Coming to Power

Coming to Power, published in 1981, is a groundbreaking anthology by the SAMOIS Collective that documents lesbian BDSM practices and culture. The book consists of essays, stories, and photography exploring consensual power exchange within queer relationships. The collection includes practical guides, political analysis, personal narratives, and fiction from members of the San Francisco BDSM community. Members of SAMOIS, a lesbian-feminist BDSM organization active from 1978-1983, share their experiences and perspectives on sexuality, identity, and community. The anthology sparked controversy during the feminist sex wars of the 1980s and became a foundational text for discussions of lesbian sexuality and gender dynamics. Its frank discussions challenged mainstream feminist views while affirming the validity of consensual BDSM relationships. The book remains significant for its role in documenting marginalized sexual subcultures and expanding the discourse around power, consent, and female sexuality. Its themes of self-determination and sexual autonomy continue to resonate in contemporary LGBTQ+ and feminist movements.

Content Warning: I'll keep this clinical and factual. Readers discuss the historical and cultural value of this 1981 collection exploring lesbian BDSM relationships and practices. From review aggregation: - Readers describe it as a candid time capsule documenting pre-internet discussions - Many note its role establishing early BDSM consent frameworks and vocabulary - Former detractors mention changing their views after reading firsthand accounts The prose style receives some critique for inconsistency between pieces. A few readers mention skimming rather than reading cover-to-cover. Reviews emphasize personal impact: "Helped me understand parts of myself" - Goodreads reviewer "Puts safety and ethics first" - Amazon review Available ratings: Goodreads: 4.05/5 (19 ratings) Amazon: No current listing Out of print status leads to minimal recent reviews. Most online discussion occurs in LGBTQ history forums rather than book review sites.

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🔍 SAMOIS was one of the first lesbian-feminist BDSM organizations, founded in San Francisco in 1978, and the book was published as a collective effort in 1981 📚 The book sparked significant controversy in feminist circles during the "Feminist Sex Wars" of the 1980s, leading to heated debates about sexuality and feminism ✍️ It contains personal essays, poetry, interviews, and photographs contributed by multiple authors, making it one of the first comprehensive works about lesbian BDSM experiences 🌟 The anthology helped establish safe, sane, and consensual (SSC) as fundamental principles in BDSM culture 📖 The name SAMOIS was inspired by a location mentioned in "Story of O," a famous French erotic novel, and was chosen to reclaim and empower what was considered taboo