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new guard

BDSM Old Guard & New Guard

August 27, 2018 By Baadmaster 6 Comments

Photographer: Matthias Wallmeier
Model: Miss Fetilicious

I have a friend in the BDSM community who has a blue and black flag tattooed on his arm. He always talks about how the newer folks in the BDSM scene don’t appreciate the “Old Guard Leather Societies” and have no “leather pride.”(Funny, he wasn’t around in the heyday of the Leatherman!) I nod in agreement but really didn’t have a “dog in this fight” as I feel that there are always changes from one generation to the next. Those who love the Beatles say “the new music sucks,” those who adore Prince say “current music can’t compare to Prince’s” and those who worship Tupac say “hip hop has never been as good since he died.” And on and on and on!

With every generation, there are those who grouse that the younger generation doesn’t understand traditions or respect history. There are those lifestylers who have deep roots, real or imagined, in the “Old Guard Leather Societies” who complain that the “Millennials don’t know anything about our history.” And, many add, that by ignoring our history we shortcut many of the important precepts that were laid down before them. Rather than debate the merits of old school vs. new school, or give a history of the original leather men of the 1950’s – 1970’s, let’s discuss exactly which leather traditions have their origins with this Old Guard; you can then decide whether you are really continuing in this leather tradition. You just might just have “leather pride” but don’t even know it!

An essential part of the Old Guard was the custom of dressing in leather. If you have ever worn leather to a fetish party, it is courtesy of these leather trailblazers. At the very least, most current lifestylers wear some leather at BDSM events; although most don’t wear full leather regalia like the leather men did. So, if you ever don a pair of leather pants, you can now understand where his leather traces back to. Chalk up one for increasing your “leather pride I.Q.” Furthermore, black is the quasi-universal dress code in our lifestyle. (Has anyone ever seen me in any garb other than black?  I think not!) This stylistic imperative, too, harkens back to the legendary Old Guard. After all, when we talk about the “Old Guard Leather Societies,” we are really referring to black leather almost exclusively. And this tradition continues to this day. Again, your “leather pride I.Q.” is rising.

Now onto matters of play. Have you ever been to a play party? The custom of doing a BDSM scene at a club or a play party is the invention of the leather men. In order to practice their S&M (“sadism and masochism,” as BDSM was called back in the day) out of the glare of a hostile vanilla public, they established a secret, exclusive network of play clubs. Although few, if any, of these clubs still exist (although some are present in name only and are not lineal descendents of the original clubs), the custom of exclusive play spaces, now typically called dungeons, can be credited to the pioneering leather men.

If you have ever played with a stranger at a dungeon and negotiated your limits beforehand, this is also an Old Guard innovation. There were differences, of course. For example, colored hankies carried in their back pockets identified Tops and bottoms and their relative level of play – whether they were a heavy or light player. (Called the “hanky code,” duh!) This might have been less verbal form of negotiation; but it was negotiation nevertheless.

Are you collared or do you plan to collar someone? The modern slave collar (as opposed to the original Roman slave collar!) traces right back to these groundbreaking leather men. Have you are your friend ever worn a leather play collar at a lifestyle event? Ditto – Old Guard creation.

If all this weren’t enough, the whole modern Master/slave tradition was practically invented by the original leather men. Surely, it is an evolution; one can never credit the original leather men with inventing Master/slave out of whole cloth. But the terminology (Master, slave, Top, bottom, Dominant, submissive) and the codes of respect were popularized and codified by the Old Guard.

There you have it. We owe much of our current lifestyle to the Old Guard Leather Societies – emphasis on the word “leather.” And the next time some Fifty Shades Millennial disrespects you and says, “Those Leathermen were so lame; we don’t follow them anymore” – tell him/her that the Wright Brothers plane was also lame – but without it we might be “walking to the Folsom Street Fair!”


About the Author

After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.

 

Tagged With: baadmaster, bdsm, fetish, kink, leather, Leather Community, new guard, old guard, power exchange

Old Guard vs. New Guard II

May 15, 2017 By Baadmaster 1 Comment

red leather

Read Part One here.

As we approach our panel discussion, “Old Guard vs. New Guard,” that will be presented at DomCon LA, May 20th at 4:30 PM (Dexx will participate, so mark your calendar), I would like to review what the basic precepts are for both groups.
As with any analysis of cultural traditions, there are many forms of each group. For example, there are the original “Old Guard Leather Societies” that first appeared in the 1950s – 1960’s. These original “leather men” laid down the code of respect that a submissive accords a Dominant – such as addressing the Dominant as Sir, kneeling before the Master and courtesy to other lifestylers. A lot of our BDSM terminology — Tops and bottoms, Daddy’s and boys, Masters and slaves, alphas and betas and more — came to us from these leather men.

The Old Guard ritual in which the slave was required to keep the Master’s leather gear polished – often shining the boots in a formal “boot blacking” ceremony – is still practiced by some D/s couples. The collaring ceremony was codified by the leather men, as was the concept that the actual collar was the Top’s property. The use of slave contracts, according to some, also originated in the leather societies. The list of old guard traditions, many of which are practiced today in some form, is quite extensive.

The modern “Old Guard” was less leather oriented and more inclusive – especially as the “OG” old guard was a primarily gay subculture and leather was an integral part of this community. Today’s old guard is centered more about play rules – such as safe words and dungeon etiquette – rather than the strict leather code of their predecessors. Go to any dungeon party today and even the higher protocol lifestylers might not be wearing leather. Latex yes, leather no!

What has remained from the classic Old Guard is an integration of protocols into BDSM relationships. “High Protocol” is still quite common among the “new’ Old Guard. In a High Protocol relationship, there will be detailed rituals to perform. For example, a slave will be required to get up before her Master and make breakfast. And slaves are usually required to address their Master in a certain way – for example, by always calling her Master “Sir.” (Or Mistress or whatever is specified, depending on the relationship.)

This is but a quick overview of the “Old Guard”, both classic and modern versions, which will be covered in a more personal and easier-to-understand way at DomConLA. (Sneaky plug, eh?)

As to the new, Millennial-dominated “New Guard,” many partake in a more casual style of BDSM. This “lower-protocol” approach implies a more relaxed and less rigid type of D/s. For example, the submissive may not be required to address the Dominant as “Master,” “Sir” or “Mistress” every time.

As to the “New Guard,” many of the changes in their BDSM interactions reflect changes in our society. In the real world with real life demands, this “new style D/s” works best in their younger and faster paced community. It is not lower “on the food chain” than Old Guard BDSM; it might simply be more realistic for their age group. Some changes – such as cell phones with location tracking – have enabled the new generation to be less obsessive with “safe calls.” But this does not mean that the new generation is not into D/s; far from it. The new BDSM generation wants Dominance and submission – including switching. Adventurous lot I must say!

Since I am part of the new “Old Guard”, I have a lot to learn about the “New Guard” and where BDSM is going. Thus our panel.

I will see you at DomConLA!!!

By BaadMaster
After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.

Tagged With: leather, leather society, new guard, old guard, protocol, TNG, traditions

Old Guard vs. New Guard

February 28, 2017 By Baadmaster 3 Comments

buy-mitts2

With the entrance of millions of new “Fifty Shades Lifestylers” into our world, the classic Dom/me/sub scripts have been turned upside down. Thus, I would like to offer to the newest members of our community some advice that takes into account this new reality. No, I will not offer “helicopter etiquette” nor “how to skipper your Master’s yacht.” But, like it or not, the Old Guard must pass the torch. Since I have a millennial live-in submissive, I think this article is grounded enough in real life observations to be quite useful. And hopefully to more than just the millennials.

Many of the so-called New Guard partake in a more casual style of BDSM. This “lower-protocol” approach implies a more relaxed and less rigid type of D/s union. For example, the submissive may not be required to address the Dominant as “Master,” “Sir” or “Mistress” every time.

To the skeptic, it might appear that these new, usually low-protocol, relationships are lower on the food chain the classic 24/7 Master/slave arrangements. Not! In a real world with real life demands, this “new style D/s” works best in their younger and faster paced community. It is not lower “on the food chain”; it might simply be more realistic for their world. But that does not mean that the new generation is not into D/s; far from it. The new BDSM generation wants Dominance and submission – including switching. Adventurous lot I must say!

After interviewing many of the newer lifestylers, I have compiled, my “lucky seven” tips that I feel can improve their, and your, relationships – whether for a night or a lifetime. Or anything in between! These pointers might not guarantee a perfect relationship, but what advice ever can?

1. Respect your protocols. Treat your rituals with the same respect and intensity as those in the highest protocol Old Guard relationships do. You might not have as many rituals, nor may they be as demanding – but each one is just as significant as any high-protocol custom. Even if you have just one ritual – the greeting one, for example – perform it as though it is the most important thing in the world. It just might be.

2. Don’t forget to perform your rituals. If you think about it, the fewer rituals you observe, the more deleterious is the effect of letting one slide. Neglecting one might be a fifth of all your protocols, whereas it might be only one out of fifty for the 24/7 Old Guard couple.

3. Low-protocol is not lazy-protocol. This tip is directed to the Dominants. You must be just as observant, vigilant and on your game as any TPE Master. You must rapidly recognize any protocol lapses and correct them quickly. Do not neglect to push your sub’s limits. Try new areas of play to prevent any boredom from creeping in. In this regard, this seems like any other D/s relationship

5. “The Popeye Principle.” “What is that,” you ask? It is Popeye’s mantra, “I yam what I yam” — BDSM style. As I said before, don’t think that a 24/7 high-protocol D/s relationship is inherently better or is something to aim for. Of course it can be. But if you and your partner(s) enjoy low or medium protocol, it can be every bit as powerful as the vaunted high-protocol TPE Master/slave relationship.

6. For the Dom/mes: don’t use a cookie-cutter approach. The object is to get what you want, within agreed upon limits. For example, my slave responds to a more positive approach, with some humiliation thrown in, when it comes to sex/play. (Yes, BDSM is about sex!) But the classic physical pain approach works wonders when she neglects putting the dishes away. And don’t forget the role of respect. It is a lot easier for a submissive to serve if he/she respects the Dominant. Some things never change!

7. For the subs: Don’t be afraid of the dreaded “topping from the bottom.” While I thought Anastasia Steele’s constant “renegotiating” of their non-existent slave contract in “Fifty Shades Darker” was extremely lame, making your needs known is not topping from the bottom. It is, duh, “making your needs known.”

Ultimately, it’s a relationship, dammit! Sometimes people, whether Old Guard or New Guard, forget that relationships, whether they are vanilla, D/s or S/m, are ultimately about people. We are not BDSM robots. No matter what your protocol, orientation or play style, don’t neglect the classic, human aspects of your relationship, such as honesty, communication and appreciation.

Even the most sadistic of Doms would be well advised to get his slave a birthday present!

In this spirit, I will be presenting a panel discussion “Old Guard vs. New Guard” at DomCon L.A. in May. Stay tuned!

By BaadMaster
After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.

Tagged With: millenials, new guard, old guard, protocol, TNG

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