Kink and fetish events: Get Kinky With HIM, Rubbout 25

Hey kinksters and wannabes, here are some local upcoming events to take note of. The first one is for men who have sex with men, and while the second one is within the LGBT community, it's open to everyone from the fetish and kink communities, even if you're straight.

First up, if you're a guy into sex with other guys and have often wondered about exploring your kinky side, there's more than just Dan Savage's Savage Love to learn from.

Health Initiative for Men offers a series of weekly discussions, entitled Get Kinky With HIM, that gives attendees a chance to ask questions and talk with speakers well-versed in the art of kink.

It's held on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Club 8x6 (1775 Haro Street). It's free or by donation.

Next week's discussion on March 15 will help participants learn the ropes (groan) by covering bondage and rope play.

The following week, on March 22, things'll get a little more sparkly (groan) by delving into electro play. There'll be demonstrations of erotic electrostimulation techniques in this one. Be warned: you may be shocked (figuratively mostly, but maybe literally too).

To register for these sessions, please email HIM or call 604-488-1001.

If you're already into the world of fetish, there's an event you may want to take note of.

It's the 25^th anniversary of Rubbout, an annual weekend for men into rubber fetish and gear. And so, this year's milestone, which runs from March 31 to April 3, will be a community celebration in which everyone from the kink and fetish communities is invited, whether you're straight, LGBT, queer, or otherwise.

Things'll kick off with an all-inclusive event, Under the Big Top, on March 31 at Pumpjack Pub (1167 Davie Street), which will feature a fashion show, rubberslave auction, Rubber shower fantasy scene, BDSM demonstrations, games, a photobooth, and more. Needless to say, it'll be quite the circus.

Other events over the weekend will include a gear swap, puppy mosh pit and competition, meat 'n' greets, rubber bondage gear demonstrations, and play party sex events.

Mister International Rubber 2016 Jeffrey Gummibärchen, and two former titleholders, will be attending.

For full details, visit the Rubbout website.