In October 1990 I was invited to be a guest speaker at the annual The Dressing for Pleasure Ball. I presented my ‘rubber research’ – exploring the humanistic (as well as fetishistic side) of the lusty latex scene.

(1990)Could you recommend someone to present our rubber workshop?” asked Marie Constance. She was lining up speakers for her annual Dressing For Pleasure Ball. Corsets had been a cinch: Constance was firmly hooked up with Ruth Johnson of B.R. Creations. TV was on: Edee King was merrily dragging in from Atlanta. A new dimension had been added to the program with Betty Dodson, the mistress of masturbation, and her hands-on approach to self-love and orgasm. From fetish fun to legal fundamentals. the lineup was confirmed. except for the lapse in latex.

My reply was immediate. “What about Mir?” Beautiful dark-skinned Mir, an expert fantasy facilitator, had an enviable rubber wardrobe: rubber nun, golden Scarlet O’Hara number, candy apple red minis and the perfect accessory: her husband Tony, happily ensheathed in one of his many rubber catsuits. I thought this brilliant suggestion was the end of my contribution to the rubber workshop. Wrong. A few days later the phone rang again. Constance was back. Mir had declined, passed her on to Mamselle Victoire-and Mamselle had recommended me. The rubber gauntlet had come full circle and landed right back in my lap. After a bit of stroking- subtle pressure applied in the right places: purse, pussy and ego-I agreed to make the presentation.

Sure there were others who knew more than I on the subject. Still, my vast sexual experience had left me more than qualified to introduce others to the joys of latex. On the technical side, there are a few basics involved in the care and feeding of rubber: you powder it; you shimmy inside, polish it (with tongue or husehold product); you sweat have your fun and rinse it off. I would concentrate my approach on what I do best, erotic storytelling.

An hour and a half was quite a lot of time. I knew that I’d better get busy with my preparations. I dove into my files and discovered that not only did I have many rubber recollections to share but I could illustrate them with photos, a narrated slide show. It seemed everyone I knew had at one time or another worn latex and, fortunately, I had the photos to document it. My presentation would be peopled with such greats as Baroness Monique Von Cleef comfortably ensconced in her mansion in the Hague; former male mathematician now female fantasy facilitator Betty Paerl, proudly showing off her rubber-encased pussy; sex maniac Tuppy Owens frolicking at her Ball in latex garter belts and mini skirts. I would tell them stories like the behind-the scenes tale that occurred during the taping of “Lisa’s Rubber Seduction,” my very first movie.

The location was the luxurious home of my mentor in the world of kink, Fabulous Antoinette of Versatile Productions. I played her little rubber maid, caught raiding the lady’s closet. After a brief reprimand, we enjoyed a sensuous love scene in shiny black rubber and then we played with Rubber Man. Rubber Man was a fetishist who begged for the chance to dress in a rubber catsuit and mask and be our co-star. We frolicked from the bedroom to the jacuzzi. The sensation of floating in the warm jacuzzi while dressed in a head to toe cat suit was one that I will never forget. Rubber Man’s penis swelled in a black latex erection and rubbed against my body as we held each other in the swirling wet heat.

At the conclusion of the shoot, after we’d removed our second skins and I sat poolside in a light summer dress. Rubber Man timidly made a request: would I consent to let him take a Polaroid of me wearing an outfit that would really turn him on? I could not imagine what there could be left to wear and, of course, agreed immediately. I was very curious. He scurried back for his camera and kit bag. He reached in and shyly offered me the objects of his affections, a latex bathing cap and matching dish washing gloves. What an ensemble! He snapped a Polaroid and because I knew how excited it made him, I’ve always thought of this as one of my sexiest photos.

A little more reflecting and I knew that I had more than enough material for a sensuous workshop. When Constance called for the course description she would print in the program. I was all prepared:

Veronica Vera’s RUBBER RESEARCH documents the lusty, human side of latex land through erotic storytelling and a colorful slideshow, highlighting the rubber hall of fame. There will be some modeling by devotees, and you are invited to sweat luxuriously in your latex best.

Earlier Marie Constance had suggested that I might want to invite the gentleman who was presenting the fetish workshop to participate in mine. When she told me he was a therapist, I nixed the idea. As a sexual evolutionary, I do not believe that anything is bizarre or perverse. When taken in the context of a person’s total experience, every kink and variation makes absolute sense. Mine was not the therapeutic approach, mine was the party-girl philosophy.

“Who are you going to put in your rubber hall of fame?” asked Marie Constance.

“Well, of course, John Sutcliffe and the Mackintosh Society, and for the rest, I’ll take nominations from the floor. We’ll create the Hall Of Fame at the workshop.”

That seemed to satisfy our hostess. My next call was to Antoinette and her lusty assistant Reb/Rebecca H. Heels. Together. they assembled a package of audio visual aids: stills from the production of “Lisa’s Rubber Seduction,” and from their latest production “Shiny Rubberists”; some black and white shots. including a photo of Antoinette with the late John Sutcliffe, the English fetishist and publisher who had created Atomage magazine and who had published among other great books, Enter with Trumpets by Helen Henley and Sarah’s Story, rubber fetish classics.

Next came a phone call from my protegee Ms. Jaime SissyRibbons. S/he was coming to town forthe ball and begged that she be allowed to spend as much time with me as possible. I told her that she could be my assistant for the presentation, but of course, she must pay for the privilege. “Oh, goody. Thank you, Ms. Vera.” I would have her pass out the party favors, that other essential latex favorite, condoms for everyone (courtesy of P.O.N.Y., Prostitutes of New York, and the Ansell Corporation).

My preparations seemed to be coming together quite nicely. Next, I heard from the therapist, Michael Bernet. He wanted to make sure that we would not be covering the same territory. He told me that he was a rubber fetishist, though he’d been in the closet about it. I told him that since my approach was that of an uninhibited exhibitionist, I doubted there was any need to fear–unless. of course, fear made him excited. I promised him he could ask my audience for volunteers for a study he was performing. “But keep your request short and sweet.” There was no doubt in my mind that I had more than enough material, particularly with Ms. Jaime SissyRibbons on hand to provide further entertainment.

A big package arrived from Versatile, complete with costumes for Jaime and me. I chose the sleek, total luxury of the black latex cat suit. I looked in the mirror and Emma Peel stared back at me. Jaime wore the black all-in-one bra/garter belt and the black latex mini. Her artificial breast forms were held up by sheer rubber suction.

I began my presentation with a brief introduction. I was not a rubber fetishist, I explained. My purpose was not to question the how or why of rubber, but to celebrate who, what and when. I introduced my rubber maid, Ms. SissyRibbons, who bounced her bum through the aisles and

distributed my programs. First the Rubber Hall Of Fame. I nominated John Sutcliffe and the Mackintosh Society, that group based in England who take their name from their favorite form of clothing. From the floor came the nomination of Helen Henley and her husband Richard. As a special treat I read a passage from Helen’s wonderful book, Enter with Trumpets. I’II quote just a taste of it here:

“Spreading Himself on the rubber sheet, self absorbed. He invites me to mount Him. It is an apogee of the ritual to watch a black rubber figure climbing and spreading over Him and I can get Him to shake with excitement by slowly unwrapping the lower part of the costume. Astride, I let him feel the rubber gloves, stroking and soothing, then guide the penis carefully to the labial lips and work the tip to taste me. Penetration is at my time and choice, but there is never any teasing. I watch for a certain look through the glass of His mask and then l draw my gloved hand away and go down. Should there be no look or gasp. l wait for my tempest and slide Him into me. There is a curious magnetism at that moment of capture, positive to negative. He has entered through my layers of protection and I have drawn Him out of His.”

At the conclusion of the presentation, I invited my audience to flaunt their outfits and share some of their rubber experiences. I had no trouble coaxing a young man in a fire engine red jump suit to the front of the room. Another fellow rose shyly from his seat when I encouraged him to show off his rubber mac. He later sent a love letter through my post office box. The audience had no trouble responding to questions like the best ways to keep rubber shiny. “Armour All,” suggested some. “Plain silicone spray,” said another. But when it came to opening up and sharing more personal experiences, they proved to be shy.

Had it not been time for lunch I might have pressed harder. If I had, I would have discovered the man who carried his rubber toys and costumes in his attache case. I learned about his stash when we shared lunch about a week later. He hoped that I could help him to find a new lady. His longtime companion and mistress was now enjoying the ultimate fantasy, heaven. Could I help him to find a new partner? Might I be interested? He told me his lady had been able to custom make garments to their desired specifications.

“Are you looking for a sex partner or a seamstress?” I inquired.

He assured me that sex was important to him.

I’m 60, so I don’t know about my stamina.”

“I hope you intend to use condoms.”

“Definitely,” came the prompt reply and a big smile, I’m into latex.”