Sexuality
What does SSC mean?
Acronym for safe, sane, consensual: the classic ethical triad of the BDSM scene.
Definition
It was the slogan communities used to present themselves to the world: safe, sane, consensual. In 1983 a Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA) committee in New York — david stein, Martin Berkenwald, Bob Gillespie — settled the phrase, an echo of safe and sane Fourth of July talk. The triad tries to separate play from abuse. Critics say safe and sane are vague. RACK (1999) is born from that critique. SSC is still the doorway in introductory texts.
Origin
English safe, sane, consensual. In 1983 a Gay Male S/M Activists (GMSMA) committee in New York — david stein (lowercase), Martin Berkenwald, Bob Gillespie — settled the phrase, an echo of safe and sane Fourth of July talk. The board adopted it on 17 August 1983. In 1987 the triad showed up at the March on Washington.
History
From local meetings to introductory texts online. Critics say safe and sane are vague. RACK (25 Nov 1999, Gary Switch) is born from that critique. SSC is still the doorway in many manuals.
How it emerged
The scene needed three adjectives that fit a leaflet. GMSMA stuck the slogan; RACK came sixteen years later as a complement to the 1983 line.
Usage examples
The group still uses SSC for newcomers.
RACK was born from the critique: safe and sane are vague.
Translations
- pt SSC
- en SSC
- es SSC
Synonyms
- GMSMA
- david stein
- RACK
Acronyms
- SSC