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meesekite -> RE: What think you of this New York "S&M Svengali"? (3/20/2007 10:04:27 PM)
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Hello all...
I have been reading with some interest your posts
regarding Glenn Marcus. I DO know him, personally. I have met him in person, and was involved in a fully consensual submissive BDSM relationship with him since 2003. Of course, since recent events, contact has been somewhat altered. I know full well that he did not do anything against anyones will. However, I will address the issues of the photographs. I was on the site, so I know he had model release forms we signed. He had every legal right to use those images, and he was not legally required to take them down. Thats like a Playboy model regretting her posing years later, and then insisting all copies of the magazine be destroyed. But I'm not discussing the case further, as I really shouldnt.
Im discussing the conviction, what it means for the BDSM community, and why I feel Glenn Marcus needs our
support.
The statutes he was convicted under, forced labor and sex trafficking, seem to have been originally intended to apply to women and men (usually immigrants) who were smuggled into the nation and forced to labor in a variety of ways.
The women and men often are told they will be deported if they complain, and are often beaten, blackmailed, and threatened to get them to remain. The statute
was never meant to cover a BDSM relationship.
As for the allegations of abuse, I feel if the govt was REALLY after an abusive man (which Glenn is not), Glenn would have been charged with assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, battery, and rape. But he was not. And the reason for that (at least my view of it) is explained below.
This is, as far as I know, the first time these statutes have been used in this way. As a result of this conviction, now almost anything can be "forced labor". I believe thats what the Government wants, an expansion of their powers.
The prosecutor stated in response to a jury question that if someone forced someone to play tiddlywinks, that could be forced labor. That certainly paves the way for the Government to prosecute ANY BDSM relationship, or any divorce where a woman (or a man) claims the other made them cook, wash dishes, do housework, etc. Certainly where someone is called a slave, the government will be more eager to say "see, it IS slave labor". The government will conviently ignore the fact its not actual slavery, but an aggreed upon structure by both parties.
This prosecution is a threat to BDSM. And whether you loathe Mr. Marcus or love him, he needs support or else we shall all suffer the effects of this horrid precedence setting case.
Sincerely,
meesekite
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