The Red Chair

The Red Chair (TRC) uses the tagline “Serving Central Alabama's BDSM Alternative Lifestyle Community.” It is a 501c non-profit in Birmingham that provides education and support for adults who practice alternative lifestyles, particularly BDSM, through educational seminars, lectures, group discussions and freeform meetings. It says it was established in November 1997 and that it welcomes “all sexual orientations, consensual relationships, and risk-aware, consensual kink practices without discrimination.” The club's pages describe a TRC playspace with a dungeon and a Manager on Duty whose name is posted on a whiteboard and who serves as the default dungeon monitor for dungeon play. Members in good standing for at least a year can reserve the space for private rentals, and catering is offered. Munches and sloshes are typically held four to five times a month in Birmingham. Membership is by invitation: applicants must be at least 19, meet someone in leadership at least once, typically at a munch or slosh, and complete an orientation. Munches are open to everyone 19 or older, while private events are for members only, and guests must be approved in advance under the TRC Guest Policy. The house safeword is “Red,” and a dungeon monitor will check in on or end a scene when it is used.