LGBTQ+ Community Cuddles Event

Many people start out nervous at a cuddle event. Most end relaxed, joyful, and really, really glad they came!

We would love to have people of all backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, races, spiritual or religious beliefs, sizes, vaccination status, and ages, (18 and over please) come together to enjoy respectful, consent-based, platonic touch. This event will follow the rules of cuddleparty.com (see below).

WHERE: "Little Cheesman Park", across the street south of Cheesman Park bordered by 8th Avenue. We'll meet nearest 8th avenue in the north-central part of Little Cheesman; there is plenty of free street parking.

IMPORTANT: Arrive by 1:00 p.m. Please give yourself plenty of time to get lost, and get found. We'll start the Welcome Circle at 1:00 p.m. Once we start the consent part of the Welcome Circle (about 1:15 p.m.) trust and cohesion starts building in the group. Please arrive on time. Anyone who is feeling healthy and has no known exposure to current illness is welcome regardless of vaccination status.

Below you’ll find extensive additional information: event itinerary, etiquette, rules of cuddling and WHY CUDDLE?

COMMUNITY CUDDLES ITINERARY:

~12:30 PM – Cuddlers arrive, help set up blankets and pillows, share snacks, get a feel for the space, and socialize.

1 PM – Welcome Circle. This is the most important part of the event and we ask that all attendees be present for the whole Welcome Circle. This part of the event will include practice setting boundaries and communicating around consent. If desired, you could maintain social distancing while doing the Welcome Circle; no touch is required. Sometimes people come for the Welcome Circle and then leave. This is a totally valid option and you won't be asked to explain yourself.

2 - 3:30 PM – Open cuddling! Per Cuddle Party rules, you MUST ask and get a verbal ‘yes’ before touching or cuddling with anybody at this event. Yet you don't have to touch anyone, ever. If you are not sure how to do this - great! We will talk about it during the Welcome Circle.

3:30 - 3:45 PM -- Closing Circle. Share insights and takeaways before helping to fold up the blankets, finish the snacks, and head home.

4 PM - Packing the cars, leaving no trace, and everyone has said their goodbyes or made plans to meet elsewhere.

ETIQUETTE

ARRIVE ON TIME: It is important that all participants arrive before the Welcome Circle. The Welcome Circle serves the purpose of creating the safe space for consensual, non-sexual touch between participants and making sure that everyone is informed about the rules of cuddling. While you must arrive on time (by 1) you may leave at any time.

HYGIENE: Shower and brush your teeth but don't use strong scents. Many of us get headaches or would rather not be close to someone who smells of cigarettes, perfume, or even essential oils. Your clean self is a good smell.

BE SOBER: Do not drink or smoke before or at this event.

WHAT TO WEAR: Pants and a shirt. Pajamas. Sweatpants, yoga pants, onesies, t-shirts, sweatshirts are all welcome - anything that you feel comfortable in. Please stay clothed in a minimum of shorts and a t-shirt for the entire event. Please do not wear anything that you consider sexy or risque – think elementary school slumber party. Since we’ll be outside and this is Colorado, dressing in layers could be great.

WHAT TO BRING: You may bring a water bottle with a tight fitting lid and healthy snacks to share. Blankets, pillows, and anything else cuddly help make the space more comfortable. You are welcome to wear a mask if you choose. The only thing that you are required to bring is a clean and sober you.

TICKETS: In honor of Pride and our community, this is a free event! Get your ticket via the Eventbrite link so we can have an idea who’s coming.

THE RULES OF CUDDLING

1. Clothes stay on for the whole event.

2. You do not have to touch anyone at a Community Cuddles event, ever.

3. You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. Please be specific in your requests.

4. If you’re yes, say YES. If you’re a no, say NO.

5. If you’re a maybe, say NO. You can always change your mind, in fact -

6. You are encouraged to change your mind.

7. Respect your relationship agreements and communicate with your partner.

8. Get your facilitator or assistant if you have a question or concern or if you need assistance with anything during the event.

9. Tears and laughter are both welcome.

10. Respect people’s privacy when sharing about Community Cuddles.

11. Keep the cuddle space tidy. No one likes to cuddle in a puddle!

WHY CUDDLE

Touch is a basic human need, and many of us do not get enough. In fact, most people don’t even know they are missing touch, or have a way to ask for touch without sexualizing it. As Cuddlists, Kassandra and Jenna provide individual cuddling sessions and help our clients learn how to ask for the touch they need. We believe deeply in the power of touch, and the importance of communication and consent in creating a safe space for touch. Community Cuddles events are a way for us to bring the value of cuddling to more people, share our passion with the community, and help you connect with each other.

Community Cuddles brings together people from different walks of life to explore giving and receiving loving touch together. Not only that, but it promotes a culture that is built around consent! You do not have to do anything that you don't want to at our Group Cuddle – you're completely at choice.

CUDDLING WITH STRANGERS

Cuddling with strangers sounds weird to most people, and often scary. People wonder:

• “Will I like it?”

• “What if someone wants to touch me and I don't want to?”

• “What if I say yes and it’s not what I want?”

• “What if I really want to touch someone and they say no?”

These are all normal concerns and I’ve bet some version of these worries comes up for you in other areas of your life, too.

This is a great place to practice the skills you need to not freeze in any of the above situations. This is a space created to ask for exactly what you want, and receive NOTHING you don’t want. You may not get everything you ask for, but more than anywhere else, here you are encouraged to ask for what you want, and say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ to anything that you do not want. You’ve got rules and facilitators to back you up. When does that happen in real life?

If you'd like to hear about future Cuddle Events and other touch and relationship skill building gatherings, join our group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CommunityCuddles

https://www.meetup.com/Community-Cuddles-Meetup/

Our Group Cuddle is a group cuddling event and we love it - it is NOT a cuddleparty.com official Cuddle Party. Please visit CuddleParty.com to find a list of currently scheduled Cuddle Parties.

ABOUT YOUR PRO-CUDDLERS:

Kassandra has been facilitating workshops and classes for 20 years and group cuddling events since January 2017. Her background includes being a certified cuddler by Cuddlist.com, an NVC and IFS-informed relationship coach, a yoga and meditation teacher, and a chemical engineer. All of her work - whether with groups or private sessions - is geared towards creating trust, connection, and belonging. Read more about her approach to touch and coaching at kassandrabrown.org or reach out directly 720-340-2246. If you'd like to explore private touch-based-coaching, please visit kassandrabrown.org and cuddlejen.com.

ABOUT DENVER’S CUPID:

The VISION of Denver’s Cupid matches and inspires love for all of Denver’s LGBTQ+ community, and the MISSION serves the LGBTQ+ community and is dedicated to finding and inspiring love and long-term committed relationships. Denver’s Cupid believes that “Everyone Deserves Love” and is energized by the science of "The Art of Matchmaking, the Power of Connection."

Denver’s Cupid is the only LGBTQ+ matchmaking service based in Denver and is literally one of a handful across the United States. The company also offers social events and speed dating and socializing services, all in the spirit of connection. Founder and Owner of Denver’s Cupid is R. Tony Smith, and he and his husband of 20 years reside in Central Denver’s Congress Park and have been financial contributors to The Center for years, and Tony is also a former board member of The Center, former collaborator and more.

MORE INFO:

Facebook Event May 29: https://www.facebook.com/events/719746009065042

LGBTQIA+ Cover Photo: Sharon McCutcheon