The Lexicon

BDSM Triskelion

Symbols · 7/16/2026

The BDSM Triskelion is the internationally recognized symbol of the Leather, BDSM, and consensual power exchange communities. Inspired by the ancient triskelion motif and formally designed by Steve Quagmyr in the 1990s, it represents unity, discretion, diversity, and the shared ethical principles that bind the community together.

The Ladder

History · 7/16/2026

The Ladder was the first nationally distributed lesbian magazine in the United States. Published by the Daughters of Bilitis between 1956 and 1972, it became one of the most influential publications in early lesbian history, providing education, visibility, literature, political discussion, and community during a period of widespread social discrimination.

Leatherwomen

Community · 7/16/2026

Leatherwomen refers to women who participate in Leather culture and identify with its traditions, values, history, and community. The term encompasses diverse identities, including Dominants, submissives, switches, Masters, slaves, bootblacks, educators, activists, and historians, united by their involvement in the Leather tradition rather than by a single sexual orientation or relationship structure.

Sex-Positive Feminism

History · 7/16/2026

Sex-positive feminism is a current of feminist thought that affirms consensual sexual expression, bodily autonomy, and erotic diversity as compatible with gender equality. Emerging prominently during the Feminist Sex Wars of the late twentieth century, it has significantly influenced contemporary understandings of BDSM, Leather culture, queer theory, and consent-based sexual ethics.

Feminist Sex Wars

History · 7/16/2026

The Feminist Sex Wars were a series of intellectual, political, and cultural debates that divided feminist movements throughout the late 1970s and 1980s over pornography, BDSM, prostitution, sexual representation, and women's sexual autonomy. The controversy profoundly influenced the development of lesbian Leather culture, sex-positive feminism, and modern discussions of consent and sexual diversity.

Lesbian Sex Mafia

History · 7/16/2026

The Lesbian Sex Mafia (LSM) is an educational and social organization founded in New York City in 1981 to support lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender women interested in BDSM, Leather, fetishism, and consensual power exchange. It became one of the most influential organizations in the development of lesbian Leather culture and sex-positive BDSM education.

SAMOIS

History · 7/16/2026

SAMOIS was a lesbian-feminist sadomasochism organization founded in San Francisco in 1978. It became one of the earliest organized communities created by and for lesbian practitioners of consensual BDSM and played a foundational role in the emergence of lesbian Leather culture, sex-positive feminism, and public debate surrounding lesbian S/M.

Daughters of Bilitis

History · 7/16/2026

The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) was the first national lesbian civil rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1955, it provided social support, education, and advocacy for lesbian women during a period of widespread discrimination. Although not a BDSM or Leather organization, its work helped establish the social and political conditions from which later lesbian Leather and BDSM communities would emerge.