How to Be Great in BED
(Code of Conduct)
Bondage Expo Dallas was born from a love of bondage, rope, learning, and connection. Our mission is to provide education, connection, and hospitality. We have a few tips on how you can help with the mission and be “Great in BED”
- Don’t be an asshole!!! Treat everyone with measured courtesy and respect, in words and actions, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, physical appearance, body size, age, or identity/label/kink.
- Consent is the foundation of BDSM and is what separates what we do from abuse. Consent is informed/risk aware, voluntary, and given by someone with sufficient understanding & mental capacity to do so. Negotiate effectively. Never assume. Use your words.
- Make sure you have explicit permission or an invitation before you enter into anyone’s personal space bubble, touch them, or touch their things. Always ASK FIRST!!!
- No means no. No reason or justification required. Accept it and move on to the next person, they might say yes!
- Respect the privacy of everyone and the security of their personal, private information. This means that the sharing of someone’s personal, private information with others will not be tolerated. (NO outing!)
- It isn’t reasonable to assume that gender identity or expression has anything to do with what side of the rope they prefer. Or that which side of the rope they happen to be on indicates how they may identify in other areas of their life (Top ≠ Dominant; bottom ≠ submissive). Assume that people tying like to tie, and people being tied like to be tied.
- Ask for people’s pronouns and use gender-neutral pronouns when applicable or you are unsure about pronouns. This makes all the difference in making people, of all gender identities, feel accepted and welcome.
- If you see something that is predatory behavior, someone being harassed or bullied, someone being hateful or derogatory about another person’s race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, physical appearance, body size, age, or identity/label/kink, speak up. Notify a Staff Member. We are all responsible for creating an environment that supports our mission and is accepting of ALL the people.
- House Safe Words: RED to stop a scene. MAYDAY if you are experiencing a consent violation & need help.
If you have any issues or see anything happening that you feel violates you or someone else, the rules of BED, or the spirit of “Being Great in BED”, please tell a staff member. As an organization, we feel it is our responsibility to do all we can to make BED an accepting, welcoming, and fun experience for all. Please seek someone out if you need support, assistance, or have concerns.