Hello and good day to you all. I would like to introduce myself.

My name is Ms. Marina Black. I am a Dominatrix living in Toronto and am a new blogger here on this wonderful site. Besides being a Dominatrix and what I feel to be an obvious latex fetishist, I am also a body piercer, priestess and aromatherapy product developer.

I organize an exclusive occasional BDSM fetish event called “Le Salon” when time permits and through this party I expose my membership to the latex fetish by wearing my own designs that I have made by Ewa of Latexworks. Please have a look at my website if you wish to learn more about me.

It is quite lovely how receptive people are once they see someone in a great latex outfit. Every time I go out – to one of my parties or someone else’s – people approach asking me about what I’m wearing and it is impossible to not get into more than just the design. I share with them the experience of wearing such an outfit. What it feels like to know I look the way that I do, but also what it feels like on my flesh and what it feels like to be touched in it. This is, indeed, an experience totally unique to latex and discussing this others new to this truly piques their interest.

I have turned others’ curiosity into real desire to engage in the experience and many have gone to my latex-maker based on meeting me once only or even just seeing some of my images online! That certainly feels good to know.

When discussing with 3xL the possibility of my blogging here, I was asked to share with you information about the latex scene here in Toronto to which I replied “What latex scene?”. We both had a laugh at that, but it’s true. There isn’t much of a latex scene here at all, but things are slowly changing and there are those of us making active efforts to affect this change.

Unlike Montreal, Toronto is more of a leather town. We certainly have latex fetishists here, but among the fetish community here we are a minority. That said, we are serious about our fetish and there are those of us who are deliberately seeking to form a community. I will keep you posted.

I was first made aware of the latex fetish by some of my clients in the early 80s and one of my oldest friends – the very first heavy rubberist I ever met. We remain friends to this day and he is most certainly a partner in my latex activism.

Back then things were very different. The designs were not as sophisticated as today and, being the visual woman that I am, I felt my choices were rather limited. Still, I had a few key pieces that I loved and wore them until they disintegrated.

Fast-forward to the late 90s…
At this point I’d added professional body piercing to my roster of professions. I received a call from a possible client asking me if I used latex gloves. I proudly proclaimed that of course I did, expecting a positive response. Instead, she informed me that she was deathly allergic to latex – an allergy that she had developed via over-exposure as an emergency room nurse.

Luckily for her, the day she went into anaphylactic shock she was at work in the emergency room and from that day forwards could not risk being exposed to latex. She asked me what my glove size was so that she could bring me nitrile gloves to use when working on her.

This gave me pause for concern. I too was frequently exposed to latex and did notice that I had been developing a mild skin irritation on my hands. What’s more, as I was using latex condoms for birth-control I became aware of an irritation “down there” that would vary from mild to extreme at times. I was convinced I had now developed a latex allergy and had to steer clear! I did not want to risk anaphylaxis and so I gave up on latex for a few years.

Now let’s fast-forward to late 2004…
After sharing this assumption of my allergy with a few friends, it was brought to my attention that it may not be latex I was allergic to but a chemical commonly used in the lubricant in lubricated condoms – Nonoxynol-9. It is also used in spermicidal jellies. I decided to conduct a cautious experiment by using a non-lubricated condom with silicone lube instead. There was no reaction so I decided to try again – yes, this was a fun experiment.

Then I decided to revisit the theory of my reaction to the latex gloves I was using for body piercing. I discovered it was the talc they are dusted with that was irritating my skin and not the latex! What a delightful discovery – and what a relief. It did not take me long to start looking again and my first new latex outfit came from Polymorphe – a black Contessa blouse and a black Orchid skirt. Then I had to get the stockings, garter belt and wrist-length gloves. The rest, as they say, is history.

I urge any of you reading this to share this information with any friends who are convinced – or even suspect – they are allergic to latex based on similar experiences to my own. I suspect there are many out there convinced they are allergic due to reactions to Nonoxynol-9 and/or talc (both known irritants).

The knowledge of the above will not only further empower your friends in their personal health care, but will allow them to fully embrace their latex fetish.

In the meantime, pleased to meet you. I look forwards to sharing my thoughts, ideas and experiences with you all.