Should we require that people who wish to practice BDSM sign?
BDSM is based on enthusiastic consent. If someone is not actively excited about taking part in a scene, is not actively planning it with me, is not there panting to do it, Im not going to do it. I dont have BDSM scenes with unwilling partners. Very few people in BDSM do. Personally, I like my partners to beg a bit, just to show how eager they are. Ive said it before, a contract for sex or BDSM has no value in law, since sex can be withdrawn at any point (and in BDSM, saying Red stops the entire scene). But asking someone to sign a contract actually means that you are planning to rape them or do something you know they would not consent to. You never ask someone to sign a contract unless you think you are going to do something which will make them call foul. Asking for a contract says you know they are going to complain and you are trying to protect yourself. Dont play with anyone who is not 100% enthusiastic, and make sure you respect safe words as well as watching body language. Simple.