As even the most saccharine queer representation comes under attack, and porn bans proliferate across the U.S., some queer people have rightfully sanitized their presence online and IRL; but others—sex party promoters, kink community leaders and educators alike—have refused to shy away from the more explicit aspects of the queer experience.

Despite what pearl-clutching critics of play parties, bathhouses and other sex-inclusive spaces would have you believe, the bacchanalian festivities actually serve important cultural and historical purposes for queer people, dating back more than a century. More complex than simply a space for people to have sex, bathhouses, play parties and sex clubs are places where queer culture is born, connections are made and community is found.

And though the advent of hookup apps have made these physical spaces less necessary, per se, spaces where people can meet in public for sex, or meet to suss out a potential hookup, still serve a necessary purpose.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Gaywallet@beehaw.org 3 points 1 week ago

While I agree, I do think they're trying to make a point about a need for a community that is currently under attack. The kink community isn't under attack in quite the same way, and having a space to release tensions and deal with trauma is rather important, especially when you're in the process of experiencing new trauma.