Seeking and joining. That, I dare say, is something many of us share in common; a drive to find that niche where our natures can grow and flourish.  For many of us in the Leather-BDSM community, GMSMA has provided just that kind of niche.

I can't say when I became aware of GMSMA (it seems to have been around forever), but in 1999 my long-held yet never acted-upon interests led me and my lover of 19 years to check out Folsom Street East.  Although we seemed very out of place in our plaid shirts and khaki pants, I was immediately struck by an overwhelming sense of openness and acceptance from everyone manning the booths and the men and women in the street.  It aroused a deep feeling within me of comfort, of a relaxed easinessÑin short, of my nature having finally arrived at a "home."  Even so, it took until that following February for me to finally act upon my feelings, come out into leather, and join GMSMA.

In the course of this past year my feeling of being home has only grown deeper.  This has definitely been fostered by my decision to get truly involved with the organization by joining a number of its committees.  That turned out to be a wonderful way for a late-bloomer, such as myself, to give and receive something of value while becoming better-acquainted with GMSMA and the greater leather-BDSM community.  It has enabled me to make some new, valued friends within the membership in a very short time.

This kind of involvement has been a good thing for GMSMA, too. Although many of us don't stop to think about it, events like the Wednesday night programs, the Dungeon Demos, and our workshops and seminars don't just happen on their own.  Nor does having any true sense of "community."  These things come about because we choose to roll up our sleeves, open up, get involved, and share the work as well as the joys of being a part of something like GMSMA.

I encourage you to do this, too.  Don't hold back.  Say, "yes!" Become both embraced and embracing.  You'll find that GMSMA offers a committee or activity to suit most any taste, temperament and schedule.  And if not, help us to create one.

What is GMSMA?  You are GMSMA.  Happy 20th Anniversary to us all!

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