Review of The Piano Teacher (2001) by Serge C — 27 Mar 2013

Sadomasochists are stigmatized like gay people were decades ago. I mean, different strokes for different folks. Right ? Yet, even in liberal, sexually liberated countries, being into BDSM may label you as a lunatic. No wonder Erika couldn't "come out" as a sadomasochist.

Why is that in our society coming out as a gay is accepted and even increasingly applauded, yet it's all hush, hush about coming out as a sadomasochist?

I believe this marginalization is what drives sane people insane.

And the thing is outright battery as delivered in the final scene is no more gratifying to most sadomasochists, as prison rape to most gay people.

With increasing acceptance of the sexual minorities like gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexuals , it's time to add the sadomasochists to the group (SLGBT ?). Instead of keeping them almost as marginalized and stigmatized as pedophiles.

And that's not right since (1) sadomasochism is not a choice, but your are born that way & (2) unlike pedophilia, sadomasochism between two consenting adults doesn't hurt anyone and it's safer than many forms of gay or even straight intercourse.