Sanctuary's roots date back to December, 2000 when Mistress Cyan began making plans to host an exclusive BDSM Lifestyle-Oriented Play Party. The concept of Sanctuary was to host a pansexual event in a safe and sane environment where consenting adults in the Lifestyle Community would feel comfortable exploring and expressing their BDSM interests.

Mistress Cyan, a Professional Dominatrix who has been in The Lifestyle since 1989 and who is also transsexual, understood the importance of creating an environment where everyone would feel "accepted" rather than "tolerated".  She decided to host the play parties in her professional dungeon Sanctuary, a 1200 square foot fully equipped facility with four separate play rooms. The play parties were private, not open to the public and admission was by invitation only.

What started as an event became a tradition with the play parties being held every weekend ever since. The Lifestyle Community has embraced the warm and friendly atmosphere of Sanctuary and many in The Community now consider Sanctuary their "home".  So when this group was formed, it seemed only fitting that the name of Sanctuary be adopted as the moniker for the group.