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Sunday, December 22, 2002 for Issue number 1

Titles in Leather
by Jack Rinella

Regina wrote and asked: "I've heard that in the Old Guard tradition there was a title of ‘Grand Master.’ Someone who hadn't heard the term used in 20 years seemed to remember it being used in the context of a tightly knit community, or organized family, where the Grand Master was an elder respected Dominant who became more of an advisor for the family (or community) and to the person taking over from him as the leader. Do you know if this is correct, how the title originated, what qualified a Master for this title, or any other information about it?"

The use of titles is a cultural phenomenon that changes with time, place, and situation, so we need to look at the title "Grand Master" within that context. For centuries there have been "houses" of Leatherfolk. Before we run off on this topic, let me add that they were (and are) few and far between, usually very small in size, and tend to be exceptionally discreet.

For those reasons you’re not going to hear much about actual "houses," as they generally prefer to avoid publicity and outside recognition. This was especially so in years past, but their discretion most probably continues to this day.

A house, then, is a small community of closely affiliated Leather, kinky, and alternative lifestyle folk who have banded together for mutual support, comfort, care, and the expression of their chosen lifestyle. They are organized by a founding master who will begin building his house with a slave, bring in other slaves and eventually other masters as well, hence one master becomes known as the "Grand Master," within that household.

Let me add that the members of the household may not necessarily all live within the same building, nor even reside within the same city. Criteria for membership and the expression of one’s part in the house would vary widely from house to house. There is going to be nothing monolithic about these arrangements as they are most likely based on the philosophy, attitudes, and decisions of the original founder, usually in consensus with the other members of the household.

The term "Grand Master" would never have been widely used in the Old Guard tradition, as one does not assume such titles easily or without the validation of one’s community. I have only heard the title used within the context of a close Leather household and, of course, as applied to expert players of Chess. Just as a chess player earns the title, so would a kinky person earn that title from those who respect and honor him or her.

It’s seem obvious to me as well, that such a person who has earned that title most probably has the discretion and the wisdom not to flaunt it everywhere he or she can do so. Discretion was, and still is, an important aspect of true Leather. The permissiveness of today’s society and the relaxation of former codes of behavior only emphasize the decorum, gentility, and secrecy of former times.

It is easy for us living in the twenty-first century to forget how different life was a mere fifty years ago. Few people had television, no one had the Internet, the Supreme Court had yet to allow the publication of "Fanny Hill," and the Post Office routinely opened the mail of those suspected of sending licentious correspondence, actively prosecuting those who did.

In a similar vein, Lord Merlin writes:
"I have been reading your book, ‘The Master's Manual,’ with great interest and have found myself with a dilemma. I understand there are many versions of "master/slave" relationships but, when reading your book, I find myself reading the word "Master" and the word "Top" and being able to easily replace one with the other. I have been under the impression that there was a difference between a master and a top; the master being in a committed relationship and the top more of a scener. Now, when I read your book I see (or, at least I think I see) where a master can be a one-time affair not in a committed relationship. My question is, am I reading this correctly or am I missing something?"

No, Merlin you’re not missing anything. In fact Master refers to one who is in a relationship wherein he or she has control over a submissive, whereas top refers to an erotic position. For better or for worse, though, we tend to use the terms interchangeably, though we would be much better off if we didn’t. In reality we often use titles when we role-play in a scene and those titles only last for the length of the scene. Likewise, an actor might be King Lear on stage and Charleton Heston before and after.

The confusion is greatly increased by those who assume titles to themselves without any reference to our history, our traditions, mores, or even our language. For a ready example, spend some time in an SM-related chat room or join a kinky newsgroup. In no time at all you will "meet" hordes of slaves and masters who have no connection with either role in real life.

I won’t go off on my tirade just now about the mess the Internet has made for us, since there are some positive aspects to that media. Still it is high time that we look at behavior as the best indication of what a person is and how he or she should be addressed. Calling oneself a doctor does not give one a license to practice medicine.

In volume 40 of "Prometheus," the official magazine of TES, The Eulenspeigel Society, Joseph Bean addresses this situation head on with a really good example that boils down to note that a title is not a noun or pronoun and certainly not a good substitute for a real name. It’s my opinion that the current lack of grammatically correct usage makes for great difficulty in communicating and ought to be addressed, though we may be fighting a losing battle in this regard. Every lower case "i" that refers to a human drives the nuns of my grammar school crazy.

Now you know why I introduce myself as "Jack Rinella." Let others decide how much or how little respect I deserve and how they feel they want to address me. I’ll let my behavior speak for myself and let others address me because they want to, not because I have flaunted myself in their faces or on their monitors.