Play party (BDSM)

This article is about the BDSM term. For the type of traditional social event, see Play party (U.S. traditional).

In BDSM culture, a play party is a social event in which attendees socialize with like-minded people and engage in BDSM activities.[1][2][3] Generally there is an area for drinking and socializing, an area for changing into more appropriate attire (such as fetishwear), and an area for "play" or sexually arousing activities.[4]

Organizers often provide certain large pieces of BDSM equipment to which people can be bound or restrained. Party goers usually bring their own whips, canes, restraints etc.[2][3] In larger play parties, there are usually dungeon monitors who enforce party rules[5] such as safe, sane and consensual and risk-aware consensual kink.[2]

It is not mandatory to play at a party;[1] instead, attendees are welcome to merely take the role of a voyeur.[4] It is not acceptable, however, to touch anyone or their BDSM equipment or sex toys without permission or to interrupt a scene in any way.[4]

A play party can be a place for safer first date scenes.[2] Often a Do Not Invite List is kept to keep out known persistent rule breakers.[5]

In 2000, a play party in Attleboro, Massachusetts was invaded by police for alleged violations of assault and morality laws.[6]

  1. ^ a b Brame G. (2001) Come Hither! A Commonsense Guide to Kinky Sex, Fusion Press, London, page 63. ISBN 9780684854625.
  2. ^ a b c d "Moser C., Demystifying alternative sexual behaviors, in Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, Volume 4, Issue 2". October 2006. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  3. ^ a b "Moser C., A Glossary of Terms Used by Sexual Minorities, reproduced from San Francisco Medicine, Volume 71, No. 10". November–December 1998. Archived from the original on 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  4. ^ a b c Newman F. (2004) The Whole Lesbian Sex Book: A Passionate Guide, Cleis Press, San Francisco, page 271-277. ISBN 9781573441995.
  5. ^ a b "Van de Mark B., Energy exchange, in The Gay & Lesbian Times". 3 March 2005. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 2008-05-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ Paddleboro by Michelle Chihara - Nerve.com