The Eulenspiegel Society
A pioneering New York nonprofit organization devoted to education, community, and advocacy for consensual BDSM and sexual liberation.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
The Eulenspiegel Society, commonly known as TES, is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization based in New York City and widely described as the first BDSM organization founded in the United States. It began in 1971 as an informal support and discussion group for people who identified as masochists and soon expanded to include sadists. Its founders were Pat Bond, a music teacher, and Fran Nowve, who used the name Terry Kolb and is credited with proposing the organization's name. Bond had placed a personal advertisement in the countercultural press in late 1970 seeking people interested in discussing whether masochism could be understood as a viable lifestyle rather than simply as a psychiatric problem. Nowve responded, and the two organized the group the following year. TES emerged during the sexual revolution and became connected with broader gay, lesbian, leather, and sexual-freedom activism in New York. In its early years it met in private homes before moving to rented rooms in theaters, churches, and other community spaces. The organization participated in New York City Pride marches from the early 1970s and developed a public role that combined mutual support, education, social events, and advocacy. Its stated mission centers on sexual liberation for adults, with particular attention to the rights and social acceptance of people who practice consensual sadomasochism and other forms of consensual kink. A major part of TES's historical contribution was publishing and community education. In the early 1970s it launched Prometheus, a magazine that addressed practical and philosophical questions surrounding BDSM. Its contents included advice, personal advertisements, erotica, art, and discussions of consent and kink culture. The publication later continued online. TES also became known for regular classes and meetings, including sessions for newcomers and special-interest groups focused on subjects such as bondage and alternative sexualities. Its membership program has included access to social activities and discounts from participating businesses and clubs. Leadership at TES has been distinctive. Jack Jackson, a Black leatherman, served as the organization's first president from 1973 until his death in 1983. After Jackson's death, TES did not appoint another president, treating the office as permanently associated with him. Jackson was later inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame in 2021. The organization otherwise operates through an elected board and volunteers rather than a conventional commercial executive structure. TES's influence expanded through large-scale events and movement-building. Its 25th-anniversary convention in 1996 attracted more than 1,300 people and required the use of multiple clubs and a converted disco. The event helped demonstrate the viability of large BDSM conventions and encouraged other leather organizations to establish similar gatherings. TES was also a founding coalition partner of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, established in 1997, and has supported AIDS-prevention education and organizations including the Free Speech Coalition and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. The organization has received recognition from leather and BDSM institutions. Its cooperative Leather Pride Night event received a Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year award in 1993, its 1996 convention received the same award in 1997, and TES received Large Club of the Year in 2003. It was inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame in 2011, while Bond and Nowve were inducted in 2015. In 2002, the legal entity reorganized under the name The TES Association, while retaining rights to and continuing to use the historic Eulenspiegel Society name and related intellectual property. The name refers to Till Eulenspiegel, a figure from medieval German folklore whose apparently foolish behavior is also portrayed as clever and provocative. The choice was additionally influenced by a discussion of masochism in Theodor Reik's Masochism in Modern Man. In contemporary use, TES remains associated with education, peer community, social events, advocacy, and the normalization of consensual BDSM within a framework emphasizing adult consent, communication, risk awareness, and sexual freedom.
History
The Eulenspiegel Society was formed in New York City in 1971 by Pat Bond and Fran Nowve, after Bond's late-1970 advertisement in alternative newspapers sought people willing to discuss masochism, psychiatry, and the possibility of a fulfilling life involving consensual sexual practices. Nowve responded under the name Terry Kolb and helped establish the organization, including selecting the Eulenspiegel name. The group began as a support association for masochists, but its membership voted in August 1971 to include sadists as well. TES initially met in members' homes and later rented rooms in theaters, churches, and other venues. During the 1970s it became part of New York's wider sexual-liberation and LGBT activism movements, including participation in Pride marches. Its work combined private community-building with public education at a time when BDSM was often treated as pathology or obscured by stigma. The organization also created Prometheus, a long-running publication that explored practical, cultural, artistic, and philosophical dimensions of consensual kink. It later continued as an online publication. From 1973 through 1983, Jack Jackson served as the organization's first president. Jackson was a Black leatherman and remained the only person to hold the office because TES did not appoint another president after his death. His role became an important part of the organization's institutional identity. Later recognition included his induction into the Leather Hall of Fame in 2021. TES expanded its public and educational profile through regular meetings, classes, parties, and special-interest programming. Its activities have included introductory gatherings for people new to alternative sexualities, bondage-related education, peer discussion, and community social events. The organization has also supported AIDS-prevention education and collaborated with or supported sexual-freedom organizations such as the Free Speech Coalition and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom. The organization's 25th-anniversary convention in 1996 was a significant milestone. More than 1,300 people attended, requiring TES to use the Hellfire Club, The Vault, and a disco converted into a club. The scale of the event helped establish a model for later leather and BDSM conventions. TES was a founding coalition partner of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom in 1997. In the same period, its public role extended beyond events into debates over language, safety, consent, and community standards. In 1999, Gary Switch used TES's USENET discussion list to propose the term Risk-Aware Consensual Kink, or RACK, as a description that acknowledged the existence of risk while emphasizing education, training, technique, and informed consent. TES's historical achievements have been recognized by leather institutions and award programs. Leather Pride Night, organized with several partner groups, won a Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year award in 1993. The organization's 1996 convention received the same award in 1997, and TES was named Large Club of the Year in 2003. The organization entered the Leather Hall of Fame in 2011, while Bond and Nowve were inducted in 2015. In 2002, the organization legally reorganized as The TES Association. It continued to use The Eulenspiegel Society, or TES, as its public identity and retained rights to its historical name and intellectual property. The name itself alludes to Till Eulenspiegel, the paradoxical and mischievous figure of German folklore, and to Theodor Reik's discussion of masochism in Masochism in Modern Man. TES remains a volunteer-led New York organization focused on education, community, social connection, and advocacy for consensual BDSM and adult sexual freedom.
- 2015
Founders receive Leather Hall of Fame recognition
[1]Pat Bond and Fran Nowve, recognized under the name Terry Kolb, were inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame.
- 2011
Leather Hall of Fame induction
[1]TES was inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame.
- 2003
TES receives Large Club of the Year
[1]The organization received a Pantheon of Leather Large Club of the Year award.
- 2002
Legal reorganization as The TES Association
[1]The organization changed its legal name while preserving the historic TES identity and name rights.
- 1999
RACK terminology is proposed
[1]Gary Switch proposed Risk-Aware Consensual Kink through a TES online discussion network.
- 1997
Founding coalition role in sexual-freedom advocacy
[1]TES became one of the founding coalition partners of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.
- 1996
TES holds its 25th-anniversary convention
[1]The large convention attracted more than 1,300 attendees and became an influential model for subsequent BDSM and leather conventions.
- 1993
Leather Pride Night is recognized
[1]A Leather Pride Night event organized by TES and partner groups received the Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year award.
- 1992
Pat Bond receives a National Leather Association award
[1]Bond received the Steve Maidhof Award for National or International Work.
- 1973
Jack Jackson begins his presidency
[1]Jackson became TES's first president and served until his death in 1983.
Products and positioning
A pioneering, volunteer-led BDSM education and community organization that combines peer support, social programming, public advocacy, and sexual-liberation activism.
Magazine and online publication · 1971
Prometheus
TES's long-running publication explored the practical and cultural life of BDSM communities. Its subject matter included advice, personal advertisements, erotica, art, and philosophical discussions of consensual kink. Originally produced as a magazine, Prometheus later continued online and helped give community members a forum for education, self-expression, and discussion.
Education and community programming
TES classes and meetings
TES organizes recurring educational and discussion sessions in New York City. Programming has included general meetings, introductory gatherings for newcomers, and special-interest classes covering areas such as bondage and alternative sexualities. These activities are intended to support informed participation, peer learning, and safer consensual practice.
Community and social events
TES social events
Parties, meet-ups, and other social activities form a substantial part of TES's community offering. The events provide members and visitors with opportunities to build relationships, participate in New York's BDSM and leather communities, and connect education with social participation.
Marketing campaigns
- 1997National Coalition for Sexual Freedom founding coalition
United States
TES joined other organizations in forming the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, extending its community work into national advocacy on privacy, sexual rights, and consensual adult activity.
Outcome. TES retained a founding coalition-partner role.
- 199625th-anniversary convention
New York City · United States
TES organized a large BDSM convention to mark its 25th anniversary, bringing together more than 1,300 attendees and using several major nightlife venues.
Outcome. The event helped inspire other leather organizations to develop annual conventions and won a Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year award in 1997.
- 1993Leather Pride Night
New York City
TES collaborated with Excelsior MC, GMS/MA, LSM, and NLA: Metro New York on Leather Pride Night, a large community event combining leather culture, social gathering, and public visibility.
Outcome. The event received the Pantheon of Leather Large Event of the Year award.
Brand decisions
2002
Adopt The TES Association as the legal nameStrategyBackground
The organization needed a legal corporate identity while retaining the established Eulenspiegel Society public name.
Action taken
TES reorganized legally as The TES Association and continued using The Eulenspiegel Society and TES in public-facing activity.
Aftermath
The historic name and related intellectual property remained associated with the reorganized organization.
1983
Leave the presidency vacant after Jack Jackson's deathOtherBackground
Jack Jackson had served as TES's first president from 1973 until his death in 1983.
Action taken
TES did not appoint another president, treating Jackson's position as permanently associated with him.
Aftermath
The organization continued through its volunteer and board-based structure without another president.
1971
Expand membership beyond masochistsStrategyBackground
TES was initially organized as a support group for masochists, but its membership considered whether the organization should also include sadists.
Action taken
In August 1971, members voted to admit sadists.
Aftermath
The decision established TES as a broader BDSM organization rather than a group focused on a single role or practice.
Recent events
- 2011
TES is inducted into the Leather Hall of Fame[1]
Other
The organization received institutional recognition through induction into the Leather Hall of Fame under the Eulenspiegel Society name.
- 2002
The organization reorganizes as The TES Association[1]
Other
TES adopted The TES Association as its legal name while retaining the original Eulenspiegel Society name and associated historical rights.
- 1999
The term RACK is proposed through a TES discussion network[1]
Other
Gary Switch proposed the phrase Risk-Aware Consensual Kink in TES's TES-Friends USENET discussion, emphasizing informed risk management rather than claims of absolute safety.
- 1997
TES becomes a founding coalition partner of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom[1]
Other
TES joined the coalition that became the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, extending its work into organized advocacy for sexual privacy and freedom.
- 1996
TES hosts a major 25th-anniversary BDSM convention[1]
Campaign · Other
TES's anniversary convention drew more than 1,300 attendees and occupied several New York nightlife venues, helping inspire later leather and BDSM conventions.
- 1973
Jack Jackson becomes TES president[1]
Leadership change
Jack Jackson began a decade of service as TES's first president. Following his death, the organization did not appoint a successor to the office.
- 1971
The Eulenspiegel Society is founded in New York City[1]
Other
Pat Bond and Fran Nowve established TES as a support and discussion organization for people interested in masochism; sadists were admitted later the same year.
- 1970
TES begins publishing Prometheus[1]
Other
The organization launched a magazine addressing BDSM advice, personal advertisements, art, erotica, and discussions of consensual kink.
Sources2 sources
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