Inside a “secret” club

Dagbladet was allowed inside one of our parties to meet members who otherwise keep this part of their lives to themselves. The reportage is vivid in places — but underneath the headlines, it's about the same things we always come back to.

Why it's "secret"

The fact that our address isn't public isn't because we have something to hide. It's because many of our members still risk prejudice from friends, family and employers if their lifestyle becomes known. Discretion is a form of care for one another — not an exclusive clique.

BDSM is not violence

The article brings in a sexologist to explain the difference, and she lands where we do too: what matters is that consent underpins everything. What can look intense from the outside is agreed, wanted, and can be stopped at any time. Without consent it isn't BDSM — it's abuse.

Safe even the first time

One of the people Dagbladet spoke to was at her very first party. She wasn't frightened, and she said she'd come back. That's roughly the response we hope for: that curious people can come, watch at their own pace, and find that it's safe to be here.

Read the full article

The full reportage, with photography by Eivind Senneset, is published at Dagbladet (in Norwegian): "Bergens hemmelige klubb". Note that the article is behind a paywall.