AB/DL and other lifestyle discrimination

[DiaperGrandpa]

Hi, I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on Adult Baby/Diaper Lover (AB/DL) discrimination. Even if you're not in the Diaper Community, I'd like to hear what you have to say.


Do you consider the stigma AB/DL's face to be a form of discrimination? If so, do you you liken it to homophobia, ableism, ageism, etc.?

I've had this discussion with people before, and it seems the general consensus amongst anarchists/most non-AB/DL's is that the stigma against AB/DL's is more acceptable than any other "ism" because it's a choice--similar to any sort of prejudice someone in a furry, BDSM, or any other counter-cultural fetish/lifestyle faces.

But that's the part I've always had an issue with: the idea that this lifestyle is a choice. Of course we can get to the question of free will, nature vs. nurture and all that stuff, but I know that being an AB is as essential to my identity and life as is my sexual orientation, ethnicity, cultural identification, etc.

While I no longer work outside of my webcam, when I had a job at a high school cafeteria, I knew very well I had to keep this aspect of my identity a secret--something my non AB/DL counterparts never had to worry about. Not to mention the horrible misconceptions many people have on AB/DL's (we're pedophiles, dangerous, NAMBLA, sex offenders...). People jump to conclusions without taking the time to understand.

So I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this matter.

Thanks in advance for any responses! :)

--Diaper Grandpa

[Raúl Duke]

ummm....it's strange...(like furries, but even stranger)
but people have the right to their own fetishes
as long as it's consensual.

[Jimmie Higgins]

I've never met anyone who openly expressed this preference so I can't say I have much background on this specific issue or kinds of problems and restrictions people face. But in general people should be able to enjoy whatever consensual non-oppressive behaviors that make them happy and radicals and the worker's movement in general have a class interest to stand up to moral restrictions on personal lifestyle and sexual behaviors.

"Choice" shouldn't matter - it's just a prefernece and trying to control what other people enjoy is a moral effort. The "closeting" of specific preferences has to do with a constructed sense of what men, women, children, and families "should" be under capitalism to make the family a productive unit. People who are gay or polyamerous or dress against standard gender expectations show the constructed nature of what it is to be a man or a woman or a family and so they are discouraged by the rulers of capitalist societies.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

Whether it's truly coming from a place of choice or genetics is irrelevant, in my opinion. People can do what they want providing it's among consenting adults (people don't have to completely understand it and like it, but they can at least be tolerant and accepting of it)
I'm sure I have fetishes or habits that would seem odd to AB/DL people, doesn't mean they would / should be discriminatory towards me.

[Sasha]

Its a fetish, and like any other fetish I'm very willing to try to ignore the visual representations of that fetish (in your case diapers but I more commonly encounter bondage gear) but I strongly oppose dragging me (or others) unconsensual into your actual fetish (i.e. keep your acting like an actual baby or slave or something else in private).
I'm just as opposed to my coworkers having hetero-normative vanilla sex on my desk when I try to get shit done as if they would drag me into sub/dom powerplays.
Besides its a fetish, I.e. you get off from something that's against the norm, you can't really complain about discrimination if that is in truth exactly what makes your fetish a fetish. It might be useful for fetishists to cop to that, because be honest, would you still be into this if no'one batted an eyebrow?

[A Revolutionary Tool]

What does this even mean? Like you wear a diaper around everywhere and act like a baby? Never heard of it before.

[Tenka]

Do you consider the stigma AB/DL's face to be a form of discrimination? If so, do you you liken it to homophobia, ableism, ageism, etc.?
It is of course a form of discrimination; but no, it is not comparable to homophobia (really a form of sexism), ableism, ageism, etc.
If people in general (*retch*) were to stop discriminating against adults, who have perfect (or near perfect) command of their bowels and bladders, wearing diapers -- then I should hope they would stop discriminating against people who enjoy bondage, flagellation of their fleshy parts, buttplugs, erotic enemas, being pissed on, etc. and I don't see that happening any time soon either.

[DiaperGrandpa]

Thanks for your reply, and I understand where you're coming from. But for me and others, we truly would still be this way if no one batted an eyelash :).

[DiaperGrandpa]

You articulated what I've been trying to say very well, thanks :).

[DiaperGrandpa]

What does this even mean? Like you wear a diaper around everywhere and act like a baby? Never heard of it before.

Sort of, if you look up "paraphilic infantilism" you might get a clearer idea :).

By the way, I think I've been responding to individual comments incorrectly (or at least not replying with quote). Still new here, so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon. Sorry if this has caused any confusion!

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

As Psycho says, there's a difference between gender/sexual orientation (sorry if that's the wrong term, I think it's clear what I mean), and a fetish. Fetishes should (within reason) be respected, but are certainly something to be kept in private, if they are likely to offend in public. I don't think you can even begin to equalise a fetish with the very real struggle for LGBTQ rights.

[Goblin]

Not to sound mean, but i think stuff like that should be kept private as a lot of people may find it offensive...

[homegrown terror]

i say as long as you don't force it upon others (including visually) there's nothing wrong with it.

[MustCrushCapitalism]

Not to sound mean, but i think stuff like that should be kept private as a lot of people may find it offensive...
That's what some people say about homosexuality.

I'm a bit confused though - is this just a sexual fetish, or a full out lifestyle?

[DiaperGrandpa]

That's what some people say about homosexuality.

I'm a bit confused though - is this just a sexual fetish, or a full out lifestyle?

For most, it's a sexual fetish.

[Prometeo liberado]

I was waiting for this thread. I want to ask a very serious question of the OP. Did you join revleft because you thought there would be a more receptive audience here? I have asked before why you are here and have yet to receive an answer. Whatever your lifestyle is fine of course but you seem bent on avoiding leftist positions or discussion(save for this*). Are we to expect that the diaper discussion will be the sum total of your contribution to this forum? Just wondering.

*
Capital! I downloaded the audiobook version for when I drive long distances :D. If you're interested, Librivox has it for free.

[Zostrianos]

I usually keep my fetishes to myself and the woman I'm with at the time. I'm not worried about what people think, as fetishes are something to be kept private I think (and the stuff I'm into is nowhere as uncommon and controversial as that of the op :D). So essentially, it doesn't matter what society thinks. Period.

[DiaperGrandpa]

I was waiting for this thread. I want to ask a very serious question of the OP. Did you join revleft because you thought there would be a more receptive audience here? I have asked before why you are here and have yet to receive an answer. Whatever your lifestyle is fine of course but you seem bent on avoiding leftist positions or discussion(save for this*). Are we to expect that the diaper discussion will be the sum total of your contribution to this forum? Just wondering.

*

I did think that people here would be more accepting and tolerant. I'm sorry if you don't appreciate my posts so far, but please keep in mind that I'm still new here. I also came here because I've recently become very serious about educating myself on politics and think this is overall a good forum for learning and discussing. I'm not intentionally avoiding discussion of leftist positions, and I'm sure that I'll have more to contribute in that area as I continue on my journey. I saw that you had posted that question as a public message on my profile and wasn't sure if you were honestly looking for an answer, so sorry for not responding right away and thank you for clarifying.

[Regicollis]

Does it really matter what these affectionate people do — so long as they don’t do it in the streets and frighten the horses!
- Mrs. Patrick Campbell

[Prometeo liberado]

Banned. Just what I thought.

[Zostrianos]

Banned. Just what I thought.

No, he's returned:
http://www.revleft.com/vb/member.php?u=64000

:laugh:

[homegrown terror]

Banned. Just what I thought.

funny how in this thread he complains about being compared to a NAMBLA pedo, then in another thread goes off and speaks favorably of such groups and activities.

[Ele'ill]

Thread closed.