[Circle V]

Think about what the Gothic style of dress and its components symbolize to your grandparents.

Black = death, darkness, often associated with people like the Columbine killers
Chains = confinement, torture, potential weapons, sadomasochistic sex
Bondage = sadomasochistic sex
Dark makeup/pale skin = sickness, death

Keep in mind that your are much too young (in the opinion of most) to know anything about SM sex. Whether you wear bondage for practical reasons or because it looks cool, it still symbolizes a twisted sexuality that most grandparents or parents would find unacceptable. How would you like it if your grandma started dressing like a hooker? Believe it or not, it's not that different. It is obviously in your best interest for your grandparents to steer you away from things that have to do with death and sex.

You've already proven that your grandparents have reason to worry about you by saying "I feel like sliting their throats in their sleep because they keep complaining." When you say things like that, it only reinforces the negative stereotypes that your grandparents no doubt know about.

My advice is to talk to them about what the Gothic culture really is. I'm of the opinion that you don't quite know very well yourself-- your name, for example, demonstrates a need for you to prove to yourself and others that you truly are a Goth. Goths don't need to label themselves as such in order to prove their worthiness, nor do they need to use references to Satan to prove their "darkness."

There are a few things you need to figure out:

Why exactly do you want to dress like a Goth? If it's just to piss off authority, guess what? You got your wish. If it's to express your individuality, I'd suggest you develop your own style rather than imitating others. If it's because you truly like the style, or feel that it suits you perfectly, fine.

Why exactly do your grandparents want to stop it? They may want to spare you from the negative attention that your style of dress *will* attract, or they may simply be intimidated by it. They may just think that it "looks bad." Perhaps they believe that the Gothic culture and style of dress have a lot to do with things like the Columbine killings, drug use, and violence. Find out what they believe, and correct them. Politely.