Large Fierce Mammal

Source: Drag Queen Story Hour

If you’ve been paying attention, use the public library, or have children in school, you will have somewhere, somehow, heard of Drag Queen Story Hour.

“It’s just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores.

“DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.

“In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves!”

I personally have more than a few issues with adults openly trotting out the props and trappings of their sexuality before audiences of minors in the name of education and authenticity, and overall believe this to be an exceptionally bad idea.

The seeds of what floats your boat sexually in adulthood were commonly sown in childhood, and a lot of kids grow up in an environment of ignorance and opportunism where the gnawing drives of puberty can’t be healthily addressed. Many get their sexual education from among the ranks of their peers. For those who grow to be “well adjusted” adults (whatever that means), what gets them off reliably will be the outcome of finding their way to outlets that aren’t specifically named in the Criminal Code.

Most people don’t wear their sexual outlet as openly and loudly as drag queens do (and transgender and drag are not synonymous), but the first time I heard about story time I jokingly wondered aloud why I’m not hearing about Dominatrix Story Hour, or group readings for children done by adherents of any other fetish for that matter.

In the spirit of addressing that question, tonight’s Dark Sentiment will take a non-joking look at four examples drawn from Soft White Underbelly: interviews and portraits of the human condition by photographer, Mark Laita.

These excellent interviews are edited to spare the sensibilities of the YouTube platform, but I am confident you will find enough meat left on the bones to grasp that these are very adult matters indeed, no matter how much fun the grown ups may be having.

Notwithstanding editing, these are relatively lengthy treatments with all but one running in the half-hour long range. Take your time and meet me here next time.

Foot Fetishist interview-Marc:

Master and Slave interview-Berlin and Angel Blue:

“Little” Fetishist interview-Alice:

Masochist interview-Dassie