Quote Originally Posted by Timberwolf View Post

Conforming sucks and I don't want to do it anymore. I shouldn't have to make an effort to put on a mask just to be around some people. I mean obviously it's not like I want to go around and bludgeon people over the head with "Hey I'm a Lifestyler, wheee", or anything, but the longer I'm in this the harder it is for me to justify dancing around it to myself.

Do others feel that way too?
TW, I know where you are coming from. I live in the Southeastern US in the middle of the bible belt, and I am definitely in the minority here. The lifestyle, while it does exist, is secretive, and most practitioners have to remain in the closet. Failure to do so would probably result in being placed in the "10 most needy of salvation list" at all the local churches. Angel moved here from a large northern city, and its hard for her to adjust to the mindset that the community has. For instance... the collar. She is accustomed to wearing it in public. It is so commonplace where she came from. People wear collars openly there, and its even considered a clothing accessory without association to the lifestyle. Here, dogs are the only pets with collars. I've had to restrict her wearing it in public because of the unwanted attention. My clients, friends, and family frequent the same stores as us, and unfortunately, we would be condemned by all the above if they knew.

Our solution...we're moving. It's not the ideal move at this stage. I'm a self-employed professional and my clientelle requires that we stay 'nearby', but we don't have to live in the city. We're moving to a more desolate area so that, at least in the privacy of our own home and premises (*rubs hands together Mr. Burns style thinking about outdoor playtime*), we will be free to experience the lifestyle openly without concern of friends and family dropping by to say hi. I mean, it hasnt happened yet (angel has only been here 1 month), but just picture this:

Ball gag is in place, ropes are securely bound, she was recently hoisted toward the ceiling and left to touch the ground with her tippytoes. The flogger and riding crop have blushed her skin for a few minutes and then...."Dingdong" My mom drops by to say "I was just in the area and thought I'd stop in for a moment...."

I kinda got off topic a little with that, but the point is, this society does not and will not ever accept who we are, so I'm getting to the point of disassociation. Having angel here with me is making me realize that I'm quite content to spend my time with her as opposed to trying to fit in with vanilla society. So while I wish that I could share who we are with the vanilla world, the reality is we would experience more grief than satisfaction by 'coming out'.