“I have worked very hard (since the 1980's) to professionalize and elevate body piercing. When I see something like I read in the article about Triangle piercings it shocks and appalls me... This is NOT accepted or appropriate piercing practice. And to see this on your site, it leads people who don't know any better to believe that some form of sexual activity (including with the piercer) is a common aspect of a piercing procedure. This is NOT the case...Body piercing should take place in an environment and with an attitude that fosters a clinical, if friendly exchange. Not a sexual one.” - Elayne Angel, Rings of Desire, Inc.
First, let me say that I agree with Elayne completely. Any time you enter a tattoo or piercing establishment, you should be met with professionalism in a clean, comfortable atmosphere. I also agree with her that any kind of sexual activity is not, in any way, common procedure. Getting a piercing, even a genital one, is not a sexual event – it’s a clinical procedure no different than piercing an eyebrow or ear. And no one, and I do mean no one, has the right to touch you anywhere or in any way that you do not approve of. (More on that later in the article)
That being said, I would also like to explain that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a person or couple that wishes for their piercing to be an erotic or spiritual experience if all parties involved are agreeable to it. I have learned that the body art community consists of a wide variety of colorful people with many different social and sexual ideals. What one person finds offensive may be perfectly acceptable to another. We are not here to judge each other – we are simply a community of vast standards.
I don’t know if the piercer in question from the story above crossed the line of decency or not – I only know the story that was sent to me. However, I got no indication that the client was in any way offended or felt violated by her experience – in fact, she was completely elated. If what transpired was agreeable to the client and piercer, none of us has the right to say whether this was right or wrong.
However (there are a lot of howevers here), I do feel that any non-conventional activity should be requested by the client(s) and discussion about such activity should be initiated by the client(s), not the piercer. A professional piercer should not put a client in an awkward position by suggesting something they may find offensive. This, in itself, is a breach of the piercer’s professionalism. Some clients may feel obligated to perform something the piercer suggested, or may feel very uncomfortable afterward if they decline. And any client requesting such an activity should also do so with respect and understand that many piercers will not be willing to do this. Piercers can be offended, too! A client needs to be very careful when making such a request, and be respectful if the piercer refuses.
Next Page: Preventing an Abusive Situation
