Overt Displays of BDSM.

[Flyndaran]

...Leading someone on a leash is a display of sexual dominance. .

I have an urge to let my love muffin drag me around on a leash just to prove you wrong. But seriously, it symbolizes whatever the people involved want it to, nothing else.

...I don't think it should be illegal (although the way things are going it probably will be at some point), I just think it's rude.
....

But so many people are rude doing so many different things, that I think while your view may be valid it is nevertheless moot.

Personally, I believe in absolute freedom as long as no one is injuring someone or endangering strangers. I consider open displays of affection, nursing in public, and a whole host of others things rude, but I don't want them banned either.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

But so many people are rude doing so many different things, that I think while your view may be valid it is nevertheless moot.

Personally, I believe in absolute freedom as long as no one is injuring someone or endangering strangers. I consider open displays of affection, nursing in public, and a whole host of others things rude, but I don't want them banned either.

Bullseye, you win a New Car!

Seriously though, well said.

[ladyneeva]

I personally don't want to see it. Which is why I don't look... there are a LOT of things I don't want to see in public for a variety of reasons, so I simply don't look at them. And unless they're physically preventing my egress from whatever venue they have chosen for their little display I don't feel as if they are forcing it on me either.

As long as nobody is being physically harmed or in danger of being physically harmed, I don't feel it is my place to say anything. And most of the time I'm too busy worrying about my own business.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I personally don't care. I often wear a spiked collar; and yes, I've worn a dog collar before. However, anyone trying to attach a lead to it would end up with injury; mine is more of an "attack dog" statement. XD I've also walked around wearing studded armbands up to my elbows, spikes, fishnets etc; some people don't like to see me wearing those, so I should pander to them? Fuck no.

[Slytovhand]

What Lace and others have said brings up the (to me... now) obvious reason why some have a problem, and others don't.

If I see someone in chains being led around, I don't automatically connect it with sexual behaviour. Obviously, those in the BDSM scene do.. hence why they would consider it rude.

Holding hands in public, while to us decadent westerners, may not really be considered 'sexual' is really frowned upon in other cultures - eg Arabic and Eastern - as it is an overt display of affection... Which is right?

[Nyoibo]

The difference is that the collar and lead is the lead denotes ownership and is a clear indication of the dominant/subserviant relationship, whereas just the collar does not.

[Lace Neil Singer]

What Lace and others have said brings up the (to me... now) obvious reason why some have a problem, and others don't.

If I see someone in chains being led around, I don't automatically connect it with sexual behaviour. Obviously, those in the BDSM scene do.. hence why they would consider it rude.

Holding hands in public, while to us decadent westerners, may not really be considered 'sexual' is really frowned upon in other cultures - eg Arabic and Eastern - as it is an overt display of affection... Which is right?

This girl comes into the supermarket regularly wearing a lead and collar and being led around by her boyf; I don't see anything wrong with it. It's not like he's spanking her or they're fondling.

I happen to find fondling or excessive tonsil tennis a bit offensive; far more than just a harmless collar, or collar and lead.

[BroomJockey]

It's not like he's spanking her or they're fondling.

Except for some BDSM couples, the lead is foreplay. It's complicated. For some, it's a "humiliation" thing that gets the "owned" one in a heightened state of arousal. For others, there's other reasons. For some, it's not sex play, just a statement of commitment on level with wearing your SO's letter jacket in High School, or a promise ring. However, our issue is with the couples using it as a sex aid. They're rude, they should keep it out of public.

[AdminAssistant]

I'm not sure how I feel about the legality of such a display....but it's something that I'd really rather not be witness to. Keep it in the bedroom, kids. Now, I will say that if a couple decided to do that, they should expect some rather odd looks. If you're going to go that far outside the social norm, weeeeelllll.....yeah.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I expect odd looks when I wear my spiked collar, my arm bands and my gothic style clothes and makeup. However, I don't give a shit. If someone is kicking up a fuss about people staring at them cuz of wearing strange clothes or the collar and lead thing, then they should think hard before wearing or doing strange things that make them stand out.

[violetyoshi]

I agree, even the thought of seeing someone like that is WTF. However, I am attracted to Goth guys, and if the guy looked reasonably good in the I imagine it'd be all black outfit, had long hair. I might hump his leg first, before admonishing them. LoL

[anriana]

It would be nice if someone could make an argument that doesn't involve stereotyping of the BDSM community, comparing me to an anti-gay crusader, or some version of "this is stupid; fuck off and mind your own business."

[Greenday]

First of all, there's a difference between goth and BDSM. Wearing spiked collars as clothing is one thing. Wearing collars and being led around with a leash is completely different. Broom already explained it. Just because no one is actively having sex doesn't mean it's not sexual. Because it is. They are doing it because the master-slave thing gets them off. It builds up the sexual tension with later makes things more pleasurable. It's pretty much foreplay.

[McDreidel09]

Honestly, I don't care. If they are well aware that they will be stared at and they still go with it, more power to them.

Anything can be foreplay in public. Let's go into trying on clothes. Some men and women go to stores and entice each other with trying on sexy clothing, that would lead to something else later on. Should that be banned because it's sexual?

How about the people who grope each other or deep kiss in public? That could be foreplay.

Let's just ban all physical contact in public, just because it could be foreplay.

[Depot Denizen]

You see, I'd love to have my gf lead me around like that - but she's quite easily embarrassed in public. So when we're together in public we rarely, if ever, even hold hands. I'm still finding my identity in that respect, and so is she. I like the idea of that to show that I am hers and devoted to her. So yeah, I personally don't have a problem with it in public; if a couple wants to and it's not a disruption then good for them.