Asheville Cuddle Collective

 
 
 

This is an event for Adults who identify as LGBTQIA+ &/ or neurodivergent. Allies & friends welcome too! The intention of this event is to build community and provide a supportive place for participants to explore physical platonic touch.
No one turned away for lack of funds.

SIGN UP HERE!!! the Meetup does not represent true registration.

This event will be indoors. Masks are optional. DO NOT ATTEND if you or someone you are physically close with is sick.

To make this more accessible to people with children, parents may bring children who would like to consensually participate &/or hang-out nearby with an activity that helps them feel engaged/entertained in quiet play.

Details-
This is a non-sexual touch based event that invites participants to explore platonic intimacy with like-minded people in an environment that upholds personal boundaries and respect through a supportive framework of mutual agreements that maximize safety and create a space of easy openness and compassionate connection.
At this event we have the chance to normalize touch and intimacy with clear boundaries; this is a space for respectful, consent-based touch. We allow ourselves to be seen. We have fun. We get our touch needs met.

This is an inclusive environment where we will aim to foster the dismantling of and no tolerance of ableism, fat-shaming, homophobia/transphobia, sexism, xenophobia, classism, racism & other ideas that lead to folks feeling disconnected or unwelcome.

THE RULES OF CUDDLING
1. Clothes stay on for the whole event.
2. You do not have to touch anyone at this event.
3. You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. Please be specific in your requests.
4. If you feel a yes, say YES. If you feel a no, say NO. If you’re a maybe, say NO. You can always change your mind.
5. Get your facilitator if you have a question or concern, or if you need assistance with anything during the event.
6. Talking, laughter, silence, silliness, stillness, and crying are welcome.

WHY CUDDLE?
Touch is a basic human need, and many of us do not get enough; most people don’t even know they are missing touch, or have a way to ask for touch without sexualizing it. We believe deeply in the power of touch, and the importance of communication and consent in creating a safe space for touch.
CUDDLING WITH STRANGERS
Cuddling with strangers sounds weird or scary to most people. “Will I like it?” “What if someone wants to touch me and I don’t want to?” “What if I say yes and it’s not what I want?” “What if I really want to touch someone and they say no?” These are all normal questions. The answer is that this is a space created to ask for exactly what you want, and receive NOTHING you don’t want. Many people start out nervous at a cuddle event. Most are really, really glad they came.

Schedule:
12:45-1pm: Arrive with snacks to share! Get comfortable, meet, mingle, & snack.
1:05pm: Welcome Circle- its mandatory. We will set our container, talk about personal boundaries, communication, & consent.
1:15pm: Icebreakers and connective activities.
2:00pm: Open cuddling! You MUST ask and get a verbal ‘yes’ before touching or cuddling with anybody at this event. If you are not sure how to do this – great! – we will talk about it during the welcome circle.
4:50pm: Closing Circle, cleanup and head home.

ETIQUETTE

• ARRIVE ON TIME: It is important that all participants arrive before the Welcome Circle. The Welcome Circle serves the purpose of creating the safe space for consensual, non-sexual touch between participants and making sure that everyone is informed about consent.
• Please be free of strong scents; many folks would rather not be close to someone who smells of perfume, essential oils, or cigarettes
• BE SOBER: Please do not drink or smoke before or at this event.

WHAT TO BRING: personal water bottle and snacks to share. The only thing that you are required to bring is a clean and sober you.

We take individual and group safety seriously! if you experience, see, or know that one of our participants is not safe to be at a touch based event we want to know about it. We are committed to doing our best to create a safe environment which means that if someone is causing harm (physical or mental) that person is not welcome here (this includes harm that takes place outside of our events). We stand behind survivors and know that some of our participants are here to heal from touch based trauma.

*refund policy- Full refund if you cancel 7 days before the event or you cancel due to illness, emergency, or direct exposure to covid. Credit towards a future event if you cancel more than 3 days before an event. No refund if you cancel within 2 days of the event or no-show.

 
 
 

***RSVPING here does NOT sign you up for this event-
you must register & pay ahead of time***
This is a small/intimate vent of 15-25 people. RSVPs here do not represent who has signed up as we advertise in multiple places.
To register SIGN UP HERE!

This will be an indoor event. DO NOT ATTEND if you are feeling sick or know you had a covid exposure.

What is a Sensual Snuggle Event?
A Sensual Snuggle Party is a sweet sensual touch based event where we gather to connect, cuddle, massage, play, laugh, cry, share intimacy, vulnerability or whatever else spontaneously arises. It’s a drug and alcohol-free space where we can relax and connect with other humans who are seeking touch based connection. This is a space to practice expressing what feels good and what doesn’t, asking to get your needs met, setting boundaries, and perhaps even overcoming rejection.

Many of us are longing for more touch, connection, community, pleasure, validation, and delight in our lives. Conversation is a wonderful way to connect with other people, but some of us crave physical connection as well. The body’s bliss hormone, Oxytocin, is released by nurturing, welcome, consensual touch and is essential for the well-being of your body, your heart, and your spirit. Your nervous system, blood pressure, and emotional health all benefit from healthy, heart-full touch!

Safe touch enhances our ability to connect with and trust people, our capacity to respect and care for ourselves, our creativity, and our sense of safety, comfort, and belonging. In today’s high-tech low-touch society, we especially crave the authentic connection, deep listening, and nurturing touch that we were born to receive.

Snuggling is a great way to get that kind of touch. And sometimes… you know… you want to do more than snuggle.

Our Agreements:

1. Everyone keeps their pants on
   Our intention is that this is a time and place for sensuality not sexuality. The object is to enjoy one another without trying to build our sensual/sexual energy toward orgasm. It’s not about trying to get someone off, it’s about enjoying being aroused, delighted and connected and letting that be enough. And… If you find yourself wanting more than that, great! We encourage you to enjoy that wanting. Delight in being turned on. Sit with it. Savor it for the whole party. But don’t act on it there.
2. We take care of ourselves and each other
   Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. Do (and ask for) what you want. Check in with yourself and others regularly. Each person brings their own safety. And we all look out for each other
3. Always ask for and receive verbal consent
   Say yes, to what you want and feels good. Say no to what you don’t want and doesn’t feel good. If you are not hearing a “Hell yes!” then it’s a “No.” It’s okay to change your mind at any time.
4. Everything is an experiment and it is OK to be uncomfortable (as long as we are safe)
   Trying something new is sometimes uncomfortable. You don’t have to know what you are going to want ahead of time. You can change your mind as many times as you want. Follow your authentic “yes” and authentic “no” in each moment; celebrate others doing the same. The only way to grow is to get out of our comfort zone.
5. Confidentiality
   We respect each other’s privacy and hold in confidence everything that is shared and done at this event.
6. Enjoyment
   Sensual experience is beautiful, natural, and healthy ~ Embrace it! Celebrate it!

 
 
 

*** RSVPing on MeetUp does not register you for the event. ***
*** The RSVPs here do not represent real RSVPs. We cap these events at 25 participants and often sell out.
**** Tickets are sliding scale $15-40 pay what you can.

This will be an indoor unmasked event. DO NOT ATTEND if you or someone you are physically close with is sick or has increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

To register SIGN UP HERE!!!

This is a non-sexual touch based event that invites participants to explore platonic intimacy with like-minded people in an environment that upholds personal boundaries and respect through a supportive framework of mutual agreements that maximize safety and create a space of easy openness and compassionate connection.

At this event we have the chance to normalize touch and intimacy with clear boundaries; this is a space for respectful, consent-based touch. We allow ourselves to be seen. We have fun. We get our touch needs met.

We welcome people of all backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, economic statuses, races, spiritual or religious beliefs, sizes, and ages.

THE RULES OF CUDDLING
Clothes stay on for the whole event.
You do not have to touch anyone at a Cuddle Club event.
You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. Please be specific in your requests.
If you feel a yes, say YES. If you feel a no, say NO. If you’re a maybe, say NO. You can always change your mind.
Get your facilitator or assistant if you have a question or concern, or if you need assistance with anything during the event.
Talking, laughter, silence, silliness, stillness, and crying are welcome.

WHY CUDDLE?
Touch is a basic human need, and many of us do not get enough; most people don’t even know they are missing touch, or have a way to ask for touch without sexualizing it. We believe deeply in the power of touch, and the importance of communication and consent in creating a safe space for touch.

CUDDLING WITH STRANGERS
Cuddling with strangers sounds weird or scary to most people. “Will I like it?” “What if someone wants to touch me and I don’t want to?” “What if I say yes and it’s not what I want?” “What if I really want to touch someone and they say no?” These are all normal questions. The answer is that this is a space created to ask for exactly what you want, and receive NOTHING you don’t want. Many people start out nervous at a cuddle event. Most are really, really glad they came.

ETIQUETTE
ARRIVE ON TIME: It is important that all participants arrive before the Welcome Circle. The Welcome Circle serves the purpose of creating the safe space for consensual, non-sexual touch between participants and making sure that everyone is informed about consent.
Please be free of strong scents; many folks would rather not be close to someone who smells of cigarettes, perfume, or essential oils. Your clean self is a good smell!

BE SOBER: Please do not drink or smoke before or at this event.
WHAT TO BRING: personal water bottle and snacks to share. The only thing that you are required to bring is a clean and sober you.

Note: if you want to attend this event and truly can no afford it, please be in contact with us. We have work trade & scholarship options! NO one turned away for lack of funds.