Thank you all for your replies; took the time to read each. This will be my last reply in this thread and final "bump" so let me say that
1) I am pleased how many Escapists are willing to speak freely about this, as that speaks to a tolerant community, as are the mods who let this thread grow.
2) The poll ratios favor the kinky side of thing right now, which is affirming for me, as I have been collecting mounting evidence in support of a correlation between kinkiness and geekiness. (As a side note, one popular 18+ kinkster online match making service's biggest sub forum is "kinky and geeky").
3) I agree with many of the posters that it is very liberating to embrace one's quirks, rather than hide them in behind a veil of shame. It was not until my 'adult' life that I finally became comfortable disclosing my specific paraphilias (which aren't even that exotic or "gross" - relatively). It is for this reason, I suppose, that I seek to widen the acceptance of the topic as a conversation piece, so that both budding, new and experienced adults can enjoy their kinks without awkward fear and self doubt that I knew too well.
Just remember to keep it Safe and Consensual - I'm not sure if anything truly constitutes "sane" ...