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

Abstract

Sexual kinks have generated increased cultural and scholarly interest in the 21st century in large part due to the community engagement and activism of early sexual and gender minority (SGM) kink practitioners. However, compared with their heterosexual, cisgender peers, there is relatively little available research studying the experiences of SGM kink practitioners. This is a particularly timely topic to address due to the American Psychological Association's (APA) recent addition of sexual health to their Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons. The present project synthesized relevant literature with SGM kink practitioners. Content analysis methodologies used in previous SGM projects were utilized to identify the current state of empirical and nonempirical literature with SGM kink practitioners. Results indicated that most of the empirical literature consists of online, cross-sectional survey studies with predominantly White samples. Most studies with SGM participants recruited from BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission, and sadism and masochism) organizations or community groups, highlighting the importance of forging relationships with the SGM kink community to facilitate engagement with psychological research. Future studies with SGM kink practitioners will contribute to the existing research body by intentionally seeking out Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) participants to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the unique sexual health concerns of BIPOC SGM kink practitioners. Further, most empirical and nonempirical literature focused on sexual behaviors within this community, which may inadvertently dehumanize SGM kink practitioners by omitting antecedent experiences that contribute to sexual health. More research is necessary to elucidate the relationships between developmental experiences and sexual health domains. Public Significance StatementThis study examined research trends in the psychological literature studying sexual and gender minority (SGM) kink practitioners over the last 20 years. Results highlight disparities in the racial composition of research samples, with White kink practitioners appearing in research at significantly higher rates than Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). There is also a relative lack of information about the relationships between kink practitioners' development and sexual health.

Planting gardens and growing beyond the guidelines: Introduction to the special issue.

“…Tatum and Niedermeyer (2021) recognized the importance of examining an understudied facet of sexual health, and conducted a content analysis of sexual and gender minority representation in the kink literature over the past 20 years. They sought to determine what types of research design were utilized, demographics of samples, and themes.…”

Representation of sexual and gender minority experiences in the kink/BDSM literature: Considering the clinical implications.

“…As Tatum and Niedermeyer (2021) highlight, most prior studies addressing kink/BDSM within SGM samples were cross-sectional and focused on White, cisgender, sexual minority men. Thus, trajectories over time and the experiences of women and gender diverse individuals, as well as people of color, are poorly characterized and remain virtually unknown from an empirical standpoint.…”

“…This milestone is the result of decades of increased attention to sex positivity and bodily autonomy, not just the disease prevention frameworks commonly used to respond to the HIV epidemic. Tatum and Niedermeyer (2021) draw much needed attention to the Spanner Trials (1987)(1988)(1989)(1990), in which SGM individuals were prosecuted following arrests for engaging in consensual kink/BDSM experiences with one another. Infamously, assuring the court that their actions were consensual was considered an unsuitable defense, and ultimately, 16 gay men were imprisoned for consensual sex deemed to be "assault."…”

“…In light of the recent publication of the American Psychological Association’s “Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Sexual Minority Persons” (2021), Tatum and Niedermeyer’s (2021) analysis provides a timely and important review of the state of the science related to kink/BDSM practices within sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities. It is well established that members of both SGM (Heredia et al, 2021; Loeb et al, 2021; Meyer, 2003) and kink communities (Graham et al, 2016; Moser & Kleinplatz, 2006) face ongoing prejudice, stigma, and discrimination at a societal level as well as from health care providers.…”

“…Tatum and Niedermeyer (2021) describe intersecting minority stressors for SGM kink practitioners related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity as well as sexual practices. Recent research demonstrates that psychological distress is associated both with the concealment of sexual identities/behaviors and social stigma and discrimination faced by SGM kink practitioners (e.g., Hughes & Hammack, 2019).…”