The word kink has a myriad of associations - Christian Grey, puppy play, pleasure, Julia Fox’s domme career, corsets, leather, trauma - as does the behaviour, preferences and relationships that operate under the umbrella of Kink. However, there can sometimes be stigmatised cultural attitudes toward the kink community.

LET'S STRAIGHTEN THAT OUT.

An individual’s kink fantasies, interests, behaviours, relationships and/or identities, by themselves, do not indicate the presence of pathology or the inability of a person to control their behaviour.

“Kink-identified individuals report that BDSM has been used to promote psychological or spiritual growth, healing, and transformation. Kink scenes and relationships have been used in conscious, creative, and life-affirming ways (whether on their own or as an adjunct to psychotherapy) with positive impacts on self-actualization, personal growth, and an increased sense of empowerment and autonomy” (Sprott et al., 2019).

It’s important to note that Kink is grounded in “consensual, non-traditional sexual, sensual and intimate behaviours such as sadomasochism, domination and submission, erotic roleplaying fetishism, and erotic forms of discipline” (Hughes & Hammack, 2019). The kink community is responsible for the widespread popularity of sexual aftercare. Sexual after-care is considered essential post-Kink as a way to recalibrate and continue communication following the intensity of many BDSM interactions. This can involve soothing abrasions, rehydrating, snacking, physical comfort or any after-pleasure activity; Kink play is grounded in respect, consent and care for both committed and casual interactions, always aiming to attend to the post-coital needs of all parties involved (What is Sexual Aftercare? Hannah Gallagher, Channel Void).

Kink communities and mental distress often intersect in the circumstance of minority group stress. Like other marginalised groups living with stigmatised sexualities, a kink-engaged person internalises messages from their culture about their sexuality as shameful or abnormal and may also experience acts of violence or aggression, leading them to experience heightened distress and internalised kink-phobia.

FYI: there is nothing wrong with Kink; the cultural stigma is wrong.

Posmo is a safe space to explore your sexuality: pro-kink, pro-BDSM, pro-consent, pro-sexual-aftercare and pro-do-what-you-want-with-your-body.

Sprott, Richard & Randall, Anna M & Moser, Charles. (2019). Clinical Practice Guidelines for Working with People with Kink Interests. 10.13140/RG.2.2.18464.33287. Hughes, S.D. and Hammack, P.L. (2019). Affirmation, compartmentalization, and isolation: narratives of identity sentiment among kinky people. Psychology & Sexuality, 10(2), pp.149–168. doi:10.1080/19419899.2019.1575896.