By Madam Interpreter Ëm Medina (she/themme), Certified ASL Interpreter and Leather Probie
Some of you may recognize me from leather conferences or dungeons. However, for those who don’t know me, I am Madam Ëm, your neighborhood sign language interpreter. With 20 years of experience interpreting, coordinating, and directing, I’ll share some insider tips on requesting interpreters for your event. Kink, Leather, and BDSM communities are built on consent, communication, trust, and intentionality; The same foundations of quality interpreting. When these worlds meet in a dungeon, workshop, contest, or weekend conference, accessibility isn’t accidental; it’s a deliberate act of inclusion and respect. For organizers, titleholders, presenters, and dungeon masters requesting interpreting services, here are key considerations to ensure your space is not only welcoming but truly prepared.
Understand the Type of Interpreting You Truly Require
I’ve seen ‘kink event’ used to describe everything from workshops to dungeon floors to leather contests….each requiring a very different interpreting approach.
Provide interpreters with the following details:
● Is the event educational, performative, social, or all of the above?
● Will lights be dim, strobes present, or high volumes?
● Are presenters using mics? Are they moving or walking around?
● Will interpreters be interpreting demos involving movement, implements, or bodies in motion?
● Will audience participation or negotiation occur?
We’re not just interpreting words; we’re navigating intensity, risk, emotion, humor, and power dynamics. The clearer the picture, the better the access.
Hire Interpreters Who Are Experienced or Willing to Learn in These Settings
Not every interpreter is comfortable or competent in kink environments, which is okay, but you want people who:
● Respect kink, Leather, and BDSM communities.
● Can handle explicit content without shame or censorship.
● Understand the difference between interpretation and voyeurism.
● Know how to maintain professionalism in nontraditional environments.
Work with interpreters or agencies experienced in these spaces. If not, choose practitioners who are affirming, open, and eager to learn. Consent culture applies here too; interpreters must opt in with clear, enthusiastic yeses. Connect with other contests, conferences, and colleagues to learn about those they trust and recommend.
Consider Visibility, Lighting, and Physical Safety
Interpreting is a form of visual communication, which means that lighting is everything. Dungeon spaces are notoriously dim. Great for scenes but terrible for access.
Plan ahead:
● Provide spot lighting or portable LED panel(s) for interpreters when possible.
● Ensure interpreters are not placed in direct line of flying implements, wax, or bodily fluids (unless your event advertises that kind of immersive access, in which case… bold choice).
● Avoid having interpreters stand behind a crowd or behind equipment.
● In workshops, designate a clear, stable, safe visual line between the interpreter, presenter, and Deaf audience members.
Accessibility should never compromise anyone’s safety, including the interpreters’, and especially mine, because I bruise like a peach.
Confidentiality Is Everything
Kink and Leather communities rely on discretion. Interpreters are bound by strict confidentiality, though many don’t realize how deep that commitment runs.
When booking interpreters:
● Reinforce that interpreters follow a strict Code of Professional Conduct.
● Make it clear to presenters and attendees that interpreters are not audience members; they are working professionals.
● Avoid asking interpreters to disclose anything they interpret (we consider this unethical).
Your event should normalize the understanding that interpreters are not gossip conduits, dungeon reporters, or post-event storytellers.
Build Interpreting Into the Event Structure, Not as a Last-Minute Add-On
Accessibility is not a seasoning you sprinkle on top of a finished dish. It belongs in the recipe.
This means:
● Budgeting for interpreters early (including this in your overall accessibility budget).
● Scheduling them realistically (don’t wait until the week before the event to inquire).
● Allowing proper breaks (fatigue is real; kink content is cognitively heavy).
● Not asking one interpreter to cover an entire multi-hour dungeon shift alone.
Just as you wouldn’t expect a single DM to safely manage an entire dungeon floor, you shouldn’t expect a lone interpreter to carry the full cognitive and emotional workload of your event.
Communicate With Presenters and Staff Ahead of Time
Presenters should:
● Know where the interpreter(s) will be located.
● Try avoiding walking out of or in sightlines.
● Provide any handouts to interpreters, early if possible.
● Share key vocabulary, scene descriptions, or demo content before presenting, including any song lyrics or speeches (at least sit with me to explain what you plan to do or say).
Your staff and volunteers should know:
● Who the Deaf/HoH attendees are (with consent).
● Where interpreters will station themselves (let Deaf attendees know where to find them).
● How to ask interpreters for assistance respectfully, and how not to (please try to avoid asking questions while we are hands up).
Small changes in communication planning can make massive differences in access.
Create a Welcoming Culture, Not Just an Accessible Setup
Accessibility is not only structural; it is cultural. This looks like:
● Normalizing interpreters’ presence in kink spaces without making them spectacles.
● Encouraging presenters to introduce them naturally.
● Ensuring interpreters have safe break areas, water, and the ability to step away if the content becomes unsafe for them.
The goal is not simply “we provided interpreters.” The goal is for everyone to participate without barriers.
Ask for Feedback, And Actually Use It
After your event, check in with Deaf attendees and with your interpreters. Ask:
● What worked and what didn’t?
● How can we improve for next time?
Accessibility evolves. So should your event.
Final Thoughts
Bringing interpreters into Kink, Leather, and BDSM spaces isn’t merely about compliance or checking a box. It’s about honoring the radical inclusivity these communities profess to embrace. Accessibility is a form of care, a form of consent, and a practice of community accountability. And trust me: doing it right feels just as good as it sounds.
As a resident interpreter for a reputable leather celebration, we become part of the family. Therefore, I want to share two resources beyond your local community. You can search the RID.com registry for local practitioners in your area. Alternatively, I have created a Facebook Page called “Boundless Access: Interpreters of Kink” where you can post requests at
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1178326677597066/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr