(Caveat: I am not an expert historian of BDSM. What I have learned I picked up along the way. I can’t say with certainty what is true and what is false. I have made every effort to let you know if I’m uncertain of the validity of a certain claim.)
If your only view of BDSM is the online community then you could believe that BDSM and being kinky is a huge playground and that a lot of people participate in it openly. And you’d be wrong. While a a good portion of the US population admits they are kinky (10% according to NCSF) most of those are not going to participate in a BDSM community or step further than silk blindfolds and light bondage.
Today’s community is filled to the brim with people who only play at it online or those not serious enough about it to take it further than their fantasies. But that’s today. What was BDSM like in the past?
BDSM OF YESTERDAY
If you wanted to get into BDSM years ago you had to know someone already in the community. Groups were very hidden, mostly underground, and very selective about who they let into their group. They did this to protect themselves from riddicule and infiltration by police and right wing religious groups. In fact the more open nature of the groups is a new thing.
Most of the BDSM being played out then was done behind closed doors. It was secret and it was never talked about. Until 1997 the Board for Psychiatric Disorders considered sadomasochism as an illness.
TODAY’S BDSM
Today BDSM is accurately and falsely represented in the media which no doubt causes some confusion and bad interpretation of what we do behind closed doors. No matter where you turn there are ‘bondage’ fashions on the runway, light kinky play items in the sex stores and flirty jokes at bachelor(ette) parties.
Munch groups are more open with their presence online and it is no longer invitation only. I’ve seen the purpose of these groups shift from teaching technical skills to teaching acceptance.
Online BDSM has flourished and you can find all sorts of research material, forums and discussion groups and inspirational photography. If you look hard. Much of what is out there has developed a fantasy-like feel to it. It contains dangerously false details on technique or outright lies about the history of the BDSM scene.
The fantasy is alive and well online. Real time practitioners have to wade through the muck to find the information that will fit their needs. The good thing is that you can find excellent information if you know where to look.
IMPACT OF THE INTERNET
I’ve mentioned it above just a bit but the internet has flooded the scene with good and bad information. It not only provides a breeding ground for false information and fantasy-life but it also brings more novices into the scene.
These novices can safely explore their feelings and curiosities online. From reading personal blogs, checking out reference sites, reading forums and discussion boards and frequenting chat rooms.
You can learn as much as you want from the comfort of your own home and feel relatively safe that your secret desires are just that… secret.
THE FUTURE OF BDSM
There is no telling what the future holds for acceptance of BDSM or the groups that exist all over the world. What is possible is more available books, products and learning materials for those wanting to explore kinky play and relationships.
Thoughts to Ponder
- What do you know about the history of BDSM?
- How did you first find out about BDSM?
- What impact has the internet had on your exposure to BDSM?
- Where do you think BDSM acceptance will be in the future?
Links to Related Essays
- Beauty in Darkness
- A complete Alternative Sexuality History Timeline
- Lord Saber’s BDSM History Page
- Alternate Lifestyles: What They Had to Do With MSN Chat
- BDSM and the Internet