wednesday, February 24, 6:30-8 p.m. at the GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., to dispel the myths about the subculture. The key word is consensual. Following lectures include "Screening & Discussion: The Celluloid Closet" on March 1 at 6:30 p.m., "Coming Out: A Process for Everyone" on March 2 at 7 p.m., and "Understanding Human Sexuality" on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. The events are free, but pre-registration is required, which can be done online at gayalliance.org or by calling 244-8640.

Old definitions and conventions restrict everybody, often invisibly until they affect individuals directly. On Thursday and Friday, February 25-26, the University of Rochester's Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender and Women's Studies will hold its 17th annual Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference. This year's title is "Governing Gender: Bodies and Boundaries," and the discussions will focus on queer politics, GLBTQ issues, academic professionalization, and gender. The conference begins on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. in the Wells-Brown room in Rush Rhees Library on the River Campus, with University of Toronto Professor Michael Cobb's lecture "Single?", which explores singleness as a form of queerness in a couples society. The conference is free and open to the public; for more information, call 275-8318, or visit rochester.edu/college/wst/grad/confindex.html.