A queer boundary: How sex and BDSM interact for people who identify as kinky

Abstract

Few studies have systematically examined the relationship between kink behaviors and sexual behaviors, yet even these preliminary studies indicate that the relationship is complex and that there is a notable diversity in how people construct the boundaries of sex and kink and the relationship between them. As part of a grounded theory study of kink identity, the current study examined how 70 kink-identified participants from Northern California discussed their experience and understanding of the relationship between kink and sex in interviews conducted in 2014 and 2015. Findings indicated seven themes: kink flowing into sex, kink as spice for sexual interactions, kink and sex as connection and intimacy, kink and sex as an expression of erotic energy, kink and sex as an expression of power exchange, kink as spiritual, and kink as freedom. Findings indicated that sexual orientation and gender identity may influence how people understand and experience the relationship between kink and sex.

Kinky Sex and Deliberate Partner Negotiations: Case Studies of Canadian Transgender Men Who Have Sex with Men, Their HIV Risks, Safer Sex Practices, and Prevention Needs

“…As a crucial point of clarification, when kinky sex was mentioned or discussed by the three TMSM participants in our case studies, they were referring to the catch-all term for a range of sexual practices that included BDSM, role play, fetishes, and other sexual practices that essentially involved consensual deliberate partner negotiations, as well as pleasurable experiences for all of the parties involved. Although it is beyond the scope of this article to present an elaborate discourse on kinky sex that explicitly discusses the complex relationship between kink and trans masculinity, it is important to acknowledge that there is published academic literature available that discusses this relationship in greater detail [ 71 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Fisting intimacy: The sexual scripting of intimacy in gay men’s anal fisting

“…In this sense, the scripting of intimacy in fist-fucking shares some of the same features which also mark the experience of intimacy by kinksters more broadly, and the diverse range of advanced erotic practices that are pursued by members of the kink community. This includes queer/er and more expansive definitions of pleasure, sensuality, and 'sex'; a deepened and attuned sense of emotional and interpersonal connectedness; specific forms of verbal and non-verbal communication; as well as ongoing and collaborative consenting practices (Sprott et al, 2021).…”

Shining a light in the dungeon: A content analysis of sexual and gender minority representation in the kink literature.

“…Future research may benefit from including more analyses on the impact of sexual orientation and gender identity on kink experiences and behaviors. Recent research by Sprott et al (2020) shows SGM participants experience and understand the intersection of kink and sex differently than cisgender, heterosexual participants. Future research may also need to be more thorough in collecting and reporting sexual and gender identities.…”