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	SD! : Web boards : Submission : "Sexual Health Resources for D/s People?" Sexual Health Resources for D/s People? (6) Mon 22 Sep 08, 1:04 AM submissiveheart US(NY), 2 yrs  I have been working on a project to bring social science into D/s resources and to make information available for the regular person. My thoughts on this are that in other areas of objectification, there is accessible info, like say, sex work. I have experience in exotic dance and have been able to locate studies for this form of objectification that are accessible in bookstores with a social science slant. There are also online resources for sex workers (ranging from dancers to call girls). Some cities offer legal services and even health services. And of course there are scholarly journals that discuss sex work. And within social science, there are arguments and battles as to what constitutes consent in the area of sex work (consent and choice being good things). Social science is crucial, I think, because it helps to present the group to mainstream people (a form of advocacy) and helps keep things healthy (social services/health services). Well, the objectification debate gets discussed in D/s circles as well but with less input from social science, which I think is bad. It's bad for our choices and bad for our freedoms to pursue a lifestyle to be so underground. We do have some resources that link up with professional and social services like the Coalition for Sexual Freedom (and from that website, the Kink-aware professional list) and National Leather Association--International Domestic Violence Project (partners with domestic violence groups to educate about the difference between D/s and BDSM and abuse/ http://www.nlaidvproject.us/pdfs/InfoPackets.pdf). There are scholarly journals, but they aren't accessible to most people. I'd like there to be information for women to help them make healthy relationship and/or sexual "partner" choices. I'm gearing this toward women of any sexual orientation because I think I could work with existing sexual health organizations for women (create literature and they could distribute it). There is a difference between healthy D/s (use of a submissive) and getting fucked over (used). There are already some resources available for gay men that recognize top/bottom sexual dynamics (I found a couple in San Francisco). And sexual health organizatons for gay men do outreach on websites geared for gay men (I read about that being done for Adam4Adam because of gang bang parties combined with meth use). So, reason I bring this up is I wanted feedback from others in the community. Does anyone know of any sexual health organizations that offer D/s resources? For either men or women? The more examples I can find, the better. I found one example for women (Our Bodies Ourselves has a clinic in Boston and publishes sexual health literature that includes a section on D/s). 27 Sep 08, 11:27 PM submissiveheart US(NY), 2 yrs  Hey there. A little bump up, gonna try again. I've been flying back and forth to SF from NYC to find professional work. Well, I had a *great* interview at a university and told them about my research project on D/s. I recieved enthusiastic encouragement, when I explained that I wanted to make social science and health material accessible to (via brochure or website) to the D/s community. You know the brochures you can get when you go to your sexual health clinic and different topics (pregnancy, or STD's?)? Well, I'd like there to something about D/s. I think that would go far to help define what a D/s (and thus the sub-group M/s) really is. I'd also like to have banners on websites like this one or collarme that links to a website. So, agian, does anyone know of any resources other that what I listed above that is D/s friendly and connected to health? The above is all I've been able to find. There must be more and other eyes and ears helps. Thanks. 28 Sep 08, 4:32 AM 662-935-655 US, 2 yrs  To OP - i used to - many moons ago - volunteer at an HIV/AIDs house of hospitality (drop in center-like but better) back in the late 80's early 90's when there was nothing much available by way of treatment accept something called DZT. The organization later disbanded as the R C Nun, no less, who started it in conflict with the diocese here had to retire, but also there wasn't as urgent a need due to the modern anti-viral cocktails, that i don't know much about, on the one hand and the many other support groups that have evolved in our area. Sr. Marie B. took on the diocesee as she had a N/nephew and N/neice that were gay and lesbian respectively. i have had friends i knew there and elsewhere - including one special friend in AA who was like a big brother to me and who got it from i.v. drugs - die of AIDS. if i can help in any way - including being a retired substance abuse counselor as many folks get HIV that way. Having had my 3d ex turn out to be gay, i had to take tests for this over an 18 mo. period. i also do have another STD - Herpes, which sounds like nothing, unless O/one has it. It's annoying, but i don't think mine is life threatening yet - although with a diabetic immune system it could get harsher. i haven't had an outbreak in 12 years, but still....... i got it from my 1st ex on our wedding night - and yes, i was a virgen, partly due to the overprotectiveness of my (bio) mom in not allowing me to date until i was 18 and partly because i was very religious in a religion big on chastity at the time. He apparently had it. But the sad truth is i had no idea what it was for a good 15 plus years - again because i was so overprotective. So i may well have passed it to my 2d and 3d ex or Master, but not that i know of. So it's important to educate people. Hell i was so naive i didn't know that when i touched myself it was the same thing as Masturbation - and when i found out that this was the collosal sin i'd been warned of growing up, i confessed it to a clergy man who laughed and told me most E/everyone did that at some time. (i was totally mortified) So to those of you who think i'm naive and inexperienced in this lifestyle despite being collared by my late Master/Husband for the last 4 1/2 years of our marriage - Y/you're right. And this being so naive was, i think, also part of Master's extreme possesiveness and over-protective stance. And YES Y/you may laugh at me over it - i do. (note Master had it, but thought He got it from a previous partner, not me. or so i understood. (GRIN) But if there is anything i can do to help with STD awareness for O/our own, i'd be glad to help in any way possible. j/L Papa's owned always: still proudly wearing His Collar and Ring, rest in peace Beloved Master/Husband! "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose" Janis Joplin 28 Sep 08, 7:05 AM submissiveheart US(NY), 2 yrs  Thanks sweetie. Such a kind reply. Actually, sexual health has more to it than just STD and HIV prevention. There is also emotional and mental health and social context (community health). The World Health Organization defines health as incorporating the mind as well as the body (a paraphrase because I'm too lazy to look it up) and that includes sexual health. Sexual health also has to do with violence prevention. Planned Parenthood notes these factors on their website, but without reference to alternative relationships like D/s. Gay and queer (LGBT) sexual preferences are starting to be noted on sexual health websites put out by organizations, but again, sadly not D/s... 9 Oct 08, 9:39 AM Fenrisulfr SE, 9 mths  Sounds like a good idea. Anything that decreases the feeling of it being something wrong with themselves, just because their urges doesn't follow the norm, or decreases naivety, so less people end up in abusive relations, then I am all for it. If it also increases acceptance it is a nice bonus. There is some work in Sweden to include BDSM related activities into RFSL, the Swedish organisation for LGBT. But not sure if the mentality really includes lifestyle D/s, or mainly just the SM and bondage part of it. I will dig around a bit to see if I can find anything else. A online friend mentioned that her favourite forum, to read about lifestyle D/s, is on a French medical site. Apparently, there is a BDSM section on their sexual health discussion site, and that is is mainly lifestylers who posts there. Not understanding a word of french, I have not been able to look on it myself. But it sounds like it is spot on, just not in english. I will ask her the next time I chat with her, and point her toward this thread. Caveat; I have not yet owned anyone. While I have spent time reading and talking to people in the lifestyle, and do extrapolate from knowledge I have in related fields, it is still the thoughts and opinions from someone without personal experience. It is up to you how you wish to value what I say. 10 Oct 08, 12:01 AM 662-935-655 US, 2 yrs  submissiveheart wrote: Thanks sweetie. Such a kind reply. Actually, sexual health has more to it than just STD and HIV prevention. There is also emotional and mental health and social context (community health). The World Health Organization defines health as incorporating the mind as well as the body (a paraphrase because I'm too lazy to look it up) and that includes sexual health. Sexual health also has to do with violence prevention. Planned Parenthood notes these factors on their website, but without reference to alternative relationships like D/s. Gay and queer (LGBT) sexual preferences are starting to be noted on sexual health websites put out by organizations, but again, sadly not D/s... Excellent - i had not thought of it that way before, but Y/you are right on target there. *i may have set a record for my shortest reply ever on a lifestyle board here. (GRIN) j/L Papa's owned always: still proudly wearing His Collar and Ring, rest in peace Beloved Master/Husband! "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose" Janis Joplin 21 Oct 08, 4:57 AM submissiveheart US(NY), 2 yrs  Thanks guys. Yeah, Stop Aids Org (serves MSM community in SF) does educational outreach to leather bars for D/s relationships. That wouldn't be the type (24/7) discussed here probs but still, pretty neath, eh? http://www.stopaids.org/programs/leag/index.html Anyway, any info/leads/links of other programs helps. Will check into suggestions from Empowered Submissive thread too when time permits. Dealing with some "life issues" at present.