USA: A Federal District Court ruling on a case involving consensual BDSM has implications for kinky Americans. A male student at George Mason University had engaged in consensual BDSM activities with a female (non-student). During the scene, she pushed him away and when asked if she wanted to continue, she said she wasn’t sure. He continued the scene, until she used her safeword, which he then honored.
There are many more details to this story, but based on the encounter the student was expelled for Sexual Misconduct. The federal court ruled in favor of the expelled student, but merely on grounds of due process.
Troublingly, the court did not agree that BDSM was protected under previous Supreme Court case law which prevents states from criminalizing intimate activity between consenting adults. The judge wrote that “engaging in BDSM sex is clearly not protected” under the constitution, and “there is no basis to conclude that tying up a willing submissive sex partner and subjecting him or her to whipping, choking, or other forms of domination is deeply rooted in the nation’s history and traditions or implicit in the concept of ordered liberty.” We at Kink Weekly disagree.
BDSM is no less legitimate than other non-mainstream forms of sexual intimacy. But it is perhaps less understood by those who don’t practice it. It is essential that BDSM with informed consent be protected by law so as not to criminalize the millions who happily and responsibly enjoy it. Culture and society are shifting to more widely accept kink – legislators and courts need to catch up. Read more about the case here and here.
Worldwide: A series of animated videos released by Project Consent aim to explain the principles of consent in a simple and entertaining way. We at Kink Weekly are always on board with teaching and reeducating people on this topic. Take a look at the video for yourself and let us know what you think! (We find them to be pretty weird and adorable).
We’re very excited about our guest photographer this week, Zenshin Art.
-Dexx
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