BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Institute for Intersectional Relational Studies - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://iirs.ch
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Institute for Intersectional Relational Studies
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20250309T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20251102T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260430T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260430T170000
DTSTAMP:20260601T163802
CREATED:20260421T154211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T004036Z
UID:540-1777564800-1777568400@iirs.ch
SUMMARY:Neuroscience of Pain & Pleasure: An Exploration into BDSM
DESCRIPTION:What are the neural pathways underlying pain and pleasure? Why is it that some find a flogging more painful than others? Why is it that for some\, the pain can be extremely pleasurable? Why is it that for some\, pain is gradual and others\, chronic?\nThis class examines the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the pain and pleasure pathways within the context of BDSM (Bondage/Discipline\, Dominance/Submission\, Sadism/Masochism). Drawing upon current neuroscience research\, we identify nociception as a varied physiological pain development process and as a subjective perceptual experience. We explore the predictive coding framework to explain how contextual factors frame expectation and therefore modulate pain perception\, with specific applications to impact play and sensory play in BDSM. The class touches upon the neural overlaps between pain and pleasure processing\, deeming them not on a binary scale but part of a larger reward circuitry. We will further address common misconceptions regarding dopamine’s role in reward\, testosterone’s relationship to aggression\, and the non-existence of human pheromones\, providing evidence-based corrections to these “neuromyths.” By integrating empirical findings with practical examples from consensual kink practices\, this class offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how the brain constructs subjective experiences of pain and pleasure. \nTickets\nEventbrite Tickets (Worldwide)\nForbidden Tickets (US & Canada)
URL:https://iirs.ch/event/neuroscience-of-pain-pleasure/
CATEGORIES:BioPsychoNeural Narrative
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iirs.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/10.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260507T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260507T170000
DTSTAMP:20260601T163802
CREATED:20260421T155622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T004017Z
UID:548-1778169600-1778173200@iirs.ch
SUMMARY:Pathologizing Difference: A Critique of Sexual Interest\, Arousal & Desire Disorders
DESCRIPTION:Did you know that 60% of the panelists involved in writing the DSM-5 were paid $14.2 million by the Pharmaceutical Industry? How much did the drug industry influence the DSM-5? And what role did Epstein play in the quest for the Female Viagra?\nFemale Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) introduced in the DSM-5\, diagnoses persistent absence or reduction of sexual interest and arousal in women. It has been subjected to criticism\, debate and scrutiny since its introduction in 2013 with majority of its discourses concentrated on medicalization of low sexual desire in women. This paper questions the diagnostic criteria of FSIAD functions that act as biopolitical instruments of reproductive futurism\, used by the state to impose its pronatalist ideologies. FSIAD operates within a framework of compulsory sexuality\, wherein variations in desire serve to justify a psychiatric classification. It also critically examines the diagnostic criteria’s validity\, emphasizing its insufficient consideration of cultural differences in relational dynamics. When addressing low desire\, biopolitical instruments of sexual optimization are utilized\, effectively reframing the intervention as a form of neoliberal self-care. In this way\, capitalist economies. that are structurally dependent on renewable labor markets to sustain their economic growth\, institutionalize heteronormativity and repronormativity\, while framing variations in desire\, interest and arousal as sites of intervention. This in turn\, normalizes compulsory sexuality\, aligning arousal with reproductive imperatives of the state and its demands for capitalistic accumulation.\nTickets\nEventbrite Tickets (Worldwide)\nForbidden Tickets (US & Canada)
URL:https://iirs.ch/event/pathologizing-difference-a-critique-of-sexual-interest-arousal-desire-disorders/
CATEGORIES:Biopolitical Cartography,BioPsychoNeural Narrative,Femme Architectonics
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://iirs.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blog-8.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260514T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260514T180000
DTSTAMP:20260601T163802
CREATED:20260421T164850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T004002Z
UID:567-1778778000-1778781600@iirs.ch
SUMMARY:Decolonizing Tantra: Reclaiming the Indigenous Knowledge
DESCRIPTION:Is Your Tantra Colonized?\nTantra\, in its authentic form\, is a profound path of dhyana (meditation)\, tapasya (ascetic meditation) and moksha (liberation). Over centuries\, Tantra has endured spiritual colonization\, systematic cultural attacks\, and erasure directed at a minority religion\, historically practiced by people from marginalized communities. Its teachings have often been distorted\, commodified\, sensationalized\, sexualized\, and divorced from their ritual and meditative essence. \nIn this class\, we explore Bhairavas\, Shaktis\, Mantra\, Yantra\, and Tantra\, alongside Grama\, Kula\, and Ishta Devata/Devi\, the cycles of time (Kalpa\, Manvantara\, Divya Yuga) and its association with Karma\, and the seven Acharas (Modules in Tantric Practice)\, with examples of Devi Upasana (Goddess Worship practices) in each\, particularly after Dakshina Achara (4th Module). We will clarify the distinctions between Hindu and Tantric deities\, examine authentic Tantric lifestyles such as Aghoris\, and discuss a Fact Sheet: “Is Your Tantra Colonized?” to critically reflect on sources\, practices\, and interpretations.\nThis session is a careful\, ethical engagement with Tantra as a spiritual science of meditation\, ritual\, and liberation\, free from commodification or sensationalization.\nNote to attendees: This session will not include any initiation into the practice. \nTickets\nEventbrite Tickets (Worldwide)\nForbidden Tickets (US & Canada)
URL:https://iirs.ch/event/decolonizing-tantra-reclaiming-the-indigenous-knowledge/
CATEGORIES:Biopolitical Cartography
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://iirs.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blog-43.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR