Someone To Relate To

[barefeetarebest]

I'm not sure why it should feel this way, but I'm pretty sure that through this predisposition, this affinity, this fetish, fascination, obsession.. (whatever you want to call it) for tickling/being tickled... I seem to easily be able to understand and sympathize with what people who identify as GLBT go through personally. I can identify because of this:

Before they are out, they are internally tormented in a private living hell. If they come out to a small number of close friends or family but don't carefully select them, or it "accidentally" goes farther than you intended, well then you are subjected to the ridicule of those who don't "get it". And won't even try. And can't accept it. In my experience, the fact that I like what I like has been downright offensive to some people... Like it's a big deal or affects them somehow. The only person it ever affected was the person I was with, who decided she generally didn't like it. And because it was used as an attack to ridicule me or weaken my position, from time to time it would come up during disagreements that were not private. I thought that was quite unfair.

Back to the GLBT statement- They are easily able to find fellowship and comraderie amongst one another, and to a lesser extent so do we here. When they finally do fully come out, they feel uplifted, empowered, and much lighter. The same may be true of us, but their support network is far better equipped to receive them.

And while NEST, other gatherings, munches, and so forth are GREAT ways to get this community mingling, most people's pockets are too hit to attend them anymore. So we resort to what we have- this forum. Which is fantastic, full of great material, wonderful people who, at times when called upon are great stewards to each other in terms of advice, morale, or any sort of help you can name.

Problem is, I've always hesitated to be my full and complete self on this forum- I've only ever been tickle-fetish Kevin... which I suppose would be off-putting or creepy because you're only seeing one aspect/ one slice of my life. I mean, tickling is a large portion of who I am, as in it's something I think about daily, something I long for in a mutually satisfying relationship. I wouldn't want to go without it. I am without it now, and have been for a very long time; why would I want that to continue? So, to me, if the possibilty of a relationship existing without it I would pass on that relationship. However, it is not the only thing I am about; there are many other aspects to what makes us ourselves. That's common knowledge. So the assumptions about us are unfair.

We all know tickling, regardless of if it is sexual in nature for you, attitude adjusting for you, leveling, even keeling, or just an activity you like.. whatever the case- releases endorphins which cause a chemical reaction in your brain and body. It has got to be better than any drug you can offer to anyone. It makes you feel good/better. You know if this is you. You crave it. You think about it. You wish you had it. You make efforts to get it into your life. And when roadblocks go up, or ridicule comes your way, you get defensive and maybe a little cranky. Maybe we all need some understanding.

I am thankful for the friends I've made over the years in this community. Friends are great; you can never have enough. I think we should do more to help each other in other ways as well... Such as matchmaking play partners, or hell, even romantic partners if some feel so bold... Guaranteed many of the ladies from NEST would do a great job on a project like that! And what I'm suggesting may already occur from time to time and I just haven't seen it. Creepers are going to be creepers. But those of us who have been around for some time can 1) spot a creeper fairly easily, and 2) would be well-served to do our fellow brothers and sisters in the fetish a good turn in their quest to find a play partner, a significant other, and so on. I think I may be endorsing something with this.. maybe just that: A system by which prominent, widely known and respected, upstanding members of this community would be able to "endorse" others, thereby elevating their own "rep" power (some forums have this) as safe players, the genuine article, and things of this nature so as to remove a certain level of discomfort or apprehension when two people from here meet. I know that if I were going to meet someone for a session from here, that's just what it would be.

I know I had more to add, but it just escaped. That's okay it's an open thread.

 

[ticklishdanny]

I can relate, no one in my life besides one significant other knows that tickling turns me on. When someone from the GLBT community comes out it's frightening and the reactions of friends and family is very different. Some friends and family members are supportive, some are not. For example, one of my friends who came out had a very supportive father, but his mother was EXTREMELY opposed to his sexual orientation even going as far as telling his younger brother that it's up to him to make his mother a grandmother someday. Needless to say, many of his friends were supportive, however the same cannot be said for someone else I knew my senior year of high school. He wasn't very popular and when he came out, he was met with ridicule by A LOT of people. Even his family.

Another guy I knew was beaten up for asking someone of the same sex out. I don't think I'll ever have the courage to tell my family or friends because this is something I just want to keep to me and my significant other, which is why I don't think I'll upload a picture of myself on the forum. Heck for many of us on the forum telling our significant other is a HUGE deal and if I remember correctly, in TickleMyFancy's case, it was a dealbreaker, though I don't think she told her boyfriend, he discovered it through her dailymotion account.

People can be very understanding, but a lot more of them can be cruel. I can sorta see why someone would choose to commit suicide because of non-stop ridicule and torture, which is pretty sad to me. To quote Andrew from The Breakfast Club, "We're all pretty bizarre, some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

 

[deadlywiffeathr]

I think the fellowship and comraderie statement you made is alot more common in the LGBT community because of a growing social awareness and to some extent acceptance. As the times have moved on its become alot more common, trendy even, to be gay or bisexual. Something I dont personally agree with. I think its abit of a double standard to suddenly become accepting of something just because it happens more. Personally, I am currently coming to terms with being attracted to the same sex so it might seem abit weird for me to say that, but I honestly want acceptance or understanding to come from a truer place. Not just because of a 'its happening so lets deal with it mentality'.

Anyhoo, I'm getting off track! lol. I think deep down everyone has something to hide about themselves in one way or another. It takes alot of courage to share things about ourselves with people, even the ones we love most. My persoanl belief is that stigmas stem from ignorance - whether it be related to religion, sexuality or fetishism. When you get down to the nitty gritty, tickling is not such a bad thing to be "into" or "turned on" by. Its better than being a serial killer that gets their rocks off by raping and torturing their victims isn't it.

Even though with this fetish it is tempting to hide in the shadows and be subconciously ashamed of what we like, I think its important to be confident and proud of our little quirk. Its the only way people will learn to understand that everyone is different and that what we dont understand can't necessarily hurt us. I dont think its a good idea to go and tell everyone you know lol, but its certainly ok with significant others or those you are intimate with. We've just gotta be bold and go for it!

 

[Oddjob0226]

I totally understand where you are coming from.