First logo designed by Colleen!	20th Anniversary logo	Amended logo designed by Mel (2018)

A brief history of F.I.S.T.

The group was started in 1993 as a direct result of the March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights in 1993. A group of 4 or 5 leatherwomen got together in Baltimore and DC and decided there was a need for a women's leather/BDSM educational and social backpatch group in the area. F.I.S.T. was born. Several of the original members are still active in the organization.

Many members have moved out of the area...they are members...for life.

We uphold the principles and ideals of our founding members, which is to provide a venue for women who enjoy BDSM with other women to learn, play, have fun, and build community. We are involved with other groups and participate in fundraising and community events throughout the year. 

An expanded history of F.I.S.T. is currently being produced. Standby.  

What are the basic rules of membership?

1. Safety: Members will conduct themselves in any public or private play environment in a manner consistent with SSC (Safe, Sane, Consensual), RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink), or other standards as they see fit, so long as their conduct is ethical and does not bring unwanted physical or emotional harm to another including precautions against the spreading of disease or infection. 
2. Consensuality: Members will only initiate physical and/or sexual touch with another when explicit and enthusiastic continual consent exists.  Members will only initiate any other kinds of play when the same consent exists.  Members will respect the physical, emotional, and mental integrity of all others.
3. Confidentiality: F.I.S.T. members will not disclose, without the consent of the Member or Pledge involved, the fact that any of their club Siblings maintain membership in F.I.S.T., or participate in F.I.S.T. in any way, to anyone outside of F.I.S.T. and our extended leather community.  F.I.S.T. members are aware that many of us have jobs and families which would be jeopardized should our involvement in F.I.S.T. be disclosed and will protect our fellow club Members and Pledges from such nonconsensual disclosures.

Photography or recording devices are strictly prohibited unless you have obtained the verbal consent of all parties that appear in the photos.  Specific consent for posting any photos to social media must be obtained. Consent can be revoked at any time.  Consent for each image needs to be obtained. 

F.I.S.T. materials, membership, or information, may not be used for financial gain of members or non-members.  Any materials used for publication may not be published or distributed outside of F.I.S.T.  without prior written permission of the Leadership Committee. 

Service: F.I.S.T. will actively involve themselves in service to our larger leather community. Such service is a condition of initial pledge procedures and a choice of active membership in F.I.S.T.  We are a social and service club where all levels of experience, interest, and expression of BDSM occurs in a safe space, locally and nationally.