My first kinky GF was a highly experienced community kinkster while I was this vanilla nerd. She connected me with her ex Mistress who provided kink mentoring so I could be the Dom my GF wanted and needed. But it was hard for me. About seven months into our relationship the Mistress tasked me with walking my GF leashed through Kenmore Square on a Saturday night when nightlife was popping. She was dressed in fetidh gear and collared while I wore a suit.
And oh yeah, eyes turned toward us from all over the street.
It was harrowing and embarrassing for me. Which was the point. To get me to confront those feelings, control them in public, and walk tall.
I should add, many community kinksters these days would consider a public display like that to have violated everyone else on the street because they didn't consent to see it. But back then (late 90s), the kink community didn't hold such views.
I think that's a North American thing, because just before Covid I saw a leached woman being walked along the Champs Elysees in Paris. Nobody batted an eye. Lol