The use of gender in the interpretation of BDSM

Simula, Brandy L.; Sumerau, J. E.

doi:10.1177/1363460717737488

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…As a tenured university professor, as someone who teaches classes and publishes articles on sexuality, as the resident ''sex expert''-I had come to a point in life where I was uniquely empowered to be vulnerable. Thus, while some research (Weiss, 2011) has suggested that playing as a male bottom can be construed as emasculating or humiliating, consistent with other research (Simula and Sumerau, 2019), I ultimately experienced quite the opposite: My vulnerability was empowering and, at least in one sense, a kind of demonstration to myself that I now had sufficient power in my life that I could afford to give some away (see Savran, 1996Savran, , 1998.…”

Section: Reflecting On Gender Power and Riskmentioning

confidence: 69%

BDSM as trauma play: An autoethnographic investigation

Thomas

2019

Sexualities

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In this article, I introduce the concept of BDSM as trauma play, which is the practice of intentionally engaging in BDSM activities in order to “play” with one’s past trauma or abuse. I begin by offering a fuller definition of trauma play, and I then summarize some of the key scholarly discussions related to the topic, especially the themes of healing, therapy, play, and embodiment. Following this, I take an autoethnographic approach, and I investigate my own trauma play experiences, which I subsequently analyze and use to highlight the need for more systematic research into this understudied topic area that significantly impacts the lives of some BDSM practitioners.

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Section: Reflecting On Gender Power and Riskmentioning

confidence: 69%

BDSM as trauma play: An autoethnographic investigation

Thomas

2019

Sexualities

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“…Bauer, in an interview study of lesbian/dyke/queer/trans people practicing BDSM (Bauer, 2014), noted several connections between BDSM and sexual interactions that concur with the findings of Simula and Sumerau (2017). BDSM sexual subculture provided its members with a "high degree of reflection about sexuality and relationships and led them to distinguish between the emotional, sexual, and BDSM level as criteria for non/exclusivity in relationships" (Bauer, 2010: 146).…”

Section: Interaction Between Sex and Kinkmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Ninety-five percent of their sample of 178 men and 47 women indicated that SM activities were as satisfying, or more satisfying, than sex without SM, and 30% reported that "S/M activity was essential to a gratifying sexual experience" (Moser and Levitt, 1987: 331). Finally, Simula and Sumerau (2017) reported that a majority of participants in their qualitative study of 32 BDSM practitioners in the United States strongly distinguished sexual behavior in the context of BDSM scenes from "vanilla" sex (i.e. sex that does not involve kink) and that while BDSM is "often 'sexual', it is nonetheless distinctly not 'sex'" (216).…”

Section: Interaction Between Sex and Kinkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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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.

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“…Hegemonic masculinity is constructed in relation to femininities, and subordinate and marginalised masculinities (Connell, 1987). For example, through empirical research, it was found that in some cases, bondage, discipline (or domination), sadism and masochism (BDSM) practitioners emphasized gender to understand their BDSM activities through gendering power relations and performance styles, using hegemonic gender beliefs to reinforce their gender identity projects (Simula and Sumerau, 2017). Weeks (2005: 59) elucidates that, ‘both masculinity and femininity are “gender projects”, through which social practices over time construct and transform the relations between men and women [and amongst men]’.…”

Section: Hegemonic Masculinity and Chemsexmentioning

confidence: 99%

The interconnectedness of chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and sexual violence

Javaid

2018

Irish Journal of Sociology

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In this paper, the author attempts to build a critical analysis of the interconnections between chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence. The notion of power is understood within the context of chemsex, along with issues of drug taking and sexual promiscuity since these activities often manifest in chemsex settings. By formulating a theoretical and conceptual analysis, drawing on hegemonic masculinity and normative heterosexuality as theoretical and conceptual frameworks to elucidate some links between chemsex, drug taking, sexual promiscuity and male sexual violence, it is argued that the contexts in which chemsex occurs also give rise to male sexual assault and male rape in that the likelihood of these crimes occurring increases. This work is not (nor could it) generalize to a population. The slow upsurge of writing around male sexual victimisation has overlooked important and salient links between chemsex and male sexual violence. This paper offers a dialogue in which to speak about these links, encouraging future research on these important subject matters to contribute to knowledge in order to fully understand male rape. Making sense of these important links can provide some understanding of the personal, social and cultural implications associated with chemsex and male sexual violence. The current paper contributes to current debates in gender and sexuality studies, adding to current understandings of social and cultural constructions of masculinities and sexualities. Identifying the links between gender, sexualities, chemsex and male rape has largely been absent in gender and sexuality studies. The current paper makes these links to recognise and understand the different ways in which men navigate through different masculinities and sexualities, how they perpetuate or dispel hegemonic masculinity, and how men are positioned in certain masculinities in chemsex contexts. The paper considers the growing popularity of sexual practices that involve levels of drug use sufficient to pose tangible risks to those involved, which is clearly an important issue to highlight and to discuss.

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The use of gender in the interpretation of BDSM

Cited by 19 publications

References 77 publications

BDSM as trauma play: An autoethnographic investigation

BDSM as trauma play: An autoethnographic investigation

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

The interconnectedness of chemsex, drugs, sexual promiscuity and sexual violence

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