You know how I feel about education. I think it is the fundamental key to growing into a wise, thoughtful, and knowledgeable adult, the kind of adult who is able to take lessons learned and apply them to real life, the type who builds the competence to deal with all their own shit and solve their own problems. Education gives people agency over their lives by opening new doors to enlightenment, self-truth, and sanity. That’s why I’ve devoted myself with such a passion to sharing as many of the things I’ve learned about BDSM, fetish, gender, and sex in general with you. I want you to benefit from the stuff I’ve learned, and help you to become not just an independent thinker, but the best independent thinker you can be!
So add another fetish feather to my leather cap — I am a fetishistically obsessive nerd about spreading seriously honest and competent education about WIITWD. It almost hurts my heart when I read some article about “the BDSM Community,” only to find that the people speaking for us based their experience on reading 50 Shades or because they’re trying to hawk a service or product. They cannot and should not speak for us who are driven to the Scene because it’s where we found home, ecstasy, kinship and liberation. We have an emotional connection to our world that goes far beyond the toys we use and the gear we wear. For many of us, myself included, our closest BDSM friends are our chosen families.
I’ve wished for years that someone would set up some kind of Community-wide standards site to help BDSM Community break out of the mishmash of clueless self-promoters, inadequately educated newbies and weary elders who often turn down events because of the former two embarrassing problems. I’ve wished even harder that groups and organizations did a better job of vetting the people they accept as presenters. In a recent Scene scandal, involving one of our most respected events, nobody seemed to be paying attention when a relatively unknown presenter proposed a class to discuss how we could learn about the dos and don’ts of leadership style from Adolph Hitler. The shitstorm that descended when the class was listed on their site was…how shall I put it…DELICIOUS. You had to be there. People were livid. It was so gratifying to see them rage.
But, again, it raised old questions, like how the hell do people get chosen to present? How much vetting is done and who does it? Do desperate event-organizers fill in empty educational slots with whoever will volunteer?
There are many super-efficient organizers out there who really care about who will present and what their history has been in the Scene. But sometimes it’s hit and miss as unknown quantities and phonies slide through with experienced and respected educators. Maybe that’s because organizers aren’t necessarily educators themselves. They are organizers and bless them for undertaking that difficult task.
Well, I know how to educate. I was a college professor for 15 years. I know how to write. AND I know how to Internet. So I decided to take my skill set and do that thing I always wished someone else would do.
Welcome to the launch of my new collaborative project: Brame’s Educators Directory (BED)
WHAT IS BED?
BED is a directory of vetted and credentialed educators who are recognized authorities on risk-aware, mutually consensual and compassionate BDSM. We also list BDSM groups in North America who offer educational opportunities. Our goal is to link seasoned educators and activists with membership groups, activists, organizers, and academic/media professionals who need authoritative opinions on the BDSM/fetish/Leather communities.
BED does not rank, rate or endorse educators. We only make sure they are who they claim to be and have a proven record of delivering relevant educational experiences. Our application process is designed to level the playing field and keep politics out of it. All applicants must complete a formal application which details their BDSM history and service. We ask that they pledge to follow our mission of expanding educational opportunities for everyone interested in safe, sane, risk-aware and inclusive, minority-aware BDSM/fetish/Leather.
This is a free directory. There are no hidden fees or costs associated with getting listed in the directory or using it. This directory favors the Internet generation, with an emphasis on long-distance educational services to reach even the most remote groups or organizations.
Who Is BED?
We are all long-time BDSM/Leather/Fetish people who share a common mission to enhance educational opportunities for teachers, learners, and organizers and to make the process more professional throughout our BDSM communities. The Board of BED comprises a hand-picked group of known and respected BDSM educators. Members of the Foundational Board are Unc’ Abdul, Lily Luminous, Queen Raini, Randi Kemmler, Sir Guy deBrownsville, Gloria and William Brame. Use the top menu to get there, or visit our ABOUT US page now to read our bios and see our friendly faces.
The Board collaborates on and approves documents and application forms, creates and edits all content, and vets candidates carefully.
BED MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is BDSM education without borders. We emphasize diversity over divisiveness and serve all adults regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, advanced age, or other stifling demographics. We believe that fact-based education is the path to public understanding and acceptance of consensual kink. BED connects seasoned educators with anyone in need of reliable and health-aware dialogue about the realities of BDSM/Fetish/Leather life. Our primary mission is to spread rational thinking and learning opportunities so all consenting adults may lead more rewarding, more fun, and safer lives. Our secondary mission is to correct myths about consensual BDSM in media, academia, and the legal system by providing a professionally vetted cadre of experts on SSC and RACK.
How Can I Get in Bed with BED?
There are five ways you can join in our mission: list yourself, list your group, volunteer with us, sponsor us, or donate your writing to our Library.
1 – LIST YOURSELF: Whether you are an experienced educator or newbie, you are welcome to fill out the BED application. If you’re approved, your listing is and will always be free.
2 – LIST YOUR GROUP: Educational groups are welcome to get a free listing too. To get your club, group, organization or event(s) listed for free on BED kindly complete this short form.
3 – VOLUNTEER: Would you like to join BED’s mission? Fill out the Volunteer Form and thank you! As we move forward, we will need a core of dedicated volunteers to make this project grow.
4 – SPONSOR: Please write to Gloria for advertising and sponsorship opportunities for your business, store, organization, books, or other Community-oriented services. We will be building a Sponsor’s page so your support can shine. Graphics, videos, text and other acknowledgments of your support for our mission will be spotlighted there. Show your commitment to making the Community a more educated place.
5 – CONTRIBUTE WORDS: Share your knowledge with us. We are open to articles, FAQS, or other materials you or your group would like to contribute to our Digital Library. We cannot accept anonymous submissions. You must own the rights to the work (because you wrote it) or must have official permission from our group (if it was written by them) to republish on our site. Submit your writing(s) to Gloria. The Board will review it and will get back to you with our decision. We are happy to offer you links or information on your own writings, favorite groups or projects, etc., in the biographical footnote to your writing.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO FOR BED?
Here are some other ways you can help to grow this project.
— Invite a Board member to speak to your group about the BED project.
— Host a BED fundraiser. We need all the help we can get in building our resources.
— SM us! SM as in Social Media that is. Share and share again on Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, FetLife, ReConn, and anyplace else you think the Community will benefit by this resource. Pick up a graphic from our Library and show us your support.
— Donate: Help us with a PayPal donation! Gloria personally guarantees that every dollar will go towards web development, infrastructure, hosting and maintaining resources, as well as building tools and fresh new resources for teachers and learners. Donors will be listed on a special “thanks to our donors” page unless they prefer to remain anonymous.
