Slog - Comments on San Francisco's Other Sex Scandal http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal Why can't we have juicy sex scandals here in Seattle? Do we even have them in Seattle? Can anyone recall a single Seattle sex scandal? San Francisco is currently having two sex scandals--two!--in a single news cycle! Not fair! The owners of a specialty porn website, Kink.com, recently purchased a historic building in San Francisco's Mission District and panties are bunchin'. Kink.com, which distributes its videos on X-rated Web sites with names such as Hogtied and Men in Pain, bought the old State Armory in the Mission District for $14.5 million, saying the vacant building's dark Moorish architecture would make... Copyright 2008 Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:27:51 -0800 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:13:03 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Boomer And you know damn well the BDSM-ers will take care of that building like no one else ever has. I wouldn't say fetish folks are anal (not without smirking, anyway) but they sure don't make messes, or leave wanton destruction in their wake.

]]> Boomer http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608385 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608385 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:43:17 -0800 Comment by COMTE "The Mission Merchants Association, according to its president, is worried that Kink.com is going to “attract perverts to the area.”

Well, naturally. After all, that's why The Castro and The Haight exist.

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608426 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608426 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:18:25 -0800 Comment by Russell >>Kink.com, for the record, makes the best and most ethical straight BDSM porn out there

I like those guys, I think I've subscribed to every single site they've got at one time or another, but dammit, we're better! ^-^

We're a small boutique rather than a giant mill, we try for a little more connection/intimacy/fun in our stuff...

-Russell from Two Big Meanies

]]> Russell http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608450 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608450 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:50:25 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage No slight intended, Russell! I like you guys too... perhaps I should have said "some of the best." Sorry about that.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608471 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608471 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:06:36 -0800 Comment by Papayas If I were into BDSM porn, I would so check out your stuff Russell. Heck, I might even check it out even though I'm not into it. I really like boutiques, and you make your BDSM porn sound really cool.

]]> Papayas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608497 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608497 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:51:27 -0800 Comment by Russell No problem- if you judge on commercial success they are the best, and they really are way ahead of just about everybody else as far as ethics and sex-positivity.

I just wanted to plant a flag... it's tough being in competition with the 800-pound gorilla. ^-^

]]> Russell http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608499 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608499 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 19:56:26 -0800 Comment by biviator quoting: "... allowing people to be tied up, spanked and poked with mechanical implements in the working-class neighborhood."
Wow! That sounds hot. Curious tho, is getting poked "in the working class neighborhood" easier than getting fucked in the ass? Sounds about the same...

]]> biviator http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608521 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608521 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:30:49 -0800 Comment by Gitai You know, I have a feeling that working class people in SFO have a shitload more to be concerned about than kink.com moving in, say, paying their rent.

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608555 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608555 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 22:08:49 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi There are working class people in San Francisco?

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608604 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608604 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 23:39:13 -0800 Comment by Noink Oh come on, repressed people are far more dangerous than those that actually take care of their desires responsibly.

]]> Noink http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608615 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608615 Sex Fri, 02 Feb 2007 23:49:25 -0800 Comment by demoncrat Isn't obvious that the current and former mayors here never even get laid? Their policies reflect it. That in itself is a scandal.

]]> demoncrat http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608717 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608717 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:00:35 -0800 Comment by wretch Another brilliant win for the renters' lobby. I wonder if John Fox consulted on this one?

]]> wretch http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608726 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608726 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:22:48 -0800 Comment by Bob Jones I suspect the low-income housing advocates passed because it would have cost a small fortune (that they don't have) to bring an old building like that up to code for residential living. Sometimes it's actually cheaper to build from the ground up, although certainly a new building wouldn't be as cool.

]]> Bob Jones http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608734 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608734 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:56:04 -0800 Comment by SDA in SEA I'm trying to imagine just what a "sex-positive charity" is. Or a "kink-outreach program".

Is there, like, a Church of BDSM out there that I'm unaware of or something? Or a United Way-like organization for kinksters? A Goodwill-like warehouse of second hand fetish wear? I'm just curious.

]]> SDA in SEA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608747 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608747 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 10:31:01 -0800 Comment by Jerry Heath As my old daddy once said to me "Son, a stiff prick has no consceience!" Truer words were never spoken. Can't we all just get together and fuck and it not get in the fucking papers? I looked at that babe the Mayor was slipping the salami to and hell yeah I would fuck her too! He won't have any problem getting re-elected in San Francisco but he can forget about going any further.

]]> Jerry Heath http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608769 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608769 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:28:40 -0800 Comment by switzerblog @15: it sounds better in Latin:

penis erectus non compos mentis.

]]> switzerblog http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608771 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608771 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:32:02 -0800 Comment by mattymatt The other hilarious detail about this is that the Armory's neighborhood is among the worst in SF for drug dealing, violent crime, and overall filthiness. Attracting perverts would be an improvement.

]]> mattymatt http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608836 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608836 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 16:06:15 -0800 Comment by Ari Spool When I was on tour, our van got broken into right there! We were wondering why it was so easy to park. . .

]]> Ari Spool http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608879 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c608879 Sex Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:50:32 -0800 Comment by Dougsf I live on an alley street directly across from that building. I already ranted a ton when this deal went through and just don't have any more typing energy left, but will say this:

If I were to make a list of things in the neighborhood that are of an immediate detriment to our communities residents and school kids, Kink.com would score near the bottom. "Local advocates" and the Mission mearchants association are only frustrated that whatever they had in mind for the space isn't going to happen.

I could rant for hours on this... I'll just walk away from the keys for now...

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c610773 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c610773 Sex Sun, 04 Feb 2007 16:54:42 -0800 Comment by Rick So, the reason that the housing advocates lost out is mostly what Bob Jones said: the building would have cost a fortune to bring up to code for housing. The NGOs didn't have deep enough pockets. Developers had the money, but but back during the boom, local anti-gentrification activists fought them every step of the way. And because nostalgic former Guardsment got the thing put on the National Register in the 70s, you can't tear it down.

And whoever was bitching about Perverts isn't paying attention. The place is down the street from The Power Exchange, a sleazy sex club whose clientelle spills out onto the sidewalk to smoke; it's also near Capp Street, one of the city's better-known spots to pick up street hookers.

]]> Rick http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c613954 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c613954 Sex Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:09:10 -0800 Comment by Gina I love Kink.com! The Mission is lucky to have the business it will generate locally. The building's appearance will be cleaned up and improved. Let's embrace our diversity, make love not war.

]]> Gina http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c615364 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c615364 Sex Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:28:13 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Awww, that building's exterior is fine how it is, doesn't need cleaning up... aside from the river of urine, but I'm sure that will be, er... displaced.

Beyond it's historic stature, this building is actually known to skateboarders the world over as a famous landmark (those granite steps out front), and is really one of the only places in the neighborhood where kids can skate in relative peace.

If anyone from Kink.com should stumple upon this, please, when you're up and running, make one of the other 3 doors your main entrance, and leave the Mission st. steps to the kids.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c615707 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c615707 Sex Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:37:52 -0800 Comment by Smoothie I agree with Doug, the skateboarders are a cool little scene there on Mission. I live on Woodward across from the Armory and I think Kink.com is the perfect addition to the 'hood. The merchant's association doesn't speak for the neighborhood, only themselves. I assume Kink will be a nice low-key operation and a boon to some of the stores and restaurants in the area.

]]> Smoothie http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c618266 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c618266 Sex Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:26:17 -0800 Comment by Wild Bill I know the people at Kink.com, and can assure you they are the most decent, friendliest and ethical people you could ever meet. I have modeled for them for six years and have nothing but respect for them. They will make the neighborhood better, not worse.

]]> Wild Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c621927 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c621927 Sex Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:29:28 -0800 Comment by Dougsf OK this is too buried now for anyone to read this, but oh God, there's protestor's now. Who the hell are these people? Are these really my neighbors, or just the same people that do ALL of this kinda stuff? I could name a hundred better things to protest within walking distance... and heh, Kink.com is already washing the place and installing lights.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c621969 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c621969 Sex Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:37:32 -0800 Comment by cyzuki I'm surprised that sf doesn't realize what a jewel they have in kink.com.
The corner at 14th and mission has been dark and scary for years.
It's a surprise to me that in this town,in this age, anyone is still equating an interest in pornography
with a lack of moral values.
I know it may be hard for some to see beyond their own interpretation of the imagery,
but if they read the language of kink.com's sites I am confident
that they too will feel the respect,care,and integrity truly contained within.

]]> cyzuki http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c625086 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c625086 Sex Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:12:36 -0800 Comment by cyzuki I'm surprised that sf doesn't realize what a jewel they have in kink.com.
The corner at 14th and mission has been dark and scary for years.
It's a surprise to me that in this town,in this age, anyone is still equating an interest in pornography
with a lack of moral values.
I know it may be hard for some to see beyond their own interpretation of the imagery,
but if they read the language of kink.com's sites I am confident
that they too will feel the respect,care,and integrity truly contained within.

]]> cyzuki http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c625089 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/02/san_franciscos_other_sex_scandal#c625089 Sex Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:13:03 -0800