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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TES30 CELEBRATES ITS 30th YEAR
The Eulenspeigel
Society of New York City celebrates its 30th birthday despite police
intervention
NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 14, 2001--The Eulenspiegel Society (TES) successfully
celebrated its 30th anniversary during a weekend event, TES30, in Somerset,
NJ. The event was a hit with attendees and vendors despite intervention from
the New Jersey Division of Alcohol Beverage Control. Over 1,500 people
attended from 35 states, with 70 vendors, and the event featured over 100
educational classes.
On the night of Friday, August 10th, New Jersey State Officers arrived at
the Garden State Exhibition Center (GSEC), investigating on behalf of the
New Jersey Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC). TES management was
informed that many of the activities within the event were not in accordance
with the state ABC regulations. GSEC holds a liquor license, however no
alcohol was being served at the event. Investigators videotaped some of the
event to serve as evidence against GSEC, and has assured TES management that
the tape will only be used in administrative hearings against GSEC.
The Board of Directors of The Eulenspiegel Society wish to offer our
apologies to the membership, to the Leather Community at large, and
especially to those individuals who were video-taped during the police
investigation of the Garden State Exhibition Center during TES30. TES seeks
to protect the privacy of all its members and attendees, and has been
assured that no one is at risk. The TES board has hired an independent
attorney to investigate the situation, including any legal standing TES has
to challenge the actions of the State Police and to suppress the video tape
currently held in evidence.
The TES board of directors has censured the Executive Chairman of TES30.
Among the causes for censure, the Chairman had informed the board of
directors that no proactive police outreach could be done, when this was not
true. In addition, a letter was written under his authority that incorrectly
suggested that the event's rules were in conformity with all local law.
The TES board of directors believes that with greater oversight,
attention to detail, and communication with law enforcement officials, the
recording of the events of that evening could have been avoided. In the
future, the Board of Directors will provide greater oversight, and will
support more positive community outreach in all future events produced by
TES in order to better protect our members.
TES prides itself on being a supporter of the larger SM-Leather-Fetish
and alternative sexuality communities, both individuals and organizations.
Continuing their tradition of such support, TES awarded TES Appreciation
Awards to NYC's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center,
Gene Frankel, Gay Male S/M Activists, Lesbian Sex Mafia, and Lolita Wolf. In
addition, there was a special honor given to one of TES' founding members,
Brother Leo.
In addition, a $3,000 donation will be made to The Center for its Capital
Campaign Fund. There was also a silent auction benefiting the Leather
Archives & Museum, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and the Leonard
Dworkin Memorial Fund.
TES especially would like to thank all of the attendees and volunteers
who worked together to make the event a true success.
TES is a New York City-based S/M (sadomasochism) support group founded in
1971 and is the oldest and largest of its kind. The group is a
not-for-profit organization that promotes sexual liberation for all adults,
especially those who enjoy loving S/M practiced in a safe, sane and
consensual manner.
Permission granted to circulate/publish this announcement. |
