Welcome to Janus

SOJ is a not-for-profit, all volunteer, San Francisco-based education and support organization devoted to the art of safe, consensual and non-exploitative BDSM.

Read on to find out more...

Ask Janus: Is dirty talk kinky? How do I ask if it's okay to talk dirty?

Is dirty talking considered a kink? I'd like to learn more about it and get better at doing it. I think it could be really fun but I don't want to offend anyone with things I want to say. One thing is that I think the word pussy is juvenile and I'd like to tell someone what to do with their cunt as dirty talk. I'm not sure if I should ask them before if it's okay to use that word or if it would be more hot to just spring it on them when we're playing. Do you have advice?

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Love, Leather & Connection - Celebrate! Saturday July 11, 2009 12 Noon

We laugh and celebrate too little right now. The economy, joblessness, IOUs from the State, Prop 8 all press upon our good humor and make us just a little crankier.

So when there's good reason to celebrate, we should all take pause.

At this Saturday's Janus Munch, two longtime Janus members will commit to each other in marriage. Todd is a former Janus webmaster and still doing work as historian. Mary was part of the Growing Pains team. They've known each other for three and a half years and now they're sealing the bond.

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Not Your Family’s Labor Day Picnic - September 7, 2009

Monday, September 7, 2009. After a weekend of vanilla picnics and family overload, come relax in the park with your kinky family. We’ll be barbecuing at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Come join us at 12:00 noon while we get the grills going for some good eats. Everything will wrap up around 4:00 pm.

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Ask Janus: Kink, BDSM and Leather - Which is it?

I've recently been introduced to the "kink scene" or the "BDSM scene". Those names make sense to me as far as my understanding of kink being related to exploring sex, role play, specific activities and social events. I've also seen the name "leather scene" and that is the part I don't understand. I have no interest in leather. In fact, I don't consume animal products, so wearing leather clothing is something I would never do. So what exactly does "leather scene" mean compared to "kink" or "BDSM"?

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New Cynthia and Larry Podcast available

Hey all,

Last month we gave you the first part of the interview with Cynthia Slater and Larry Olsen on KPOO-FM. Here's the second half.


Cynthia Slater and Larry Olsen on KPOO-FM, Part 2

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Growing Pains - June 2009

Now available for download.


June 2009 Growing Pains

Am I experienced enough to be a Mentor?

I've been involved with BDSM for awhile, but I'm not as experienced as some of the more well known people in the scene. How would I know if I'm experienced enough to be a mentor? Thanks.

The first step in becoming an SOJ Mentor is to email me at mentoring (at) soj (dot) org.

Any SOJ member with an honest, open interest in kink can participate in the Mentoring Program. Even if you aren’t San Francisco’s pre-eminent Bastinado Expert (or whatever your interest is!), many new members can greatly benefit from someone who has been around a little while.

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2009 SF Pride Parade and Celebration is underway!

The 39th SF Pride Parade is underway and we're a part of it! The Leather Contingent is the 138th group to march out of 210! Pretty amazing to see so many folks supporting equality for us all. We'll send updates via our Society of Janus Twitter feed as we start to march. And visit us at the Pride Celebration today at Civic Center -- we're part of Leather Alley. Happy Pride!

Rough and Rowdy Roller Derby Outing - July 11, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009. Nothing is more fun than watching good girls go bad. The Bay Area Derby Girls (B.A.D. Girls for short) have short skirts and even shorter fuses. Come join us at the docks at Fort Mason at Herbst Pavilion for the duel between the San Francisco ShEvil Dead and the Richmond Wrecking Belles.

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