Ilmare wrote:
The relevancy in the rape statement for me is that I was considering advertising myself discretely that I was interested in this type of relationship or partner. This would also open up the doors to an unwanted aggressor who recognizes the traditional BDSM symbology has no interest in respecting my boundaries. While I cannot say anything about Brazil, I do live in the NY/NJ Metro. I will be further considering my choice and when I wear it thanks to this post and everyone's observations.
- ill ๐ธ
ill, unless you dress in a leather corset, fishnet stockings, long black shiny boots and carry a whip, while walking down the street no one will have a clue you have any interest in bdsm. The modern fashion world has adopted many trappings from the sort of clothing, costumes that can be seen in some, not all bdsm scenes. Much Goth fashion could be seen as being that sort of thing, as could wearing a choker, leather ones with heart shaped fronts rings etc are common wear among vanillas, because its the fashion. These people are not bdsm people simply those into fashion. It would be very unwise of anyone involved in bdsm to assume anything from that. And as already established the idea of a day collar is to be a symbol that can be worn in every day vanilla, not kink settings, at work etc so these items often will not be in any way obvious, very discrete and even the most experienced will not have a clue what it is, or means. The whole point is that no one will notice, or offer comment.
Now if you want to wear something that does signify a bdsm involvement, even whether sub or dom that is possible. Wearing a Triskelion within a circle will indicate a bdsm interest, and wearing it on the right side indicates being a sub, and on the left a dom. That comes from the hankie code of the bdsm gay community and clubs, where the colour, and side a hankie was worn, hanging out of the back pocket of leather pants or jeans would say what you were into, and what side of the slash you were.
Another indicator, again worn on the left or right hand would be to wear 'a Ring of O', this coming from the 1950s novel Story of O by Pauline Rรฉage where those who have finished training at Roissy are given a ring to wear, to show they have passed through that house. In the novel its a little different to the modern Ring of O, but anyone familar with bdsm culture, and the novel should recognise it for what it is, though how common it is to know the significance of left side to right side is more difficult to know. You can read more here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_O
Now to the elephant in the room, rape. A difficult topic and one that this thread has thrown up in an unfortunate mannor and in a somewhat hysterical way. By saying that I am not dismissing the fact that rape is common in the world, vanilla, with many having suffered this awful thing, maybe even more common in some parts of the world, and while sadly consent culture is held high in the bdsm world, where consent, and enthusiastic consent is everything, and awareness and discussion much better done than in the vanilla world, consent violations do still occur, some by accident, some by design, and rapes have been part of that. This should not be the case, but as in the vanilla world there are evil, horrible people in the bdsm world and that is a sad fact. Not everyone involved in bdsm are nice, or decent human beings and bdsm often attracts such people looking for a quick fuck, thinking subs are easy meat. In saying that the great majority of people involved in bdsm are not evil, horrible people, and there are no herds of nasty doms hunting sub's to steal and rape them, but it does pay to be careful and test everything, through the lens of everyday common sense and knowing about the bdsm world, activities, skills and the culture. Knowledge will help you filter out the bad guys, and will help to protect you. Its not though full proof and it is still possible to fall prey to a very clever, charming individual who may not be all they say. Its important not to rush into anything and still the frenzy of wanting to run, before one can crawl. In saying all that, many consent violations are accidental, and not deliberate acts of malice. I am not dismissing these, or wanting to diminish the effects, as deliberate or not an accidental violation is still a violation and damaging.
You should be as safe on the street though, as anyone else, regardless of whether you wear anything culturally associated with bdsm, or not, and certainly not going to attract attack, anymore than anyone else, and if a kinkster passes you and does notice the most likely response is a polite nod, or knowing smile, certainly not being leapt on or dragged off to be sexually assaulted. Than is why I used the word hysterical earlier, because to create the idea that displaying something bdsm related, particularly a hard to spot, because its not obvious 'day collar' means you invite attack is crazy talk and the statistic probability is very small, and that attack is more likely to be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and a vanilla person is in my view equally at risk.
BDSM activity is by its very nature, even if on the physically mild side, still very challenging and will, take you places you did not expect. It will challenge you, your idea of self, your sexuality, what you enjoy. It stretches on an emotional level, on the physical, and even if everything is discussed and consent enthusiastic, care and attention taken, competent practitioners, it can still be very difficult. That is the reality of exploring the darker side of sensuality but the rewards are magical and an incredible thing, beautiful and amazing, when done carefully and with knowledge and non shitty people.
I hope you have a wonderful journey and only have lovely fun times.