while I have respect for the kink community (they tend to be accepting and nonjudgmental) I can say I saw a lot of people attempting to work out there s#!+ there instead of coming in after they had successfully conquered their monsters.
I appreciate your post,
@I_will_recover. I think it's important not to pathologize one's sexuality, whatever that is,
so long as it is safe, *responsible* and consensual. I certainly have encountered some bad/dangerous tops in my time, but I think there are predators and people who use sex, are manipulative or coercive, regardless of actual sexual practices. But my own sexuality (especially re: BDSM, certain fantasies, etc.) is something I have struggled with, felt ashamed of, and been made to feel ashamed of, from a very young age. Fortunately, I found a way to reframe it in my very early 20s, felt affirming and sex-positive for many years, decades ... And now that new memories are coming up, or new realizations of things I've always remembered, bam! Back comes the shame, stigma & fear in my late 40s. I struggle with wondering "Am I just doing this, turned on by this, because of what was done to me? Does this mean I'm sick and twisted? Is it confirmation that there is something wrong with me, with my desires? Am I the monster?" I know these are cognitive distortions but damn the feelings are so strong. However, if I waited until I worked out all my demons before having sex, wow, would I ever have sex again? That's too much to ask of myself! I'm in a loving, respectful, 23-year relationship with a beautiful butch top. I want to get to the place where I can honestly say, believe, and FEEL that if sex is one arena in which I wrestle with my demons, then so be it! I also work shit out in the kitchen, the bathroom, while grocery shopping, at work, with friends, with my family, in group, and in therapy. Sorry if this is starting to sound like a rant. No judgment on anyone's post, I love this site, forum, and thread. It helps me so much to know I'm not alone, and I feel invisible (some depersonalization at times) and lonely