The History of BDSM - story time with Peter Tupper

🚨 This is a lecture on the history of BDSM by historian Peter Tupper (Canada). The session will include a Q&A and opportunity to mingle, socialise afterwards.

👉 Our events deal with adult themes. You must be 18+ to join.

🪢 About the event

The History of BDSM

"A worldwide subculture that influences everything from fashion to advertising, sadomasochism has a long and lively history. A Lover’s Pinch tells the story of consensual sadomasochism, from a controversial religious practice to a secretive sexuality branded a perversion. The origins of kink and fetish culture have been shrouded in secrecy and myths, until now. Here, Peter Tupper reveals the true story of sadism and masochism, dominance and submission.

From the ancient Christian flagellants to the Fifty Shades trilogy, the history of consensual sadomasochism is a story of fascinating individuals, unlikely connections and strange twists and turns. Meet Arthur Munby, the Victorian gentleman who secretly married Hannah Cullwick, his maid of all work, and called her his slave; and Jack McGeorge, the UN weapons inspector who was outed as a BDSM club leader just before the Iraq war. Explore the links between Robinson Crusoe, Uncle Tom's Cabin and modern BDSM pornography, and between fetish fashion and anti-Catholic propaganda. Learn how the 19th century middle-class household nurtured dominant-submissive sexuality. Discover the secret history of a hidden world."

👩‍🏫 about the presenter

Peter Tupper is a Vancouver, BC writer and historian. He is a two-time winner of the National Leather Association's Geoff Mains award for non-fiction, a co-founder of Metro Vancouver Kink, and author of A Lover's Pinch: A Cultural History of Sadomasochism (2018). He has presented at events across North America on the history of BDSM. He blogs at www.historyofbdsm.com.

🏠 About the Space

The venue has had a full glow-up in the last 12 months. Read about it here.

What you will find:

• Large fully-matted open tying space
• Upstairs lounge for chatting, relaxing or watching from a distance — with a small library
• Private entrance & cloakroom
• 2 all gender bathrooms
• Colour-changing lighting for atmosphere
• Brand new AC units
• Fully accessible street level venue

Take a peek at the space before joining — full gallery here.

🕒 Schedule

• Doors open: 6:30pm
• Presentation starts: 7:00pm
• Doors close: 10:30pm

Breaks as needed –– Q&A after the presentation. 

👥 Who can come?

Open to all.

🧰 What to bring & wear

Yourself and snacks if you fancy :)

🔴 photo & recording device policy

• Photos and videos are permitted only with explicit consent of everyone being captured — including staff and teachers.
• No photos of the general public.
• No photos with faces in the background.
• Smart glasses are strictly forbidden in the space at all times.

We reserve the right to ask you to put smart glasses away, delete footage, or leave the venue if we see people being recorded or photographed without consent.

❤️ Please note

For our Code of Conduct, see here.

🪢 Flexible Memberships

Join often? Our 6-month Flexible Membership gives you 12 credits for free Jam entries or 10% off other events. Purchase memberships on on ticketing website. Use your code at checkout.

🎟️ Refund policy

Tickets can be refunded or transferred up to 7 days before the event for events priced under £20, and up to 14 days before for events over £20. After these periods, tickets become non-refundable. If you’re unable to attend within 7 days, please join our ‘Ticket Exchange’ channel on Discord to offer your spot.

💸 Financial help available – click here to learn more.