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Proposal: In my opinion there should be a site that also includes BDSM, fetish and related practices. Since the overlap between BDSM and sex generally are pretty big in my experience; including it in Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex but were Afraid to Ask only seems logical to avoid separation of the knowledge base. Currently the definition of said site, from here known as EYAWKASBWATA, does not allow for discussions about things that aren't strictly sex which would exclude many practitioners of BDSM and other kinks.

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This question predates two renamings of the proposal; BDSM is well-covered under any form of the name. Wikipedia is about as close as you'll probably come to authoritative:

BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play.

There's no need for any extension of the scope of the site: BDSM falls within the scope of sexuality. I'm sure that as always there will be debate on meta about particular questions, but on the whole, it is absolutely on topic.

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  • Hmmm, I think that the fact that BDSM is usually considered a lifestyle choice and not merely "something for the budoir" makes it a little trickier in this regard.
    – jcolebrand
    Jan 4, 2012 at 20:14
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    @jcolebrand: That's a bit of a popular misconception: it's not usually a lifestyle choice. Like Wikipedia says, it's a preference and form of expression, with a whole spectrum of activities covered, from fuzzy handcuffs all the way to the complete lifestyle. Far more people practice BDSM at the more mild end of the spectrum. And even for people who do make it into a lifestyle, it's still generally a form of sexuality. (Try finding someone who identifies as asexual and also practices the BDSM lifestyle.)
    – Cascabel
    Jan 4, 2012 at 20:30
  • I wouldn't expect a person who identifies as asexual to practice any sexual activities. I respect your difference of opinion with mine, that the lighter bondage play are more likely to be asked on the site, but I don't consider light bondage play people to be people who heavily associate with BDSM. At most they will refer to it as "just a little bedroom fun" and more often than not don't ever consider "Safe Sane Consensual"... So while the defintion encompasses those people, I don't the people encompass the name to themselves. Ergo, my use of "lifestyle".
    – jcolebrand
    Jan 4, 2012 at 22:08
  • Additionally it's a lifestyle choice in that not everyone tell's people they're gay (especially parents and grandparents, there tends to be a stigma in relating that information) or about their hobbies, but when they are in their own home or around people they trust and love, then they are completely open and let down their guard. I'm not referring to bondage masks and full latex suits here, but the fact that those who associate with BDSM as a lifestyle see some of those activities with a lot more respect than those who don't.
    – jcolebrand
    Jan 4, 2012 at 22:10
  • However, having a place where people can ask about making things safe and sane is always a bonus, in my opinion.
    – jcolebrand
    Jan 4, 2012 at 22:11
  • My two points were, simply: BDSM is a broader term and more commonly practiced than most people admit (and much of that is not lifestyle choice), and even when a lifestyle choice it is still based on sexuality and therefore within the scope of the site.
    – Cascabel
    Jan 4, 2012 at 23:24

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