Dear Dominion Friends and Family,
It is with great sorrow I must announce the closure of The Dominion in December.
The Dominion has been a legendary and magical place in the community since 1980 when Lady Laura first opened the doors of her West Hollywood apartment. It has been a safe place for kinksters to come and share their deepest darkest fantasies without fear of judgment or reprisal. We have formed many wonderful relationships with our friends and over the years many legendary Dominas have learned their craft here and formed lifelong friendships with their Kinky sisters.
I began my journey with Lady Laura in 1981. I was a true submissive seeking a place to realize my dreams. Lady Laura’s Dominion became that place for me. Lady Laura took me under her wing and made sure I was safe and remained sane in the process. Lady Laura was a true Diva whose boots I could never have filled. When she passed in 1997, she left The Dominion in my care to carry on her legacy. I am proud of my years as a dungeon mother and the reputation of excellence The Dominion has attained all over the world. I took great pride watching the Ladies grow from BDSM babies to blossom into some of the most amazing and experienced players in the business.
The Dominion was a sanctuary for those of us that were into BDSM. We learned from each other and supported each other. Because we loved BDSM and we needed it. We took it very seriously. It was about OUR fantasies as much as our clients. We loved what we were doing. We learned from the bottom up in a safe and nurturing environment.
The heart and soul of commercial BDSM has changed dramatically, but mine hasn’t. I find myself with the same high standards and Old School values, unwilling to compromise them.
Since Covid-19 there have been drastic changes to the commercial BDSM community which make it impossible to run The Dominion up to my standards. I cannot compromise my principles so I must let her go. I once asked Lady Laura how long I should keep it going and she told me until it no longer brings you joy.
I tried my hardest to make this work after Covid, but The Dominion is more than just a room to rent. The Dominion is a place of sisterhood and pride in the work you do. It is love and care for our friends who visit us every week or just when they can get into town. It is the happiness and pride you feel after doing a good session or the loving care you receive as a submissive if you have a bad session. It is a place of love and respect for each other and Old School values I had hoped to pass down to the those receptive to the idea.
The Dominion has been my life for over 40 years. When I started, I was a meek submissive with no self-esteem. The love and care within these walls have made me a better and stronger person. I am proud of what I have done, and I wish I could continue, but it is not possible in this new era. I would rather shut it down with dignity than compromise my values.
I started doing this 40 years ago because I love it and I needed it. I am leaving it now because I love it too much not to honor the protocols, rituals and honesty of those who mentored me and raised me.
I thank all The Ladies who have passed through these doors for making The Dominion the legend it has become. I am so grateful to all our friends who visited us and played and trusted us with their fantasies. You will never be forgotten.
I am sorry we must go but please think of us fondly in the future.
All my kinky love and respect,
Lady Hillary
