Honolulu Weekly has done an interview with 3 local Dominatrixies, Twisted, 22 , Tsunami, 20, and Ecstacy, 25.
It is always interesting to read about how other people approach BDSM and usually I don’t rant about it.
But this time it’s different.
I’ve read the interview a couple of times and the thing that makes me really baffled is how easy it is for some people to label themselves as professionals. Of course, it might be media that wants to see them as professional – But it still makes me wonder.
There is especially one quote that got stuck in my mind:
Tsunami: I would say that we’re professional about it. We’re always trying to expand what we know about various types of torture. Hygiene is definitely important. We try to stay as far away from germs as we can. Occasionally we’ll bring out the gloves. We have hand sanitizer.
If hygiene is the thing that will turn you into a professional, then I would say that most people with common sense, while doing BDSM, are professionals.
Maybe it is wrong choice of words – Maybe common sense was what they were looking for when they used the word professional.
All the Dominants I know find a lot of pride in planning things to a very detailed level. They also find it very satisfying to read up on things so they can push the boundaries with confidence and in a safe way. That doesn’t make them professional – It’s what turns them into damn good Dominants.
Maybe I am worried when some people within BDSM are almost treated like rock stars by media.
Maybe I am worried when the term professional is diminished and washed out when it is used – Especially when the definition of a professional Dominant isn’t very well defined when it comes to expected level of experience and knowledge.
Maybe I am just worried in general and this is the price we have to pay when BDSM is taken for a spin by the main stream culture.