The Eulenspiegel Society

The Eulenspiegel Society (TES) is the oldest and largest BDSM education and support group in New York City, where it is based, [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4465582,00.html] Tanya Corrin and Anna Moore, "New York, new hedonists" article in "The Observer", July 21, 2002: "the Eulenspiegel Society, New York's oldest BDSM club", accessed March 28, 2007] and claims to be the oldest and largest in the United States. The group takes its name from a figure in medieval German folklore, Till Eulenspiegel. [http://tes.org/beta/content/view/35/90/ "TES Frequently Asked Questions"] , "The TES Association", 2004. Accessed: December 17, 2007.]

TES is a not-for-profit organization that states that it "promotes sexual liberation for all adults, especially for people who enjoy consensual S/M." They regard sexual liberation as essential for a society to be truly free, and they are particularly concerned about the freedom of sexual minorities, including that of the BDSM community. They also devote considerable energy into supporting charities such as HIV prevention and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.

The group was originally an informal association set up in the winter of 1971 as a support group for masochists. They originally met in members' homes, and then met in rented space in theaters and churches. The group currently claims membership of 800 people nationwide, and publishes a glossy magazine called "Prometheus." TES functions include classes and workshops on a weekly basis, frequent social events, public outreach, and fundraising for related causes and those not related to BDSM at all, such as relief for victims of the 2005 hurricanes in the South.

ee also

*TESfest

Notes

External links

* [http://www.tes.org/ Eulenspiegel Society home page]