{"id":169,"date":"2025-06-07T17:57:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T17:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/?page_id=169"},"modified":"2025-06-26T00:22:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T00:22:58","slug":"membership-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/membership-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Membership FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Membership in Leather girls of Color is more than belonging; it\u2019s a meaningful commitment. It\u2019s a mutual relationship where each Sibling contributes to the growth of the collective and, in return, is supported in their own personal and Leather journey. Through service, shared values, and connection, we strengthen each other and the legacy we\u2019re building. LgOC is not just where you show up; it\u2019s where you grow up in Leather, together<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t see your question below?  No worries!  Contact us<\/a> and we\u2019ll get back to you as soon as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Who is eligible for Membership? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Leather girls of Color warmly welcomes individuals who self-identify as: a) a Black, Indigenous, and\/or Person of Color; b) a girl (cis, femme or nonbinary); AND c) on or exploring the right side of the slash within the Leather community, (i.e. submissive, slave, or right-leaning switch).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Can I be a member of LgOC and be in a dynamic? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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LgOC welcomes applicants regardless of dynamic or relationship status.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Can I be a member of LgOC and be a member of other organizations at the same time? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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LgOC\u2019s bylaws do not prohibit its Members from being or becoming members of other organizations. We do advise applicants to consult with their respective organization\u2019s bylaws for guidance prior to applying.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Are there costs associated with joining LgOC? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Annual membership dues are $100 for Full Members and $75 for Associate Members.<\/p>

There is a nonrefundable fee of $25 that must be submitted along with the application. If accepted, this fee will be credited towards the first year\u2019s Membership dues.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What is the difference between a Full Member and an Associate Member? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Aside from the difference in financial responsibility, Full Members have slightly greater obligations to the organization, such as the minimum number of meetings and events they are required to attend and the number of initiatives they are required to participate in. Full Members retain the right to vote in elections, and are also entitled to purchase and wear a full-sized back patch upon completion of the first-year Membership requirements. Associate Membership is a category for those who would like to actively participate in LgOC activities, but cannot commit to full membership. Often, Associates will have primary membership in another club.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What do I get when I become a Member? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Full Members will receive a small patch, an exclusive Members-Only t-shirt and a certificate. Associate Members will receive a small patch and an LgOC t-shirt.\u00a0<\/p>

Optionally, Full Members can purchase a large back patch, rockers and other LgOC Swag for an additional cost upon completion of first-year Membership requirements.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Where do annual Membership dues go? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Membership dues go towards the organization\u2019s operational costs including (but not limited to) Zoom hosting, website maintenance, and promotional materials. Dues are also used to fund Members-Only activities, community service projects (if applicable) and sponsorships.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How long is the Initiation process? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The entire Initiation process takes approximately six (6) months to complete.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Why is the process so long? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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We believe that with all things you must be intentional. We want the application questions and the Initiation curriculum to inspire you to reflect upon your journey and consider if LgOC will be a good fit for you. Furthermore, we hope that if you are willing to commit thought and time at the beginning of a process, you will be able to give that same level of thought and time to the organization as well.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What will I be required to do? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Depending on your Membership level, you will be required to attend a specific number of classes. These classes not only provide an opportunity for education, but also bonding and personal development in a shared safe space. Initiates will be assigned readings and small take-home reflections relevant to their journey. Full Members will also be required to execute a Service Project prior to receiving their New Member packet. Finally, Initiates will be assigned Big Sisters through LgOC\u2019s Mentorship Program and be required to meet with them at specific time intervals as a condition for Membership.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Do I have to join and participate in person? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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At this time, all Initiation classes and activities will take place virtually via Zoom.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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How do I apply? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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We accept applications for\u00a0Membership<\/a>\u00a0every two (2) years. Applications for\u00a0Allyship<\/a>\u00a0are accepted year-round. That said, our next Application period will open in Fall 2025 and the Initiate class is slated to begin in January 2026.<\/p>

In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to vet our organization, ask questions, attend our events, and get a feel for LgOC as an organization and us as individuals. We also encourage you to follow us on social media and\/or subscribe to our website for updates.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What if I decide I don\u2019t want to go through with this after I apply? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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We will wish you well and hold your space for two (2) calendar years. Please note, all fees are nonrefundable.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Membership in Leather girls of Color is more than belonging; it\u2019s a meaningful commitment. It\u2019s a mutual relationship where each Sibling contributes to the growth of the collective and, in return, is supported in their own personal and Leather journey. Through service, shared values, and connection, we strengthen each other and the legacy we\u2019re building. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-169","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=169"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1151,"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/169\/revisions\/1151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leathergirlsofcolor.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}