Subject: soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm.femdom mini-FAQ
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 08:15:58 +0100

[
  Note by Stephen Harris: this was mailed to me; I have made minor
  edit changes.  The original was written by Mike Harvey; all credit to
  him.

  The original URL for this miniFAQ used to be
       http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/mharvey/bdsm/minifaq.html
  but this site doesn't seem to exist any more.  If anyone knows where
  the FAQ lives, then let me know and I can add a real link to it.

  Thanks
     Stephen Harris (bdsm@spuddy.org)
]


This is a cut down version of the soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm.femdom FAQ.
It's largely based on the alt.sex.femdom FAQ.

1. What is femdom and female domination?

The term "femdom" is a contraction of the words "female domination". It 
is also used as a contraction of the words "female dominance".  
Additionally, it is a contractive form of "female dominant" to identify a 
woman who primarily takes on the dominant role in a sexual relationship.

Actually, female domination means different things to different people and
it is a bit difficult to come up with one definition agreed upon by 
everyone.

2. Why a seperate group from soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm?

It was set up, in the words of the RFD, because:

"While soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm is, on the whole, friendly enough to
those of its members who follow the female domination path, some members
do not find their particular and special needs addressed in this forum."

3. What unique considerations or conventions are appreciated here?

Please avoid treating the participants in this forum as one-dimensional 
characters.  

Please avoid jumping to conclusions about anyone based on only
one or two posts.

Please keep any disagreement with those who post here polite and civil.

Basically, just be polite.

4. How can a submissive enter into a female dominant relationship?

Pretty much like one would any other any other relationship.

5. How does one suggest this activity to their SO's?

Take it slowly and carefully.

6. Is it appropriate to post personal ads here?

NO! This is strictly against the charter. There are plenty of newsgroups
and websites where this is encouraged.

7. Is it appropriate to post large (ie binary) files (such as GIFs) here?

No. Image files (such as GIFs, JEPGs, and TIFs) should not be posted 
here. There are plenty of binary newsgroups where these are allowed.
Alternatively, just put them on your website. If you don't have one
there's bound to be someone who will be willing to host the pictures for
you.

8. Where can one find femdom images (such as GIFs, JEPGs, and TIFs)?
 
Look for these images in the following newsgroups: 
-alt.binaries.pictures.erotica 
-alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.bondage
-alt.binaries.pictures.erotica.fetish

9. What is available on IRC for those interested in female domination?

Those who enjoy this newsgroup will probably enjoy participating on IRC
channel #femdom.

10. Is this newsgroup accessible if it is not carried at a certain site?

Yes. One way is to post via DajaNews at: http://www.dejanews.com/

11. What other 'net resources related to femdom are available?

Far too many to list in this brief FAQ. Most regular posters to the group
have websites. There are also various mailing lists.

12. Are classes available to women to learn more about dominance?

Yes. But they are not regularly scheduled. Watch for posts to the 
newsgroup about them.

13. How can kill files be used to avoid specific posts?

This is dependant on the software one uses for reading news and mail. Most
such programs have a 'killfile' facility. If you can't work out how to use
the facilities of your software, asking here will probably result in you
obtaining the information you need.

14. What organizations specifically address female domination?

There are several, far too many to list them all in this brief FAQ.

15. What books & publications specifically deal with female domination?

Again, there are far too many to list them. Any decent bookshop should
have quite a collection - both fiction and non-fiction.

16. Where can one find BDSM "toys" available via mail order?

Yet again, there are plenty of web sites advertising various BDSM related
supplies.

Finally, I would like to emphasize that this is an abridged FAQ. I would
also like to repeat that this is largely based on the original
alt.sex.femdom FAQ

Mike H

* A sub routine doesn't necessarily involve a computer.