Helpful resources for uncertain times

Hello kinksters –

We live in very interesting times right now. Some of the rights we’ve long taken as granted have been removed or are at risk. One benefit of being a bit older is that I’ve lived through the fight for some of these rights, and I know how we can fight to claw them back.

I strongly believe that now is the time to get active where we can. Often that means working on specific issues, or in specific areas. Here are a few organizations I’d like to draw your attention to right now. These are groups that can help communities like ours, and that can also use your help, support, and engagement. Not all of them will be a fit for all of you. We’re a diverse community, and we don’t have to agree on everything. But for most of us kinksters and sexual adventurers, at least one of these will be a good fit.

• National Coalition for Sexual Freedom: These are the folks that run the priceless Kink Aware Professionals list, but they do a lot more than that. NCSF “is committed to creating a political, legal and social environment in the US that advances equal rights for consenting adults who engage in alternative sexual and relationship expressions.” This means they fight for the rights of kinksters, non-monogamous folks, sexually-oriented businesses like Wicked Grounds, and others. Wicked Grounds has been a coalition partner for many years, and we strongly recommend keeping up with and supporting their work. Becoming an individual member is inexpensive and keeps you in the loop.

• If you’re in the SF Bay Area, I strongly encourage you to get involved with the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District, which is the world’s first city-recognized LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District. I was personally involved in the formation and bylaws-writing for the group and I feel very strongly about the possibility of this organization to drive positive change for kinksters and kink-oriented organizations. While the physical footprint of the district is in parts of SOMA, SF, the group invites all stakeholders — defined as Bay Area kinksters and participants in district kink businesses to become a member and get involved. Membership dues are very inexpensive, and hardship waivers are available.

• Reproductive Freedom for All is the group formerly known as NARAL. I was only a baby when Roe v. Wade became law, and I honestly never thought that we’d lose reproductive rights in my lifetime. Access to safe abortions has already been restricted in many parts of the US and lives have already been lost. Contraception rights are becoming actively endangered. Get on the mailing list, stay in the loop, and learn how to fight back.

• Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) was founded in 2024 as the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), two long-time champions for the trans community, merged together as one organization. The new organization focuses on a wide range of acceptance and rights for trans and nonbinary people. Their work is absolutely critical right now.

These are just a few of the organizations that I know best. I’m certain there are others.

It’s normal to feel helpless, frustrated, or even angry at times like these. It’s okay to feel those feelings. But if we’re going to keep our rights as sexual adventurers, we can’t stay there. We must act. We must engage. And even when it feels like we have no fight left in us, we must fight.

I encourage you to find one thing that you feel strongly enough about to get involved, and to get involved now. We have a few weeks of relatively calm before the storm. Let’s spend those making ourselves and our institutions as resilient as possible.

Warmly,
Miriam Green