Dr. Brad Sagarin is a professor of social psychology at Northern Illinois University and the head of the Science of BDSM Research Team (www.scienceofbdsm.com). Brad's current research focuses on consensual BDSM, social influence, and statistics. Brad has been published in a variety of scholarly journals, has given radio, television, and podcast interviews, has consulted for radio and television programs, and has delivered invited lectures to academic and non-academic organizations. His research has been cited in newspapers and magazines, including The Economist and New Scientist. He holds Doctorate and Master's degrees in Social Psychology from Arizona State University, and a Baccalaureate degree in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

cherrywatermelon (she/her/hers) is a passionate kinkster, who loves to talk about all things kink, and sex. She spent many years as an adult store manager in Canada which has led her to be able to combine her knowledge of sex toys and kink. Creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all people is her goal. 

She brings with her over 9 years of being involved in the kink community both here in St. Louis and her hometown of Niagara Falls, Canada. 

She identifies as a bottom, middle, princess, and emotional masochist. She is co-host of the ageplay munch in St.Louis, as well as the age play fun days. She believes kink should be a safe place for everyone to explore. 

Since entering the kink scene in 2008, Dave!! (he/him) has seen a lifetime’s worth of growth. As a former leader of St Louis TNG (a group for kinksters ages 18-35), Dave worked to bridge the age gap and provide a safe, welcome, and valued resource to younger or newer members of the lifestyle.

Dave serves on STL3’s Executive Board, currently as Chair of the Membership Committee. He is also one of the founders and Executive Officers of QaNDI - Queer and Neuro-Diverse Inclusion, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to education and creating more fully-inclusive spaces.

Dave has taught classes for a variety of groups and organizations throughout the St. Louis area and surrounding regions, and online for groups across the United States.

In addition to being a pansexual polyamorous, rope-slinging, needle-piercing, boot-blacking kinkster, Dave also enjoys cigars and whiskey, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, resin crafts, and tabletop RPGs. 

Doctor Bubbles and KitKat Ann met at Beyond Vanilla in 2018 and found a kindred spirit in each other. Since then, they have gone from playmates to best friends and eventually established an M/s dynamic and romantic partnership together. Their dynamic is based on integrity, trust, respect, growth, balance, and improving the world around them. In 2021, they were named the Texas Power Exchange titleholders and went on to be named the 2022 International Power Exchange titleholders. As titleholders, they view it as their duty to help promote positive and healthy power exchange dynamics. 
 

 A licensed psychologist, I own StorieBrook Therapy & Consulting. We focus on sexual, gender & relational diversity, neurodiverse & disability-affirming practice, body liberation, social justice, & trauma-informed care. I train other mental health professionals on competence with marginalized populations and been featured in podcasts & conventions, sharing the importance of destigmatizing sexual, gender, & relational diversity with professional and public audiences.

Griot Onyx is an Associate member of ONYX Great Lakes, Program Committee Chair with Cincinnati Black Pride, Freelance writer with The Buckeye Flame, owner of racxposure Photography, Co-host of Cincinnati Black Pride’s Podcast, Owner/Producer of Tri-State Leather, Pup, and Rubber, Mr. Ohio Valley Regional Leather Pride 2009, Founding Member and Former President of Scorpius of SW Ohio (Cincinnati), former Diversity Consultant with the Cincinnati Police Training Academy, and former programmer for Alternating Currents, a queer radio program.

Hardy Haberman is a long time LGBT activist and member of the leather community since the mid 1970’s. He is author of several books on kink related subjects including The Family Jewels: A Guide to Male Genital Play and Torment published by Greenery Press.  

He has received numerous awards awards include the “Leather Leadership Award” from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the “Jack Stice Memorial Award” at South Planes Leatherfest and the Marcus Hernandez Lifetime Achievement Award at Pantheon of Leather. 

Hardy is a columnist for the Dallas Voice, Digital Experience Manager for Cathedral of Hope and is former Chairperson on the Board of Directors of the Woodhull Freedom Foundation in Washington, DC. He lives in Dallas where he and his boy celebrated 29 years together as partners in play and life.

Hope Lythi Is the founder of KinkSchool. She dreams of spreading good education to others, especially in rural locations. She believes kink education should be available to everyone. Some things do need to be taught in person. However, you need to teach that you can use any method possible. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope joined Tiktok and promptly found the kinky side of things. Kinktok was missing much-needed education. She started making Kink Education clips for TikTok and started teaching classes over Zoom. KinkSchool was born!

Before the pandemic, Hope took her experience from learning in Toronto (through Deviant Toronto, Second Circle, and Subspace Toronto) to start and host her local munch bringing kinksters from all walks of life, and levels of experience together in a safe environment. 

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JimJam started in kink around 2017. After attending his first leather convention, finding cigars, blood and all the fun sadistic things in between, he started to branch out and learn all he could. His current focus is growth and education, challenging the stigmas within communities. 

Jon a/k/a HiThereCatsuit has been hosting the Authentically Kinky (formerly known as What Women* (*and other wonderful humans) Want podcast since October of 2020 with over 220 episodes. An avid writer and contributor on FetLife, Jon wrote a column about men and their unsolicited dick pics. The response led him to brainstorm with NookieNotes of Dating Kinky to create the podcast. 
As Jon, the host has an award-winning background in broadcasting going back more than 35 years and has appeared as a talent on national networks as well as regional and local stations. He has 7 Emmy Awards for his work behind the scenes and also designs all the graphic elements for the show’s social media. In addition, he has been a public speaker and has even presented a TEDx talk about how people treat each other. 
Jon a/k/a HiThereCatsuit has been hosting the Authentically Kinky podcast since October of 2020 with over 220 episodes.

JustRob (He/Him) has been active in the community since 2008. He identifies primarily as a Top and a Leatherman, but on occasion takes on the roles of Sadist, Dominant, Leader, Mentor and Teacher. He is especially passionate about and active in the local polyamory group. His areas of experience are primarily in; impact play (everything from fists and palms to whips and everything in between), electricity (specifically the violet wand) and medical play (focused on play piercing and staples), in general he is a reaction junkie who craves blood and other bodily fluids. Overall however, his passion is helping people find their way in this lifestyle and helping those who have already found it to navigate it safely and grow personally.

Lady Steele is a femme lesbian Alpha leather slave with multiple neurodiversities. She is an international presenter and resides in Atlanta, where she is the only open, out, and practicing attorney in the United States who specializes in the issues that arise in the BDSM and ethical non-monogamy (ENM) communities.

Education is her passion, and she has taught hundreds of classes over fifteen years, both in person and virtually.

She is the founder of the Center of Learning and School of Success (C.L.A.S.S.), the Worthless Bastards (Cigar) Club (W.B.C. – Atlanta), and The Leather Coterie (T.L.C.) and proudly leads all of these groups under the umbrella of the West Inclusive Georgia Socials (WINGS) group.

Lady Steele has held various positions in both the former chapter of NLA-Atlanta and the Leather Leadership Conference. Lady Steele is also a proud Associate Member of the Southern Leather chapter of the Onyx Pearls.

Laura Antoniou's publishing career started with editing the gaming/ media magazine Gateways and anonymous smut of all genres back in the 80s. Now, she's known for her Marketplace BDSM series, her award-winning mystery, The Killer Wore Leather, and many other works including Silk Threads, a sexy, time-hopping Japanese fantasy collaboration with Cecilia Tan and Midori. She's taught sexuality topics worldwide for decades, including newer workshops themed around mixing kink with geekery or Judaism. Patreon.com/kvetch for any new work or excavated out of print stories!

Lexi has been exploring and enjoying the wonders of latex for over 20 years. She has always been a sensation-seeker, and when she stumbled upon the existence of latex clothing online (with her dial-up connection!) back in the late 90's, she knew this was her destiny. She started her latex wardrobe in 2007, and has since developed a modest collection of latex garments of all kinds. She loves sharing her enthusiasm and experience gained from the years of research, trial-and-error, and of course play with this wonderful material. 

Linworth (they/them) originally came to the scene as an anthropology student, stumbling into the Ohio Leather and kink realm.  Since then, as anthropologists would say, they have gone completely native, adopting the kink lifestyle as their own.  After more than a handful of years they  have settled into their main kink of rope bondage, with the occasional bout of sadomasochism.  While normally the shy type, their passion for education brings out their spunky side.  Whether teaching on consent culture, rope, or the safe practice of all things kinky, they brings a sense of charm and excitement to the classroom.

They are also a proud organizer and volunteer based in Columbus, Ohio, who on occasion makes it further afield. Given the chance, they will gladly talk your ear off about all of the projects they’re currently working on to better the community.

I am a strong-minded person who loves to meet people and socialize often. With the current state of the world, I am really looking for people to talk to who are positive and creative. I love this community and only hope to see us grow stronger and become more inclusive as the future unfolds.

     I was brought into the leather community via the incredible gay male bars in Denver. I have learned service, community, and passion for traditions and history.  I went to my first Thunder not long after finding the community and was in service to that event until it came to an end. There I learned a great deal about community-mindedness and respect. To be part of such an amazing opportunity to give back to the BDsM and kink communities is amazing.  I am truly grateful and honored to be part of these next steps and make sure we have a lasting space to offer where people can be free to express every aspect of themselves without judgment or fear.

Master Brian is a Gorean Master that has been a part of the BDSM community for over a decade. His biggest passion is education. He travels the world to teach in vanilla spaces, and hopes to do the same in BDSM/kink ones too. On his left is his property Radiant Saphira, who has had the honor of being owned for 3 years. She is a proud kajira, leathergirl, and aspiring bootblack. Holding the positions of Secretary for Twin Cities Spectrum, a BIPOC back-patch leather club and HardPink Sisterhood, a leather sisterhood for non-men identifying persons, she is passionate about uplifting/celebrating the intersectionalities that make each person’s experience unique and special. Together, they protect House Azura, an inclusive and interdisciplinary progressive Gorean/BDSM/Leather house. Reflecting House Azura’s motto “et universum est semper crescente.”  

My journey is primarily geared towards education and service. It has allowed me to embrace who I truly am, a Dark Sadistic Leather Master who loves great conversation with an educated perspective.

I am the HoH for House of Difference with one owned and collared charge, those in service, and honorary members.

House of Difference would not be what it is today and what it will become moving forward without the members of the House.

Those who live in their truth and DON’T brag or boast about it WILL MOST CERTAINLY catch my eye. I'm observant until comfortable and as the comfort grows, like a phoenix, I will rise from the Ashes. I Am AUTHENTICALLY ME, I will not be changing for anyone that will dilute my authenticity. (Read that again!)

I have an introverted personality but once I get comfortable with you, you get to see my extroverted self. I believe life is short and wonderful not to take a chance once in a while! 

Mistress Cas is an intersectional scientist-practitioner, educator, love/pleasure guide and mental health clinician who lives with her partners and dogs in San Antonio, Texas. She started her career as a public health scientist and is now a mental health professional and sex therapist dedicated to helping people understand themselves and others. She is also a fat, disabled, mixed-race, crazy, Queer Leathermaster who has been active in kink and polyamory her whole life. She offers various training and workshops on mental health, relationship health, consent, and sexual wellness. She offers mental health counseling/sex therapy via her maiden name at Respark Therapy. 

Mistress Jennifer is a professional Dominatrix with over 15 years, based in Houston, TX, BDSM Educator, Demo Artist, and Performer, available and travels to be part of different BDSM events.

Mrs Darling.  has been actively involved in the community since 2010, including leading TNG, founding Submissive Ladies United Together, and organizing the local MAsT chapter.

Mrs. Darling shares her life in submission as a contributing author for SubmissiveGuide.com. Her debut full-length book “Darling Discovered" won Best Non-Fiction Book at 2017 BDSM Writer’s Con. 

Her essay detailing their "Modern Day 1950s M/s Household" is featured in "Paradigms of Power: Styles of Master/slave Relationships," authored by Raven Kaldera.

Mrs. Darling loves nothing more than serving her husband, his home, and the BDSM community.

Nyxie Noc (They/Them) is a seasoned kink educator, Domme, and consent advocate with over two decades of experience in BDSM, sex work, and fetish content creation. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nyxie teaches a variety of classes locally and over Zoom, including Sadistickle, Agency in Consensual Kink, and Ethical Dominance. Their workshops emphasize consent, agency, and the art of ethical power exchange, helping participants explore kink with intention and safety. Known for their compassionate, shame-free approach, Nyxie is committed to fostering inclusive, empowering spaces for all kinksters to learn and grow.  

Paul Rulof aka RuleOfThree, has been part of the altsex community for over 10 years, largely focused on promoting and educating about age play.  During that time, he has helped hundreds of people learn about, explore, problem-solve, and think about their interests in ageplay.  

He has started and contributed to many different ageplay projects. He helped found the Chicago Age Players, founded CAPCon: The Midwest Ageplay Con., and StL Ageplayers. He wrote the book “Ageplay: From Diapers to Diplomas”  and is working on a book solely for Caregivers.  

He also lectures across the country, and internationally, largely about age play, mental play, and age play relationship dynamics. He has presented at many different alternative sexuality conferences and events, including CARAS, an altsex academic conference for physical/mental health professionals. He has also served as an expert witness on age play for a Texas Supreme Court case.    

Pup Spaz Pup Spaz is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and has identified as a leather pup since 2009. Spaz can frequently be seen and heard around the community shooting pool and chasing squirrels, however, Spaz now spends much of his free time traveling, educating, and encouraging other pets and pet groups. Pup Spaz founded and is the head instigator of Indy PAH since 2014, a regional pup group representing Indiana and the greater area, providing a social group with events for local pups to learn, play and share experiences with their community.  Spaz is also the owner/producer of the Indiana Pet, Pup and Trainer Contest, Head Instigator if Indiana Leather & Fetish Weekend, and closely relates to the Mr. Friendly mission to end HIV stigma and is a PrEP and STI testing advocate.  Spaz was proud to be awarded and represent the first Tri-State pup title in 2014/15 and continues to share his unique personality and enthusiasm with his leather and kink community.

Rose is a mixed-race, queer, collared, polyamorous switch with a passion for all of the unique ways power can be exchanged and explored. Rose has spent the last few years participating in kink both in public and in private with their three partners in a wide range of different dynamics and styles. In vanilla life, Rose is a social work student studying the newly emerging field of culinary therapy and working in a variety of DEI focused spaces. Rose loves any opportunity to connect with kinky community and believes the best way to teach is by always learning. 

VintageKinkyDoll has been active in the lifestyle for 20-something years. She is a participating member in the scene of numerous locales and is very active in the Houston and Texas scenes. She has been Chairman of the Board for HPEP, and a member of HEAT, Eros, Italia Fetish, and SCK. She is best known for her presentations and demonstrations on dollification, degradation, objectification, and 50s Households, from a submissive point of view and learning. Her vanilla life is filled with family, and friends, being a business owner, and serving the community by serving on a few too many vanilla committees and boards.

Whipfather’s journey began w/ his 1st whip. He didn’t know what that would turn into. When he tied up his boyfriend at twenty, he began to suspect. Despite hints of SM through his life, he didn’t act on them, staying on the fringe of leather. At 21 he moved from small town PA to San Diego. In '88, he became clean/sober, joining Knights on Iron, a clean/sober gay motorcycle club. Getting involved w/ other groups, he created Hot Ash San Diego. He learned of LeatherFest3, and after attending wanted to get involved. A friend chaired the event and suggested he help w/ LeatherFest4, and would eventually encourage him to take his place. Whipfather co-chaired LeatherFest5.

Clean/sober for 5 years but needing more support, he helped start a Leather/SM AA meeting, Sobriety and Miracles. In '97, he attended the 1st Leather Leadership Conference, began working w/ MCC, Leather Ministries, and Hemperial Court de San Diego and set up events for heMsL