Devotee Pride!!

I wanted to talk about the idea of devoteeism as a sexual identity. I first found out that I wasn't the only one in the world with my attraction about 8 years ago while I was doing an internet search for disability information. The sites I found talked about my attraction as a fetish and I accepted that at face value. I've recently changed my views on the matter.

I looked up the term "fetish" in the DSM IV which is the reference book that the psychiatric community uses to diagnose psychological conditions. They define fetish as:

“Recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors generally involving 1) nonhuman objects, 2) the suffering or humiliation of oneself or one’s partner, or 3) children or other nonconsenting persons, that occur over a period of at least 6 months.”

None of that fits me at all!! Then I read somewhere that being a devotee was like having an attraction to blonde hair, or big boobs. But somehow that didn't seem to fit either. Lots of gentlemen who prefer blondes go on to marry brunettes and live perfectly happy and fulfilling lives. I, on the other hand, have never had a sexual fantasy involving an able bodied guy. While I always enjoy sexual experiences very much, I have only had orgasms with partners who have disabilities. My feelings appear to be more intense than the feelings of a person who prefers large breasts.

I think what makes most sense is the sexual identity perspective. I think it's comparable to homosexual identity in many ways. I have been told numerous times that there are plenty of great guys out there who meet every one of my "criteria" except they don't have the disability. I think it's comparable to telling a gay man "I know a great person who's a perfect match for you... the only thing is she's a woman." No matter how great that person is, it's just not going to be quite right. I think perhaps what we need instead of a psychiatric diagnosis is a parade, a flag, and an awareness month!

I have talked to other devotee/admirers who agree with my thoughts on the matter. Maybe someday we'll all get together and formcommitteetee. :-)