I hope you don't mind my answering this one as well, Chickles.. I've been the reluctant other party..
My husband has been interested in tickling for most of his life. It was not until we'd been together for almost three years before the subject was really brought into the open between us. Not that he hid the interest, browsing tickling sites, downloading pictures, etc. I finally came out and asked and he was very frank about his interests. I love the man, so I tried to understand. I joined the TMF, primarily as a lurker, hoping for some interesting insight from someone here. I just couldn't get my mind around the idea of a whole community based around an interest in tickling.. *TICKLING* for gods sake! I guess it coulda been diapers and a binky, so I got lucky right?
Anyway, when Ray and I were invited to a gathering (SBGI) back in 2001, I know Ray probably had the same nervous feelings that you may be having about your significant other. I was reluctant, scared, and very definite that my attending was only to let him get it out of his system, although I worked very hard to go in being open-minded. Knowing that QB Weaver and DVNC were assisting NJjen with hosting the gathering as well as attending helped. They are both very experienced gathering organizers and openly advocate safe play. That did not stop me from lining up my alternate plans, so we'd have something to do when I freaked and wanted to leave.
Walking into the hotel suite where the gathering was being held was rather surreal. I was immediately greeted like a long lost friend, cheerfully invited to join a tickling vendetta against the *still* unroken TTD, then went into the smokers / conversation lounge to get to know other attendees. The fact that this gathering was only about 20 people at any given time may have helped as well. Needless to say, some of the friends we made at that first gathering are some of our dearest to this day. We are actually attending two weddings this year, and both are friends originally met at that gathering. Due to those incredible almost instant friendships, my comfort level was such that I actually participated in a few tickling "scenes" and found that I enjoyed it. Sometimes too much! LOL
Keep in mind that smaller gatherings are being held all around, and might be easier ways to get your significant others feet wet. You might also see if any around you host "munches", which are basically luncheons with others from the community, just a way to make the friends without the onus of
having to play, or praying someone will let you play with them. Doing so might make first gatherings far easier, especially if you are lucky enough to have any of your munch friends attend.
I hope that we'll see you next year! ;-)
*laughs* I know, it's no biggie. 
