CPI and The Mark

CPI is a Tennessee 501(c)(7) non-profit, membership organization founded in 2005, whose mission is to provide and maintain a self-sustainable, vision-driven, and ever-upgrading interaction space; and to empower the educational programs, support functions, and social opportunities that strengthen the BDSM/Fetish/Kink community of Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and beyond.

Our facility -- the Mark -- in central Nashville provides 6000 sqft of social, classroom, and play space, all of which are secure, clean, comfortable, gender-neutral, and ADA accessible... providing a safe space for open-minded people to be themselves among others who understand.

(As a private membership organization, nobody may enter The Mark for a CPI member function unless they are a member in good standing or an official guest of such a member.)

Our Commitment to Diversity

CPI values diversity and recognizes that being inclusive of individual differences make us stronger as a community. As such, we do not discriminate against adults on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, spiritual identity, age, physical appearance, ability, relationship styles or status, experience, education, politics, socioeconomic position, biological sex, sexual/romantic attraction, gender identity, gender expression, fetish interests, or BDSM dynamic/role/orientation. Your suggestions as to how CPI might be more welcoming and accessible are always encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Our Commitment to Sex Positivity

CPI espouses sex positivity, a philosophy which regards all consensual expressions of sexuality as healthy, encourages sexual pleasure, places an emphasis on informed consent, and advocates sex education and risk-awareness. Sex-positivity makes no moral distinctions among types of sexual expression, orientation (to include asexuality), or identification, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference. Sex positivity is affirming of the various ways sex can be pleasurable, intimate, nurturing, and adventurous between consenting individuals.

Our Commitment to "Safe, Sane, and Consensual"

CPI considers the cornerstone of BDSM activity to be the guiding principles of "Safe, Sane, and Consensual":

• Safe is being knowledgeable about the techniques and safety concerns involved in what you are doing, and acting in accordance with that knowledge.
• Sane is knowing the difference between fantasy and reality, and acting in accordance with that knowledge.
• Consensual is respecting the limits imposed by each participant at all times.

Our Commitment to Consensuality

CPI is a consent-based organization and does not condone or tolerate abusive behavior or relationships.

Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, and Sadism/Masochism (BDSM) activities are based on the ethical principle that what we do is done by agreement among all of the participants, which means all the participants communicate what they agree to do and not to do, as well as the nature of the relationship that they agree to enter.

Characteristics of consent:

• Consent is choice. The people giving consent to engage in a BDSM scene or enter into a power exchange relationship must do so voluntarily, without being subjected to threats, fraud, coercion or deceit.
• Consent is informed. Everyone involved must know enough so that the consent is given on an informed basis to the BDSM activities that are planned or to the power exchange relationship.
• Consent is given by an adult with a sound mind. BDSM takes place among consenting adults. A person must have sufficient mental capacity to give consent, and each person has a legal obligation to make sure that this is the case with all of their partners. In order to consent you must be in a clearheaded state of mind, not impaired by alcohol, prescription medicine, or recreational drugs.
• Consent is given within limits. Consent is not a blank check. Consent must be clear as to what BDSM activities and/or what type of power exchange relationship is being agreed to.
• Consent is revocable. Anyone can revoke consent to anything at any time during the activity. If a pre-negotiated and agreed upon safe word or safe sign -- or any other pre-negotiated expression of a withdrawal of consent -- is ignored, consent has been violated.
• Consent is communication. It is ethically and legally important in any scene that there should be a mutually understood means of communication between the participants, whether you use plain speech, safe word, or safe sign.
• Consent is not a defense for causing serious injury. When “serious bodily injury” occurs during a scene, it is possible that criminal prosecution for assault will take place, even when consent was clearly and validly given for the BDSM activity that caused the injury.

Our Commitment to You

In summary, CPI is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, sex-positive, consent-based environment for those adults desiring growth and exploration of the BDSM, fetish, and kink lifestyles, no matter who they are... and looks for your help to do so!