~~~~~A SUBMISSIVE’S BILL OF RIGHTS~~~~~



You have the right to be treated with respect. Not only do you have this right, you have the right to demand it. Being a submissive does not make you a doormat or less of a person than anyone else. The word “submissive” describes your nature and in no way diminishes you as a human being. You have the right and the duty to respect yourself as well.



You have the right to be proud of what and who you are. Being a submissive is nothing that should ever bring you shame or feelings of reproach. Your submissive nature is a gift and should always be a source of pride and happiness.



You have the right to feel safe. Your Dominant and you should be developing an atmosphere of trust and communication. Submission is not about living on the edge or flirting with fear unless its something you have both negotiated fully.



You have the right to your emotions and feelings. Your emotions and feelings come from you and they are just as valid as anyone else’s. Feelings are not good or bad, right or wrong. They just are. Those feelings, whether positive or negative make you who you are and suppressing them out of fear will bring you certain unhappiness in your D/s relationship.



You have the right to express your negative feelings. Being submissive does not make you an object that no longer has negative thoughts or concerns. Your concerns are real and you have every right to express them. If something doesn’t feel right, bothers you, makes you feel bad or you just plain don’t like something, say so. Failing to express your negative feelings could give the mistaken impression that you are pleased or satisfied with something that is not pleasurable or agreeable.



You have the right to say NO. Being submissive does not take away your right to have likes, dislikes or negative feelings about things. If something is happening or about to happen that you feel strongly opposed to, it’s your duty to yourself to speak up. Remember, failing to communicate the word NO is the same as saying YES.



You have the right to expect happiness in life. Being a submissive is not tantamount to being miserable, suffering or a life of despair. You have needs and wants and desires that should be addressed and fulfilled. Your submission should bring you joy, peace and fulfillment. If it doesn’t, then something is wrong.



You have the right to have input in a relationship. You are an active partner in any relationship you enter and have every right to contribute to it. You are submissive, not passive. A relationship that doesn’t include your needs, thoughts, hopes and desires is not one you should in to begin with. This applies to friendships, partnerships and D/s relationships.



You have the right to belong. Being a submissive greatly involves the feeling of belonging. Many submissives have expressed that it was in their submissive nature that they felt as though they ‘belonged” for the first time in their lives.



You have the right to be loved and love. Anyone who tells you that love doesn’t fit into a D/s relationship has never experienced the fulfillment of all it truly can be. Submissives are by nature loving and have every right expect love to be a part of their lives. It takes love and a safe environment to bring your submission into full bloom, so don’t settle for less.



You have the right to be healthy. Health involves your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Any relationship, D/s or otherwise, that causes you to suffer physically, mentally or emotionally, beyond your limits, is abuse. There is NO place for abusive behavior within a D/s relationship and it’s up to you to take care of yourself and get out of an abusive relationship.



Being a submissive does not give anyone the right to harm or injure you in any way. The D/s community will stand by you if you should encounter such a situation but you are the one who has to make them aware before anyone can help.



You have the right to practice safer sex. Not only is this a right, it’s a duty to yourself and others you may come in contact with. Sexually transmitted diseases have reached epidemic proportions and must be a concern to any sexually active person. Safer sex is something you the right to insist upon and protecting yourself should never be discouraged by your Dominant or anyone else who has your best interests at heart.