We want to be the main information hub in Berlin and the surrounding suburbs for all sadomasochists, fetishists and all other kinks. We not only want to inform, but we also want to help, where help is needed and wanted. May it be the fear of coming out, or lack of information, we are here for you. We are not here to judge, we are here to help.<\/p>\n
A big part of being in this lifestyle in this day and age is still the lack of information. We hope to do our part in distributing the right information, informing doctors, lawyers and psychologists that what we do is not wrong, but right for us. We want to show them that we are just people like you and me with the same fears, the same problems, but just a little bit different in our sexuality.<\/p>\n\t\tOverview\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
Seeing SM from the public eye still has a bit of a No-No attached to it. It’s being talked about in a hush-hush way, always careful as to who might overhear. <\/p>\n
This needs to change. People want to be open. And we want to encourange newcomers to come out and experience their way, our way. It is not easy being sexually open, and even if you are, acknowleding that you are different than many others, in a field that is often stil a taboo, does not make things easier.<\/p>\n
What we do NOT want, is to try to convert everyone to write the BDSM logo onto their flags and go out and protest for the recognition and freedom that we all want. What we want is to just ensure that BDSM becomes that what it should be: a socially acceptable norm, with the same rights and the same respect than any “vanilla” sexual act. A legitimate presence in the media, as well as being presentabel in the open. This will allow newcomers to not be shy, to come out, meet the right people and talk about what we all love. And that is one of the goals of this association.<\/p>\n
The argument as to: “Why do you guys even bother? Isn’t it already normal what you do?” is one of the biggest problems that we have to fight against.<\/p>\n
Especially for newcomers, the experience they want and what they want to know, is often not normaly presented. Added to this is what the media presents is often not the way we want to be portrait.<\/p>\n
Nicola Doering writes in “Sexuelle Hilfe im Internet” (sexual help on the internet)<\/strong><\/p>\n “Marginalisierte Formen sexueller Bet\u00e4tigung werden wegen ihres Exoten-Charakters in den Massenmedien (insbesondere in Talkshows und Reportagen) zunehmend vorgef\u00fchrt, wobei die Medien tendenziell eine quotensteigernde Dramatisierung anstreben (z.B. professionelle Dominas treten im Outfit auf und bieten eine kleine Vorf\u00fchrung ihrer Praktiken), w\u00e4hrend es den politisch engagierten Angeh\u00f6rigen der Spezialkulturen in ihrer defensiven strategischen Selbstdarstellung eher darum geht, den Eindruck von Problemlosigkeit und unspektakul\u00e4rer Normalit\u00e4t zu erzeugen, um dadurch der verbreiteten Kriminalisierung (z.B. Verdacht, Menschen mit aktiver sadomasochistischer Pr\u00e4ferenz seien gewaltt\u00e4tig) und Pathologisierung (z.B. Unterstellung, Menschen mit passiver sadomasochistischer Pr\u00e4ferenz seien selbstzerst\u00f6rerisch) entgegenzuwirken. Die massenmedialen Darstellungen bieten potentiell Interessierten zwar einerseits die M\u00f6glichkeit zur Identifikation mit der nun sichtbaren Bezugsgruppe; andererseits wird durch die Popularisierung einer verzerrten und verk\u00fcrzten (z.B. an \u00c4u\u00dferlichkeiten wie Kleidung und Utensilien orientierten) Darstellung erneuter Stereotypisierung Vorschub geleistet (z.B. alle SM-Leute sind in Lack und Leder gekleidet und peitschen sich st\u00e4ndig gegenseitig aus). Schlie\u00dflich f\u00fchrt die starke massenmediale Pr\u00e4senz marginalisierter Sexualit\u00e4ten auch zu der verbreiteten Fehlannahme, es w\u00e4re mittlerweile geradezu chic, im Lebensmodell und in der Sexualit\u00e4t vom Mainstream abzuweichen. Wenn wir die massenmedial inszenierte sexuelle Tabulosigkeit mit der Wirklichkeit verwechseln, laufen wir jedoch Gefahr, reale Ausgrenzung und Diskriminierung aus den Augen zu verlieren.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This quoted text basically explains the combination of the exploitation of the media in the sense that they are putting us into the wrong light, or just doing a portrait of one trait, that is not an overall projection of what it is that we do. Our more politically involved BDSM friends are trying to counter act this, showing that we are not a bunch of violent thugs with psychological disorders. The media itself gives newly interested people a view that is not complete, as it only shows a small part of what is really happening behind the courtain. They basically throw us all under the same wagon…all dressed in leather, all whipping each other and so on and so forth. This seems to lead to the development of a mainstream society, that has really not much to do with the reality. Looking at this from the media staged “sexual permissivenes” brings with it the dangers of loosing sight for real discrimination and ostracism.<\/p>\n For journalists there still only seem to be two ways of handling the topic of Sadomasochism. Its seems to be either: “Oh how bizzare and exotic!”, or “They are even more narrow minded than the rest of us.”.<\/p>\n One of the big points is simply money. Everything we do these days cost money. Ancouncements in the paper, flyer, web pages, phone bills, the information booth and so on and so forth. Even considering that most of the hours and hours of work that are put into all of this are sponsored by volunteers, the costs dont vanish.<\/p>\nBy having the structure of an association, we at least make a bit of money through the membership fees and dont have to go begging as much. But thats only one of the points of why it is good to have an association.<\/p>\n It also allows for a better coexistence with the press and thus the influence of the public oppinion. It would be really hard to state an oppinion, if at all, if the press would only interview local munches. These are not really interconnected and so just not really relevant in the public oppinion. The existance of an association changes that. For example, there was an article in the “taz Ruhrgebiet” (newspaper). They made a survey of 1998 members of the “SMart Rhein-Ruhr e.V.” about a porn topic. It was very well written and the reporters were well informed because of the cooperation with the association involved. This would not have been possible if there wouldn’t have been an association like this.<\/p>\n Trustworthyness is another big point. Being a known association with a high profile makes it easier to trust. This helps people that are more on the scared side get involved, because a reputable association is available instead of having to go to a relatively unknown munch. Especially women seem to me more comforted in knowing that this is trustworthy and monitored and the chances that something bad can happen to them are lower than going out on a night dancing.<\/p>\n There is not much to say about this, except that this is the only option we have. Yes, it is burocratic, and yes, there is a lot of paperwork to be done. But overall, would you rather just stick to your munches, have no idea whats going on outside of your own little world, dont know where parties, events, information or workshops are? Yes, it is a pain in the…, but if no one does it, nothing happens (even if it has to be through burocracy). <\/p>\n The “Berliner Stammtisch” of the irc-channel #bdsm.de was founded in the summer of 1997. It evolved\u00a0a year later, 1998, again in the summer, into the “Berlin Munch”. Another year later, this time in the fall, the registered society “BDSM Berlin e.V.” was founded to finance the growing expenses for information materials and\u00a0for the\u00a0development of a better platform for public relations.<\/p>\n Since 2000 we are proud to offer information sessions for beginners, themed get togethers\u00a0and workshops with ever changing topics.<\/p>\n\n\t\tWhat can we do as an association, that we couldn’t do without one?\n\t<\/h3>\n
\n\t\tMoney.\n\t<\/h4>\n\t
\nEverybody knows that public relations cost money and if we want to do what we think needs to get done than that is the only way for us. One other point is that only as an association we are eligible to recieve funds from the government.\n\n\t\tPR.\n\t<\/h4>\n\t
\n\t\tTrustworthyness.\n\t<\/h4>\n\t
\n\t\tWhy do Germans always have to have an association for everything? This is way to burocratic for me!\n\t<\/h3>\n\t
\n\t\tWhat’s my incentive to join this association?\n\t<\/h3>\n\tSadly, we are not able to offer you a printed journal or other flashy things. We would love to, but we just dont have the time, money or manpower to indulge you. You become a member, because you want to help change something. You want to make sure that you get the best out of your lifestyle and this association is there for you, to educate, inform and\/or be there for you when you are in need.
\n Plus, lets be honest, the membership fees are not that expensive. But they are worth this small investment.\n\n\t\tShort history of the BDSM Berlin e.V.\n\t<\/h3>\n\t