The Leather Creed

[cindyimswf]

The Leather Creed



We believe in consensual slavery; this means that everyone involved in all scenes has consented willingly to participation, and would meet societal, as well as community standards, regarding scrutiny of willing consent.
We believe in consensual contracts, this means a renewing of a contract with a slave every 6 months and then up to three years, enabling the slave to be freed fully and completely, without obligation; should they so desire.
We believe in enjoyable sexuality, in exploration without coerce-ment, and in an enjoyment of power, not an abuse of it, not rape, not assault, and not enforcement of our will outside of those who have freely and willingly given their consent.
We believe in a willing power exchange, not brutality.
We believe in the fulfilling enjoyment of all parties involved, not of a one sided gratification.
We believe in being held answerable and accountable, for all of our acts, and actions.
We believe in being worshipped and adored, not feared and hated.
We believe love and enjoyment is a far stronger bond than terror and fear.
We believe there is a line between acceptable indulgence of perversion, and the enforcement of one's own will upon another, which to us is unacceptable and completely reprehensible.
We believe a responsive and receptive body and mind is to the greater enjoyment of all involved within any scene or community; and strive to attain this goal, peaceably; with others of like mind.
We believe in an alternate sexuality, not a criminal world of depravity and mental illness.



Let us show you; teach you; share with you.



We do not believe in child slavery or involvement of children within our scenes.
We do not believe in the involvement of those deemed unable to enter into such as are our contracts of their own free will and volition, which means we do not believe in the involvement of those individuals which society, or the courts may deem as: immature, incapable, mentally unfit, or physically unable.
We do not believe any animal can enter into such contracts as we require either, and so they too are unsuited to our desires and needs.
We do not believe in the mental or emotional injury, destruction, or breaking of our property.
We do not believe a sick or injured slave should be left, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of, but instead prefer to care for our prized possessions.
We do not believe that behaving in such a way as to be irresponsible and cause or bring harm to ourselves or our slaves is wise.
We do not believe in polluting the innocent but rather seek out those who have sought us in kind.
We do not believe in abuse; it erodes the foundation of the relationship; loving enforcement serves us better.
We do not believe in the trafficking of human bodies, or lives without their informed consent*, and agreement in advance to activities or usage; at any age (*once able to give that consent, and especially when unable to).
We do not believe in the destruction of family, morals, or ethics but seek to live our own codes within the confines offered by societies current systems.
We do not believe that we are so much different than you.

 

[Etoile]

Interesting. I am a leathergirl and I participate in the leather community...I'm not sure I've ever heard it so formalized before, but most of the people I know believe those tenets. My only difference is that I don't believe contracts are necessary to be in a leather relationship...but others' thoughts may vary.

 

[Netzach]

I don't know how I feel about "society" and "the courts" being appealed to. They've historically not looked very well on what we do and now we're going to make them our gold standard?

It bothers me that there are these very hard lines being drawn in the sand, and it seems that arbiters of these lines are alluded to, but who are these arbiters, really?

I'm outraged by the non-con abuses in the world, REAL torture, trafficking, rape. I get very uncomfortable when we feel the need to explain how SM is not these things, like having to explain that a painting of a tree isn't actually going to grow apples.

My creed is simple. Don't put anyone in the hospital or the psych ward if you can help it. Operate within the scope of the really obvious laws. (Cooking and eating one another is not viable SM play) Don't be assholes to people who aren't into it.

 

[Etoile]

I think that's why it was more of a Leather creed than a Kinkster's creed. The world of Leather that I see lives by these rules pretty well, including wanting to reach out to outside society. I just interpreted the Mr. DC Eagle contest last night, and all five contestants referred to wanting to build bridges, to welcome new people, etc. Kinksters are more varied than that, but I think Leatherfolk are their own subculture that does follow similar rules.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

I don't know if cindy wrote that creed or got it from somewhere else, but like Etoile, it fits pretty well with the Leatherfolk I know. I kinda like it except the bit about contracts. *grins and shrugs*

A contract is a communication tool, nothing more, nothing less. Let's everyone know what's expected and required, what's acceptable and what's not. A bit formal for my taste but Leather culture can be more formal than most BDSM'ers care to live.

 

[Netzach]

I think that's why it was more of a Leather creed than a Kinkster's creed. The world of Leather that I see lives by these rules pretty well, including wanting to reach out to outside society. I just interpreted the Mr. DC Eagle contest last night, and all five contestants referred to wanting to build bridges, to welcome new people, etc. Kinksters are more varied than that, but I think Leatherfolk are their own subculture that does follow similar rules.

Maybe Mpls doesn't have enough contests in it, but if anyone was fanatical about "there's no right way to do this" it was actually the old-guard trained people in my club, they were the most adamant about there not being a right way of anyone I ever met. I think they'd be on board with the spirit of this thing, you are right. I also remember how bogged down our business meetings were with minutiae, I think a lot of them would roll eyes and want to *shorten* that thing.

And again, I will gladly say that I don't think "community" kangaroo courts, or appeals to societal norms are the answers for dealing with alleged abuses, and I've seen too much harm come from those things coming into play. People already use "SSC" to bulldoze one another badly, even if the idea is a terrific idea.

 

[Etoile]

Maybe Mpls doesn't have enough contests in it, but if anyone was fanatical about "there's no right way to do this" it was actually the old-guard trained people in my club, they were the most adamant about there not being a right way of anyone I ever met. I think they'd be on board with the spirit of this thing, you are right. I also remember how bogged down our business meetings were with minutiae, I think a lot of them would roll eyes and want to *shorten* that thing.

Well, yeah, I'd agree with that. I'm not sure how many people in my area are Old Guard - I know a few who definitely are, but I think most are in the middle. They ARE mostly high-protocol though, at least at events...I'm not sure how they live in their own lives, their own bedrooms, but whenever I see them it's pretty strict.