“Prior to the significant changes in the DSM that were brilliantly fought for by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, whether or not an individual who engages in BDSM could competently care for a child was in question. This completely fallacious and frankly baffling argument had no scientific or research backing and clearly reflected discrimination and a complete lack of knowledge regarding kink practices. It is important to note that this problem was not merely about questioning competency with no further action. “Under the earlier editions of the DSM, family court judges regularly removed children or restricted custody for parents if there was evidence of their BDSM activities, such as membership with an educational group or participation on an email list or website” (Wright 2014).”
