Workshops, Hanky Codes and Coming to Power, oh my!: Samois’ Educational Practices

Samois’ Educational Practices

One of Samois’ major objectives was education about the meaning and possibility of lesbian-feminist SM. Member education entailed workshops on SM technique and safety, through programs on topics such as anal sex, fisting, topping and whipping.1 Yet, Samois’ educational practices extended beyond its membership in a number of ways. Samois hosted at least three public information sessions between January 1979 and April 1981, drawing large crowds from all over the Bay Area.2 Additionally, they created and sold an informational booklet, What Color is Your Handkerchief, which included, among other things, lengthy discussions of the definitions of and politics behind lesbian-feminist SM and the first lesbian hanky-code.3 Throughout the group’s existence, they also published a monthly newsletter that helped spread the word about the group and lesbian-feminist SM to interested parties around the country and, indeed, the globe.4 Later, in 1982, the group expanded this educational reach with its controversial publication, Coming to Power, which was chock-full of narrative, poetry and fiction advocating for the understanding and acceptance of lesbian-feminist sado-masochism.5

Key-words: Samois, education, lesbian-feminist, SM, sado-masochism, What Color is Your Handkerchief, hanky-code, Coming to Power