{module Application for Membership}
What is F.I.S.T.?
F.I.S.T. is Females Investigating Sexual Terrain, a women's leather/BDSM educational and social organization based in Baltimore and with members across the country. We have a rich history and look to create an equally exciting and edgy future. As a group, we participate in many community and fundraising events throughout the year. We have a membership process, and a pledge period to join and earn your back patch.
F.I.S.T. includes: women (transgender and cisgender), intersex persons, transgender persons, genderqueer persons, gender non-conforming persons, genderfluid persons, agender persons, and non-binary persons who feel they have a place in the women's BDSM community.
Our language and understandings continue to evolve. We seek to create a leather club that is radically welcoming while simultaneously holding space for our history. To that end, we will be continually working to use more inclusive language. But as our goal is to center women while being inclusive of others who identify with the women's community, all mentions of “women” in F.I.S.T. materials and communications should be interpreted inclusively to apply equally to include all identities described above.
What does it mean to be a F.I.S.T. Member?
Being a F.I.S.T. member means that you are interested in exploring and practicing BDSM. You are interested in building community with other like-minded individuals through activism, volunteerism, socializing, and fundraising. You feel that there is value in a women's leather/BDSM educational and social back patch group. You hold to the principles and ideals of our founding members to provide a venue for women who enjoy BDSM with other women to learn, play, have fun, and build community. You are interested in supporting other groups in fundraising and other community events throughout the year.
What Do We Ask of You?
- $35 annual dues (back patch $35).
- Attend at least two of our quarterly meetings each year.
- Participate and volunteer at some F.I.S.T. events.
- Represent F.I.S.T. values in the community.
- Help and support all of our communities as you are able and interested.
What Do You Get?
- Recognition as a member of the women's only back patch club in the region. You inherit the legacy of some of the pillars of the women's BDSM community in this region, and in the country.
- Networking, friendship, mentorship, support, social and educational opportunities.
- Opportunities to build bridges and serve your communities: Leather, BDSM, women's, and others.
- Mutual recognition from some other regional women’s leather groups.
- Exclusive invitations and special offers to attend events throughout the year across the country.
- Opportunity to purchase and wear a F.I.S.T. back patch.
- Satisfaction, connection, and experiences for a lifetime.
Who can be a F.I.S.T. member?
Membership in F.I.S.T. is open to all women 19 years of age or older, including women (transgender and cisgender), intersex persons, transgender persons, genderqueer persons, gender non-conforming persons, genderfluid persons, agender persons, and non-binary persons who feel they have a place in the women's BDSM community.
How do I apply to be a member of F.I.S.T.?
We thought that you would never ask! You can fill out an application right here on our website, www.fistwomen.org, or request more information about the membership process by contacting us. Please see the contact from on the website.