“Sigma has always been hands-on when it comes to finances. And the pandemic really killed it. ”
peter direto The former director of Sigma DC, an all-volunteer male BDSM, kink and fetish organization based in DC, is explaining why the group is disbanding after nearly 40 years in operation.
There is more than one reason why an organization declines. Several factors all played a role: lack of cash flow, sparse attendance, and lack of new leadership.
“Sigma has always been focused on paycheck to paycheck,” says Delate. “As far as finances go, it hasn’t been very viable, except for a brief period in the early ’90s when we were cash flow positive.”
The group was founded in 1984 as an outgrowth of regular gatherings of BDSM enthusiasts held at private homes in Alexandria, Virginia. Three years later it was incorporated into the District of Columbia.
For decades, Sigma has maintained both a playground with equipment and toys for people to use, as well as educational classes and demonstrations of BDSM and kink play, toys, and techniques.
“Some of our classes, no matter what era we were in, had good attendance, while others didn’t,” Dilate admits. “Kink, like anything else, there are eras with more interest than others, so it just depended on the interest that week. Is this the year of CBT? [Cock & Ball Torture]?Or is it the era of TT? [Tittie Torture]?Or is it time for whiplash? That’s exactly what people are interested in. ”
In addition, Sigma has hosted several “kinky picnics,” weekend getaways in rural Maryland and West Virginia.
“Sigma provided a space for people to explore and play,” Delate says. “And when they were in a space where there could be more nudity; [the events] Attendance rate has improved slightly. ”
Delate said the decision to close the organization was “an easy one.”
“Apparently, There was no organization, no organization to support it,” he said, adding that Sigma had tried to hold a weekly Wednesday event at the Crucible since COVID-19, but attendance was very sparse. , noted that the Crucible has canceled the event.
Additionally, the organization faced rent increases prior to COVID-19 in 2020, jeopardizing its ability to maintain its R Street play space.
“As long as we had the physical space, we were able to get by,” Dilate said. “Unfortunately, at the same time the board was considering renewing the lease. Up until that point, Sigma had had a backer or someone who would co-sign the lease. There wasn’t.
“handNeither the landlord nor the Sigma board, whoever was handling it, could really decide what the best and final offer would be. ” he continues. “So it dragged on and they never came to a decision. And unfortunately, at that moment, [Mayor Bowser] The city was shut down. So I was able to do that. ”
The equipment at the R Street playground was moved to a warehouse where it remained for four years. Sigma will be holding a “Kinky Yard Sale” at 2526 12th St. NW on Saturday and Sunday, December 21st and 22nd, from 9pm to 5pm each day. The group hopes to sell nearly 300 dungeon and playspace items.
Among the items sold at nominal prices are gags (only $2!), blindfolds, restraints, nipple torture toys, a box of exam gloves, various inserts, rope (lots of rope), and chains. sling (only $25, swag) and more. ), a sturdy puppy cell with lock and key, a large puppy crate that folds up to fit under the bed, a tall heavy metal cage with lock, several large wooden crosses, Also included are saw horses (both wood and metal), memorabilia such as vintage drummer magazines and gay leather flags. “Many containers of baby wipes” are also on display.
Some items will be free, such as five tall gym lockers that can be bolted together if needed.
Sigma will donate all proceeds from the sale to the Baltimore-based National United Foundation. For Sexual Freedom and the Chicago Leather Archive and Museum.
Direto doesn’t believe a replacement organization will emerge to replace Sigma, noting that three similar organizations have disbanded in New York.
“It’s a change.” “That’s the attitude,” he says. “It’s how people connect, it’s how they learn things. Apps, and what people read and watch online, like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ [how-to] Video of it, it may or may not be correct [in terms of techniques]. I don’t know, but some of the things I’ve seen are wrong. ”
For those interested in safely pursuing kink and BDSM activities, Delate offers some tips.
“One is don’t go home with anyone, or to someone else’s home that you’re not 100% sure about, or a place where you can’t protect yourself,” he says. “But the other thing is, there is a right way to do things out there, and there are legitimate organizations out there to learn from.”
Sigma’s “Kinky Yard Sale” will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 21st and 22nd from 9:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 2526 12th St. NW (between Clifton Streets NW and Euclid Streets NW) . For more information, please visit: www.sigmadc.org.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
