Why is this happening?

Because by chance and not design, we have articles that speak out to some of distasteful parts of the BDSM Community in general. A comment made at a recent kink event has brought into question just who it is we look to as our community leaders. Are we actually looking into the background of the people we are looking up to? Or do we believe their press without checking the sources? If we check the sources and find them to be questionable, is it our responsibility to question them? Or do we dunk our head in the sand and allow things to carry on?

When we see injustice and unfair practice how do we handle it? Do we fight back? If so, whose rules do we use? Theirs or ours? Do we allow a shit storm to explode locally and count the dead and injured when the stench settles, or do we delicately step around the pile and hope there are others see things for what they really are, or at least as we see how they really are? What do we do? What are the consequences if we do something? Or nothing? Are we prepared for them either way?

Should we consider standing up for what it is we feel is right or are we supposed to practice tolerance and understanding, live and let live, avoid stirring the pot even when the contents have already been spoiled? Are we collectively playing the role of ostrich in the name of tolerance? Are we collectively allowing our history and culture to be warped by myths that just aren’t true? Are we losing resources and groups because of the pettiness that comes with BDSM politics?

When is it time to take a stand? When do we say, “People this is wrong.” Or “Hey, something smells funny about this.” How long do we wait? Forever?

So as you can see this issue contains a little controversy. Check out our Features section to see what the bru ha ha is all about. The Goddess Has No Clothes is a biting article that exposes some questionable comments made by one of our ‘leaders’, Requiem for a Dream tells the story of the demise of a community group and the dirty politics that caused it. Those two articles are going to cause you to have a strong reaction, one way or the other. To soften the blow we offer BDSM BODY-DESIRE-SOUL- MIND, a unique way of looking at the dynamics of what it is that we do.

This issue brings some mixed feelings in regards to our columnists. We say goodbye to Mistress Marlene as she move forward in her life and needs to bid TDV farewell. She’ll still write the occasional article for us, time permitting, but she needs to give up her column. With a Twist is late, Mr Howe is ‘busy’ but we should get it soon. Master Nage talks about The Nature of Service and what that means in his world. Billy tells a story about the KinkyBus, is it fact or fiction? Sub Missives sends a warning out to those who are or want to be trainers or protectors. The Dungeon presents the final segment on BDSM First Aid and Switch’s Corner get a little spiritual with Bondage and Domination as Shamanic Journey. Sadly, due to the flooding in the Eastern USA, we are unable to start our photography column this month. We wish David well as he contends with floods and evacuations and hope to see him in our next issue. Hang in there David!

If you are looking for reading material over the summer, have a look at this issue’s Reviews. We review some new books, we review an older book, we review a workbook. It’s all about the books this issue.

This issue’s DOM is Sunny Tawse, definitely a lady with an opinion! We interview Monk of The Twisted Monk, hemp rope seller extraordinaire, and a funny guy to boot. The DOMicile is a gently erotic piece that could be any femdom’s fantasy, and we also offer some very hot fetish photography from Danish photographer Druunatic in the Art segment.

All in all, there’s lots to read and lots to think about in this summer issue of The Dominant’s View. I hope you find it stimulating – one way or the other!