Belonging to a real secret society...

[esclave_PP]

Master and I were recently invited to join one of the "societies" down here in S. Florida (Society of deSade) and I was wondering if there are any other folks (Marquis?) who might already be in it? We went to the South Florida munch this past Saturday, met some great folks and was wondering if my fellow literoti folks might have also been there, live in the area or participate already? Would be great to meet up next time.

So my other question is, how many other folks here are also part of a society where they get together with small groups of folks in other people's houses or establishments?

 

[Marquis]

Please state the password before we continue.

 

[esclave_PP]

heheheheh. There is none. I just think it is a nice change of pace to get together with folks in their homes or an establishment where you don't have swingers interfering with your scene or standing there jacking off lol (as seen at Club Kink in Ft. Lauderdale). In fact Marquis, we're gonna host a Halloween party for the society. In any case, do you go to the S. Fl Munch at all? You'd get to meet Master and I finally

 

[Marquis]

If you're talking about the OTC munches, I have gone before and would be interested in going again, especially if you and your master were going!

As far as the "secret" society goes, no, I am not a member and after joining a significantly more secret society in college, I doubt I'm interested.

There is enough hierarchy and bullshit in the regular SPICE meetings for me, I need less of that, not more. Additionally, I have interacted with "Arch Master" Joseph before and I can't say I'm his biggest fan.

I always enjoy the opportunity to learn about play techniques, but I'm not going to supplicate to arrogant egomaniacs to get it. Also, to be totally honest, my sub and I would probably be more comfortable participating in these events if we weren't consistently the only young people and people of color.

 

[Soumis]

So my other question is, how many other folks here are also part of a society where they get together with small groups of folks in other people's houses or establishments?

Personally, I know more people in these small groups/societies than I do in the larger ones. That is, I know more people in groups that meet in people's houses than in professional dungeons or bdsm establishments. I've wondered if the smaller groups are more common in Texas than in most states for various reasons. One: it's too far for many people to travel to a major city for regular social bdsm contact. Two: Our state isn't the friendliest towards bdsm specific establishments, while opening our houses to friends is as common as bbqs. Anyhow, that's just my take on the groups I have experience with.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I received an invitation for one while in Oz but declined the offer. I am just not a group type person, nor do I usually like being part of 'exclusive' organisations as I feel it plays into the 'my BDSM is the real BDSM' type thought pattern in that you have to fit their criteria to be invited and certainly don't invite yourself. Hope you both find it fun though as it can work if you are a joiner more so than a recluse or loner.

Catalina

 

[FurryFury]

I'm not a member of the group you speak of Bandit. In general I'm also not a joiner. I did join a local group that meets in folk's houses for some specific reasons though. I'm glad I did. Even though I rarely get to go due to scheduling conflicts, I've enjoyed meeting people and learning about certain aspects of BDSM in real time settings. Experimenting at home is all fine and good for some activities but for others I'd rather watch a demo and learn in real time from someone who has some experience.

Soooo, it's really not good form to jack off at this things?

Fury

 

[saw_man1]

Drat, the dreaded double post.

 

[saw_man1]

The only secret society I belong to is The He-Man Woman Haters Club. We even have this spiffy uniform. I'm the one on the left.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m2/saw_man1/He-Man.jpg

 

[A Desert Rose]

The only secret society I belong to is The He-Man Woman Haters Club. We even have this spiffy uniform. I'm the one on the left.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m2/saw_man1/He-Man.jpg

So you're Alfalfa? I figured as much...

 

[rexfelis]

If you're talking about the OTC munches, I have gone before and would be interested in going again, especially if you and your master were going!

As far as the "secret" society goes, no, I am not a member and after joining a significantly more secret society in college, I doubt I'm interested.

There is enough hierarchy and bullshit in the regular SPICE meetings for me, I need less of that, not more. Additionally, I have interacted with "Arch Master" Joseph before and I can't say I'm his biggest fan.

I always enjoy the opportunity to learn about play techniques, but I'm not going to supplicate to arrogant egomaniacs to get it. Also, to be totally honest, my sub and I would probably be more comfortable participating in these events if we weren't consistently the only young people and people of color.

Not a member of any secret society dealing with BDSM, but just to let you know... My slave is a "woman of color", as you put it. Perhaps sometime we could form the "Secret Society of Colorful BDSM Likers" or something. lol

 

[dexwebster]

Also, to be totally honest, my sub and I would probably be more comfortable participating in these events if we weren't consistently the only young people and people of color.

Have you tried finding any TNGs (BDSM groups for "the next generation"--generally 18-35)? From what I've been able to find with a quick search, there are

Tampa Bay TNG
goLEATHER, which is South Florida, and
Orlando TNG

 

[esclave_PP]

If you're talking about the OTC munches, I have gone before and would be interested in going again, especially if you and your master were going!

Yeah http://www.sfmunch.com -- it is the regular group that meets. As far as I could tell it is plenty diverse, people of color, gay and lesbian, straight old and young folks. Granted I have always dealt with older Doms/Dommes so I guess I never really thought about the age differential. It is more common to find folks 30 and up, mostly because they are usually more established in the BDSM lifestyle and have money. Money being the key thing here. It is not as common to find folks in their early to mid-twenties because many people don't discover their love of BDSM until later, or with a partner they've been with. Marquis, I think you are more the exception than the norm age-wise. Even though I started out young myself, 18, it was difficult to find people my age, even in the eighties and nineties. The suggestions above are good ones (the TNG's). However, Master is older than 55 so it works for us (the normal age spread).

I know what you mean about SPICE -- bleh. The politics suck. They are having or did have a vote this past Sunday -- what a mess. But still, it is nice to gather in a home rather than shell out tons of money to have a sub-par time.

And yes Furry, very bad taste to just stand there oogle and jack off lol.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

... Also, to be totally honest, my sub and I would probably be more comfortable participating in these events if we weren't consistently the only young people and people of color.

I can sympathize with you on this point, Marquis. The BDSM community seems to be about as segregated as most other communities. While some of my personal heroes and mentors and friends in the scene are people of color, they are definitely few and far between in most scene groups I am aware of. In the Carolinas and Georgia, I am aware of a few groups, however, that are specifically oriented toward minorities:

PEP4POC - (People Exchanging Power For People of Color) - Atlanta, GA - Started by Lady D, who used to run the main PEP group in Atlanta. http://www.dandslifestyles.com/content_pages/pep4poc.htm Lady D is a warm and gracious woman, and an excellent presenter, and along with viola Johnson is someone I consider a "hero" in my pantheon of BDSM/Leather folk.

CLOAK - (Charlotte Lovers Of All Kink) - Charlotte, NC - Started by Lady A, Lady Gee, and LordScorpion. http://www.cloakgroup.com/ A and Gee are personal friends, LordScorpion (who recently passed away after a battle with liver cancer) was one of my mentors. I've presented to CLOAK several times, they are one of the groups that my home group, T3WD, has a reciprocal agreement with.

BMG - (Black Munch Group) - Raleigh-Durham area, NC - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blackmunchgroup/ They seem to have gotten very inactive in the last 2 - 3 years. They were definitely active in the "early aughts".

Nationally, there is Black BEAT (Black Expressions Alternative Tastes) - http://www.blackbeatinc.org/ an annual conference (usually around the 2nd weekend of August) in the Baltimore/Washington area. If I am not mistaken, they were hoping to start a network of chapters across the country, but I didn't find anything about local organizations on their website.

It is unfortunate that we are not more inclusive/inviting/open in our diversity along racial lines. Much progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. As long as people "self-segregate" (and we all do it to some degree) we will gravitate towards those we feel most comfortable with. And often that comfort zone does lie within certain racial boundaries. Being a minority in a sea of a majority (be it a case of religious, racial, political, social, cultural, sexual orientation, or what-have-you) can be a very uncomfy place to be.

Perhaps as our "secret societies" become less secretive, we'll find them becoming more inclusive as well. *grin*

 

[esclave_PP]

Well put, EG, I guess growing up in downtown Chicago, race/color never really phased me. Being Jewish, as odd as this might sound, I've had plenty of anti-semetic problems lobbed at me over the years. I can't stand and will never tolerate intolerance. I believe any group, any society should be inclusive. It doesn't matter what color, sex or orientation as long as you're happy.

I agree with your points Marquis and EG, and I think discrimination is a virus that infects our society. However, if we all work on getting rid of it, that will be a good beginning.

Marquis, I hope that Master and I will see you at the next Munch with your little one!

 

[FurryFury]

And yes Furry, very bad taste to just stand there oogle and jack off lol.

Aww shucks!!!

There goes that fantasy.

*sighs*

Wait it can still be a fantasy!



Fury

 

[Marquis]

Marquis, I hope that Master and I will see you at the next Munch with your little one!

That seems to be a different munch than I've gone to before, but I'd be happy to check it out!

The next one will be on November 11th I take it?

 

[Marquis]

Have you tried finding any TNGs (BDSM groups for "the next generation"--generally 18-35)? From what I've been able to find with a quick search, there are

Tampa Bay TNG
goLEATHER, which is South Florida, and
Orlando TNG

Actually, the main local BDSM org. had a TNG group that was out of comission for a long time. I was actually approached to start running it myself, but that offer was retracted after I got into it with a young lady with more "status" than myself.

I have a hard time with these people, let me tell you.

It may be back, and if so, I'd be interested in getting involved.

 

[Marquis]

I can sympathize with you on this point, Marquis. The BDSM community seems to be about as segregated as most other communities. While some of my personal heroes and mentors and friends in the scene are people of color, they are definitely few and far between in most scene groups I am aware of. In the Carolinas and Georgia, I am aware of a few groups, however, that are specifically oriented toward minorities:

PEP4POC - (People Exchanging Power For People of Color) - Atlanta, GA - Started by Lady D, who used to run the main PEP group in Atlanta. http://www.dandslifestyles.com/content_pages/pep4poc.htm Lady D is a warm and gracious woman, and an excellent presenter, and along with viola Johnson is someone I consider a "hero" in my pantheon of BDSM/Leather folk.

CLOAK - (Charlotte Lovers Of All Kink) - Charlotte, NC - Started by Lady A, Lady Gee, and LordScorpion. http://www.cloakgroup.com/ A and Gee are personal friends, LordScorpion (who recently passed away after a battle with liver cancer) was one of my mentors. I've presented to CLOAK several times, they are one of the groups that my home group, T3WD, has a reciprocal agreement with.

BMG - (Black Munch Group) - Raleigh-Durham area, NC - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blackmunchgroup/ They seem to have gotten very inactive in the last 2 - 3 years. They were definitely active in the "early aughts".

Nationally, there is Black BEAT (Black Expressions Alternative Tastes) - http://www.blackbeatinc.org/ an annual conference (usually around the 2nd weekend of August) in the Baltimore/Washington area. If I am not mistaken, they were hoping to start a network of chapters across the country, but I didn't find anything about local organizations on their website.

It is unfortunate that we are not more inclusive/inviting/open in our diversity along racial lines. Much progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. As long as people "self-segregate" (and we all do it to some degree) we will gravitate towards those we feel most comfortable with. And often that comfort zone does lie within certain racial boundaries. Being a minority in a sea of a majority (be it a case of religious, racial, political, social, cultural, sexual orientation, or what-have-you) can be a very uncomfy place to be.

Perhaps as our "secret societies" become less secretive, we'll find them becoming more inclusive as well. *grin*

Awesome info EG, thanks a lot!

 

[JMohegan]

Master and I were recently invited to join one of the "societies" down here in S. Florida (Society of deSade) and I was wondering if there are any other folks (Marquis?) who might already be in it? We went to the South Florida munch this past Saturday, met some great folks and was wondering if my fellow literoti folks might have also been there, live in the area or participate already? Would be great to meet up next time.

So my other question is, how many other folks here are also part of a society where they get together with small groups of folks in other people's houses or establishments?

Post-college, I have never really been a secret society kind of guy. Two reasons.

1 - I am not politically inclined, and any formal organization of humans will generate a lot of political challenges.

2 - I am not a fan of strictures. For example, from your link:

"At O/our events W/we expect E/everyone attending to either use protocal or respect its use ... and to wear B/D-S&M fetish attire defined as: leather, latex, rubber, PVC, kinky drag, uniforms, fetish glam, Victorian, etc. -- No street clothes, jeans or all black street wear are permitted."

I balk at rules and restrictions of this type, and they have absolutely nothing to do with my sexuality or my interest in BDSM. For those who embrace a particular culture, a club like this can be wonderful. For me, it just doesn't work.

However, I do "get together with small groups of folks in other people's houses or establishments". Over the years, I have made many friends in the lifestyle. People I've met at munches or demos. Friends whom I have "converted" to BDSM, and friends of friends who are into kink.

We get together at movies, on the racquetball court, at the Trail Club, in each other's homes, etc. We talk about D/s and BDSM in the same way that non-lifestyle people talk about current events.

For me, this relaxed and unstructured interaction with lifestyle friends works better than a more formal environment.

 

[bronntanas]

Some groups are really laid back though, where the caps stuff and the fetish gear aren't required.

 

[JMohegan]

Some groups are really laid back though, where the caps stuff and the fetish gear aren't required.

True.

 

[FurryFury]

The group I go to is way laid back. I'm happy to say that. We have no clothing requirements and few rules are in place, the people are easy going and friendly.

Fury

 

[bronntanas]

We have no clothing requirements, ... the people are easy going and friendly.

Fury

**bites tongue, opens window**

It's a bit warmish tonight.

 

[JMohegan]

**bites tongue, opens window**

It's a bit warmish tonight.

LOL.....