I want to share my experience from last night. If it breaks some kind of rule, let me know and I'll delete my post.
So, I went out last night to a lifestyle party at a small strip joint. For those who aren't aware, it's for those exploring a polyamorus or "swinging" lifestyle (I think those are basically interchangeable?) I went out with the goal of meeting people and making friends... And I feel I succeed! I feel like I should make a Facebook account(it's 2023, I know, I'm late to the party) to connect with the people I met.
I got to talk to both newbies and people who have been in the lifestyle for a while, and it was enlightening to listen to the different reasons people have tried polyamory and hearing their different experiences.
There were also a lot of (sexually charged) games intended to get you up and meeting different people. There was a snakes and ladders game, but you had to pick a slip of paper and find someone in the party that matched the criteria, i.e. find someone who had sex in 25 states. If successful move forward 3, if unsuccessful, move back 1. And I won a free ticket to next time!
One of the people there, after he bought me a drink and he and his wife shared a joint (legal here, not that anyone probably actually cares), I think tried to shock me by saying he's ultra conservative, trying to make a point I think, that not all conservatives are like my mother and brother. I mean, I know I'm paranoid, but I also know you should judge the individual, not the idea. And him and his wife were super accepting of me, said my energy was great, and my outfit was amazing!
In fact everyone there I interacted with said they loved my energy! I feel this was an extreme win in my book, even though I was literally shaking from nerves for, like, the first 45 mins.
Oh, a lady and her friend invited me to sit down and play some games while we watched the strippers, and they were so enamored by one of them (a plus sized lady, and her confidence was astounding), I bought them a lap dance, and it made their week! All-in-all, I feel it was a positive experience just to go out and meet like-minded people. It was so much fun, and I can't wait to go back again!
I'll keep your warning in mind. I genuinely didn't know there was a difference, but it does explicitly say swingers event, sooo...
Everyone there seemed respectful of people's space. There wasn't a large amount of groping or anything like that. Or they're easing me in lol. It's... fairly obvious I'm transgender if that's what some of your concerns are. Even in a darkly lit strip club. I would know, the walls were lined with mirrors I tried to avoid looking at. Unless you were worried about me being drugged, and only I handled my things, in my hands constantly really.
But, ya, I'll try to be on my guard a bit and not get too loosened up.