Ok, first off. Like EVERY OTHER way of life, Goreans span a large spectrum: from the r/l role players (i.e. people that dress like the fiction books & live their day to day lives enveloped in the fictious world) to the r/l people who use the practical ideals & protocols in their daily lives to the o/l world where chatrooms are created to re-invent the Gorean planet. I have met Goreans who fit into all these various categories and I would say this: Who are we to judge? Just as you do not wished to be judged for the lifestyle choices you make, who are we to judge Goreans (on any level) for the choices that they make? We aren't. So perhaps a bit of decorum & less tunnel vision would make this thread more accepting, hm? Just a thought.

Now, back to the original question from Kiz. BDSM is an umbrella term used to encompass all the various ways of life & levels of kink that can be found. There is no "one thing" that "is" BDSM; in fact, when you ask different people what BDSM is an acroynm for, there are various answers; for instance: B=Bondange, D= Dominance or discipline, S= sadism or submission or service, M=masochism. It means whatever you want it to mean for you. In other words, make of it what you will.

Underneath the umbrella of BDSM, there are many different "kinks" and "lifestyles" that are chosen by different people, depending on their desires & interests. Gorean is one such lifestyle. Gor is a fictitious planet, created by John Norman (and you'll have to excuse my spelling, it's been a long night) through his many books. I personally have read over 1/2 the series, and I find them incredibly difficult to plow through, as I believe Norman suffers from a complete lack of literary prowess. That being said, the books do have some good, salient points that can be taken away from them & used as part of a lifestyle.

Some Goreans choose to live their lives in accordance with the books as much as practically possible. And while this may be fantastic for a them, generally it won't work for many people, because the planet of Gor tends to be more of a fantasy Eutopia, rather then a reality.

Many other people call themselves Gorean because they choose to live with the ideals & many of the protocols that are expressed in the Norman books, and are actually quite in line with those found under the "Old School" philosophy of BDSM (long story & history on that school, catch me later if you want to know more--I have been trained under that philosophy). Generally these types of folks believe in the strict slave-Owner boundaries, certain protocols to be observed, etc., but don't try to live an unrealistic existence--they mesh the ideals of Gor into their daily lives.

Then there are the o/l Goreans. The ones who only live the Gorean lifestyle o/l through various chatrooms, and espouse to know much about the Gorean way of life. Generally (and I say GENERALLY), these "Goreans" (use of quotes is intentional) are the ones that give the Gorean ideals a bad name--perhaps they have read the books, perhaps they haven't... but they live the books in an o/l existance that often borders on obsessive-compulsive. They have very strict vocal and physical protocols o/l & they are often quick to rebuke those that "do not know." That isn't to say ALL o/l Goreans are bad (definitely not!) but generally, this is the "group" of Goreans that give the r/l Goreans a headache.

As always, people can take it or leave it, or take a little & incorporate it into their lives, and leave the pieces which they don't enjoy.

Be weary of anyone who espouses to be a full-fledged Gorean, until you actually really know them--because often, the o/l folks, who haven't EVER "lived it", have no idea how unrealistic their ideals are. And for the r/l Goreans, they often will lurk in the shadows, careful not to draw too much attention to themselves for fear of reprisal (hello, the posts in this thread are a great example).

If you want to know more about Gorean as a philosophy & lifestyle, there are people here I can put you in contact with, and also some good websites that discuss the philosophy & ideals of the Gorean lifestyle.


Always remember: What works for you isn't what works for everyone.

Play hard, play safe,

delia