In order to join our private social media groups, and/or attend a blackBOOTS private event or blackBOARD classes at The Shire, you will need a sponsor. If you don't know what that means, please read:
What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is someone that will take responsibility for your actions and behavior in our private spaces. We ask that sponsors only vouch for people that they actually have met, know and trust. Sponsoring someone that causes problems or breaks rules can lead to the sponsor not being able to bring or sponsor guests or even removal from invite lists for our events. Please sponsor only those that you know and trust.
Sponsors that are not following the sponsorship guidelines and/or providing accurate information about the process to newcomers will result in removal of the ability to sponsor others.
Why do I need a sponsor?
We do our best to make sure our private events are safe spaces, free of illegal drugs, registered sex offenders, consent violators, drama and other potential trouble. We ask for sponsors for new people in order to help ensure the spaces remain safer for everyone.
Please note: a Clubhouse card from our old venue or attendance at events at any other venue other than The Shire requires the completion of the sponsorship/orientation process in full, just like any newcomer.
How do I find a sponsor?
Since a sponsor must know you personally, you'll need to get out from behind your computer screens and smartphones and connect with people in person. If you know people in the local gay community, you can ask people if they are familiar with blackBOOTS and take it from there. If you don't know who to ask, you can come to our public events such as Leather Church These are bar events, open to everyone and hosted by blackBOOTS at TryAngles in Salt Lake City on the third Sunday of every month, 3pm-6pm.
You can check out other BDSM and kink community groups and events too, as many people that attend those events will have access to sponsorship for a cross section of private events for many groups including blackBOOTS. FetLife and Recon are good places to find out about those options as well.
Memberships and Sponsorships are a different thing:
We welcome all public support through donations for membership and sponsor memberships but paying for a membership online, without a sponsor, does not give you access. You cannot buy your way in. Please secure your sponsor prior to paying for memberships online if you want access to our private spaces.
How does it work once I find a sponsor?
It is the responsibility of a sponsor to reach out on any newcomer’s behalf.
Why: Many people try to reach out directly and just provide a sponsor’s name and think that’s enough. It isn’t.
How do I attend your first private event once you found a sponsor?
1. Your sponsor must provide you with the link to the online orientation. This orientation MUST be completed prior to the arrival at The Shire.
Why: Hosting events is enough work, without also having to coordinate the basics with newcomers. Newcomers are always directed back to their sponsors to explain this and all other details.
2. A sponsor must bring their sponsored newcomers to their first private event at The Shire, not just provide the address.
Why: Security team members at the door will not take someone at their word about who their sponsor is. Also, bringing newcomers for the first time prevents them from ringing the doorbells of the wrong houses in the neighborhood. Yes, that happens.