Does BDSM have rules? Who actually makes the rules in the kink community? And what's the difference between BDSM protocol, etiquette, tradition, personal preference, and consent? This week on Bearly Gays, we're getting into Bearly Protocol! After talking about making your own kink, your own boundaries, and your own kink menu, we're taking a look at what happens when you step into a larger BDSM, Leather, or kink community that already has traditions and expectations. We're talking about Old Guard vs. New Guard, Leather culture, BDSM protocol, community etiquette, titles, hierarchy, rituals, unwritten rules, consent, relationship-specific protocols, dungeon etiquette, and whether you actually need to follow traditional kink rules. What exactly is Old Guard? Where did some of these traditions come from? What has changed with New Guard and modern kink communities? What are the benefits and drawbacks of having established protocols? And when does “tradition” become someone simply telling you how they think everyone should behave? We also talk about an important distinction: Protocol tells you what is expected. Consent tells you what is actually allowed. We'll also discuss some great resources for anyone interested in learning more about Leather and kink history and culture, including The Leatherman's Handbook, The Leatherman's Protocol Handbook, The Ethical Slut, and Leo Herrera's (analog) Cruising. And of course, Logan and Shadow are bringing plenty of opinions, stories, questionable dad jokes, and our Protocol or Personal Preference rapid-fire game! Whether you're brand new to BDSM, already involved in the kink community, a Leather enthusiast, a curious vanilla, or somewhere in between, this episode is all about learning the culture without assuming there's only one way to do kink. 🐻 SUBSCRIBE for more Bearly Gays episodes about relationships, LGBTQ+ life, kink, BDSM, Leather culture, and all the wonderfully weird things that make us who we are. 💬 COMMENT: What's one piece of kink etiquette or protocol you were taught that you still follow—and what's one tradition you decided wasn't for you? #BDSM #Kink #Leather #OldGuard #NewGuard #BDSMProtocol #KinkCommunity #LeatherCommunity #BearlyGays #LGBTQ #GayBears #BDSMCommunity #KinkEducation Check out our socials at www.BearlyGays.com. Follow/subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.
