This post is on the BDSM Activism web board.
| 22 Apr 09, 11:09 AM syndeetoo UK(WC), 6 yrs  |
Why do people ask these things? If you work with young people and you want to see your job possibly go down the toilet, then 'come out'. If not, then shut up. What has your private life got to do with your professional life anyway? I feel sorry for Lawrence, but then he was juggling two businesses/works. If you've only got one, and you want to keep it that way, then keep quiet. What have you got to lose? Here in the bipolar ward if you shower you get a gold star, but I'm not going far till the Haldol kicks in-until then, until then-I'm strapped to this fucking twin bed and I won't get any cookies or tea till I stop quoting Nietzsche and brush my teeth and comb my hair. (Rennie Sparks) | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 11:40 AM maya_lila UK(SE), 5 yrs |
Err don't jump to conclusions, I asked because I had a genuine question, mainly because I am thinking of working with young people myself. I thought there might be people out there who have made efforts to be discreet, and still information about their private life ended up getting out that cost them a job. I have lived in a community where virtually everyone knew everyone else's business, so it is not entirely implausible.
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
~ George Eliot | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 12:33 PM Ishmael UK(SE), 12 yrs |
I'm made mindful of the vicar that The Sun exposed as a rubber fetishist, and he was sumarilly dismissd by the Church of England; finding himself without employment, he then went to work for one of the major fet party promoters of the day. And I thought to myself that if The Sun do identify as supporting the Church, surely all they have acheived is to lose it one worker in favour of the 'wicked' fetishists they were seemingly seeking to attack, which only furthurs the truth that all they care about is selling rubbish. But the underlying attitude is that people of an SM sexuality are more likely than Vanillas to use positions of care in order to prey on the vulnerable in order to express their perversions; if this is unproven (and I believe it is) then the attitude is prejudiced and based on hearsay and assumption, rather than being based on experience, observation or case history, and should be challenged as being contrary to equal opportunities and equalities legislation. The Boat, one of the best SM/Fetish parties of the year, sails at 9pm on Saturday 20th June. Tickets are £25, click here for more details: http://www.the-firm.org/Boat.htm | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 1:22 PM Mr_Anorak 3 yrs |
There are responsible sexual preferences and then there are irresponsible sexual preferences. In Come Hither! Gloria Brame cites a CIA report, Sexual Behavior and Security Risk: Background Information for Security Personnel. Link to abstract: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.a... She quotes the report: 'Self-control, social maturity, strength of character, and overall psychological adjustment are more important security indicators than the specific sexual practices in which people engage.' She also quotes the American Psychiatric Association which, in effect, states that being kinky is in itself not problematic. Only if it impairs a person's social adjustment or ability to have intimate relationships. The point being is that if someone is acting responsibly and is likely to continue doing so, where is the justification for dismissing them solely because of their sexual preferences, their kinks? Hiring and firing judgements should be based upon sound principles, not upon popular misconception and private prejudice. | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 1:33 PM rodm99 UK(CB), 7 yrs |
Looks like a sensible report, judging from the abstract. It's a bit depresssing to see that it was published back in '96 - shows how slowly public perceptions change!
'Twosies beats onesies, but nothing beats three...' | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 1:41 PM Ishmael UK(SE), 12 yrs |
In which case, we might perhaps do well to consider ways to take the fight to the enemy, because the tactic of keeping our heads down and hoping we won't be seen is not working.
The Boat, one of the best SM/Fetish parties of the year, sails at 9pm on Saturday 20th June. Tickets are £25, click here for more details: http://www.the-firm.org/Boat.htm | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 3:07 PM ClassAct2005 UK(N), 7 yrs  |
Even that teacher the other week whose topless model profile or whatever from a good few years ago (sexist gym teacher in the UK or something) was in trouble over it. Legally it will depend on your job. If you've brought your employer into disrepute and if the notoriety becomes so bad you cannot easily do your job etc then I think you can in law be sacked however unfair that sounds. The other issue for parents is if you are in dispute with the other parent and divorced then they could use your BDSM activities against you too. So all that suggests it's best to be discreet. I've never put up a picture for example not that I'm ashamed of being submissive of course and the only headline you could get for someone not in the scene like me is "wife obeys husband for 30 years" which is hardly scandalous. | ||
| 22 Apr 09, 3:17 PM xjames UK(SS), 5 yrs |
It generally boils down the phrase "behaviour which could bring the employer or employee into disrepute". The effect of this is that those who are in these positions are vulnerable to the whims of public opinion. Within my lifetime, a teacher who was openly homosexual would have brought disrepute upon a school and him/herself. Thankfully this is no longer the case.
Hopefully, within my lifetime, an interest in BDSM and fetishes will be similarly normalised in the public's mind. Although I'm not going to hold my (subs | ||
| 27 Apr 09, 3:17 PM MistressLuzie UK(CA), 5 yrs £ |
about twenty/thirty years ago is was leagal for teachers to cane children.. that was perfectly fine... When now the same teachers chose to cane adults in their private life they get the sack... go figure bloody hypocrits! Life is for living and websites are for annoying people www.mistress-luzie.co.uk | ||
| 27 Apr 09, 4:59 PM Ishmael UK(SE), 12 yrs |
I rather prefer the third option of 'campaign vigorously against this blatently inequitous treatment of persons that belong to a sexual minority, causing maximum confusion and embarassment to the tabloid press in the processs'. Shutting up simply continues to empower the bully.
The Boat, one of the best SM/Fetish parties of the year, sails at 9pm on Saturday 20th June. Tickets are £25, click here for more details: http://www.the-firm.org/Boat.htm |
) breath.