I can only respond as to chat & the way profiles work... the room is now connected up with the forums profiles to allow you to add as MUCH information as you could possibly want to add about yourself into your forums profile, so that it's there if people want to read it. However, what people actually choose to do is, as always, up to them. Some choose not to put anything into most of the "fields" in their profile-- only some of the fields are mandatory, the rest, optional. So, that's up to them. Obviously the more info you put in about yourself, the easier it is for people to get to know & understand you. Some people leave things blank because they are just lazy, or they don't want to be "labeled."

That being said, most folks will read a newbee's profile when they first come into the room, or will read another member's profile if they don't know them well, or want to get to know them better.

You can put your sexual orientation in your "about me" section, or under your BDSM role, or really, wherever else you like. If people get "offended" in the room, they can take the issue up with a mod. Generally, if you are in the room often, or if you are aggressively flirting, I assume you know the person you are flirting with, so they would know your interests... if not, a simple comment in PM with them would clear it up...

Happy chatting!

delia