Reviewing some mid-year membership mailing materials caused me to stop and ask myself what it means to be a member of GMSMA. If we take a few moments to consider why we're members of GMSMA and why GMSMA is an important organization to us, I think we'll have a substantial message beyond just the celebration and sheer ecstasy of the moment that we can share with our s/m leather fetish brothers and sisters and the larger communities as well.

There are a variety of reasons why men initially come to GMSMA: to satisfy a curiosity about "kinky sex" that may have been only a fantasy until then; because they're looking for "hot men and a good lay"; because they're just looking for an organization to "belong to"; or, because they're disillusioned with the usual gay venues such as the bars.

There are almost as many different reasons as there are men who come to their first GMSMA meeting. The majority probably find some things different from the way they expected them to be. Some leave and never come back after that first meeting. Many, however, stay and eventually become members.

Becoming a GMSMA member is extraordinarily easy and simple. You complete a membership application and sign it. Your signature indicates that you're a male over 19 years of age and that you subscribe to GMSMA's Statement of Purpose. You're a member once you submit your completed application along with the required dues. (And even the dues are subject to your ability to pay.)

In his editorial "Beware the Politically Correct Sex Police" (Drummer No. 168), Guy Baldwin decries those who, in the name of what they perceive as political correctness, look askance at choices he makes about where he plays and with whom. Whether or not you agree with Baldwin that politics and "community" are things that happen above the neck, GMSMA has never proscribed politically correct sex or made specific sexual expression a condition of membership.

There are a few other things that are not required for GMSMA membership. You are not required to wear leather, let alone leather of a certain color. You are not required to wear a patch, an emblem, or a uniform. You are not required to attend a certain number of meetings or go through a "pledge" period. You are not required to demonstrate or prove your s/m preferences or proficiencies or to "play" in public. You are not forbidden to be a member of other organizations.

What GMSMA is has been eloquently yet simply expressed in our Statement of Purpose. Although no test of loyalty to or understanding of the purpose is ever given to members, it's the one specific and tangible subscription a man makes when he becomes a member of GMSMA.

The first sentence in our statement of purpose states who we are and what brings us together.

GMSMA is a not-for-profit organization of gay men who are seriously interested in safe, sane, and consensual s/m.

Our membership is limited to men. Although we have been actively increasing our interaction in common pursuits with lesbian, straight and pansexual s/m organizations, we continue to feel that there are sufficient issues and concerns specific to men to warrant this one particular membership limitation. One's sexual interest is further assumed to be a serious (as opposed to prurient or exploitative) interest in safe, sane and consensual s/m. This statement has been as far as GMSMA has ever gone to describe "correct" sex, although we have adopted more specific safe sex standards and we support the efforts of those in the social science community who are working to declassify s/m as an illness.

These next two sentences describe the first of the three balanced foundation purposes for which GMSMA exists.

Our purpose is to help create a more supportive s/m community for gay men, whether they are just coming out into s/m or are long experienced. Our regular meetings and other activities attempt to build a sense of community by exploring common feelings and concerns.

Our social purpose is to provide a non-threatening space and atmosphere at all GMSMA events where even the man who isn't sure about how he feels about s/m and how that inkling of interest might eventually play out in his life, can feel safe to explore and locate his feelings. Not only is this space meant to be an alternative to the typical bar scene, but a non-competitive, non-exploitive social setting where community grows out of sharing and exploring in this non-threatening atmosphere.

A desire to maintain this type of social atmosphere in all GMSMA activities led to our discontinuing a brief sponsorship of "play parties" where overt sexual activity took place. Some individuals and organizations have criticized us, saying this demonstrates that GMSMA lacks a "sex positive" attitude. I have yet to attend any GMSMA function or read a single page of any edition of NewsLink where I felt anything but a "sex positive" attitude. This criticism indicates, I think, a lack of understanding and sensitivity to the kind of public social atmosphere GMSMA tries to create.

We aim to raise awareness about issues of safety and responsibility, to recover elements of our tradition, and to disseminate the best available medical and technical information about s/m practices.

The second of the three foundation purposes is education. GMSMA has explored, documented and shared a wealth of medical, safety, technical and ethnosociological information about s/m with thousands of people and organizations during its thirteen years of existence. There is some element or aspect of education in every event and meeting held and every article published, even though education may not have been the express purpose. The focus has often been novices and we have tended toward more "main-line" topics, recognizing that this would reach the largest number of those in the audience. However, we also explore the more esoteric, advanced and "on the edge" topics, providing there are quality presentations and presenters available.

The third and final purpose of GMSMA's tripart foundation is political awareness and activism.

We seek to establish a recognized political presence in the wider gay community in order to combat the prevailing stereotypes and misconceptions about s/m while working with others for the common goals of gay liberation. GMSMA provided leadership resources and publicity for the 1987 and 1993 Marches on Washington, for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conferences (since the first one in November 1988), and for the Mapplethorpe and NEA controversy. GMSMA's Board of Directors adopted the "Six Points," our position on critical issues facing the gay and lesbian community. We are updating them so we can communicate them to you before the celebration in June. GMSMA is intent of reminding everyone that we still have issues worth marching and fighting for.

Historically, our money has been where our political mouth is. GMSMA is the longest and largest single contributor to Heritage of Pride, sponsors of New York's annual Gay Pride Parade. Representatives from GMSMA's Speakers' Bureau have spoken to college classes and a variety of gay and straight community and social organizations, effectively demonstrating that people into kinky sex are normal, too. Although our forms of political activism have not generally been disruptive or blatant, our organization is nonetheless a powerful force for promoting safe, sane and consensual s/m. As our membership numbers swell over 500 this year, our constituency and voice become even stronger.

I am convinced that GMSMA is the largest male s/m organization in the world today because of its Statement of Purpose. The activities and publications it sponsors and produces clearly demonstrate this balance of social, educational and political thrusts. Our community has changed a lot in the 25 years since the Stonewall Rebellion and in the 13 years that GMSMA has been in existence. GMSMA has and will continue to grow and change within the context of our changing community and world. I am excited and proud to be a part of this organization. I know those who are already members share that excitement and pride as we look forward to June. And I hope those of you who are not already members will join us in our commitment to safe, sane and consensual s/m.

Click the GMSMA logo button to return to the NewsLink 15th Anniversary Page.