Crystal Goldberg
Journalism 101
Feature Story
For most people there is Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and more. These are online websites
offering the norm of communication. For others looking for a website offering more than what those sites offer, there is FetLife.
Recently, fetishes have become very famous in today’s fashion and culture. Joining online communities that are aimed at a person’s sexual preferences have become increasingly popular. Some might even call them a trend. Out of most of these websites, FetLife is one of the most well used sites for such activities because it caters to people with
fetishes.
FetLife is a free social networking website that serves people interested in BDSM, Fetishism and Kink. It describes itself as similar to Facebook and Myspace but run by kinksters.
FetLife was launched in January 2008 by John Baku, a software engineer in Montreal, Quebec, to imitate a similar site called Fetish Social. Frustrated by his attempts to find women who had the same fetishes as he did, Baku created a website in 2007 called “FriendsWithFetishes”. While working on the release of the updated version of FriendsWithFetishes, Baku decided to launch it as a separate website and named it FetLife.
Baku designed the site to be an online community rather than a dating site. Unimpressed by existing dating sites for alternative sexuality, he set out to create a non-dating site. He did so by limiting the search feature to prevent the site from being used only for matching users with specific characteristics. Another feature Baku added is a group of volunteer greeters that welcome new members individually.
FetLife lets you make a profile just like any other online community. The only difference is you are allowed to upload any type of picture or video you like without restrictions to its contents. These pictures and videos can be sexually explicit or graphic.
On FetLife you can choose to be part of groups devoted to discussing a certain fetish, sign up to receive event information in your area, pick and choose which fetish you’re into and add friends from around the world to communicate with.
Most definitions and descriptions of fetishes and fetishism are that of being abnormal, strange and even go as far to say insane. However, most people with fetishes live normal lives in which their peers around them are unaware of their sexual desires.
Laura Lutrell, a 22-year-old Liberal Arts major attending Los Angeles Valley College has been a member of FetLife since February of 2009.
Laura uses FetLife for many reasons.
“FetLife is an excellent tool for meeting people and organizing like-minded people (who you otherwise wouldn’t know) for social gatherings and events,” said Laura.
Laura describes herself as outgoing and friendly and is not afraid to admit she practices the fetish lifestyle.
“I have no shame,” said Laura.
In the past, professing to have a fetish was considered taboo, and treatment for having a fetish went as far as shock therapy. However, most people who have a fetish rarely seek treatment from professionals because as of late, society has developed more tolerance for people with fetishes.
Fetishes have become more accepted because they have become part of a growing trend in the music industry.
Artists such as Rhianna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce’ and Christina Aguilera are pushing the limits when it comes to their appearance, music videos and concerts.
Many of their outfits are BDSM (Bondage/Sadomasochism) inspired.
You can come across photos of Rhianna in an all leather outfit with chains. Lady Gaga wears latex or spikes for some of her outfits.
The images of BDSM and fetishes are being taken by popular music artists and being turned into major fashion trends.
The images are not the only thing being taken and turned into trends, but acting out the fetishes are as well.
In Christina Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight” music video, you can see her chained to a chair with a ball gag in her mouth. In the video for the song “Why Don’t You Love Me?” by Beyonce’, you see footage of Beyonce’ holding a crop whip and using it as a tool for spanking and intimidation.
As more and more music artists take inspiration from the fetish culture, a portion of FetLife’s popularity is a result of what is currently “in” in today’s popular culture because society is becoming more tolerant and open-minded to alternative lifestyles.
More artists are willing to express these different lifestyle ideas in their music videos because society has become more accepting.
However, as trends emerge and change, the reason for the creation of Fetlife does not.
"I started working on FetLife in October of 2007 and launched the website January 3rd, 2008. I have been working my tail off ever since I first envisioned FetLife and want to make sure that FetLife becomes the best community, dare I even say social network, for anyone who is kinky or has a fetish,” said Baku.
