I’ve been dismayed by the comments made by various close-minded conservatives criticizing Cuffs without any real knowledge about bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism (BDSM).

BDSM is a lifestyle rooted in mutual passion, trust and caring — not abuse. The three tenets of BDSM are “safe, sane, consensual.” Communication is a huge focus, as you have to know your partner’s desires and limits before you can safely start any play. Cuffs is devoted to furthering the understanding of this beautiful aspect of human sexuality, including how to safely practice it.

GSB Finance Director David Boike asserts Cuffs doesn’t provide a benefit to the university community as a functional student organization. However, that’s not true — Cuffs provides an integral service: educating people on how to practice a potentially dangerous lifestyle. The Thielen Student Health Center teaches how to use condoms, and few people are up in arms about that. Cuffs plays a similar role in education.

It can be argued this is different because students are funding Cuffs, but we are also funding various other organizations that many people find offensive — namely, the religious organizations on this campus who also have an agenda regarding sex. These organizations focus on recruitment to their religion — how does that demonstrate a “consistent service to the University?” Because Christians are all perfect beings and BDSM practitioners are evil deviants? Is it because the Christian organizations do community service? If so, then I’m sure Cuffs would be more than happy to do a community service project.

Another argument that has been made is that BDSM is only sex. BDSM is no more about sex than Christianity is. For some, BDSM is a lifestyle — it’s a way of living and a way of looking at the world. BDSM scenes often don’t involve nudity or sex. To claim that it is all about sex is to claim that any of the religious organizations that advocate abstinence until marriage are all about sex. The sexual component is in the broader aspect of the lifestyle and set of views. BDSM and abstinence until marriage both have advantages and disadvantages, yet I don’t see GSB jumping all over Christian organizations for not educating people about safe sex.

I challenge anyone who opposes Cuffs to talk to club members and approach this with an open mind. I guarantee you’ll be amazed at what you learn.

Blair Polhamus

Sophomore

Women’s Studies