The Outcasts was a San Francisco S/M organization founded and led by women. Founded in 1984 by Gayle Rubin together with members from Samois, a feminist lesbian S/M organization that combined a social and educational space with political activism. Samois itself had its roots in Cardea, a women meeting space within the Society of Janus which was a mixed-gender S/M organization.

Each of these organizations were established at a time when BDSM was largely considered taboo, both by mainstream society as well as within the gay and lesbian community. The Society of Janus marched in the San Francisco gay parade for the first time in 1978, with much controversy, with strong opposition from groups such as Woman Against Violence in Pornography and the Media (WAVPM). It wasn’t until 1986 that the San Francisco Bay Area SM Community appeared as a contingent in the parade, and it was members from The Outcasts who made the banner used to march in the parade. Originally that banner was meant to represent the three major organizations in the Bay Area at the time, Society of Janus, The Outcasts, and The 15 Association. By 1989 The Outcasts and the Society of Janus each marched as separate contingents, it is this parade that is represented in our collection. Other photographs in the collection can be inferred as closely associated to The Outcasts, including Ms Leather contests in which members from The Outcasts participated as contestants or served as board members.

The Outcasts was dissolved in 1997, however some of its membership as well as much of it’s administrative structure was carried on by The Exiles, an organization that continues to this day. The Society of Janus and The 15 Association also continue to be active organizations.