'Folsom Street': New York's Miniature Sodom and Gomorrah Held for 15th Year

The Big Apple reveals that some areas are still rotting.

The Folsom Street East event underscores the license masquerading as liberty which is becoming more and more the fabric of our society. Modeled after the Folsom Street Festival in San Francisco, the event has the official sanction of the City of New York and now has a published code of conduct, which has tamed the event significantly. Yet with all the controls, the event still tries to push the envelope.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - New York City's 15th annual "Sodom-and-Gomorrah-in-miniature" (as one person described it) took place on Sunday, June 19.  Called the Folsom Street East street festival, it is self-described as the "hedonistic, Dionysian kinkster's playland."

This year's event took place on 28th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in Manhattan.
Modeled after the Folsom Street Festival in San Francisco, the event has the official sanction of the City of New York and now has a published code of conduct, which has tamed the event significantly.

Yet with all the controls, the event still tries to push the envelope.

A pro-family activist who has investigated the event for several years made the following observations:

The usual "leathermen" walked around. but to see The Center and Marriage Equality folks there talking about how they got a few senators to "see their way" had me a bit disturbed. the marriage equality group was handing out stickers. Even saw a guy flogging someone. They were all full of smiles while posing for this wanting to take pictures.

One guy wore nothing but a leather cover over his genitals. There were the folks in dog masks parading around. one instance of 3 girls walking in hand irons (medieval style) ropes and chains with a girl leading them everywhere. the Skyline was open too where people were up on top taking pictures of the event; some were in horror. I don't blame them being horrified.

The two exhibitors mentioned are both high-profile organizations and add an interesting mix to the other exhibitors - organizations and companies who cater to the "leather/fetish/kink community" as the website describes the event's focus.

Marriage Equality New York (www.meny.us) is a large volunteer organization that is lobbying for the acceptance of same-sex civil "marriage" in New York.

The Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is involved in social service, public policy, educational and cultural/recreational programs for the LGBT world.

The Code of Conduct, found on the website and at the entrance to the event, reminds us how much our culture has shifted in terms of public display. How amazing that people even need to be reminded that certain things like this are not to be seen in public.

It reads as follows.

1. All participants at Folsom Street East will be respectful of fellow participants, FSE staff and volunteers, performers, and others at all times.

2. All participants will abide by the laws of New York City, including the following:
-    No public sexual activity
-    No complete public nudity
-    No exposure of genitals
-    Alcohol is restricted to designated areas only, consumed by adults 21+

3. Adequate space must be cleared and prior consent must be given by all participants in any demo or "scene."

4. Even with consent, no demo or "scene" involving blood or other fluids will be permitted.

5. Set your limits - and respect those of others - have fun, and enjoy the day!

Enjoy the day? The event underscores the license masquerading as liberty which is becoming more and more the fabric of our society. As the Apostle Paul writes, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."(Romans 1:22-27)

While the event was much tamer this year, Folsom Street East is one of many events worldwide that continue to underscore the serious spiritual climate in which we live. As we pray at the end of Morning and Evening prayer, "May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life."

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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