We would like to take a moment to remind everyone of how important it is to support sexual minorities with their legal struggles. In almost every country in the world, people of alternative lifestyles face legal prejudice or persecution. Unfortunately, I have learned through unpleasant experience how dangerously easy it is to assume that this is only a problem for "the other guy."

In early 2003, our residence was wrongfully searched by the Management Company from whom we leased our home. This led to a further improper search by local authorities. Among the items taken during the search was a written petition by sajah asking for me to accept her as my slave. Because of this document, I (Durllywd) was subjected to some rather unpleasant discussions with narrow-minded local authorities.

Although the net result was positive, in that I was not found guilty of any crime, the court decided that the petition for consensual slavery would remain property of the state. At the time we resided in the state of MD.

Because of this experience we have decided to provide a link to the ACLU membership page. It is my sincere hope that you will consider joining. While I do not support every position of the ACLU, I have come to believe that they have the best interests of the Leather community in mind. I have written to them asking for their position on alternative lifestyles and one of the replies is posted below.

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I am writing in response to your email regarding ACLU policy on sexuality issues. Below is the ACLU position on sexual orientation -- I believe that this will answer your questions. We view sexual activity through the prism of privacy; private sexual activity between consenting adults is their own business, not the government's.

"The ACLU has also been instrumental in striking sodomy laws in states around the country. Here in Maryland, the ACLU was key in striking the Maryland statute as well as in passing and enacting the state's Anti Discrimination Act that establishes that individuals cannot be discriminated against in hiring, accommodations, or housing due to their sexual orientation."

We would be delighted if you would include a giving link to the ACLU's website. The link to the national ACLU's on-line giving and membership page is:

National ACLU Contributions and Membership