Have you ever thought about being a techno-sexual? Does RoboCop do it for you? Or do you sometimes have certain adult feelings about your favorite teddy bear when he’s giving you “the look”? Or possibly your fetish is as simple as that pair of high-heels your girlfriend wears that puts you in the mood.

Fetishes are not uncommon. They run the gamut from plushies, techno-sexuals and infantilism, to things as simple as shoes, leather, and lace. San Francisco alone has over 20 clubs dedicated to leather, kink, bondage, SM, and many other types of fetish or kink. Although fetish may be a secret dirty word people do not want to associate themselves with do not be surprised when you realize you have a little fetish of your own.

Webster’s definition of a fetish is, “Something whose real of fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification.” However, the issue does not seem as black and white with those involved in the fetish and kink community.

“Kink and BDSM is just an additional part of a person’s sexuality. There’s a time and place for vanilla sex, and a time and place for BDSM. It’s not better, just different,” said Natasha RedElk, an employee of Madame S, one of the premier places to find not only leather and latex clothing, but all your fetish needs. Madame S was named best place to buy a fetish outfit by the Bay Guardian, and the masculine counterpart, Mr. S, has supplied everything you can imagine in leather for over 20-years.

The most common fetishes are shoes, leather and constriction. A fetish does not necessarily mean the extreme kinkiest desire for something. For example, BDSM or bondage/ sado-masochism, in its simplest form can be something as simple as holding down your lover’s hands while your are on top, to having a special rope and knots that are in all the right places where some one is clearly the dominant person. Shoe fetishes range from wanting fancy foot wear, which there are many specialty shops to appease that desire, to perhaps visiting a professional Madame who will demand you lick her feet just the way she likes it, and you will like it too.

More uncommon and less known of fetishes are for robots, inflatable clothing, plushies. These more extreme fetishes have a host of online web-rings dedicated to them. For instance “plushism” is having adult feelings for plushy stuffed animals or the extreme where people dress up as stuffed animals to have sex. There are many groups that meet in online and in-person forums to lend support and comfort for those who share these fetishes.

“Some people can’t be out because it is not quite socially acceptable yet. A lot of professionals don’t even share with other people what their profession is,” said RedElk.

There are many ways to explore these interests, especially around San Francisco. This city is home to BDSM clubs, sex shops and fetish fashion nights. Folsom Street Fair just passed to name one of these events, and up coming is the Exotic Erotic Ball which will certainly lend a hand in showing all of the most elaborate fetish fashion. More private ways of researching are online from your home, or finding a group who discusses your fetish of interest.

Safety is a must. The more simple forms of fetishes can be very harmless; however, if you choose to delve into more extreme circumstances you must be cautious and know what you are doing. Finding comfortable partners, safe words, and making sure not to cross your own boundaries are all part of playing.

Even in the most extreme fetish and sex clubs there are sets of rules to ensure everyone’s safety while they are there. The Power Exchange is one of the most renowned clubs in San Francisco and they maintain watchmen in each of their play areas, and a house “safe word” to be sure that every one is in safe hands. In some of the clubs penetration is not allowed, such as Wicked City, and in others there is no alcohol allowed, simply to ensure the comfort of those who come and to be sure every one is fully aware of what they are doing.

Now that you know a little more about it, feel free to strap on those heels if they make you feel sexy, get out that pair of fuzzy cuffs, or dig around online and see what little perversion you want to get all wrapped up in.