There’s a recently published article on Salon about a spanking aficionado coming to terms with and confessing his kink. It’s written from the point of view of a male top and, apart from the inappropriate stock photograph at the top, it’s a good insight into the kind of self-analysis and relationship risks a lot of kinky people have to enter into.
Male submissives often complain, with some justification, about the cultural unacceptability of their kinks. This article is a good reminder that dominants of both genders have their own set of problems to face. Particularly those that enjoy potentially painful activities. Telling someone you like to be hurt in certain specific ways risks them thinking you’re weird. Telling someone you like to hurt people risks them thinking you’re both weird and dangerous, no matter how much you emphasize the consensual nature of the act. Just a quick glance at the article comments will confirm the reactions that this confession can provoke from non-kinky people.
This image is taken from the Endart site, which is no longer maintained. I found it on the Who’s Sorry Now (aka spanked 2 tears) tumblr.