Exploring Women’s, Trans*, and Queer BDSM Subcultures

摘要: Over the last two decades, empirical research on BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance submission, and/or sadomasochism) has increased exponentially, moved beyond pathologizing approaches of early sexologists (Ellis 1901; Krafft-Ebing 1903) to an understanding that focuses in part from participants’ own perspectives. While much social constructionist work focused gay SM leather subcultures (Kamel 1983; Lee 1983 [1979]; Spengler 1977 [Spengler uses a German sample]), more recent expanded include pansexual community (Falk Weinberg et al. 1984; T. S. 1995). Queer lesbian women’s voices are largely absent this (but see Ritchie Barker’s 2005 study, which women UK). Thus, Intimacies, specifically participants who belong what Bauer terms Binternational dyke+queer^ subculture—communities started out as communities, but have trans* people (individuals whose gender identity/ies expression(s) transgress boundaries), well bisexual, pansexual, heterosexual women— is important addition expanding field Studies. Bauer’s ethnography joins several other ethnographies including Newmahr’s (2011) Northeast U.S., Weiss’ Bay area Lindenmann’s (2012) ethnographic study pro-Dominatrixes New York City San Francisco, first full-length focus exclusively communities. All studies cited review based U.S. samples unless otherwise noted. The author draws queer theory question heteronormativity, it relates pathologization queer, trans*, sexual identities practices. In line with (Kleinplatz Moser 2006; Langdridge Barker 2007; Butt 2004; [studies by colleagues UK samples]), analysis how practitioners themselves understand experience their interactions, extends previous focusing dyke, trans, practitioners, understudied subculture, dyke+ subculture. Drawing analytical process blends Strauss Corbin’s grounded method (1990) Haraway’s (1988) situated knowledges, frames narratives created through his interviews relation structural power relations. Attentive positionality White, queer/ gay, poly, top transman, member international dyke+queer community, foregrounds interview partners throughout analysis. describes himself active specifies majority data presented Intimacies derives drawn 49 qualitative, semistructured conducted person selfidentified bi/pansexual women, US Western Europe. notes were Germany Amsterdam, does not give information about country residence 31 interviewees Europe remaining 18 * Brandy Simula bsimula@emory.edu