uk.people.bdsm FAQ
Newsgroups: uk.people.bdsm
Subject: uk.people.bdsm FAQ v0.5 (3/3: BDSM in the UK)
Followup-To: uk.people.bdsm
Summary: Information specific to the UK scene, and this newsgroup.
Archive-name: uk/bdsm-faq/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: GMT 1998-04-28 22:00:00
Version: 0.5
Maintainer: Pallando
Archive-URL:
Copyright: see ans 0.2
------------------------------
Subject: 4.0 What is the UK?
The UK is a kingdom of the coast of north-west Europe. It consists chiefly of
the island of Great Britain (comprising Wales, Scotland and England) and
Northern Ireland, but also assorted territories. It became officially
The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland in 1922 when the
rest of Ireland became autonomous.
------------------------------
Subject: 4.1 I'm visiting the UK, do you have any advice?
Don't try to bring any published BDSM material through customs. No matter how
mild you may think it is, it's up to the individual customs officer what they
confiscate. The majority of SM paraphernalia is, however, quite legal,
although electrical toys may be seized as they may be deemed either weapons
or medical apparatus. If you're asked what the whip or crop is, just tell the
truth. There's little they can do except embarrass you.
In terms of other advice, the UK is known for its changeable weather. Never
assume it will be warm, and always bring something waterproof. The individual
parts of the UK are so varied as to seem like separate countries, and
guidebooks can give more conventional information than we can here. For info
on BDSM events, the best thing to do is go to a fetish shop and ask for the
latest flyers (if they aren't on display), lists of these are in some
magazines available world-wide (such as skin two), or see our section of
club websites (see 7.2.1).
------------------------------
Subject: 5.1 Is BDSM against the law?
This is a difficult question to answer. It has to be yes, and no. A police
operation named "Operation Spanner" targetted a group of gay and bisexual
BDSMers in the early nineties, because they mistook a home movie of their
activities to be a snuff film. When the case came to court, the men pleaded
not guilty to charges of causing actual bodily harm on the grounds that they
had all consented to the activities. The prosecution could not get any of the
men to say it had been non-consensual, and had even tried threatening the
"subs" with aiding and abetting actual bodily harm, as they had asked for
these things to be done to them. Nevertheless, the judge decided that consent
was not a valid defense, and with no other availiable defense, the men were
found guilty. A campaign group (Countdown On Spanner) quickly appeared and
started to make a lot of noise about this, and the case went to appeal. The
appeal failed, and it went to the Law Lords. The Law Lords upheld the original
judgement, but did recommend that the law be changed, and noted that the
definition of Actual Bodily Harm by then had changed so much that the
original prosecution would not have gone through.
The case only refers to activities, such as whipping or caning, that leave
marks. Any mark which is "of more than a trifling or transient nature" is
currenlty against the law. The only way to test this, however, is to have
another court case. A case cannot go ahead without evidence (the marks
themselves are not enough, they have to prove how they were gained) and so
unless you have videotapes, and someone gives one to the police, you are
probably safe... The case makes no mention to the legal status of consensual
bondage, humiliation, roleplay, fetishism, watersports, or any other BDSM
activities except those which mark.
------------------------------
Subject: 5.1.1 Countdown on Spanner
The campaign group "Countdown on Spanner" has been superceeded by two groups:
"SMPrideOrg (UK)" and "The Spanner Trust". They issued the following notice:
COUNTDOWN ON SPANNER CALLS IT A DAY
After considerable discussion, the Countdown on Spanner Campaign has
resolved to wind itself down and to transfer its assets and energy to
the proposed SMPride Organisation
Campaigners decided that as the Spanner Case was finally over, it was
prudent to move on to a new agenda. Activists at its last meeting
welcomed the news of the proposed SMPride venture. And were pleased to
be able to actively support this new organisation as a positive
celbration of pansexual sm sexuality
The Countdown on Spanner Campaigner was founded by Kellan Farshea in
1992 as a pansexual activist SM organisation. Its central aims were to
raise funds to support the Spanner men; to raise public awareness about
SM sexuality; and to promote SM as a valid adult sexuality.
Over the 5 years of its existence it raised over £80,000 for the SM
rights cause. Allowing the Spanner case to be fought through the British
judicial system and to the European Court of Human Rights. Although the
case was finally lost in the courts, campaigners have argued that in
terms of public acceptance of SM, community awareness and political
support - the campaign was a brilliant success. It helped to change the
political climate regarding consenual adult sex. And helped to create an
international SM community. Among the organisations that developed out
of this climate was SMDykes, SM Bisexuals, The Sexual Freedom Coalition,
The Annual SM Pride Weekend and The Spanner Trust.
As well as thanking every person who ever donated money, time or energy
to the Campaign, the campaigners wished to extend a special thankyou to
the Central Station in Kings Cross which provided the group with a home
for 5years.
Long time campaign member, Dr Mike Frost said " Despite losing the
Spanner Case, I believe that Spanner was a major factor in the recent
developing wider awareness and acceptance of SM sexuality in the UK"
Ishmael Skyes, Author, said "one of the acheivements of the campaign was
its ground breaking role in uniting gay, bisexual, lesbian and
heterosexual sadomasochists behind one flag"
Rob Grover, Erotic Oscar winner, said " SM and Leather groups across the
world rallied to the cause and raise over £80,000 over the 5 years of
the campaigns existence"
Kellan Farshea, Founder of the Campaign said " This is obviously an
emotional decision but over the years I believe that the campaign has
changed the face of sexuality politics in Britain. And through SM Pride,
the spirit of the campaign will live on, giving strength and support to
sadomasochists across Britain and promoting SM as a valid sexual
choice."
Whilst the activist vitality of the campaign will be carried in SM
Pride.Org, the balance of the monies raised will continue to be held by
The Spanner Trust. Under the terms of its deed, it will continue to work
in support of SM Rights across the world. And any groups that think they
may be eligible for such a grant should contact the Trust in writing.
For more details about Countdown On Spanner, the forthcoming SMPrideOrg (UK)
or The Spanner Trust, contact Kellan at .
------------------------------
Subject: 5.5.0 Play parties
These are usually invitation only, non-commercial events held on private
premises. See
------------------------------
Subject: 5.5.1 I want to throw a play party; how do I go about it.
[ this section needs quite a bit more. Like how liable are
hosts in the UK? ]
[ And don't say "Just lift it up and chuck it". ]
Here are some suggested rules:
a) Don't intrude on anyone's scene unless you're specifically asked to join in.
b) Men should not ask women for their phone numbers, but should wait for
women to offer. (If this isn't a rule, then at the very least, it should
be made clear that if a woman doesn't want to give her phone number to a
man, he should not pester her or intimidate her about it.)
c) Do not touch anyone without hir permission.
d) If you ask someone if they're interested in doing a scene with you, and
sie declines, do not ask again.
d) Don't come to the front door wearing your fetish gear and cracking your
whips. Bring your stuff in nondescript bags and change once you're inside.
Especially if the party is at someone's private home.
e) If you run into someone you meet at the party out in the real world
(tm) don't strike up a conversation with hir, especially not about the
party or the scene, unless you are absolutely certain it's okay to do so.
(That might be hir boss or vanilla significant other or parents sie's
with.)
f) If someone breaks one of these rules, let a host or a dungeon monitor
know about it. The offender should either get one warning or be told to
leave immediately. If you're told to leave, don't expect to ever be able
to come back.
g) Anyone, especially a woman, who attends the party alone should be given
an escort to hir car by one of the hosts, or someone the hosts trust
completely.
------------------------------
Subject: 5.5.2 I want to attend a play party; what is the etiquette?
The etiquette will vary with the party, but basically you need to
act with respect for others: don't interrupt a scene (unless the place
is on fire or another such emergency), no flogging without permission,
all subs are not YOUR subs...and all doms are not YOUR dom. Don't hog
all the sausage rolls at the refreshment table...things like that....
Ask yourself the following questions:
* Is at least one important part of your goal in attending this social
event to actually be social and to meet new friends?
* Are you comfortable talking and laughing with other BDSM people of all
genders, including transgendered people? Shaking hands or giving hugs,
again irrespective of gender or appearance?
* Do you understand that no one is attending this party to personally
entertain you, and that you are responsible for acting like a mature and
courteous adult even if you are talking to someone who isn't wearing any
clothes?
------------------------------
Subject: 5.7 What is the history of the scene in the UK? The Hellfire club, etc.
[ Does infomation on Cynthia Payne, etc. belong in the FAQ? ]
_The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets_, Barbara G. Walker
(Harper/Collins, formally Harper and Row)
_Intimate Matters_, D'Emilio and Freedman (Harper and Row)
_Sex in History_, Reay Tannahill (Scarborough House)
------------------------------
Subject: 6.2 Am I still welcome in the uk.* groups
if I don't live in the UK?
Yes. Anyone with an interest in the UK is welcome in the uk.* groups, although
they should respect the fact that these are a regional discussion forum.
Mentioning in passing that things are different in Nebraska is one thing, but
ranting on about the Constitution or senators or your TV programmes will not
make you many friends. Also if you have little experience of UK politics or
current affairs, please don't tell those of us who live here what our country
is like, this may sound obvious, but it does happen!.
If you're from the UK and moved away, or intending to visit, you are also very
welcome here, but do see 7.1.7
------------------------------
Subject: 7.1.1 its Charter
uk.people.bdsm: CHARTER v1.0
written by group proponent: Amethyst
Charter:
This group is for the discussion of bondage, discipline,
Domination, submission and sado-masochism in the UK by those
involved in the scene and those with an interest in the scene.
I hope that this group will not have the need to enforce strict
on-topic discussion but will be a friendly place for those
interested or involved in the bdsm scene can get to know one
another. However the initial posting in a thread should be on-
topic, however much it may wander later. Queries about bdsm
practice, tips on safety, discussion of methods and materials,
arrangement of related UK meetings and events etc are all on
topic.
alt.sex.bondage has a policy of allowing explicit fiction, however
I feel it may be best to put this off-topic. However announcements
when a story has been posted to alt.sex.stories or alt.sex.stories.
bondage by a member of the group are allowed.
Advertising:
Short (less than 20 line) announcements of _UK events_ relevant to
readers are permitted; blatant off-topic or commercial advertising
(even those related to the group topic and in particular for phone
sex, explicit web sites or bulletin boards) are not. If you run a
related business you may advertise it in your sig, providing it
does not exceed 6 lines total, if you have something relevant to
post to the group.
Binaries:
Binaries are not permitted on this group, they should be posted to
alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.bondage. Posts advertising web sites
or bulletin boards containing explicit pictures are not welcome,
again you may advertise in your sig if you have something relevant
to post.
Personals:
Personals are off-topic. The correct place for personals is
uk.adverts.personals.
------------------------------
Subject: 7.1.2 its History
Amethyst writes:
The creation of uk.people.bdsm started in November of 1996 when I proposed
a uk.sexuality hierarchy which would include a bdsm group. This caused
uproar mostlky because it included the suggestion that uk.gay-lesbian-bi
could be rmgrouped and replaced with uk.sexuality.gay-lesbian-bi and I
forgot to post it to uk.glb. It was a mistake, sorry. The rest of the
ensuing discussion centered around the naming of the group, it was
instantly obvious that nobody wanted to use the sex wildcard incase of
spamming. There were also worries about propogation of a newsgroup about
bdsm, would educational servers carry it etc. There was far more positive
response to just a uk bdsm group than for a difficult to name uk sexuality
group and hierarchy. So I suggested uk.people.bdsm as a potentially safe
name in a reasonably suitable place.
The RFD for uk.people.bdsm was sent to Control on the 28th of November
1996. It was finally posted at the end of January 1997. There was now still
concern over the name, this time centering around it being too
incomprehensible. Finally the RFD was posted on the 25th January 1997.
Following are the summaries and rationale...
Summary: uk.people.{adult}.bdsm Discussion of bondage, discipline, s/m
and D/s in the UK.
RATIONALE:
This group will allow people in the British bdsm scene to
contact one another and discuss matters more pertinent to
the UK than other countries such as where to find clubs,
shops or specific items and the legal and social implications
of expressing an interest in this area in the UK. It can also
be used to arrange munches (or meets) around Britain, hope-
fully catering not just for the people in London.
There is one world-wide group devoted to this area, alt.sex.bondage,
but it is unfortunately innundated with spammers and also very
American orientated. It can be very difficult for people in the
bdsm scene to contact one another and this group may help many
British people find out about their kinks and find others they can
discuss them with.
Summary of RFD Discussion:
The only negative point brought up was in respect to the naming of the
group. There was some disagreement as to how obvious it must be made that
the content of the group is adult. Thus the choice of names in the vote as
to whether to include the term adult or not, other suggestions made were
not favoured by the other members of the discussion. It was also pointed
out that the group should specify no personals to avoid the problem
alt.sex.bondage has had with personals and that the definition of bdsm
should include the term discipline. One person asked if it was allowable to
vote against a group for reasons of personal taste. However the majority of
people supported the group.
The three options on the vote form were...
1. Create new newsgroup uk.people.bdsm
2. Create new newsgroup uk.people.adult.bdsm
3. Do not create a newsgroup
Voting ended on the 16th March 1997 and the group passed with the results
52 for uk.people.bdsm
19 for uk.people.adult.bdsm
2 for no new group
11 invalid ballots
I don't know the precise date it was created, should have been about 1 week
after the result was announced, it certainly came into existance before the
end of March 1997.
------------------------------
Subject: 7.1.6 its munches
PAST:
1998-02-21: Birmingham - Moonman's Dream
[ Anyone want to write a review I can point to?
Can anyoen write a canonnical list of past munches? ]
COMING: ? [ see Tanos' events list ]
------------------------------
Subject: 7.1.7 Hi, I'm new to this group. What should I do?
Well, hold your breath. It's best to read the group for a while before
posting, to get an idea of the tone, content and, ahem, personalities.
Some FAQs suggest reading for a month, but with a group like this you'd
go mad with frustration. Try to hold out for two weeks, or read about 30
articles. Then the best thing to do, as in polite society, is inroduce
yourself. Just post a "Hello! I'm new!" message (not in an ongoing thread
about plumbing and depilatories!!) and tell a bit about yourslef. The info
you put in might include: where in the UK you live, how you identify
(gay/straight/bi/dyke/bent/kinky/fetishist/switch/Dom/sub/slave/pet/whatever)
and a bit about your interests and fantasies... If you're lucky, and you put
some truth in, you may even provoke your own thread...
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.0 Links - BDSM
For non-UK specific BDSM links see ans 3.1.*
Websites often move or change, so link lists are hard to keep current.
There is an online version of this list at
[ Anyone volunteer to host and maintain this section? ]
Pages will probably not be listed if they
a) have asked not to be listed,
b) are known to be broken,
c) are just personal or
d) charge for access to all significant content
Additionally, sites selling fetish clothing will probably not be listed here
(despite that being closely linked to BDSM) unless they also have some BDSM
specific content such as personals or dungeon equipment, since there already
exists a brilliant guide to UK fetish shops at http://www.awe.com/~jnorth/uk
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.1 UK BDSM Clubs online
http://www.grndlvl.demon.co.uk/
Desyre Foundation
http://LFF.nixnet.com/
Fetish Fair
http://www.tawse.com/
Muir Reform Academy, and The Other Pony Club
http://www.thedoghouse.org/doghouse/index.html
http://www.best.com/~topdog1/doghouse/index.html
Other Kennel Club
http://www.skintwo.co.uk/rubberball/rubberball.html
Rubber Ball
http://www.backspace.org/torturegarden/
Torture Garden
http://www.dircon.co.uk/powerhouse/smgays/home.htm
SM Gays
http://www.andelain.demon.co.uk/smbi/
SM Bisexuals
http://www.corp.demon.co.uk/
Out of Town Klub
http://members.tripod.com/~wolfPup1/sishome.htm
http://www.cablenet.net/~twoboyz/main.htm
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
http://www.backspace.org/fist/
FIST
http://www.whiplash.co.uk/lff/voile.htm
Club Voile
http://www.whiplash.co.uk/boat.htm
The Firm
http://www.fistersdungeon.com/
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~fister/lonreds.htm
London Reds - gay men into fisting
http://www.powerhouse.co.uk/powerhouse/gummi/home.htm
Gummi - gay men into rubber
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~mscmsc/mschome.htm
Manchester Super Chain
http://www.demesne.org/Beithe_Eilean/contents.html
Eilean Beithe (see the Slap Rugby link)
http://www.westwardbound.com/party.html
Divine Inspiration
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.2 UK BDSM Magasines online
http://www.erotica.co.uk/ft/
Fetish Times
http://www.skintwo.co.uk/
Skin Two
http://www.ritualmag.co.uk/
Ritual Magasine
http://www.secretmag.com/
Secret
http://www.shiny.co.uk/
Shiny
http://www.hallucinet.com/blueblood/bb_home.htm
Blue Blood
http://www.o-magazine.com/indexAB.html
http://www.o-mag.com/indexAB.html
<>
http://www.boudoir-noir.com/index2.html
Boudoir Noir
http://www.desire.co.uk/
Desire (seems to be broken)
http://www.arc.co.uk/body3/home.html
Body Politic : sex & power edition
http://www.januslondon.co.uk/shop/main.html
Janus (Janus, Februs, Obey, Privilege, Kane, Phoenix, Blushes, etc)
http://www.splosh.co.uk/home.htm
Splosh!
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lights/9921/fcc.html
Tied 'n' Teased
http://www.pitiless.com
Pitiless
http://www.cyberotic.co.uk/flashart/footsy.html
Footsy
http://www.cruella.com/toc.htm
Cruella
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~sandmark/smonline/contents.htm
Feral
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.3 UK BDSM Event Listings online
http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/events.html
UK BDSM events
http://www.fetish-net.org.uk/
Fetish Net
http://public.diversity.org.uk/guides/london/#Daily
Daily guide to London's Gay SM clubs
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~smelf/
SM Elves (their listings page is a few layers down)
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~cjm-drw/list.htm
rubber clubbing
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.4 UK BDSM Web sites - other
http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/regional/countries/united_kingdom/
society_and_culture/sexuality/activities_and_practices/bdsm/
Yahoo [ Hey people! Submit your URLs here. It needs fillin' ]
http://www.andelain.demon.co.uk/mortice/stories/index.htm
http://www.twilight.demon.co.uk/jstories.htm
http://www.jadzia.demon.co.uk/fanfic/xmen/mhairie.htm
BDSM fiction by UK Authors
http://www.beyond2000.co.uk/pallando/BDSM/alchemy.html
Some BDSM philosophy
http://www3.mistral.co.uk/storm-cloud/menu.htm
Savage UK
http://latches.ppages.com/newslt/euro.htm
Humour
http://www.zynet.co.uk/wildfire
Wildfire
http://www.ijama.demon.co.uk/ijama.htm
Ijama
http://www.grndlvl.demon.co.uk/moondream.htm
Moonman's Dream
http://www.barnsdle.demon.co.uk/span/span1.html
Spanner
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~k-k/
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kellan_farshea/spanneru.htm
Kellan Farshea's guide to London
http://www.ranch.demon.co.uk/
Pony Girl's Ranch
http://w3.win-uk.net/get/tbcgb/
Boot Club
http://www.erotica.co.uk/cc/index.html
Catalogue Connection
http://www.expectations.co.uk/
Expectations
http://www.regulation-ltd.co.uk/page001.html
Regulation
http://www.freedom.co.uk/anvil/index1.htm
The Anvil
http://public.diversity.org.uk/deviant/frames.htm
Deviant's Dictionary
http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~antje_c/blowabout.html
Inflatable rubber
http://www.swagger.co.uk/otk/ads.htm
Miss Lyn's Spanking Personals
http://www.freedom.co.uk/gagg/post_uk.htm
Gay Army Gear Group
http://www.latexpajamas.com/rub_loc_uk.html
Rubber Lover personals
http://www.eroticon.no/nicki/b2.html
Nicki Lewis's lockable rings
http://www.hubcom.com/channel/soho/shop/boy/boy.htm
http://www.hubcom.com/channel/soho/shop/paradi/paradi.htm
Soho Shops
http://www.ghost.co.uk/shani/cybersex.htm
Getting it wrong on IRC
http://www.webdevelop.com/~suzanne/home2.htm
Swinging Parties
http://www.idiscover.co.uk/jewels/Pr-fr-ch.htm
Press for Change
http://www.phszx81.demon.co.uk/munch/
Paul Harrison's UK #bdsm munches list
http://artbitch.com/darkside/gallstrt.htm
Giga's Art
http://home.rednet.co.uk/homepages/hgames/directry/frameb.html
'massage' in the UK
------------------------------
Subject: 7.2.5 UK BDSM bulletin boards, talkers, IRC channels, etc.
irc://ircnet/bdsm-uk
http://www.netmania.co.uk/enquirer/slavery.html
http://www.fetish-net.org.uk/bdsm-uk.html
irc://dalnet/submissionUK
http://www.obscure.u-net.com/welcome.htm
irc://dalnet/subUK_scenes
(allied with submissionUK which is a non-scene channel)
irc://dalnet/spankingUK
irc://ircnet/gaysmuk
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~garrick/warn.html
irc://dalnet/SecretMagazine
http://www.secretmag.com/seconirc.htm
http://www.moonman.demon.co.uk/chat.htm
Moonman's chat room
http://www.mrs-silk.com/chat.htm
Mrs Silk's chat room
http://members.aol.com/dominionuk/ukussubdom.htm
http://members.aol.com/sublondfem/D-sPage/Index.htm#SocialBits
AOL's UK-US Dom-sub chat room and meets
See ans 3.1.2 for non-UK specific BDSM channels.
See ans 2.9 for more general information about IRC.
------------------------------
Subject: 7.3.5 Liberty. UK anti-censorship campaign. Leydig trust.
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~sfc/
Sexual Freedom Coalition
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~liberty/index.html
Liberty
------------------------------ End of part 3/3