Survey of Post-Relationship Diaspora In Regards to the BDSM/Kink Community Practitioners and Newcomers

• In Event: 306 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Queer Sexualities

Abstract

The rate of separation from a long term partner prior to and after joining a kink community within the parameters of a year (+/-1 year joining) has been reported by a local kink group as being unconventionally high. In this paper we will discuss whether it is at an atypically high rate or not and what that may mean and reasons it may occur. Those that leave a partner usually sacrifice several factors. These factors range from emotional security to economical. To investigate this potential atypical rate we conducted a two pronged study of narrative qualitative data as well as survey quantitative data. The subjects for the surveys were self-reporting volunteer candidates from a local kink organization, Reddit.com and the kink community website “Fetlife.com”. All surveyed also had the opportunity to fill out a short narrative of what else they would like to add about their time joining the kink community.

Authors

• Ryan Huntington Nordness, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Elizabeth Helene Baker, University of Alabama-Birmingham