Should subs be allowed to lead communal spaces, rather than doms?

This is a general question for both/all pairings of d/s.
If the answer seems like an obvious yes or no to you, why is it obvious?

Edit: I slightly misphrased the title - by "rather" I don't mean in-exclusion. In my opinion, both subs and doms should be comfortable in leadership positions in order for a healthy community to exist. Man, I wish you could delete threads in order to repost them. @Villanelle Any chance you can edit the title for me?

I would say: While I don't see why a sub cannot lead, or be a chairperson of a communal space, the odds of it happening are less than a dom/me in that role, for the simple reason that subs, by nature, typically defer rather than lead. Not because it's their official role in the dynamic, but rather, it just tends to be their human nature. But if they wish to take on such a role, as sort of a director, space manager, or what have you, then I suppose there is no reason why they cannot do so- and still be submissive to their partner in their relationship dynamic.

Which I guess could be complicated; because if they were a leader in a D/s play space, how much sway would the dominant partner really have over them in such a situation? Would not a dom/me potentially end up running things "behind the scenes" in such a scenario?

Interesting question. I think the answer might be simple. Communal spaces are spaces where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. I don't think we need any leadership in those spaces. Everyone is effectively equal. Much like the Forums. Anyone can post and everyone or no one can answer.

Dynamics or relationships are specific to the individuals involved but expanded beyond to the rest of the community, a Dominant isn't a Dominant to everyone nor is a submissive submissive to anyone beyond their choosing. As such, in a communal space, the most experienced may provide support to others - whether it's a submissive or a Dominant. Anyone can lead a discussion. I may identify as being on the Dominant end of the spectrum, but in a communal space, I'm just another traveler.

I hope that makes sense. Withing you a great evening.
LL

I have never started a thread, but I have screwed up a couple times, double posting a reply. I messaged her directly and she took care of it once she was online again. That nets a quicker response.

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As for the topic.. I couldn't say having never been in a dynamic (only quick screwing around or "sessions" when I was active) It's tough to call. Subs and doms are, above all, human and there are some things one can take the lead in. No one-size-fits-all and it's up to the individuals involved and the type of dynamic they have agreed on.

Not much of a reply, but obviously the answer is not obvious to me.

I ask because I recently "opened" up a discord server for femdom literature (encompassing books, online erotica, whatever, as long as it's written with the intent to be read) and a point of concern for a lot of people was that it was a male-led space. In the context of the misogyny surrounding the femdom scene, I think it's honestly a completely valid concern, but at the same time, I don't think it's inherently wrong (the inherency being something I felt a little uncomfortable with being criticized on). Before I opened it I was wise enough to ask a domme friend to help moderate in order to give it legitimacy/stave off concerns and, to no surprise, she's been incredibly crucial, arguably the entire reason it's so far mostly succeeded (basically every moderation concern/request/suggestion has been asked of her, rather than me, which makes me think on whether I would've been queried at all in her absence).

I personally choose to only be submissive/operate within the d/s dynamic with a partner (in this case there isn't one), so in regards to Steel's points, for me I wouldn't have to worry about deferral. If my partner were interested in management of the community, then my first responsibility is to the community (since they're not involved with my relationship), and if my partner's preferences would negatively impact that community, then deferring to [her] without harming the community then means I'd have to resign. In that regard I'd point to what is, imo, a mandatory unwritten rule at the beginning of any d/s arrangement that says following destructive or harmful-to-others orders is an automatic breach of healthy protocol (not in the sense of healthy to the relationship, which I'm sure it still can be, but healthy as in within the wider, external-to-couple world). In the same way it is objectively unhealthy to "defer" to someone ordering you to shoot strangers with a gun, ya can't do that lol.

But back on topic, to me, it feels outright necessary for both halves of D/S dynamics to be able to be communal leaders in order to avoid undesirable deification (which is already a huge issue in the femdom scene). Subniches like femsupremacy, gynarchy, TPE, it does make much more sense there, but in a broader sense it really takes a lot of responsibility away from subs to be reliable and professional in a way that I think is incredibly counterproductive for the direction that the scene should be moving in. Anyways. That's my piece.