this is just making me...sad

[simplyn2deep]

I'm watching Dateline and they're supposed to be talking about a man from Grosse Pointe, Michigan who possibly hired a hit man to kill his wife...then suddenly it takes a left turn when all these people come out saying they know guy, but not as he's being talked about. They know him as Master Bob and he's a big deal or whatever in the BDSM community.

Now they're talking about this as if the BDSM lifestyle is bad, dirty, morally wrong or whatever and I'm like OMG WTF! Not because I'm into that lifestyle, but because it's like hurting my heart/soul to hear it being talk about in a sensationalized, scandalized and almost negative view.

I know alternative sexual lifestyles, specifically BDSM, is a taboo topic and isn't really talked about publicly, but I expected more of Dateline.

I'm wondering if the fact that I read it in fanfic and it's written so well have to do with why I feel the way I do about how this topic is being discussed on Dateline.

Comments

[huntress69.livejournal.com]

Now they're talking about this as if the BDSM lifestyle is bad, dirty, morally wrong or whatever and I'm like OMG WTF!

There are folks who would consider my son perverted for being gay. And there are people who think if you do anything but the missionary position there's something wrong with you.

I don't think it has to do with fanfic; I'm figuring you're just open-minded, as most people should be.

[heffermonkey.livejournal.com]

BDSM and the lifestyle is a very taboo subject so it isn't surprising people sound scandalized and negative - it's usually because they know little about it and what they do know doesn't agree with their more straight laced views. If people did their homework or even if they were more open minded about it then it perhaps might have been a more fair debate or conversation.

Like you I'm not into the lifestyle, but having done the homework for fics I'm much more open minded than I ever was about the subject.

[simplyn2deep.livejournal.com]

Also what I think made me upset were the "sources" who were telling all sorts of stories and secrets about what went on in this Master's private room. I couldn't see the connection between what they were saying and the crime this man was accused of committing.

I admit to having stopped watching after that, so I don't know if it was "tied together" or not.

[wanderlustlover]

I'm always a little disappointed about ways alternate religions or sexualities are shown -- as someone who is pagan, bisexual, and has a habit of wandering in and out of 'The Scene' at regular intervals. I've never had to be in the closet, nor have I ever been through negative events/opinions from other for it.

But I do agree with you being disappointed in how media portrays non-"norm" things frequently.

[tkeylasunset.livejournal.com]

You're so right. It is sad when an alternate life style is considered "wrong" or salacious enough to make the entire story about their choices. Their choices may not be ours but that does not render them unacceptable.