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Did HIV Shape the History of BDSM?

Alexander Martin

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Alexander Martin
10/24/17

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13 Misconceptions about BDSM
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13 Misconceptions about BDSM

In the 1980s, BDSM was adopted by many gay men who were afraid of the HIV epidemic as a way to play safely when no one was yet aware what the virus actually was. Back then, it was seen as a safe way to enjoy other men intensely while creating a bond between both partners — it was a substitute for anal sex.

Depending on how you do it, BDSM can limit the amount of direct physical contact from one person to another. While fears of spreading "the gay cancer" grew, some men turned to BDSM, which is why it is such an ingrained part of our community today.

Plus turned to @BetaBreeder, author of  The Gay Boy Bible on Tumblr. He's a gay man in his 30s exploring his dominance, and other men's submission. If you want to ask your own questions about BDSM, shoot him an email at Bdsmadvicealex@gmaill.com. For now, click through the next slides to hear what he had to say. 

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13 Misconceptions about BDSM
1. Kink always involves butt sex or oral sex.
2. You can’t engage in kink without ever being the recipient of pain.
3. You must do what a dominant tells you.
4. Dominance and submission is pre-defined by being a top or bottom.
5. Kink needs to be complicated.
6. Being submissive means you can’t be assertive.
7. Kink is about the action not discussion.
8. BDSM is never lighthearted.
9. All dominants and submissives want to be treated the same.
10. Kinksters have something wrong in their heads.
11. You have to live the lifestyle to be a kinkster.
12. You’re either dominant or you’re submissive.
13. BDSM happens on the fly.
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