I have enjoyed going to fetish nights in clubs for years. To be clear, I mean fetish-themed nights in night clubs and not dedicated fetish parties or dungeons.
One thing I have always had a bit of a twitch about was the dress code at these events. They inevitably include a variation on “black, leather, latex, pvc, goth, cyber, costume, lingerie, military, etc.” By no means to I have any problem with these types of outfits, quite the opposite. But what I do have a problem with is the restricted list. And what is usually at the top of that list? Blue jeans.
I will throw a bias out right now. While I am a pretty freaky-lookin’ dude with a fair complement of leather, pvc and black clothes in my closet, I am also a sucker for blue jeans. Specifically legs and asses in blue jeans. Such a fantastic sight when walking down the street. So, yes, I would definitely enjoy seeing someone in a pair of faded 501s getting spanked on a cross.
But that isn’t my main problem with these dress codes. My issue is exclusion for protection.
Generally, the dress codes have been established to prevent people from walking in off the street to these events, people who may not be understanding or accepting and who would cause a disturbance or possibly be able to out other people as kinky. I get that. Safety, when it comes to sexuality, is very important.
However, when you deny people entry because they do not adhere to a certain fashion sense, then you are denying those people the chance at community, at understanding and, most importantly, play!
Granted, people who do not want to conform are not obliged to play in clubs. But I argue they should be allowed. These dress codes, based on fashion, are as silly as keeping people who are dressed in black latex out of an event.
