New Master/slave Flag unveiled at Master/slave Conference

 A proposed flag meant to represent the Master/slave and Dominant/submissive lifestyles was unveiled at the Master/slave Conference 2005 in Washington, D.C., on July 29.

 The flag was designed by Master Tallen of Washington, D.C., with the graphic design by his slave, andrew, also of D.C. girl Nancy Thompson of Lifestyle Sewing produced the first flag, which was displayed on the conference's stage throughout the weekend.

 The flag design is intended by Master Tallen to be a gift to the community, for all those who identify as Dominant or submissive, such as Masters, slaves, Doms, subs, Sirs, Daddies, boys, girls, Trainers, and pups.

Attendees at the pansexual conference were offered bumper stickers of the flag. The accompanying label reads:

 This symbol is offered as a representation of the Dominant/submissive or Master/slave Lifestyle. This simplistic design was created by combining established ideogrammic symbols. The vertical stripe is a universal symbol meaning power or dominance. The set of three horizontal stripes is a universal symbol meaning passive or submissive. The flag is a basic black with a white border. The Dom/sub symbols are in red and in the center. The intent was to create a symbol that represents the foundation of the Master/slave dynamic which is Dominance and submissiveness.

 "The Master/slave Community has its roots in the Leather Community, and it can be said that many in the M/s community are content identifying with only the Leather Flag. There is no intent to denounce our roots, and the Leather Flag will continue to fly proudly in the hearts of those in the Master/slave community. However, the time has come for this community to have its own universal symbol of pride and unity. With the community's acceptance, it is hoped that this proposed design will be adopted as that symbol."

Examples of the symbols Master Tallen chose for the flag can be found at Symbols.com, under the words "power" and "passive intellect."

Master Tallen emphasized in his speech to the conference that the flag was a proposal, and that it was up to the community to decide whether to accept his proposed design.

He also stated that anyone is free to use the design as they wish. "No licensing fees or further permission is needed for its reproduction, sale, or usage. I applied for the copyright so that no one else could control our community's symbol. I have not, nor do I plan on making profit by creating this symbol. It is for all of us."

Five copies of the flag were awarded at the conference: one to Master Taino for the Master/slave Conference, one to Master Jim Glass and slave marsha for the International Master/slave Contest, one to Master Alex Keppeler for Masters And slaves Together (MAsT) Incorporated, one to Rick Storer for the Leather Archives & Museum, and one to Master Tallen. A sixth copy of the flag was sold in an auction to the leather family of Master Travis, who lives in D.C.

Being able to unveil the flag at the Master/slave Conference assisted the flag's creators in getting word out concerning the design, says slave andrew. Referring to the conference's producer, he says, "Master Taino's acceptance and support of the design certainly helped."

Master Taino embraced the new flag as a symbol for the community and it was immediately placed next to the Leather Flag during the rest of the event.  Master Taino said the new flag will fly at the Master/slave Conference in years to come.

Sir Larry, director of MAsT Metro New York, reports that many members of his pansexual chapter who were present at the conference made an effort to obtain stickers. He says he will spread word of the flag back home.

As a bisexual, he especially appreciates the fact that the flag spans all orientations, genders, and forms of dominance and submission. He says, "It's nice that the flag covers dominance and submission from A to Z."