On August 27, 1998, nine people sat at two small back tables in a local eatery intent on spending a few hours meeting, talking, laughing, and enjoying a meal with folks who shared a common interest in BDSM . This was the beginning of The Group In Fresno (TGIF).

Now an average of 55 people meet on a monthly basis in a private meeting room to talk,  laugh, enjoy a meal and find out about upcoming events.   At these munches, our members love to meet other  people who share a common interest in the scene.  All this is done in a discreet, non-threatening environment. 

The Group In Fresno has grown into a committee-led organization of over 250 members. 

Our Mission Statement

The purpose of TGIF is to promote & facilitate safe, sane & consensual BDSM for adults with those interests, by providing a discreet, safe, supportive atmosphere through education, discussion, resources and group events.

About BDSM

BDSM is an acronym for Bondage, Discipline, and Sadomasochism. It is commonly used as an umbrella term for a collection of behaviors that involve bondage, spanking, domination, role-playing, fetishism, power exchange and other activities that are done in a safe, consensual, non-abusive manner and in an erotic context.

BDSM is not a form of sexual abuse. Although some BDSM activities may appear to be violent or coercive, all are conducted with the consent of everyone involved. BDSM relationships and practices are exercised under the philosophy of "safe, sane and consensual" (SSC).

About the BDSM Emblem

After discussions on an AOL message board in 1995, Quagmyr proposed this design for a BDSM emblem. He said the emblem was inspired by the Roissy ring in the Story of O. The three regions within the design have several meanings, including the three roles in the BDSM community: dominant, submissive and switch. Quagmyr acknowledges similarities in design and meaning to the dual regions of the Yin-Yang symbol. Critical design elements include a metallic color in the spokes and rim, and holes, rather than dots, in the black regions. The symbol is a form of a Triskelion, an ancient symbol that appears in many cultures.

About the Leather Pride Flag

The late Tony DeBlase created the Leather Pride Flag in 1989 and he first displayed it at International Mr. Leather in Chicago that year. DeBlase offered no specific meaning for the flag, saying, "I will leave it to the viewer to interpret the colors and symbols." The flag has since gained wide acceptance, most notably in the gay leather community.

About a scene?

A “scene” is the BDSM equivalent of a romantic interlude or erotic encounter. What constitutes such an encounter will vary depending on the people, kink and lifestyle involved, but almost everyone in the community uses the term.

A scene can take place in private or in a club where it can be viewed by an audience. Players may opt for a public scene because they enjoy the thrill of being watched by others, because of the equipment available in a public venue, or because having others present adds safety for play partners who have only recently met. There is an etiquette in most clubs which regulates how the onlookers may interact with the people in the scene.

The term also has another use among people into BDSM. Man refer to the general BDSM community as "The Scene.”