Joining the kink community - part 8
Becoming an active member of your community
This year, the world seems to be taking a turn for the worst. Discrimination and racism are more common and socially accepted than ever before, and even making headlines.
I always believed that each of us has the power to change things for the better. Even if it’s just changing one person’s idea, it’s a step in the right direction, it’s not standing still and letting the world become a darker place.
In the past, I wrote many blog posts about joining the kink community (all of them here). Today, I wanted to discuss how you can take a more active role in the kink community.
Let’s look at some options on how you can help.
Start small
Best first step? Munches!
Best first step? Munches! By now, you probably have been to quite a few munches (what is a munch?) and here are some reviews of munches.
Do you remember meeting that person at a munch? The one who said ‘hi’ to you? Even thou you never met them before? Or that other person who told you about an event that felt right for you, but you never heard of? Well, now it’s the time for you to start returning that kind word, that event review, and welcoming newcomers yourself 🙂
Quite simply, next time you go to a munch, reach out to the organisers and ask, “How can I help?” Maybe you can welcome a newbie or answer some questions from new members.
Remember to be kind, you were once a newbie too.
Try to engage authentically, be genuine in your interactions with other attendees. Authenticity is so important when building trust and fostering positive relationships.
And why not, collect some feedback. Hear what people think of the event, ask what they think of it. An if there is anything that can make the event better, share that feedback with the organisers.
Share your experience
Been to an event you liked?
Sharing experiences with others can encourage community members to participate in events, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and unity.
Sharing your experiences (positive, negative, or meh) can provide valuable feedback and perspective for newbies.
A better understanding of what events can look like for someone who’s never been can help them feel more comfortable and at ease.
Sharing your experiences, about a swinger party you attended that was vibrant and full of life or perhaps a fetish shindig that didn’t quite hit the mark, can be incredibly impactful.
Your insights can help organisers understand what worked and what didn’t and support newbies with better navigating the party scene, all the while building and strengthening your community.
Bring a friend along
Introduce someone new to the scene
Another way to strengthen and grow the kink community is by bringing a friend along to the next munch.
Introducing a friend or your partner to the community can be a powerful way to share your positive experiences, and help them feel comfortable in a new environment.
Just tagging along to someone, can make their first experience less intimidating (and more fun for the both of you). It’s a win-win situation: you’re expanding the community while making lovely new memories with friends.
Maybe, next time you’re heading to a munch, think about extending the invite to a friend.
You might find out that your vanilla friends would love a kinky party… having doubt? Read this article by Alice Hunter from UnicornHunting.blog:
Vanilla Centre? Why non-kinky people are going to BDSM parties
Educate friends and fam
While busting some myths
Another way to be more active in the kink community is educating your family and friends about BDSM and the kink community to help remove stigma and misconceptions. Do this only if you are comfortable with it, of course.
Where and when possible, share information or personal insights to demystify BDSM. It’s important we do our part in presenting the community for what it really is: a consensual, respectful, and fulfilling lifestyle choice.
I believe that if we all do our part (and that’s partly why I blog in the first place), we can change the stigma and taboo surrounding the kink community (particularly since BBC does the exact opposite all the time).
Educating those close to you, not only helps to reduce stigma, also builds a supportive network of understanding around you. It can be as simple as explaining what a munch is over a casual dinner or sharing some of your positive experiences in a way that feels comfortable.
Now more than ever, I believe we need to promote openness and understanding. With everything going on in the world, we should all do our part to create a more informed and accepting society.
Your efforts in education can make a significant difference, fostering a culture of acceptance and respect both within and outside the kink community.
Remember, by fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging participation, building trust, facilitating open communication, creating shared experiences, and strengthening support networks you contribute to a vibrant, connected, and resilient community.
That’s all for today…. soooooo, don’t hesitate to share your journey with others! Your community will be richer for it.
I hope you enjoyed this and I hope you found it helpful. Have a good one and keep it kinky!
