(tw // discussion of rape) the thing about bdsm...

I don't get it when ppl act like every other play but rape play, somnophilia, etc is ok bc they're "predatory". dude. every play is predatory. you have ppl acting as master/slave, boss/employee, cop/prisoner, teacher/student, owner/pet, etc etc. bdsm as a whole is just toying w power balance and consent. when engaging in a play, you're consenting to act like you are abusing your power over another or you have little power over your autonomy. rape play and other more extreme plays are just that: more extreme. when we get down to it, other plays like slave/master of teacher/student are also rape. you may not understand the appeal of bdsm, and you don't need to bc different strokes for different folks, but at least understand that these ppl are participating in these situations with awareness and enthusiastic consent. there's no point arguing over something that should be self-explanatory.