A request, and greetings!

[Kassiana]

I'm a female author who plays mild D/s games with my husband. I recently got an idea for an erotic story about a couple who go to a BDSM convention. I have started reading up on the rules in the BDSM community and for munches/dungeons, etc., and am finding it all very interesting (and oddly enough, somewhat related to the rules of the "straight" roleplaying communities I've been involved with -- D&D and all that). However, I haven't found much yet on what goes on at conventions. Are there sites or sources I could look to on-line? Would anyone here be willing to let me know what happens?

I do already know one rule, which is shared by roleplaying gamers as well: Don't freak the mundanes. (In their case, it's usually "Don't wear your six foot samurai sword for your costume," not "Don't bring your sub into the convention on a leash," but the same principle applies.) I've also read the general party rules and such and have gone to straight roleplaying conventions. I would guess that many of the same things happen at a BDSM convention as at a roleplaying convention. Vendors of all sorts of goods, artists, possibly serious forums for discussion of issues, and so on.

Could someone share with me? Thanks. I'd appreciate it.

 

[MissTaken]

We attended the Fetish Fair in Boston last year. It was a wonderful time.

There were hundreds of vendors, selling everything from floggers to custom made corsets to vibes and toys. There were also a number of booths for organized groups i.e. Alternative lifestyle groups, BDSM groups etc. Their info was designed to encourage participation, but also included a lot of info on safety. There were classes on a variety of topics, including flogging techniques and everything BDSM.

There were literally thousands of people. Many didn't abide by the "don't freak the mundane" rule. (this may be why this particular hotel is not hosting the event in December! ) There were men on leashes with leather harnesses and leather pieces on their genitals. Many of the women were in slutty wear, Domme or sub. Collars and leashes were in abundance. I think the most interesting outfit was a man in his late fifties dressed as Little Bo Peep, an incredible costume complete with an 18 inch tall hat and the petticoats etc. However, something about a bearded Bo Peep creeped me out.

There was a fetish ball on Saturday night that we didn't attend, but can only assume the costumery was more freaky and more revealing.

As for us, on a more intimate level, the people in the room next to us seemed to enjoy the riding crop. We overheard slapping and moaning several times a day. We also loved being able to make idle chit chat over floggers or "nice collar, where did you get it?"

When you are in a building with freaks, behaving "normal' would be freakish, no?

I will also add that the hotel staff seemed to pay an inordinate amount of attention to us.

I hope this helps and in some ways gets your creative juices flowing. Best of luck,

MissT

 

[Desdemona]

My experience in September was similar to Miss T's. We were in Tampa. In addition to what has already been described, the hotel was situated around a central courtyard with balconies. It was way cool to sit out and watch fetish/bondage photo shoots and a few videos being shot.

 

[Kassiana]

Thanks very much. I'll see what I can come up with, and definitely let you know when the story's up!

 

[Netzach]

there are also often educational workshops. This means that you have an expert on a subject talking, or showing a technique and you have vounteers to have this technique done to them, people will casually drop trou to have their nuts tied up or whatever, could be a fun plot device in a story.

 

[Desdemona]

Also, at the vendor exhibits, you see people trying out floggers and paddles etc. We tried out a new restraint system. It was kinda hot to be trussed up and have all these people milling about me making comments and asking questions about how to use the gear that was on me.

 

[FungiUg]

Just as a terminology indicator: the equivalent to a roleplayer's "mundane" is normally referred to as "vanilla". While I hate the term, you will still see it in common use (because for some reason, everyone ignores me.)

A six foot samurai sword? Wow.

 

[Kassiana]

Oo. So may I ask if they're trying, for example, floggers out in public, are people baring skin, or is it over clothing?

Yeah. I've seen swords for sale at cons, and known gamers who owned them. (One guy proudly showed me the two blades he'd bought at GenCon ... "I said, sure, I'll take two! They're small...") I also knew one gamer stupid enough to wear his out in public openly. The police were not amused.

 

[Penalt]

Been to many SCA wars. I often see one fellow who pulls out an 8-foot square tarp and covers it in daggers and swords all for sale. Apparently the border crossing guards like to get new guys to check his vehicle just to watch their jaws drop.

Nice thing about being a medieval recreationist is that you can openly carry blades as long as you are in medieval garb as well. Then the sword, knife, chainmail, becomes part of the 'costume'.

 

[sherrill]

BDSM Club Link

Dear Kassiana ___ I am into some BDSM and D/S with a former Mistress with whom I have reconnected last year. She has told me of a Club in South Florida that is dedicated to the BDSM, Fetish etc life styles. They are open every Friday Night .

It is called Club Link . You can pull the site up and join online in the following : www.clublink.com
If that doesn't work, I'll go now andcheck it to be sure I am right. It is not a convention, only a Club

I will get back to you. Sherrill

Please answer me if you will.

 

[Desdemona]

Oo. So may I ask if they're trying, for example, floggers out in public, are people baring skin, or is it over clothing?

They had rules about how you dress. Mostly, people were fully clothed or pulled a shirt up or pants down, etc. Of course, when getting sized for nipple shields, you had to expose a bit more.

 

[sherrill]

BDSM ClubKink

Hi __ I was wrong about the Club site address. For the BDSM Club in S, Florida you "go to"

www.ClubKink.com

I hope this will be interesting to you. Please letme know

Sherrill in Lower Alabama

 

[Kassiana]

Hey, Sherill. I'm not particularly interested in clubs, but conventions (i.e. larger gatherings which involve vendors, seminars, and play places; usually meeting only once a year). Thanks anyway!

And I get the idea about how to try things out now. Seeing that Beth's going to go to the main vendor site after she checks in with her husband and goes to her room, I have a better idea now what she'll find there.

 

[sherrill]

BDSM Talk & Responses

Hey, Sherill. I'm not particularly interested in clubs, but conventions (i.e. larger gatherings which involve vendors, seminars, and play places; usually meeting only once a year). Thanks anyway!

And I get the idea about how to try things out now. Seeing that Beth's going to go to the main vendor site after she checks in with her husband and goes to her room, I have a better idea now what she'll find there.

Hi Kassiana ___ Thanks for your prompt response. I am not familiar with all the rules on Lit Diss Board

So , if I get out of order, please tell me. Are you a Top or Bottom? Are you interested in e-mail exchanges concerning BDSM life style? Warm Buns to you and from me

Sherrill in Alabama

 

[Kassiana]

Are you a Top or Bottom?

Yes. I am so evil...

Are you interested in e-mail exchanges concerning BDSM life style?

Not particularly. I just joined a local list sponsored by a club in my area. I'd rather keep anything else public at the moment.