The Dotted Line: Benefits (And a Few Drawbacks) of Registering as a BDSM Slave

Anyone with any knowledge of BDSM will tell you that it can be challenging to locate an experienced submissive or dominant among all the fervent but ignorant aspiring individuals or those who want things their way or the highway.

They rightly lament that there isn't a method for sincere slaves to flaunt their well-earned, kinky-bona-fides, a destination where they can declare with pride, "I truly understand what it means to be a BDSM submissive."

Hold on to your leather chaps because I have some fantastic news for all of you more-than-capable enslaved people—or folx-seeking submissives who know the difference between playing in the real world and having a kinky fantasy. Knowledgeable submissives can advertise themselves on the BDSM slave register website.

The only thing left to decide is whether or not this slave registry is something that every true-blue submissive ought to join or if time hasn't (pardon the term) come for this idea.

How does a slave registry work?

Both dominants and submissives can register for the Slave Registry (SR).

The opportunity for submissives to obtain a lifelong identification known as an "SR Number" allows them to activate a free membership account in which they can update their BDSM status, submit images, and seek dominants. Slave users can also choose whether they are in a relationship or owned by someone when they first sign up for the site. They can also include a link to their website or Fetlife page.

To put it plainly, the website is straightforward overall. Users can choose to pay more for an identification card with more incredible features or print off a cute little card with their slave register number on it. Additionally, it seems like Slave Registration is more about allowing slaves to prove their BDSM credentials than it is about meeting kinky playmates.

Reasons to register as a submissive

Being an active member of the Bay Area kink scene since 1988 and a full-time, 24-hour collared and contracted slave for around five years, I believe the concept of a slave registry is sound and desperately needed. However, I'm still not entirely sure how valuable websites like Slave Reg(istry) are. Because there are currently no adequate checks or balances, submissives who have played responsible scenes for decades are grouped with people who have little to no experience.

Even yet, I could envision my mistress ordering me to sign, if only to give our relationship a slightly more "official" appearance in the eyes of the BDSM community.

"I'm not sure what good it will do me, but it feels good to do it," said a buddy and fellow submissive, while another said, "Hopefully shows I'm serious about my kinks."

Is a slave registry worth it?

Ultimately, it is up to you and/or the person or individuals you are playing with or owned by to determine whether or not it is worthwhile to register with a slave registry. Slave registration is free, except for a few relatively small for-pay services, and completing the required papers doesn't take long, so I think it's one of those "might as well" things.

Additionally, as my pals noted, having your registration number can assist in persuading other kinksters that you're a real BDSM slave.

Whatever the website, you should always think things through before acting on the internet, let alone exposing yourself as an enslaved person. Thankfully, Slave Reg(istry) appears to be a reasonably safe platform to use unless you submit a photo of yourself or provide a bio that can be readily linked to your "civilian life."

Never forget—

Before I wrap up this examination of BDSM slave registries, I would like to remind both dominants and submissives that, despite the appearance of the opposite in erotic literature, stories, and adult videos, or anywhere else kinky fiction may be encountered, the fact remains that you, their slave, are in charge, not your master or mistress. Your mental and physical well-being are at stake, and naturally, dominants run the same risk. Nobody should ever let their ego or dreams stop them from treating you like a real person and not like a piece of property.

How are BDSM slave registries related to this? If your dominant asks you to sign without first asking, it's a siren and a loud, flashing red light. Please take this as a warning; rather than alerting the world that you belong to someone who doesn't respect you, you might want to reconsider your relationship with them.