Today’s entry in our “Best of the kinky rest” pantheon comes from the desk of Clarisse Thorn, who is considering the issue of whether BDSM can be referred to as a sexual orientation in the same breath as being LGBT, and whether this classification can be useful at all.
She recalls writing about BDSM as an orientation for the first time:
Would the world believe that my BDSM desires could be as “real”, as “deep-rooted”, as “unavoidable” as the sexual orientation of a gay/lesbian/bi/transgender person? Would I offend GLBT people by implying that my sexual needs are as “real”, “deep-rooted” and “unavoidable” as theirs … by implying that my sexual needs are anything like theirs?
Some of you are even now saying “of course!” as others are shaking their heads, and I believe that Clarisse addresses both points of view in her article, which is well worth a read. (And while you’re there, read some of her other stuff: we were spoiled for choice as to which of her excellent articles to include in our selection.)
Well – I believe that BDSM as a sexual orientation is as genuine as any other – *but* – given the fear of anything kink exhibited by the world at large, only the very bravest with nothing to lose would use it on say a job application form….