Any "Pride" I feel about my tickling fetish comes from the last few years on the 'net. It's really nice to FINALLY be able to communicate with others like myself. As I've said before, tickling is my greatest love and my eternal curse, and someday I'll be buried with it. Think "Prrrrrecious." Nothing can make me happier, and nothing can frustrate me so much.
It's different for all of us; some of us see tickling as absolutely sexual, to others tickling and sex are two completely separate entities, while alot of us fall somewhere in between. I'm in the latter category, leaning toward separation. Tickling can be nothing but a playful, innocent contact sport. However, if I may twist the Marquis de Sade's words, sex without tickling is not as good as it should be. And as Terorizer pointed out, it can simply be an expression of affection. Some folks have denounced this "Separartion" theory, saying it's impossible to be sexual and non-sexual in the same breath. Actually I'm sorry for the people who are unable to see and feel more than one aspect of tickling. You're missing out on alot. But, I won't try to change you, so don't try to change me. We'd both fail.
Tho I don't fully understand my love for tickling, I accepted it more than 20 years ago, and its consequences, and became happy with myself. Before that, growing up in a very tiny town had me hiding it away like a shameful scarlet letter. I guess that's something to be proud of.
Rxx