I think one of the main issues here is that there are many individuals for whom sex and tickling go hand in hand and it simply can't be seen any other way. It's can be hard to relate to non-sexual tickling encounters. But, for those who feel that way, you need to remember that not everyone is like that. There are MANY for whom they are two totally different things at different times. Do you feel weird about giving your mother or a little child a kiss goodnight? That can be sexual. In some cultures, something as simple as a touching of hands is sexual. We don't stop shaking hands when we meet people.
I love tickling...always have and always will. I get together with friends from this community on a regular basis. But, ya know what? Other than the occassional poke here and there, the majority of our time together is purely to socialize as friends. We don't have to or want to play eveery minute of the time we're together. There is more to life than tickling. There is more to people than their love of tickling.
Why a "tickle" gathering? Probably because those friends who'd like to get together and hang out happen to have met through a tickling forum...one that doesn't distinguish between sexual and non-sexual when you sign up. If this were purely sexual on this forum, I wouldn't be here. And, I know plenty of others for whom it would be the same.
I think it's time we all just relaxed a bit and stopped trying to create problems where there are none.
Ann