Old Guard

There is much talk in the lifestyle about Old Guard Leather. It is a revered part of lifestyle history and to know where we have been is important in having a clue as to where we are going. 

Old Guard reefers to an early Leather culture in the 40’s and 50’s that developed out of post world war II return of solders and was predominantly Gay. It centered around a set of values and was very exclusive. In it’s earliest incarnation it has been described as minority BDSM and was a focus around motorcycle clubs.  It developed a higher protocol than today out of both the military background of many of it’s members and as a “secret society”. Being predominantly a homosexual community it followed guidelines meant to keep out of the public eye. 

In the 1940 Homosexuality was considered a mental disorder and was treated as such. Outed homosexuals faced prison under sodomy laws, “treatment” including castration and lobotomy in mental institutions, and physical assault in the general community. Is it any wonder that in an underground subculture there would arise a secrete society of strict  protocol?  It was not until the 70’s that the social climate change sufficiently to allow for Gay leather culture to shift to a public venue like leather bars.  

The focus was on a set personal ethics  expressed in the hierarchy, protocol and discipline. Interaction was highly regimented. Tops did not approach attached submissive. Attached submissive didn’t even look at Top. The “uniform” was highly regimented. This kept the general public from catching onto the existence of this subculture and yet allowed for subtle recognition among the members. Again this kept them safe from the hostile social climate of the time. 

So why is it now that we in the “neo-guard”  fail to understand or respect the Old Guard and look on them as “stuffy”.  We see the old protocols as limiting or unimaginative. We forget the freedoms that we have are not how it has always been. 

Many of us , especially in the straight leather community,  grew up in a more inclusive time. Much of the Neo-Guard never knew a time when Homosexuality was not a “polite conversation” as my grandmother would say.  A whole generation would not recall a time when a mohawk was a radicle statement. The modern information age has aided to erase many of the prejudices that existed not even ten years ago.

In the light of todays freedom many practitioners of BDSM forget the Old Guard protocols were there to set a standard. Like most etiquette it is there to keep things civil and codify respect. Reflectant of the times there was more etiquette expected of gentlemen and ladies of the 1940’s / 1950’s.  I can not count the number of times i have witnessed a situation that had an ounce of respect via etiquette  been given a big drama could have been avoided. 

We as a Neo- Gard need to appreciate that some of the old guard rules still need to apply. We need not look to shock old ladies, in mass they are dangerous. It only takes a good “leather scare” to have the freedoms we enjoy disappear ( as the victorian morals movement or prohibition). We need to respect others D/s relationships, rolls, and levels of protocol.  And really would matching colors really kill us? Embrace our freedom but lets not throw out the good the Old Guard teaches us.