July 24th International BDSM Day

July 24th is International BDSM Day. Maybe.

When Master told me to write a blog piece today on International BDSM Day celebrations on July 24th… I tried to research the history. I searched the Leather archives, the Internet in general, and all associations for July 24th I could find. Unfortunately, I found only a few ‘Net references all traceable to one small BDSM club, and that information was sketchy. I cannot tell you whose initiative started this celebration, nor what inspired it, nor how widely this particular “Day” is celebrated, nor its current purpose (aside from let’s party! and perhaps advocacy of 24/7 submission as an ideal – an opinion with which I do NOT happen to agree.)

When I heard “International BDSM Day”, I wondered – was it similar to International Fetish Day (3rd Friday in January), with the Perverts Wear Purple campaign for people to demonstrate their support for fetishists? In 2009 this initially British event went international, and was an occasion to protest that month’s UK implementation of  criminalization of “extreme pornography”. Or was I-BDSM-D like the even older Gay Pride events celebrated in June around the world which commemorate (40 years ago this year) the Stonewall Riots in New York and resistance to police/government harrassment for sexual minorities)?

July 24th: in the United States it is National Tequila Day, and also Pioneer Day, a significant day in the history of the US state of Utah and the Mormon church. In Ecuador it is Simón Bolívar Day. It was Jekaba Diena (“Jacob’s Day”) in ancient Latvia, a day in which the harvest of grain was celebrated. And the closest association I could find of July 24th with BDSM with was the Roman Catholic Saint’s Day for Christina the Astonishing (1150 – 1224), also known as Christina Mirabilis, a 12th century enthusiast for her own physical suffering (for the conversion of souls… but she was VERY enthusiastic, gave God her informed consent directly in a vision, and sounds like a masochist to me. )

Does the lack of history matter? The very few ‘Net references I could find listed activities for International BDSM Day as parties.

But if you choose to celebrate this day, and want to include something *other* than a nice get-together with your favorite playmate or club, may I suggest
* educating yourself on BDSM rights advocacy. (Curent issues can be identified at several excellent websites including http://www.bdsmrights.com/ and http://www.ncsfreedom.org/ and http://www.revisef65.org/ )
* educate yourself on BDSM practices. Been putting off buying that book? Go to a BDSM book supplier locally or online and order a treat.
* Stand up and announce your support of BDSM on this, its Day. (Anonymously on this blog will do just fine, just express yourself.)
* Decide that despite lack of any reason, it IS International BDSM Day.

Be proud. Have a sense of humor. Be a bit more informed. Have some cake, and eat it too. And have safe sane consensual fun.

Because today is as good a day for that as any.

Related posts:

1. Big BDSM party on the 16th of May
2. The all mighty power of presenting one self
3. BDSM and Feminism – a few good reads