Editing BDSM (section)

=== Parties and clubs ===
BDSM [[Play party (BDSM)|play parties]] are events in which BDSM practitioners and other similarly interested people meet in order to communicate, share experiences and knowledge, and to "play" in an erotic atmosphere. BDSM parties show similarities to ones in the [[dark culture]], being based on a more or less strictly enforced [[dress code]]; often clothing made of latex, leather or vinyl/PVC, lycra and so on, emphasizing the body's shape and the primary and secondary sexual characteristics. The requirement for such dress codes differ. While some events have none, others have a policy in order to create a more coherent atmosphere and to prevent outsiders from taking part.<ref>[http://www.datenschlag.org/txt/smpabes.html datenschlag.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130185724/http://www.datenschlag.org/txt/smpabes.html |date=30 November 2007 }} (German)</ref>

At these parties, BDSM can be publicly performed on a stage, or more privately in separate "dungeons".<ref>Dossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy: ''The New Topping Book''. Page 163</ref> A reason for the relatively fast spread of this kind of event is the opportunity to use a wide range of "playing equipment", which in most apartments or houses is unavailable. Slings, St. Andrew's crosses (or similar restraining constructs), spanking benches, and punishing supports or cages are often made available. The problem of noise disturbance is also lessened at these events, while in the home setting many BDSM activities can be limited by this factor. In addition, such parties offer both [[Exhibitionism|exhibitionists]] and [[Voyeurism|voyeurs]] a forum to indulge their inclinations without social criticism. Sexual intercourse is not permitted within most public BDSM play spaces or not often seen in others, because it is not the emphasis of this kind of play. In order to ensure the maximum safety and comfort for the participants, certain standards of behaviour have evolved; these include aspects of [[courtesy]], [[privacy]], respect and safewords.<ref name=sm101 /> Today BDSM parties are taking place in most of the larger cities in the Western world.

This scene appears particularly on the Internet, in publications, and in meetings such as at [[fetish club]]s (like [[Torture Garden (fetish club)|Torture Garden]]), SM parties, gatherings called [[Munch (BDSM)|munches]], and erotic fairs like [[Venus Berlin]]. The annual [[Folsom Street Fair]] held in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] is the world's largest BDSM event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://folsomstreetfair.org/|title=Folsom Street Fair|access-date=11 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215163221/http://folsomstreetfair.org/|archive-date=15 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has its roots in the gay leather movement. The weekend-long festivities include a wide range of sadomasochistic erotica in a public clothing optional space between 8th and 13th streets with nightly parties associated with the organization.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Folsom-Street-Fair-attracts-whippers-usual-5771032.php|title=Fantasy becomes reality at Folsom Street Fair|newspaper=Sfgate |access-date=13 February 2017|date=2014-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214183402/http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Folsom-Street-Fair-attracts-whippers-usual-5771032.php|archive-date=14 February 2017|url-status=live |last1=Fimrite |first1= Peter }}</ref>

There are also conventions such as [[National Leather Association International|Living in Leather]] and [[Black Rose (BDSM organization)|Black Rose]].